J75

Have some fun here.In your opinion,if two cars of equal options and condition were for sale which would you go for and why?Also if we spend so much time and money upgrading[steering,brakes,ods and the like]why not buy a C4?

For me I like the flat rear window better,add PC spoilers and and they have a real clean look.If you live in a non-emission state then it is no problem to gain hp from any of the 350s.For me the older the better.I enjoy the tinkering, and up-grading is part of it.Not to say that some of the later C4s didn't look nice,I just don't think they compare with the C3s.

mapman

C3 over C4 mainly because the C4 is more complex and would be more difficult for me to work on (I think). The pre 1986 SBC also enjoys good GM and aftermarket support. You can make reasonable amounts of HP at reasonable costs. The large production volumes and longevity of the C3 also translate into enough "donor" cars that used parts don't get too expensive.

I like the looks of my 1980, but these cars are pretty flexible - you can build/change all of them to suit your own tastes.

JimBR0

Personally....Nothing beats the curves of a C3! Then since a convertible was not available on C3's after 1975, I prefer the 68-75, so from your dates, give me a 74 or 75 convertible. The C4 look too much like Camaros and Firebirds from the same time frame. Yes the ride isn't the best in my 74, but it was a no brainer when I bought her. Now a C5.....that's another story!

JimBRO

Ganey

Since I prefer 70-77, then the 74-77. Med. rise hood, modern ft. bumper w/ less radar range, etc. For handling all it needs is FE-7 so I got that from the factory. Better than many C4. See 77 Facts on my website. St. is excellent.
I saved a lot of work & got a 77 w/ FE-7 (setup for BB) as it needed no body/chassis mods except Indy ft. spoiler. Got that from the dealer so early that paint matches exactly.
Actually have lots of mods & still appears basically stock from outside.

Engine, HP, etc. is no problem.

:cool:

Ganey

PS C3 has something for every enthusiast, so pick the body/chassis you like best & build an engine for it.

:cool:

Hope all of you are as happy w/ your Vette as I am w/ my CORVETTE.

SuperFast80

While my heart is solidly with the C3 camp - 78-82 edition - you all should drive a C4 before you form an opinion. I have driven auto and stick, L98 and LT1, Z51 and FE1 cars and they are all just GOLD. :yesnod:

gliot1

I have a C3 Pace and have driven C4s. While I agree the C4 drives better, it is defintiely not as cool as looking out over those high fenders. Additionally the C3s in our club always get more attention at shows than any of the C4s. I know when I park next to the C4s and C5s, the sexy curves of the C3 win every time.I have an uncle that owned a 78 Pace and an 86 Pace. He liked them both, but said he always had a special place in his heart for the C3.................My dream:
C5 drivetrain coupled to a C3 body. It will happen someday!

Koz

:withstupid: 1 month after I got my '80 a buddy purchased a '79. We talked about them but hadn't seen each others cars.. We finally met up to go to a show and we pulled nose to nose and the '80 was much sexier.. even at the show my car got more attention. I like the carb vs EFI in the '81 and '82 too.

still-learning

This is a big subject for me for two reasons. The first one is obvious. I would definitely pick '74 - '77. ;-) I like my '77 for all the reasons that Ganey stated.

As far as C3 vs. C4 I think this all depends on what you want the car for. I have been seriously kicking around the idea of selling my '77 and buying a late C4. The reason being time. While I enjoy working on my car I don't have enough time between school and work. I feel guilty when I see all the nice cars here and I like driving. Therefore the tradeoff is: buy a C3 and do all the cool maintenance your self or buy a C4 and drive it all the time and not do work on it.

Just my two cents...

Tim M.

