Hello, as you can see, I'm new here. I'll give a brief introduction before I proceed with my question:

I'm a high school student who just recently (about six months) got interested in 'Vetts. The C3 particularly catches my eye, I believe it is the most beautiful car design ever conceived.

At any rate, I am wondering how this would work for me. As you can imagine, I'm on a fairly limited budget. I can't afford to have two cars, but I would love to drive a C3. Provided I spend around 8k on a car, and get a a good deal -I'm not terribly picky, I could accept any C3 provided it's in good condition- would I be able to use it as my main car without too much hassle? I know that driving a car of this age would present a few problems, but those can be delt with. I just don't want to dig myself into too deep of a hole with this. So, will it be a C3 or a Honda Civic? =P

Advice would be appreciated greatly, thanks everyone.

The Honda will be less trouble and more ecomonical to drive. Honda 1
The C3 looks fabulous 1
The C3 is more fun 2
The C3 is.....you get the idea

If you get a good C3 it can be fairly reliable. They were a very reliable car years ago. BUT, any thing that age is going to have it's share of problems. Nothing that can't be delt with. Once it's in shape it should be just as dependable as any Chevy. It all comes down to what you buy in the first place. Have it inspected by someone who first is a good mechanic, and second, knows Corvettes. If you buy, or repair, a good one I see no reason you could not drive it every day. Just expect to spend more than you planned when you first get it. There will always be a few unplanned and unforseen events. After that it's just maintance.
One more thing. Being a high school student check on insurance before you buy. That may suprise you.

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|3/10/2004 3:50:46 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Yeah, I checked the insurance. It's fairly high, but not overly bad. Insurance is pretty low in Wyoming, I get the 15% drivers ed discount, 15% gpa discount.. etc. It's a bit(Haha) higher than what I'm paying now, but it's a small price to pay.

High school = I live with my parents = they pay for everything other than my car. My job is all profit at this point

In your case, I would choose the C3. Just make sure it's a good one, or you can afford to fix it.
That's just me.

Ken Styer

Heh, one more thing. What kind of gas milege can I expect with something like this: http://www.corvettetraderonline.com/corvettes/listings/l0064.html

just get the vette, search for the best deal they are out there and enjoy if you ever sell a corvette dont put in local paper you will get calls you wont belive but rember corvette not chevette

The vette has mods to that engine. Your gas mileage might be around 14city to 20hwy. Can't tell until you keep a record every time you fill the tank!

Make sure you get 93 octane for that year and engine with Mobil1 synthetic oil.

IRON 82

i just recently graduated high school, and i would definitely love to drive a c3 every day. My big block gets far too low of mileage, but if i had one that got 15+ i would definitely drive it everyday.

Heh, I won't buy that Corvette. It was used for an example, but it should be something in that range.

At any rate, why we're here... sorry for the newbie question(s) but what are the advantages of going with super unleaded over regular in the long-term? 93 octane vs. 89. Would the 93 octane preserve the engine components better? Or is it strictly a this-time-the-car-will-drive-better with no lasting effects?

Dude-get the vette. I had to wait until I was 30 to get mine, but I wish it was waaayyyyyy sooner than that. Oh well, that's life. What it all boils down to is, ALL cars are machines. And ALL machines eventually break. Fortunately for the C3's, the parts and restoration companies are everywhere. All you need to do is shop. I needed a radiator support for my 77 L-82, a big name resto company had one listed for over $300.00, (not)
I shopped around a bit, and Bair's had the best price, over $100.00 cheaper that the first. You just need to do your homework.
Plus, the cool factor is higher in a vette. Being a high school age dude, which car do you think a girl would like a ride in? A Honda or a Vette? Go for it!!!

P.S. THEY DON'T WRITE SONGS ABOUT HONDAS!!!!

Later