First Post - Looking for my first Corvette!!

Rick106 · October 16, 2010, 10:36:26 PM

Hi guys,

I've recently decided that my next car is going to be a C3 Corvette! I've already spent quite a bit of time working my way through this forum so thanks for the good posts! I'm pretty excited about the purchase, but I'm in no rush and am happy to spend the next 6 months looking.

Ideally I'd be looking to get a 68-72 as the chrome bumpers are lovely but obviously these are a bit more pricey, so I'm also happy to get something a bit newer 72-78.

I've noticed a wide range in prices on car sales sites and was wondering what I should be watching out for. I've seen this which looks lovely for $21.3k, or is there something I'm missing?
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=9345426&__sid=12A594953CFF&__Qpb=true&Cr=5&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294966907 4294960863 393 414 898&PriceFrom=393&PriceTo=414&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=18&silo=1011

I've considered importing myself but my time is pretty limited so I've decided it would be easier to pick one up here.

Any hints and tips greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

Rich

gtc · October 16, 2010, 11:57:10 PM

It looks quite tidy from the photos, and is priced below "red book", however as always only a close inspection and a drive will uncover any things of concern.

If you live in NSW, why not join the Club and get to meet guys who know C3s inside out and may even go with you on inspections, if desired. This is particularly good idea if you want to take your time and look at a lot of potential cars. We have members who have done just that -- and I'm one of them.

http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/applicform.pdf

Rick106 · October 17, 2010, 05:54:19 PM

That sounds like good advice. Thanks for that. That's great that people would help to do that and yes I'd definitely like to look at a few cars before I buy one.

Cheers,

Rich

69 DIRTY RAT · October 17, 2010, 07:33:00 PM

I must say that vette does look good for the price! But its probably to good to be true?

Rich it all depends on how much you are willing to spend! If you like chrome bumbers then dont disappoint yourself and get anything less!

Rick106 · October 17, 2010, 08:35:19 PM

Love the chrome bumpers so going to have to go with one. Yeah you're probably right and is too good to be true. I'll have to check it out and see but Newcastle's a bit of a hike when I'm in Drummoyne, Sydney so I may start my search a bit closer to home.

I can probably spend upto $30k but the closer I get to $20k the less chance that my fiance will leave me :)

Your car is lovely mate. Have you got some bigger pictures as I want that as my wallpaper?!

sirfixalot · October 18, 2010, 08:29:46 AM

Looks a pretty tidy example a clue is it has been in the country for a while as it has club rego on it so it isnt some junker someones bought over to make a fast buck on

stingray · October 18, 2010, 03:05:32 PM

Hi Rick, I have a 77 and I like it, it has that little extra sticking out the front which some of us blokes like, the 73 looks nice with rear chrome, if your girl looks as pretty as this blue vette, then why not spend the $20,000 and have the vette and keep the bride, I think it is worth while contacting the owner and have a chat. it is not dear if it is as good in person as the photos. Alan

MR 69ER · October 18, 2010, 08:58:55 PM

Hey Rick, I'm with Stingray. I just tried the link but it says that the car has been sold. If I was you I would have bought it. In my opinion $20k for a chrome bumper vette already here in Sydney and registered if it was is wll worth it but none the less there will be more.
A little word of advice though, if you are serious about buying a car and the right one, you are going to have to be prepared to travel and check these cars out.

In November last year I flew up to Brisbane to purchase a Camaro and it was well worth the effort. I am sure I am not alone for having done this as sometimes the best deals are out of town. So in brief, be prepared to travel and inspect many cars and you will find the right one. I live in Sydney (Illawong) and 69Dirty Rat does also and is a good mate of mine and we both own C3s and have had a lot to do with them so if you need to bounce any questions of either of us feel free to do so.

As for wanting a bigger image of Andy's car for your wall paper give it up mate $30k aint gonna buy that one off him!!!!:pat:

69 DIRTY RAT · October 18, 2010, 09:27:17 PM

Rich U2U me your email address and I'll send some pix!
Hey Al dont forget ...chrome bumber Vettes pull the chicks! so if she leaves him he can always pull somemore chicks with the Chromey:drool:

:ral::ral:

Rick106 · October 18, 2010, 10:27:28 PM

Hahah.,...cheers Andy, appreciate your positive thinking.

Damn. I'm actually a bit gutted about that, but I guess I need to see a few cars before I buy one anyway. Still it was lovely!! Damn.

