Poor Decision? Sell my car and get another vette?

[Bender]

Well right now I have a 81 vette and a 2001 eclipse, the eclipse has been in a accident and fully repaired but the thing still does not drive the same, like air leaks in because the seals are put on wrong and the door does not close quite all the way also, it not longer has a cd player or radio or clock because they disconnected the batt to make reapairs and I dont want to pay 40 bucks for another code. Well I love the 81 its fun to drive as a weekend car and even after all the repairs that have been made, the steering is still not 100% right, the breaks sqeak even tho all the pads have been replaced the interior still has maybe 500 bucks in parts left even tho all the marjor stuff has been replaced like dash and carpet but corvette parts are a rip off and the trim will cost a ton, the visor to replace is 160.00!! So much heats gets in because I have no heat matts that AC is useless! And the worst thing out of them all its a new engine bought from a raceway so it has a bigger cam and other parts that cause really poor gas mileage. Now I know this may sound spoiled but I really do hate driving any car but a corvette, people already think Im spoiled having two cars at 19 and Im sure me buying another corvette will only reinforce that but o well. What do you all think, maybe in a year sell my eclipse and pick up a 99 for like 17k or something?

 

[78SilvAnniv]

...I know this may sound spoiled but I really do hate driving any car but a corvette...

I think you should buy as many Corvettes as you want and your budget allows! It's your money and you can spend it any way you want to. It seems you are very dissatisfied with the '81...perhaps you should sell both cars and get a great C5! The C5 makes a reliable daily driver and gets great gas mileage, too.
Heidi

 

[Bender]

I am happy with the 81 but unhappy with the amount of money its sucking, I know there is only a little bit left and anyways when I decided to have the carpet and dash put in I past the point of no return on where I can get a C5 right now. It would be a waste of money just to sell my 81 at this point. I am still super ****ed off about more crappy repairs, my carpet just put in is already comming up and the stuff in the dash cracked.

 

[atmmac]

Bender i would suggest you dump the eclipse and use that cash to "Modernize" your 81. Get the A/C converted. Squeaking brakes is no big deal maybe the rotors need to be cleaned. The interior stuff shouldnt be too bad. And do me a favor and stop ordering parts out of catalogs. You need to talk to people who have the parts. I got all the parts to fix my impala off of people who i dont even know on the internet. Do not use Ecklers and all of those companies. You will be seriously ripped off.

Best Of Luck,
-Andy

 

[Tripleblack51]

Well right now I have a 81 vette and a 2001 eclipse, the eclipse has been in a accident and fully repaired but the thing still does not drive the same, like air leaks in because the seals are put on wrong and the door does not close quite all the way also, it not longer has a cd player or radio or clock because they disconnected the batt to make reapairs and I dont want to pay 40 bucks for another code. Well I love the 81 its fun to drive as a weekend car and even after all the repairs that have been made, the steering is still not 100% right, the breaks sqeak even tho all the pads have been replaced the interior still has maybe 500 bucks in parts left even tho all the marjor stuff has been replaced like dash and carpet but corvette parts are a rip off and the trim will cost a ton, the visor to replace is 160.00!! So much heats gets in because I have no heat matts that AC is useless! And the worst thing out of them all its a new engine bought from a raceway so it has a bigger cam and other parts that cause really poor gas mileage. Now I know this may sound spoiled but I really do hate driving any car but a corvette, people already think Im spoiled having two cars at 19 and Im sure me buying another corvette will only reinforce that but o well. What do you all think, maybe in a year sell my eclipse and pick up a 99 for like 17k or something?

Bender,

Since you asked...

Sounds like you have the right idea!!

It seems like you've listed a bunch of reasons to pull the triggger!

You'll love the C5..

I agree with Heidi...sell both the Eclipse and the '81 and get a nicer C5!!
You will absolutely love it!!

Regards,

Pedro

 

[Bender]

Its not the parts that are killing me its the high labor that ends up falling apart on me and me having to pay someone to fix the last guys mess thats costing.

 

[JBsC5]

drive a C5 and then the decision will be made for you. Lots of very good examples out there to consider.


I've been very pleased with both the C5 coupe I had and the Z06 I presently own.

As the C6 rolls out in the next month or so..there will be even more C5's to choose from.

I say get the C5...

Great everyday driver too..

 

[atmmac]

The C5 is nice but it doesnt have that old school feel when you drive it. Youll know what i mean when you drive it. Whatever you do dump the rice.

