MAINTENANCE & RUNNING COSTS

[darren lilly]

G'day all I've been reading on other sites issues in regards to maintenance costs for Corvettes, do these cars cost more or need more upkeep than say a HSV Commodore etc, the model I am interested in is a 1978 C3. Also can someone confirm the running costs for the fuel consumption as I will be travelling a 110km's a day so need to know if it will be too dear, I am currently using a 2012 Corolla & it costs approx $12 a day & I have done the same in a late model SS Commodore for approx $14 so I will need to consider this as it will be a big deciding factor in buying or not. All input is greatly appreciated Thanks Darren

[anychevy]

do these cars cost more or need more upkeep than say a HSV Commodore etc, the model I am interested in is a 1978 C3.

Hi Darren, the short answer is yes.
But need more info on the car before we could even have a stab in the dark.
Are you looking at a particular car ? Is it stock, a survivor, or restored and to what level etc. ?
In general, you need basic mechanical skills (at least) if you are going to use it as a daily, it is 36 years old.
In regard to running costs, more than a corolla and yes, probably more than a commodore

[darren lilly]

Thanks Dave the car is standard apart from being RHD & a upgraded exhaust system. The rest is in good condition & matching numbers L48 auto pace car. The fuel cost would be a issue if it is too excessive but the example I gave was a comparison that I have personally done & the extra $2 worth of fuel doesnt concern me but I would think that a modern V8 would run cheaper than a older one so if it would cost say $20 for the same trip then I would have to rethink my options (extra $2,500 a year). I targeted a older model so I could do minor mechanical repairs myself but as for parts cost are concerned they seem to be about the same as holden or fords of the same era. I changed jobs about a year ago & before that I have never needed a car for work, the corolla is my wifes & she wants it back. Thanks Darren

[77CVT]

2012 corolla vs a 35yr old old school V8.........you'll be paying 25% more in fuel for starters so I think an extra $2 per day kills that idea!

Corolla - 12km per litre
350 V8 - 9km per litre (min)

Best h'way milage I got out of my '77 was 27mpg.  My fuel injected '85 gets 28mpg.

[darren lilly]

77CVT thanks for the statistics these consumption figures are what I want, not sure what you mean by the $2 killing the idea, as I stated in my first post I use $12 in the corolla & $14 was in the late model V8 SS commodore for the same trip so the difference between the modern V8 & the corolla is approx 16%. If the older V8 uses 25% more fuel then I should be up for a extra $3 per trip, $20 per week approx which is fine by me. Thanks

[anychevy]

Best h'way milage I got out of my '77 was 27mpg.  My fuel injected '85 gets 28mpg.

He means, this is a best case scenario.
Car in perfect tune, manual (or fresh auto) high diff gears, highway cruising and not stomping on it.

[Jethro]

Darren stick with your Corolla 

[69 DIRTY RAT]

unless you drive it everyday, why worry about the cost of petrol, your Corvette is a Passion! if you worry about every cent per KM its not a Passion and I would stick to a Prius!   Just buy it and drive it! 

[gtc]

I will be travelling a 110km's a day so need to know if it will be too dear

When you buy an old Vette you join the Frequent Filler Club.

[77CVT]

If modern V8's only used 1.25 litres more over 110km than a corolla we'd all be driving one.   

I can't see the point in having a V8 if you can't stomp on it.

Buy a C3 and you won't give a crap about cost .....cause you'll be cruising with a permanent grin!

[69VETTE]

When you buy an old Vette you join the Frequent Filler Club.

I'm with you gtc.. That's why most enthusiasts have two cars. . one to maintain the car, and two for economy.

[69VETTE]

unless you drive it everyday, why worry about the cost of petrol, your Corvette is a Passion! if you worry about every cent per KM its not a Passion and I would stick to a Prius!   Just buy it and drive it! 

Beautifully said Dirty Rat... cars that run on virtually no petrol, cant buy  you happiness   

[anychevy]

Beautifully said Dirty Rat... cars that run on virtually no petrol, cant buy  you happiness   

There are execptions, I drove a Tesla last time I was in the US, weird, but holy crap did it go ! 

[Vettech]

Buy a C4.  With injection and ECM controll,  you get good economy and a STD unmodified car has power to burn - enough for any rev head. The later C4's with sequential injection get even better economy.

[69VETTE]

Anychev, ohhh yeah, i know about the modern electric cars, they definitely get up and go, but they do cost an arm and leg, and we were comparing four cylinders against older V8's...lol

and Darren, just a word of advice, if your going to buy an older Vette, or any Vette in that case, always look towards the ones that have been maintained.  In that i mean, the owners have spent allot of money on them , which is generally obvious.. theyre is allot of rubbish out there, well over priced because the owners think that you cant import one for allot less.  These are generally Vettes that need heaps of work, or will need to have money always pumped into them.

I had a look at least four C3's before buying my C4, and only after being so p#issd off because the owners believed that they were going to get what they thought it was worth!.. times have changed, and we aren't living in 2009 or Kansas any more !!

[anychevy]

Anychev, ohhh yeah, i know about the modern electric cars, they definitely get up and go, but they do cost an arm and leg, and we were comparing four cylinders against older V8's...lol

Yes, it was Impressive, but very expensive. back on topic
I think a 25% increase in fuel consumption between a mid 70 carb 350 with no overdrive and an LS powered commodore is extremely optimistic.
If fuel consumption is important, then a late C4 is probably the way to go.

[69VETTE]

Defintitely agree with you there anychev, .... i get great mileage out of mine... im running a 3.07 ratio in the rear and on the highway, in fourth she cruises at 1800-2000 rpm 110km

[69 DIRTY RAT]

I think I get 10gal to to mile? is that good???

[gtc]

I think I get 10gal to to mile? is that good???

Yeah, for the oil companies it's very good!