Glensgages

I 'grew-up' with the C3s, detailing them at a local Chevy dealer ('73-'81). While I like ALL C3s (and never took a liking to ANY C4s {?}), my favorite is the 'late ('80-'82) versions. Big rear window w/ cargo area, best seats in ANY C3, built-in chin and tail spoilers, etc. MY ideal C3? '80-'82 -style, ZZ502/502HP, heavy-duty 4L80E, 4.11-posi, 17"-ZR1 chrome wheels, painted Yellow w/ Black guts...


[Modified by Glensgages, 4:54 PM 3/13/2003]

sidepipes79

Well after buying an 86 when my 79 blew up, i had a choice. Sell the 79 and have money for spending, or sell the 86 and dump all the money into the 79. I coulnt be happier. I sold the 86 to my nieghbor and still get to drive it once awhile. I would have to go with the 79

Adam Wartell

I'd have to pick 78-82.

I don't like the flat window of 74-77 and I still like the C3 body style more than the C4.

Don't get me wrong, if someone gave me a 74-77 or a C4, I'd drive it! I like all Vettes, just some more than others.

garagedweller2

Chrome Bumpers, then 78-82 with spoilers, then 74-77
C4 are in a different class IMHO

Alwyn678

As long as it is a C-3 and a convertible I am cool






[Modified by Alwyn678, 4:02 PM 3/13/2003]

78Vette-SA

I hate choices, except which one to drive today! :D

They are all great cars. They are all VERY different, but each is a blast. Once again, it's up to personal preference.

turtlevette

"the tradeoff is: buy a C3 and do all the cool maintenance your self or buy a C4 and drive it all the time and not do work on it."

Don't count on that, still-learning. Ever hang out on the C4 news groups? They have more problems keeping their rides going than we do. Lots of electrical and computer related stuff. C3s are a chore to keep going if you put a lot of miles on them, but the simplicity of the engine gives us an edge. All you need is gas and fire, we don't need no stinkin computer.

The C4 has superior handling, no question but i don't like the way it feels. I was going to trade up years ago, but when i drove the C4, it seemed too wide like it took up too much room on the road. Even though the C3 is sloppy and sounds like a bucket of bolts on a rough road, it feels like a smaller car and i like that.

This is not part of the debate, but i drove my brothers Z06 and it felt small and nimble like a go cart. That's a good thing! I would love to have one. Oh well maybe in 10 years i'll be able to afford a used one.

jim




[Modified by turtlevette, 6:47 PM 3/13/2003]

Glensgages

:thumbs:

ndirishr1

I have a 68 and drove an 84 for about 12 years. The 74-82 C3s are not as interesting. I like the chrome bumber cars. Drivability wise there is no comparison between a C4 and a C3. The C4 is a far superior car. I have my C3, also a C5, but I miss my C4 and might replace it someday.

Big Fish

My own humble opinion: I own a 75 (still under construction) but if I had a chance to start over I would get a 74 or older, simply because of less restrictive EPA requirements. Don't get me wrong, all Vettes are great cars and I am planning to build the best car I can, given the resources I have to work with. I personally like the vertical rear window, and would really like to have one of the years that had a removeable rear window. I have a lot of respect for all the chrome bumper years as well. I do believe as these cars evolved GM kept cutting costs and taking out little things each year to make them just a little more affordable, but then the C-4's came out and the evolution started all over. Could have bought a nice "driver" quality C4 for 4,000 about a year ago, but the lines of my 75 kind of won in the end. I believe the potential for a nice C4 to increase in value over the years is good, but probably won't gain value as quickly as a C3, but would certainly be the better handling car. They all have their strong points, just a matter of what you feel comfortable with and for what purpose.

Crash Dummy

I've owned 3 chrome bumper vettes('69,'69,'73) and a '80 and now this '74. And I've driven C-4's. Given the range of your debate, I thought the change in '80 back to the mako-shark rear end and the comfort made that one of the best vettes in the '74-'82 years and actually wish I had not sold it. I've never really been attracted to the '74-'79 years purely because of that loss of the mako rear end part. I like the round rear bumper on the verts though and the reason I bought this one.