Think you're asking the wrong guys for an unbiased opinion. The closest one you'll find here is Ken's, but he's been a teacher for so long he can't help himself. I still think about the 61 I wanted to buy when I was your age. Took me another 30+ yrs to get my 79. If you have the chance now, go for it. Just take your time and shop, shop, shop. Get the best you can for the money you have to spend. And, understand that because of it's age you will have to spend more. Search the archives here and read some of the problems the rest of us have encountered and what it took to fix. Look for them in the cars you're considering to purchase. Know what you're getting into. Getting off to a good start will make it easier to cope with the eventual problems. Good luck.

Hank I try very hard to be equal and fair. Now if you want my biased opinon.....

ARE YOU NUTS??? Of course you want the VETTE !!! Nothin is as COOL as a C3!!! I wanted one for THIRTY YEARS and now I have it. I been married for 29 years so I don't care about picking up chicks, BUT YOUR IN HIGH SCHOOL! You'll never lack for dates!
GO FOR IT!

Now back to your normal mechanic/technician/College auto instructor.......

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|3/11/2004 10:15:22 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

The thing is, since I want the 'Vette... I don't really want a totally un-biased opinion. But, there was some useful advice scattered through out the cries of "'Vette!"( Not that I don't like those, it's why we're all here)

Thanks Ken, and everyone else.

the other main thing to consider is appreciation vs depreciation. Think that Honda will ever be worth as much as you pay for it now? Keep that vette up, and the value should stay there. If reselling it isn't a factor, than what would you rather have setting in the garage 10 years from now?

I want to cast my vote to get the vette also. However, one thing to keep in mind with you living in Wyoming, you may want to drive this car from spring to fall and try to save enough $$ to buy a junkier car in the fall to drive in the winter months. Vettes are fiberglass, but they still are not rust proof. Just something to think about.

Ken,
Good to see you let loose. Cabin fever, huh?
Hank

get that Vette, you can see most of us here had to wait till we were older, even my wife for hers!
whoops you must still be underage, lucky you!,ha,ha

Well, I'm going to be the lone voice in opposition to getting the Vette . Don't misunderstand, I certainly love my Corvette, and it sure would have been fun to have it in high school. But, if you were my son, I would recommend a different AMERICAN car (Corvette lovers never buy ricers ). You said you don't have a lot of money so why would you want to buy a car that costs $8K? How are you going to support this thing? There won't be any extra curricular activities like being on the football team, or being in band, etc... because you'll be working your butt off trying to pay for the gasoline, car payments and insurance. And, even worse, when it's time to take your girlfriend out, you'll be broke. And what about saving for college? But, hey, that thing would look good setting empty in the driveway !

If your parents will help out. I would get a Vette. I worked through high school and had a car - '69 Z28. I got stupid later and sold it, but I have always had old Camaro, Chevelle, or something, currently a '76 Vette.

I had a good freind in high school who had a red '70 Vette with side pipes. We hardly ever road in the Vette. We would take his mom's station wagon so we could all hang out together. Go figure...

Find a good driver that is original. If it is your only transportation, it has to be dependable.
Good Luck!

I am 21 years old And I bought my vette in june 2003. It was a rough, rough car. spend the extra money and get one in good shape. 8000 should find you a good 75-81 vette. Mines a 1979. I am sinking a fortune into this car but I am not simply maintaining it. I am modifing it greatly. 400hp smallblock, 700r4 trans, hotrod air a/c, brand spankin new paint job, all new interior. I try to save as much as I can in bargin hunting and doing all my own work but I'll have sunk 16 grand into this car when I'm done. I have not been able to really enjoy the car yet because I started immediatly upon its arrival. I'll report back in a few months in the spring how I like the fun and attention. (HAHA) The things I am fortunate to have is a good paying job, cool parents who love this car too and are helping me with it. living at home. I took a year off college to do this and relax from engineering courses. Ill be going back to college with it soon.(Cant freakin wait!!) GO FOR IT MAN!! (p.s. learn mechanics so you can save yourself a bundle.)