Tommy079

First, I love my Mustang and am not giving it up...so this isn't about that.

It's just ever since I was little I've always loved the body style of the old 70's Corvettes. This morning I go out for food and 3 blocks from my house is a yellow corvette with black interior (many of you know my whole Pittsburgh/Steelers deal with black and yellow) anyway....T-tops, and a 350. Also '79 is the year I was born. I always really wanted a 71 or 73 Stingray but for the price would settle for one from the year I was born.

They want $7,000 for it and it has 130,000mi. Am I crazy? I can get it financed over 4 years for less than $180 bucks a month! I'd pay over though and have it paid off sooner.

Whatta y'all think?

arabianobsession

Sounds like a nice car! I'd at least go look at it for sure.

scooter3

Do it, you only live once.

amoosenamedhank

Where do you live? My step dad is selling his '79 Corvette. Yellow with T-tops, black interior and 350.

black2010

Check out corvetteforum.com to learn more about the car and possibly get someone local to come check it out with you. I had an 81 vette and currently have an 85 to go along with my mustangs. They are fun cars to drive but you can get into it deep if you buy the wrong car as their is, what I like to call, a "Corvette" tax.

$7K is not bad if it's in realitvely good condition but keep in mind the odomiter only goes to 99,999.99 on those cars so it could easily be 230K. Check it very carefully for rust as that body style has a lot of issues with it. Check the body mounts, frame under the side or the cars and the birdcage (framing around the windshield). These are the main areas of bad rust. Next check the weather stripping on the whole car and pay extra attention to the t-tops as they are notorious for leaking which is why the birdcage rust so much on them ;-)Check it for previous body damage as those cars are very hard to put back together right once wrecked since the whole front end and rear are one piece. Cheap body work will look cheap and cause more problems for you. Take it for a long test drive and check it for the same things as a mustang.

Keep in mind that the 4-speed cars and ones with the L-82 are more valuable even though the L-45's produce basically the same power (both are pretty slow stock).

Here are a few I found for you to give you an idea on what can be had for close to that. take not their isn't much difference in price to get a lot nicer car in these 3. The first link is what you want if you can afford it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...-corvette.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...82-7500-a.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...s-10000-a.html

All in all they are no different than mustangs but just have differnt things to look for. Best of luck with the car and I hope it's one of the good ones.

TOMMY01GT

Im on Corvette forum, RED-85-Z51 is my username

I had a 76 Stingray, and of course an 85 Z51.

My dad had a 79 back in about 85 or so, had a built 350, stroked out with dual quads...wasnt a bad car but it was very low miles and babied, he sold it after a year or 2 and got a brand new 0 miles 1990 Firebird Formula 350.

The big problems with the C3 vettes is the interiors are very very cheap, and honestly quite awkward to move around in. The rear end is of course, independent with a fiberglass traverse spring, unfortunately they didnt use aluminum like the 84-96 vettes..and the C3's suffer alot of suspension rust out, also the rear wheel bearings...kind of a pain in the ***.

Pull back the floor pan carpet, look for rust around where the seats mount, and where the pedals are, and more importantly near the door sills and around the window frame.

Recirculating ball steering....*shaking my head*

But fun cars to drive...hard to beat a 350/TH350 combo for durability, I mean..the 79 was like..200hp or so stock.

Tommy079

I took it out for a drive. It's got alot of power and is pretty fun to drive. I haven't looked for rust yet because I was in a rush to get the car back (I had to pick the kids up from school). The interior is in rough shape. And it wouldn't hurt to have some paint fixed.

I mean...I'm just on the fence. It's worth about what they're asking. Now I found one for the heck of it in Indiana for $7,999 that is essentially the same car except it's an automatic, and it only has 80,000 miles.

With new seats, a console, and some interior upgrades it could look nice inside. Less than $1,000.

I know a guy who does paint and am gonna get a feel for his work by having him do some custom work on my mustang. I think he may do a full spray and clear coat cheap. I'm hoping around $1,000 something.

What do you guys think? It's way cheap. $170 something a month and $26 for liabiltiy or $105 for full coverage. And that's it. And I just found out today that I got a teaching job (which I've been going to school 6 years for now)

I have a feeling if I hold out I can get exactly what I want in much nicer condition. And I think with the way the drivers seat is set up and so tight that I'd rather have an automatic.

Tommy079

I'm in New Mexico. How much is he asking, and do you have some pictures. I'm all for dream building.

sn95_331_GT_ yellow

meh its up to you, personally id pass but then again id only buy an 02-04 C5 Z06 so im kinda biased...

if it feels good, tell him about the issues and see if you can work something out, its not like C3's are all that rare so he shouldnt be asking for gold for it

FWIW you can find good '99 FRC C5's for about the $12-13K range all the time and about $17K or so for a good C5Z, i dont really think a C3 is worth the $7-8K range, its just not that great of a car...

Tommy079

So teach me. What about those corvettes you listed makes them such an upgrade from the old 70's models. Because I'll admit, it's beautiful but it was pretty uncomfortable and run down.