Question re 1982

[oceangal]

Hi all, I am glad to find a site devoted to vettes and with message boards and so much info all in one place. I am going to try and hook up with the local vette club as well. ( i posted an intro on another section)
I am going to be looking at a '82 tomorrow and am wondering if that is a year to avoid as it was the last year for the stingray - any thoughts?
I really like the C3's but they are getting pricey - if I won the lottery tomorrow I would surely get a '69 - 72 It seems like I might end up with a more recent model with the way pricing is going.
Anyway I wanted to say hello and I hope to get one this year, but I can wait til next year - well I really can't but if I don't get one now I may have to wait til fall/winter.
Thank you for a great site - I have printed out the checklist in the learning cetner to bring with me - a great place to start for us rookies!
Lori

 

[jdp6000]

This is a site dedicated to the 1982 and 1984 Crossfire Vette http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/

I have one. I myself preferred a pre 1972 but they are far more expensive. I decided that I would buy one of the following, a 1978 Anniversary Edition, a 1978 Pace Car, a 1982 Special Edition or just an 82.

As you know the body style of the 1980 to 1982 is the same. The difference is the 1982 has the crossfire engine.


An 82 is a good buy right now. They are affordable. It is the last of of the C3's. Look for a rust free one. Make sure its structurally and mechanically sound.

As for the engine. Make sure it runs well. No ifs....no buts. Trouble starts when these cars are neglected mechanically. They have multiple sensors. A computer (ECM) makes adjustments for perfomance.

Jim

 

[jdp6000]

History of the 1982 can be found at this link.

http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1980/vet82.htm

Jim

 

[oceangal]

Hi Jim,
Thank you for the info - I am getting pretty psyched to see the car. I imagine being on the east coast here with seasonal driving that sort of explains the pricing mania going on. I spoke to the owner last night, he is the 4th owner and has had the car for 4 yrs now - its originally from Tx and has not rust and he did a carfax on it and no accidents etc - he sounds pretty knowledgable and is restoring a '72 that his wife is getting on his case about fixing up - hence the sale. He mentioned somethings that are hard to know if they are pricey or not ; right now you have to assist with the power windows and the power locks are not working and the AC needs to be recharged.
Basically all i want this year is to be able to drive it without having to put a lot of $ into it mechanical wise. Did you have a top dollar in mind when you bought your '82?
thank you, Lori
PS how do i see the other replies to my original post? when I come to the site now I see only yours, even when I go back out to the main C3 message board.

 

[GS Diva]

Lori,

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center and welcome to the world of Corvettes! I'm also a female Corvette lover from MA (Weymouth).

Although I cannot help you with questions about the '82, I can recommend a couple of clubs that might interest you. One is North Shore Corvettes who meet in Wakefield, MA (www.northshorecorvettes.com), and the other is Gate City Corvette Club who meet in Manchester, NH (www.gatecitycorvetteclub.com). Check them out. I know people in both clubs...great folks!

Elaine

 

[ed_in_pa]

Not trying to be picky, I assume when you say last year for the Stingray you mean C3, The last year for the Stingray nameplate was '76.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

PS how do i see the other replies to my original post? when I come to the site now I see only yours, even when I go back out to the main C3 message board.

I'm not sure what you are doing, if you click the Reply button, or even the Quick Reply button, you should be able to see all of the posts in the thread by scrolling to the bottom of the screen.
However, if you are clicking Reply with Quote, I think you will only see that person's reply that you are "quoting" when you type your text... but since I don't see any quotes in your replies, I'm not sure what you are doing.:confused

If I haven't been able to shed any light on this, please post in the Feedback and Help forum with details about what you are doing and someone more knowledgeable than me will be along to assist you.
Heidi

 

[jdp6000]

I didn't pay much for 82. I was looking for a rust free one that more or less needed everything. I bought mine out of Sacremeto. In hind sight I should have bout one with less miles that ran fine. You can fix anything and everything on these cars. Mechanically though you need one that runs perfect...to many variables when it comes to repairing one thats rough, simple because you don't know what the previous owners have done. Basically if it runs well when you get it and something goes down the road its easier to troubleshoot.

What would I pay for a good running 1982? Well....anywhere from $4000 to $7500. For one thats in mint shape with very low miles....upwards of $7500 to maybe $9500. You should be able to get a good driver for $4000 to $7500.

Power windows not working could be a number of things, fuse, switches, power window motors, regulator, etc. Are they getting power??? Tought to say until you get the car and post some basic information.

Power looks. Simpler then the power windows to fix. its probably a switch. Most people don't realize it but if one switch doesn't work neither power lock will.

Why don't you see all messages? Once we post you get an email. If you don't link the site through the email you won't get anmore notices for CAC.

Best of luck tomorrow. Remember...mechanically sound...it has to run and drive well.

Jim

 

[oceangal]

Thanks Heidi, I think I finally figured it out but I can't explain it! LOL. I am used to a different set up like PHPBB - okay now for my latest post!

 

[Guy]

Welcome to the and good luck on your search. I used to be known here as 82-Guy since I had 2 82's. I loved driving these cars and in 3 years between the two:
MA to GA twice, MA - St. Louis, Ma - Montreal, MA - Carlisle, PA twice and many trips to Maine all without ANY trouble. The 82's have been increasing in value over the past few years being the last of the C3's and just a pleasure to drive. Good luck and I hope you find the car right for you.


Guy

 

[82X-FireVette]

Lori, welcome to the site. Good luck in your search.

The '82 is just as great as the other years. It does have some unique features not found on the older models. It has a 4 speed automatic, crossfire injection, a ram air system built into the hood, magnesium valve covers, and of course an engine management computer.

If I were buying one, I'd ask the following questions: Do the T-tops leak (check the seals to see if they are dry rotted), check the rear wheel bearings by trying to wiggle the tires in and out and side to side, ask about transmission leaks, rear end leaks, engine leaks, is the steering wheel original (the foam under the leather breaks down and forms a gooey substance that gets all over your hands), check the smog crossover tube (on front of engine over water pump area) for rotting, has anything been modified or disconnected from the injection system, does the check engine light go on when you turn the ignition on and go out as it starts (they might have removed the bulb to make it look like it is working OK), is the headlight vacuum canister rotted, have vacuum lines been plugged or disconnected. I'm sure there are other things to look for but these are some I recommend you check.

My 56,000 mile '82 comes from Massachusettes. It was sold by Clay Chevrolet in Newton. It did time in Saugus and then went to Darien, Connecticutt for a while. I'm the third owner and have spent lots of cash fixing it up. One of my goals is to drive the length of route 95 from where it starts in Miami to its end at the Canadien border.

Good luck!