The cost of keeping a C3

[ZR1427]

So your looking to purchase a classic Vette,what would be the best one to buy and what sort of running costs are involved,insurance,tax,servicing etc ,i know its not the sort of thing you worry too much about on a car like this but what sort of MPG could you expect.

[LuS1fer]

The old big blocks suck fuel like a hoover. Around 12mpg. The 350's are pretty much like any small block but you'd be lucky to see 16mpg. The later computer controlled cars are presumably more economical and less powerful. My '87 5.0 4 barrel Camaro Z28 would return 18mpg round town and probably up to 30 on a run.

C3 suspension isn't the best and brake calipers usually end up being sleeved to stop them seizing. Engine access is cramped, interior is cramped, boot access only from inside car bar the '82. Performance on later models is modest with only 190bhp.

C4's are out of fashion at the moment but apart from the early model's cranky electronic instruments, they have a lot in their favour. Good handling, modern interior, good luggage space, hatchback, fantastic engine access from the clamshell bonnet, lovely alloy suspension and relatively easy to maintain with proper brakes. My choice would be the 1991 facelift model with later instruments and the L98 or the 1992 on LT1.

If I was going old, it would have to be a C2. Lovely car. this one is advertised for $50000!


>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 25th February 15:56

[vetteheadracer]

1968-72 hold there value better as they are chrome bumper and also tax exempt.
They are also much more expensive to buy.

[mickn]

My 73 is tax exempt

[L81]

ZR1427 said:

So your looking to purchase a classic Vette,what would be the best one to buy and what sort of running costs are involved,insurance,tax,servicing etc ,i know its not the sort of thing you worry too much about on a car like this but what sort of MPG could you expect.

Mine is an '81. Stock fuel consumption? Dunno. After fitting dual 2 1/2" pipes I could get in the low 20's on a long run. After fitting an OD transmission I can get easily in the high 20's. Around town playing with the loud pedal is a figure I'd rather not think about! Average driving (mix of motorway, towns, queues, etc) I was getting about 15mpg with the original transmission. It didn't need many drag starts or WOT runs to drop this figure down lower though! Mine has the computer controlled Q-jet carb which greatly helps fuel consumption. Lower power with computer controls? Figures quotes are the same, or within 5hp, of the previous years L48 base model (power increases are easy - just replace the stock exhaust system with dual 2 1/2" pipes & you'll feel a big difference). I've regularly seen/read/heard people telling of economy of around 12mpg after fitting a non-stock carb. The '82 has the 700-4r OD trans fitted as standard, but also has fuel injection (same as the '84 C4?????) so is harder to tweak if you want more power. Power dropped to a minimum around the mid 70's & the later C3's started clawing a bit back (according to GM figures I saw). A weight reduction program started in '80 & really paid off with the '81, which was the lightest for a long time (hence the all important power to weight ratio improving). Watch the power figures quoted for early models as they are given gross. Later figures are net. If your looking at Big Blocks then why are you asking about fuel economy? Power figures quoted for later models aren't really a worry - they've got smog restrictions that can be removed (only if it's legal ) & being that its a SBC there's plenty of goodies to rectify the situation.
Cramped around the engine? Compared to a mates 440 Charger (6mpg!!!!!), yes, it is. Compared to my old Ford, or a Saab, Renault, Mondeo, VW, etc, it's a revelation. Working on a C3 engine (changing intake, cam, heads, whatever you want to do) is a piece of pi$$.
Unless you buy something that's been in a barn for the last 15 years, you'll find that the brake calipers will have probably been upgraded by a previous owner.
Insurance for me is about £130 pa full comp, 5000miles pa, garaged. Half the price for the same cover on a worthless old 2.8 Granada!!!!
If you want power & a SB then the L82 engine is the one to get (better than the L48). But L82's can cost a lot more than an L48 of the same condition & are more likely to have had their necks wrung. One to avoid is the '80 California 305cu computerised smog model.
The best C3 to get? The best you can afford. Like any old car, if you buy a dog then it'll cost you in the long run. And you won't be driving it much. It also depends if you like the chrome bumper models (expensive), the mid 70's plastic bumpers, the 78/79 rear redesign or the 80-82 with the front changes. The front changes on the 80-82 increased the amount of air going through the rad (apparently overheating could be a problem with earlier ones, but we haven't got Arizona weather so it probably isn't a worry here) & improved the aerodynamics. 80 was carb (apart from the Calif model), 81 was computer controlled carb & '82 was fi with OD auto tranny. That was as stock, anything could have happened to change that! I think the '79 was one of the heaviest SB C3 models made & none of the later years were verts (unfortunately).
I've had mine nearly 3 years & it's cost me quite a bit. But none was needed. I didn't need to fit an OD transmission in it (but it's the best mod possible for an auto), I didn't need a new cam, intake, rockers, interior parts, Headers, dual pipes, paintwork.....
The only things I've had problems with are the starter motor burning out (due to the new Headers cooking it - my fault, your honour) & the water pump bearings going. That was also my own fault, but I'm not admitting why in public It's been very reliable, but I did get the best I could afford. No, I lied - I got the best that my wife could afford


>> Edited by L81 on Wednesday 25th February 17:42

>> Edited by L81 on Wednesday 25th February 17:46