Topic: Advice on buying a 1980 Vette
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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I want to buy my first Vette but I don't want to spend a lot of money on it right now. This guy has a 1980 manual Vette that was orginally yellow but now is red but is willing to paint it yellow again. (we don't like red cars, accidents with red cars on tues, not good). It has 93,000 miles on it.
dsireme 2008-06-06 10:50:21
I am looking for a yellow manual so this would fit in great if I can get over the red being under it. He wants $10,000 for it. Is this a good deal? I have seen 1980 go for $7,000 and some close to $70,000. So that doesn't help. I know it is really hard to find a manual and then for a yellow manual.... in a lower price range (in the midwest) is not an easy task.
Here is the info about the car. The VIN number is 1Z878AS415756. Any advice good or bad would really be appreciated.
Thank you.
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THE PAINT IS FAIR ON AN OTHERWISE STRAIGHT BODY THAT APPEARS TO BE HO-HIT. THE FRAME IS SOLID AND STRAIGHT. THE WEATHERSTRIP IS IN FAIR CONDITION AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE COMING APART. THE GLASS T-TOPS ARE BEAUTIFUL SHOWING NO CRACKS. THE TIRES ARE NEWER AND SIT ON HER ORIGINAL SLOTTED ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE BODY LINES AND GAPS ARE GREAT AND EVEN THE ORIGINAL FRONT RUBBER AIR DAM IS IN PLACE. THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE WIPERS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. STRAIGHT BODIED FOUR SPEEDS ARE HARD TO COME BY AND THIS SHARK IS NO EXCEPTION.
THE INTERIOR IS IN NICE ORIGINAL CONDITION. THE CARPET, THE DOOR PANELS AND THE DASH ARE SHOWING NO CONSPICUOUS BLEMISHES. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS ONE SMALL SPLIT HOWEVER THE SEATS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE. ALL OF THE GAUGES WORK EXCEPT FOR THE CLOCK AND LOOK GOOD. THE STEREO WAS INSTALLED WITH NO MODIFICATION OF THE DASH. THE ORIGINAL SHIFTER WITH POSITIVE LOCKOUT REVERSE REMAINS IN PLACE AS WELL. THIS INTERIOR IS WELL PRESERVED FOR ITS AGE.
THE ORIGINAL NUMBERS MATCHING 350 CUBIC INCH MOTOR MATED TO THE FACTORY FOUR SPEED TRANSMISSION RUNS OUT WELL AND THE MOTOR SITS IN A VERY ORIGINAL LOOKING MOTOR COMPARTMENT. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REDONE AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND STOP WELL. THE EXHAUST HAS BEEN REPLACED AT SOME POINT IN TIME TOO AND SOUNDS GOOD. THE BUSHINGS FRONT AND REAR LOOK FINE AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE COMING APART. THE A/C SYSTEM IS COMPLETE BUT WILL NEED A RECHARGE TO GET GOING. THE CAR DRIVES AND HANDLES AS SHE SHOULD.
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Lifetime MemberThat description is fairly vague. Either go inspect it yourself (and take someone who really knows what to look for with you), or have a professional look it over for you. It will be money well spent. You'll want to make sure the birdcage (window frame) and frame aren't rusty.
If he's going to repaint it, will it be a Maaco special or a $5,000 paint job? I'll bet the cheaper route...
Be careful, do your homework (do a search on here - lots of great advice on what to check).
If everything stated is true, good frame, runs good, then I'd say $10K is a fair price. One thing nice about the '80, there is no computer to worry about if you want to do any engine mods. I would check it out in person if I were you.
Good luck,
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Try not to buy with your heart, which proves to be a tough thing for many of us, and take your time to look at as many cars as you can before buying. You will soon be able to tell which one may be worth a second look - then fall in love with it.
There are many nice Vettes out there - of all years and prices and I think most of us keep looking for the next one all the time.
Good luck in your search.
I would avoid it like the plague! Every statement in his description is an equivocation or a dodge ("appears to be", "seems" "conspicuous" are not descriptives, they are disclaimers...ways of evading culpability later when you find the problems). 1980 was the first year for the 19-character VIN which means you can do a Car Fax search. 93000 is a lot of miles for an engine and drive train of that vintage.
Thanks for all the advice. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the guy was trying to pull a fast one especially since I was a female. I have proabably owned 20 cars or more in my life so far(mini van right now 
), Mustangs, Firebirds.... Kind of hard to pull a fast one on me. My daddy taught his little girl well.
), Mustangs, Firebirds.... Kind of hard to pull a fast one on me. My daddy taught his little girl well.
And how do I know for sure that it was orginally yellow? He could have just picked a manual off his lot and said it was. I don't know if IL if you have to change the color of the car if you repaint it on the title.
Here is the actual website.
Oh he also told me for a 1980's Vette with that many miles at $10,000 was pretty much the cheapest I could get and that he shouldn't even be giving me that deal (should have known right there). That is far from what I am seeing. I just wish the cars I have been seeing were manuals. Sorry, anyone that put am automatic in a Vette needs to be shot. 
Here's one;
KDADDY79 2008-06-06 11:29:30
a '71 Coupe, 4spd, Sunflower Yellow, Black Interior, etc...
Click on the link below
Few things... I own an 81 and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Now, finding an 80 with a 4 speed it a 1 in 12. Finding a yellow 4 speed, thats hens teeth. I work for a vintage car dealer in my spare time. Bottom line, see the car. HAVE AN INSPECTION. Trust me EVERY car needs work you have to budget for it. I'd rather spend more money on a better car. Paint is EXPENSIVE, interior parts add up. Everything adds up real quick on these things.. Personally, a yellow 4 speed is a rare bird but I think after paint, maint and repairs you'll be over 20k before you know what happened KeBo 2008-06-06 11:37:55
Just a help ( I Hope ), theres a Vette dealer in So NJ called Contes, see contes.com. I've met Joe in the Vette circles and I've seen his cars. They are nice and priced very fair. He does a find on cars. Good luck..
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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