 

[Bender]

I have rode in one and I know what you mean. Thats why I am thinking about just selling the eclipse and parking the old vette in the garage with a cover for years until I can afford to have it restored to mint instead of the half way done jobs. I always here how people regreat selling there first car.

 

[JBHAMC40]

Dump The Eclipse and get a c5 or a c4. There are many nice c4's left with low miles or even some c5's. I have had both and would recomend either. A far as the 81 park it cover it get a good job and do it right. Years down the road you will have a car that everyone wants. I hear my dad tell me all the time he wished he had never sold his 73. I wish he hadnt either!

 

[SLICKMAN]

You have the right idea.. At 19, I don't think you can swing the insurance cost on two corvettes or you will be working to support both of them and have no money for anything else. As far as getting a 99 C5 for $17K, you will not see that price for early C5's for a long time unless they need work or VERY high mileage.. You need to be ready to spend $21k or better for a nice C5.. You should be able to get an Auto for for less..

Have fun and do what you like, be a leader not a follower....

Well right now I have a 81 vette and a 2001 eclipse, the eclipse has been in a accident and fully repaired but the thing still does not drive the same, like air leaks in because the seals are put on wrong and the door does not close quite all the way also, it not longer has a cd player or radio or clock because they disconnected the batt to make reapairs and I dont want to pay 40 bucks for another code. Well I love the 81 its fun to drive as a weekend car and even after all the repairs that have been made, the steering is still not 100% right, the breaks sqeak even tho all the pads have been replaced the interior still has maybe 500 bucks in parts left even tho all the marjor stuff has been replaced like dash and carpet but corvette parts are a rip off and the trim will cost a ton, the visor to replace is 160.00!! So much heats gets in because I have no heat matts that AC is useless! And the worst thing out of them all its a new engine bought from a raceway so it has a bigger cam and other parts that cause really poor gas mileage. Now I know this may sound spoiled but I really do hate driving any car but a corvette, people already think Im spoiled having two cars at 19 and Im sure me buying another corvette will only reinforce that but o well. What do you all think, maybe in a year sell my eclipse and pick up a 99 for like 17k or something?

 

[1987Silvervette]

Yea i would have to aggre i though insurance was high on one vette. try paying them on 2. State farm loves me like a fat kid loves cake.

 

[Steve Calvin]

I'd keep the C5. The C5 is absolutly a nice car but is more like a high preformance Caddy. No "sportscar" feel to it at all. I bought one about a month ago and long for my '84 (Z-51) back. Much better road feel and it just seemed more like a sports car.

Could the '97 beat in in the 1/4? Absolutely. But not if I threw a 383 stroker in it. Could it beat it in the twisties? Boy, I dunno.

If you're looking for "comfy" move to the C5. If you're looking for "sports car", C4 (or maybe even C3) is the way to go IMO. YMMV

 

[SLICKMAN]

I'd keep the C5. The C5 is absolutly a nice car but is more like a high preformance Caddy. No "sportscar" feel to it at all. I bought one about a month ago and long for my '84 (Z-51) back. Much better road feel and it just seemed more like a sports car.

Could the '97 beat in in the 1/4? Absolutely. But not if I threw a 383 stroker in it. Could it beat it in the twisties? Boy, I dunno.

If you're looking for "comfy" move to the C5. If you're looking for "sports car", C4 (or maybe even C3) is the way to go IMO. YMMV

I disagree on all counts. .... I'm sure all the C5 owners that came from a C4 will chime in.. I had a C4 and the only thing I found about the C4 is it did feel the road more. BUT, if you got the adjustable suspension in the C5, they are in the same league in my mind.. If you get the active handling, you will far surpass the C4..



My two cents..

 

[Steve Calvin]

I disagree on all counts. .... I'm sure all the C5 owners that came from a C4 will chime in.. I had a C4 and the only thing I found about the C4 is it did feel the road more. BUT, if you got the adjustable suspension in the C5, they are in the same league in my mind.. If you get the active handling, you will far surpass the C4..

My two cents..

Just to clairify, my previous post should have said that I'd keep the C4.

Having said that, you may very well be right. My '97 doesn't have the active handling or Z-51 suspension. If it did I may be very happy with it. As far as "far surpass", boy, I dunno. It'd probably be close.

I just told Nancy tonight that the '97's gonna go and I'm getting something else. Will DEFINATELY have the Z-51 suspension, that I can say without question. What year? Beats the **** outta me!