Peglegusus

You've got $17K to spend on a Vette. Here's your options:

dj_riddle06

:yesnod: Go for the best C3 17k can buy :yesnod:

BUGGSY1970

Buy a chrome bumper C3. You won't regret it. I didn't.

wayne_69_427

I ask myself that question often, but every time I go to an event everyone is standing around my car when they are all driving late model stuff. So I keep the old car.
:thumbs:

AGVI

It's a no brainer really!!! :smash:

LAvetteman

IMO the only C3's worth $17k or higher are totally refreshed cars with recent(15yr) technology Fuel Injection and Overdrive trannys. Again for that price, everything needs to be in great shape.

75Rag

:iagree: yesiree .. this coming from the owner of an excellent condition rubber bumper vert.

gdh

depends on what you want to do with the vette, ie if you are into long cruises in relative high comfort and great performance go for a latter C4 or a C5. If more or less a weekend cruiser, go for the best C3 vert that you can find for that price. I quite enjoy taking my 72 vert on long cruises, went to east coast a few years ago, but would not even consider taking it with my wife or one of my children in there with me that far. Too many things can go wrong on a 31 yr. old car, plus I have no a/c, heck the car didn't even originally come with ps, heater or radio. Good luck just consider what you ultimately want to do with your vette - they're all great. :cheers:

Desertdawg

But a really nice C3. Nuff said. :smash:

johnnybrewmeister

really sweet C3 - loads of fun, and fully depreciated; will mostly just appreciate from here. 17K for a C4 or C5 won't be worth 17K in 5 years.
MHO.

Rockn-Roll

Seriously. That's about what I had when I was looking for a vette. I chose to find a vette that was clean. I like doing my own work, and the worst job is cleaning everything and trying to find where all the crap is leaking from. Start with a clean car and you can add to it without worrying about the new stuff getting dirty. You should be able to find a nice clean vette for around 10K that is fun to drive, though maybe not a 350HP monster. That will leave you with enough money for gas, a SCCA course and solo licence, track fees, gas (did I mention that), tires, racing oil, helmet and roll bar, 5-point seat belt harness, gas (did I say that already), dining money for the women that will be all over you, new rims for the new racing tires, gas (I think it leaks out or something), windshield wiper blades (they crack in the sun and look ratty after awhile), sunglasses, Zaino, gas (get my point).

If you spend all the money on the car then it will be the most expensive lawn decoration you ever bought...even the gnomes will be laughing. Set some money aside for enjoyment. You will also need places to drive to...when you get there have dinner, maybe spend the night at a hotel or friends/relatives, look some of us up and get a caravan together.

Here's the step=by-step:

1. BUY ONE YOU WILL LOVE TO DRIVE!
2. DRIVE IT!
3. DRIVE IT MORE!
4. DRIVE IT MORE MORE!
5. DRIVE IT MORE INFINITY!!!

NUFF SED?

standup

I'd only spend $16980 on a C3....the rest I'd spend on beer to celebrate :cheers:

......and BTW....it would have to be a chrome bumper Vert (maybe a big block this time):)

greatgonzoglenn

Buy a cheap C3 and then put all the rest into MY mods. Find a C3 for about $4000 and put the other $13,000 into making it like I would want it. That would get it close to being complete. :yesnod: :flag

427V8

Don't forget gas!...

Mystery Machine

I said buy a nice C3 but it really depends on if it's a second car or if it's going to be your only transportation. Old vettes are classy and the new ones don't come close in styling (IMO) but if it going to be your main source of transportation you may want to think twice. Old vettes are quirky and can be very tempermental. I have to say a nice, new(er) C5 would be a little tempting to me. :thumbs:

mrvette

IF you are an ET/EE with a good clear concise understanding of wiring, and theory, and can do mechanical work too....you may consider a newer vette, BUT, the relatively minor engine controlls that are/have been accomplished since the late 80's with just an engine computer, makes a C3 with DPFI, and an overdrive tranny very doable....

I bought my '72 vert with custom paint done some 7 years ago, and it was close to 10 years on the paint then.....but all the mechanicals were original....
perfect car for me, for 8 grand, both tops new also....
bolted in the interior for a grand, replaced the entire suspensions....2500 bux....
replaced entire cooling system, changed to serp drive,....did the DPFI on original engine which was allready rebuilt and good clean condition...should have stayed with that setup, really and just added the o/drive.....
but I put in a hotrod engine....gained ~150 hp or so.....
put on wheels/tires from '92 vette cost another grand.....with new rubber....

so I have about 15 grand into the car, doing all the work myself over the last 7 years, paint is tired, but then again so am I.......

GENE

Eddie 70

What happend to your 79 that is listed in your signature? I have a soft spot for the 79s.

If I were looking again to buy, it would be another bumper car with more options and alot nicer than what I got already. I like doing the work myself and making the car like I want it. But it would have been cheaper to buy one already done. :thumbs:

Peglegusus

My '79 was sold about 2 years ago. I had been getting offers on it even though it wasn't for sale and finally one was too high to refuse. I was really wanting a vert, anyway, so it gave me a good start on saving for it. I started the poll because I know a guy with a '97 he wants to sell, I've driven it a couple of times and it's pretty bad azzz, but I guess my first love is a C3 vert, they may not perform as well, but the coolness factor makes up for it. :D

dreamingbaby

Buy a C3............ :smash: :smash:

SuprJames

I would buy a beat up C3 and drop a LS1 or 6 in it. Would also redo all the suspension, put some 17's on, and go out and have fun with it. All you need is a streight body!