mcesaret

Hi, All

New to the forum and I can not wait to get feedback and gain more confidence for my first Vette purchase!

Until recently, I was set on looking for my '74-'77 Vette. I love the curves of a C3 and thought it would be a fun trip for my first Vette.

However, I visited a dealer and a couple of used C6's (2005-2007) caught my eye. The price difference is give or take $10k (a good chunk of change, I know), but I wanted to get some comments about what you think are pros/cons for owning a C6 vs. vintage. The obvious ones are more reliability, less maintenance, etc., but send any/all comments.

Would love to hear and it will help me make my decision.

Thanks in advance!

bigterpsfan

I think you know the answer! New vette = more hp, more tq, more creature comforts and better driveability. The only thing the C3 offers is vintage status. What are your plans with the car? If it is car show bound only get the C3, otherwise get the C6

cadguymark

A C3 is cool to look at, but have you driven one? The difference in ride between C3 & C6 is night and day.

designerRob

I can't think of one reason to prefer the C3 over the C6. I guess you need to drive each and decide for yourself. Good luck.

3GenVettes

Both a C3 and a C6 share space in my garage. There are numerous advantages to the C3 besides the price differential that you mentioned.

1) The C3 has looks that draw the vast majority of attention between the two.
2) Long ago the C3 quit depreciating.
3) The insurance is very inexpensive.
4) The engine is very easy to work on.

However the C6 has significant advantages of its own.
1) It is considerably quicker.
2) It both rides and handles better.
3) Everything works well all of the time.
4) It is far more fuel efficient.

Nine days out of ten I'm going to choose to drive the C6, but on that tenth day the C3 wins.



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goatts

The most obvious difference is a 35 yr old car with everything on it worn out vs a new one with everything working that can be driven and is reliable.

Jeff78

You said it all right there, I also own both but only put 500 miles on my C3 last year due to driving the C6, the C3 definitely gets more comments from onlookers though.

Thrustfuljet

I get way more attention when I drive the C3. My C6 is really nice but most people view it as just another car on the road. JMHO...

BrianBNM

Have to agree with everyone above. I own both and the C3 is for sale. I need the garage space.

cmonkey713

Two completely different cars. No comparison other than they are both Corvettes. Personal choice for which car will work for you.

Fat Mike

I also own both - a '77 and an '06, and the comments above from 3Gen and Jeff describe my feelings well.

You will need to decide what you want out of the car and what's most imporant. You really need to drive both under similar conditions to make a good decision.

vettn71

I sold a 71 LS5 4-speed convertible. Pain in the azz, always working on it, even though I had replaced everthing. When I began to replace things the second and third time around, I was done. Great looking car, turns heads, fun to blow the tires off of, but definitly a garage queen

Jim

mcesaret

Thanks all for the comments! I hear ya; 2 completely different cars. Your replies have helped (I think I may have known the answer, but it always helps to hear from current Vette owners) and I am leaning towards a C6. I have driven both and I agree they are completely different. I've been weighing my wants/ don't wants and I don't want to be working on the car (C6 score: 1) and if we want to take it to The Keys and back (9 hour trip), we can do that in a C6 (C6 score: 2).

Thanks, again! Will post when I get my new Vette

Vettin08

I'm surprised you're talking 10k between a C6 and a 74-77 C3. Cheapest C6 I know of is upper 20's, but unless you're talking a big block '74 vert, or maaaaybe a 75 vert, what other model would be pushing 20k?

To answer your questions, I'll go w/ the other guys. The only thing common between them is the name, and thats the truth. I'd love to have a '70 LT-1, but I don't want to fix it all the time either. I'll probably have one someday, and if I do and it bites me, CF will be the first to know! Depends on what you want, do you want a vintage cruiser, or a modern supercar? Both have their merits, but if you decide on a C3, look at chrome bumpers.

mpuzach

The only thing I can add is that if you want to go C3, at least go with the more desirable model years. With the right engine (427, 454, or LT-1) and options, a '68 - '72 C3 can be great. Once you get into the '73s and newer, things go downhill with each successive model year.

AirBusPilot

I owned a 79' L82 4spd, black/oyster/spoilers. Nice looking car. But, it's prehistoric.

Slow by todays standards. Even modfied they aren't much to worry about unless you go all out.
Handling is spooky, to say the least.
Cramped and hot interior.
Build quality doesn't exist.
And, it's old, meaning you'll be working on it and even then it just can't do what a modern car does.

stic5

johnodrake

These C3s were mine, and I would love to have either or both of them back, but not at the expense of my C6 - no way, no day!

TexasMadMan

I've owned 4 C3 Vettes over the years. Two '77s, an 80, and an 82. I enjoyed them for what they were at the time. The C6 is a different and better experience in my opinion.

If you do not know everything to check on a C3, you might want to steer clear. There have been more than a few novices get burned after buying one only to find out the birdcage was rusted out. They learned a very expensive lesson.

Go to the C3 board and let everyone know you are looking to buy your first Corvette. More than a few will caution you about the rust issues. Yes, Corvettes DO rust.

STLBLUES

A C5 or C6 will make you happy. My 08 is hard to pass up on any day. I get the 82 out just to keep the tires round and the fluids moving. I only drive it on short runs so I can keep the miles low. I wish I drove it more but I cant make myself turn the key vs. push the button.