Really appreciate your offer to help guys. I'll definitely be asking for more advice as and when I find some cars I want to start to visit and look at.

Andy.. you have U2U

Rich

MR 69ER · October 19, 2010, 05:08:13 PM

Oh so true Andy my friend!!!! Rich, you'll get used to Andy he will find a positive side to anything negative that is Corvette related!!!

Quote from: Rick106 link=topic=7862.msg1045938024#msg1045938024Hahah.,...cheers Andy, appreciate your positive thinking.

Damn. I'm actually a bit gutted about that, but I guess I need to see a few cars before I buy one anyway. Still it was lovely!! Damn.

Really appreciate your offer to help guys. I'll definitely be asking for more advice as and when I find some cars I want to start to visit and look at.

Andy.. you have U2U

Rich

Jethro · October 19, 2010, 08:20:12 PM

Quote from: 69 DIRTY RAT link=topic=7862.msg1045938016#msg1045938016I must say that vette does look good for the price! But its probably to good to be true?

Rich it all depends on how much you are willing to spend! If you like chrome bumbers then dont disappoint yourself and get anything less!

I'm with Andy,

You might be think you'll be happy with less for a while but once you've been bitten with the Steelies bug you'll never be happy until you get one.....:ado::ado::ado::ado::ado::ado::ado:

toyvet · October 20, 2010, 06:53:26 PM

Quote from: stingray link=topic=7862.msg1045938019#msg1045938019Hi Rick, I have a 77 and I like it, it has that little extra sticking out the front which some of us blokes like, the 73 looks nice with rear chrome, if your girl looks as pretty as this blue vette, then why not spend the $20,000 and have the vette and keep the bride, I think it is worth while contacting the owner and have a chat. it is not dear if it is as good in person as the photos. Alan

Just in case you decide to get a newer vette model I have a friend that has 5 FOR SALE--
2x 1980's one white exterior with saddle tan interior$ 18.500 and one gunmetal grey with black interior $ 16.000
Also 1974 orange exterior with black interior $18.500
1975 white exterior with blue interior $ 17.000 ALL LHD --ALL AUTOS all recent imports all have correct paper work---
Also 1976 Auto LHD nsw reg white $ 23.000.
Hope this will help you if you can't get a crome bumper

Regards

Jorge

Rick106 · October 21, 2010, 12:31:53 AM

Wow, he's got quite a few cars!? Are these advertised anywhere?

Cheers
Rich

Scott · October 21, 2010, 01:13:21 PM

The 1980's have the best front end out of the plastic bumper cars. Looks much more aggressive than the 70's ones.

77CVT · October 21, 2010, 03:52:07 PM

Quote from: Scott link=topic=7862.msg1045938056#msg1045938056The 1980's have the best front end out of the plastic bumper cars. Looks much more aggressive than the 70's ones.

If you are visiting Brisbane I have a 71 for sale!

MR 69ER · October 26, 2010, 08:53:39 PM

Not a silly suggestion Chris. I bought my Camaro out of Brisbane and including one way airfaires for me and a mate it cost $500.00 to get it back to Sydney.
Worth thinking about Rick.

Plus most people know 77CVT and his love for these cars, so it would definitely be a car you would buy. Just my 2 cents worth.

Quote from: 77CVT link=topic=7862.msg1045938062#msg1045938062
Quote from: Scott link=topic=7862.msg1045938056#msg1045938056The 1980's have the best front end out of the plastic bumper cars. Looks much more aggressive than the 70's ones.

If you are visiting Brisbane I have a 71 for sale!

77CVT · October 27, 2010, 10:14:24 AM

Cheers mate. Would love to keep it but gotta give the (ex) missus some cash. ;-)

Rick106 · October 27, 2010, 09:17:05 PM

hahaha....well as much as I'd like to take you up on your offer I've been told I need to pay a little more off the mortgage before I'm allowed a vette! So it will probably be another year before I'm looking seriously.

A little disappointing, but I'll definitely be looking to get one in the not too distant future!

Rick106 · October 31, 2010, 04:34:47 PM

GOOD NEWS! I'm allowed the Vette!!

Right, seriously starting to look now, so all help appreciated.

Around $25k would be ideal. It doesn't have to be a chromie, but does need to have been loved. I'm not looking to spend a huge amount of time playing around with it. Although, I probably will do anyway.

Toyvet, does your mate have pictures of these cars he has for sale?