Corvette recommendations for a limited budget

LandShark68_2+2 · Guru

Corvette recommendations for a limited budget

LandShark68_2+2 · Guru

BUMP.

I thought for sure there would be a reply or two to this subject, seen as how a number of members have now or in the past had a Corvette.
I'm really curious of your experiences and recommendations.

Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)

66 327 sd · Guru

Ive always fancied the vettes. If I was looking for a reliable bang for the buck driver I would go C4 as I think there are some good deals on low mileage ones.
I like this quote:
The earliest Chevrolet C4 Corvettes aren't necessarily the best-looking or best-performing variants, but they are the cheapest to purchase today; average examples in good condition are found for well less than $10,000. And let's not forget, the Chevrolet C4 Corvette was MotorTrend's 1984 Car of the Year.
Final-year cars (1996 model year) are considered most desirable, because if you ordered a six-speed manual you also got the new 330-hp LT4 V-8 engine. While standard C4's are still relatively pedestrian in the grand scheme of things, special models like the ZR-1 and Grand Sport make collectors take notice

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

A C3 in his budget wouldn't be a good choice. C4 with $15 k will get a good reliable car. I'd say 92 and up to 96. This gets the LT1 or LT4.

I'm not publishing what I paid for my C4 but it has been a very good car. Remember pedestrian today was untouchable in the early 90s. C4s are said to be among the best handling Corvettes.

If he is buying a Corvette to go quick. He should rethink it. One never really owns a Corvette rather becomes a guardian of a legend. Personally my G80 is likely quicker than my Corvette but certainly not as fast. A Corvette brings such gravitas to the driver that there really are no words to describe it. Every time the car is driven it turns heads and generates conversations with complete strangers. Everyone knows what a Corvette is and that is Special.

I just put the hardtop on mine to extend the driving season, its just so enjoyable to drive. Mine is really a two seat luxury car that sounds like a beast and that's what I wanted.

-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 21st of September 2021 04:19:52 PM

ABC123 · Uber Guru

Love this one !

1979 Chevrolet Corvette. | Classic Cars | Mississauga / Peel Region | Kijiji

Dave Rose · Addicted!

PM sent Scott-I know of a factory black 4 spd 1980 for sale-
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

The late production(79,80) C3s constantly rank as some of the worst Corvettes made among Corvette guardians 75 btw is s the absolute worst. I like the look of the rear window in the 79 80 but their reputation is sealed.

harry the hammer · Veteran Member

1978 25th anniversary owner here so I'm biased

15 K should buy a very nice C-3. I've only ridden in a few C-3 vettes but everyone had a nice ride and wasnt bone jarring as expected.
I would only buy a 4 gear car for the fun factor and re-sale value

Mine was a low-mileage 350 L-82 and 4 gear and kind of a dog until about 2500 rpm and then it would come alive and scoot along well
But being a gear-head 220 horse wasnt enough for me so out came drive train in went a 383 stroker along with TKO 600 5 speed.

1978 corvette 25 anniversary (2).JPG

bjburnout · Uber Guru

PM sent

LandShark68_2+2 · Guru

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Much appreciated.

I've passed all this info onto my brother-inlaw, as well as some leads that I received through PMs.

The Corvette fraternity is something new to me and I can say it's quite passionate. I'm enjoying this.

Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

Good luck on your search. Unfortunately Corvettes were never on my list because I dont fit in them. At 65 and size 15 feet I have a hard time driving them. To be honest though, I have never tried a C-4 or newer Vette. I lost interest years ago, hard to like a car when you need to open the door to put your foot on the clutch because your knee hits the steering wheel.

Paul

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hey Paul. We are going to start calling you Paul Bunyon! Size makes a big difference in being able to enjoy a car. My dad wasn't a whole lot over 6 feet but he had real short legs and a very long trunk. Always wearing a cap or a hat he passed on a few vehicles in his day. Bit of a derail.

LT1Caddy · Poncho Master!

73SC wrote:
The late production(79,80) C3s constantly rank as some of the worst Corvettes made among Corvette guardians 75 btw is s the absolute worst. I like the look of the rear window in the 79 80 but their reputation is sealed.

Ray KNOWS of what he talks. I do too, owned 5 Vettes over 40 years. Stay away from "any" C3 after 73, too much plastic used in the interiors and they will be cracked and junk by now. C4 is your cheapest "bang for the buck".... Try a 95/96 6spd, LT1 only. (because the parts for LT1 are cheap and readily available). 30+MPG at 70 MPH. Or a 98-00, but 6 speed is the mileage getter...

Hope that helps

66 327 sd · Guru

Haaaa, Paul Bunyon... Youve still got it J!
The good news is that the new Vette actually accommodates bigger folks, largely a result of the mid engine. (If you can get down so low.)

65Camino · Uber Guru

66 327 sd wrote:
Haaaa, Paul Bunyon... Youve still got it J!
The good news is that the new Vette actually accommodates bigger folks, largely a result of the mid engine. (If you can get down so low.)

Thank goodness Im not a big person. The new Corvette is hideous

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

65Camino wrote:
The new Corvette is hideous

In my opinion, after '71 all 'vettes look hideous.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Pontiacanada wrote:
65Camino wrote:
The new Corvette is hideous
In my opinion, after '71 all 'vettes look hideous.

Id refine that to anything newer then 1960. Except for the 69-70

LandShark68_2+2 · Guru

It's been quite an adventure checking out and driving Corvettes over the last week or so.
I wanted my brother-inlaw to experience as many versions of the cars that he could afford (C3, C4 and C5).
I think it surprised him the different charms, intracacies and drawbacks of each.

What he learned is that a C5 or newer would be his preference, but he also learned that he couldn't afford one.

So, the hunt goes on. Now he's looking at Pontiac Firebirds/TransAms from the 90s and early 2000s.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. It was an education, for sure.

Regards, Scott (LandShark ...)

see2xu · Addicted!

Yeah, gonna be tough to find anything driveable for under $15 CAD, in this market. Gen IV F-bodies (built at Ste-Therese, QB!) are still relatively affordable, and have the LS powertrain.

Real estate, equities, works of art, NFTs (non-fungible tokens, whatever those are), and collectible automobiles are now priced beyond all reason - meaning, with no connection to what working people are earning. This isn't going to end well...