Old Muscle car nerds -- too good to be true? (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

I've been interested for some time in picking up a 70's Camaro or Vette. Came across this 1980 SS with T-tops (really my main requirement), with just 30k miles on it, seems too good to be true. Is a car that new and that original really only worth 8 grand or so?!?! Am I missing something here?

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/621514327/overview/?emc=emailShare

 

[[icon]]

35 years old = that new?

Just because it's low miles doesn't mean it's going to run like every other 30k mile car.

Hell id be nervous about the engine in a car that saw 900 mi per year use. At least get it looked at Sludge/dry rot and such

 

[Otis]

Or how bout this Vette



http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/640135843/overview/

 

[snellman]

V6 is a big ding on value. Mid 70s to Early 80s is when the "muscle car" kind of lost its glory. Depends on what you are looking for in a car if you think it is a good deal or not. Very hard to put a "value" on older cars.

 

[Otis]

V6 is a big ding on value. Mid 70s to Early 80s is when the "muscle car" kind of lost its glory. Depends on what you are looking for in a car if you think it is a good deal or not. Very hard to put a "value" on older cars.

Fair point, just saw the small engine.

 

[Otis]

OH DROOL

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/634659897/overview/

 

[James Daulton]

Your raptor would drive right over the top of that thing.

 

[Otis]

Your raptor would drive right over the top of that thing.

One of each ?!?!

 

[Otis]

Saw a Raptor at the supermarket today. The guy started it and the engine was so obnoxiously loud, I could hear it from across the parking lot. Love it.

 

[Raider Nation]

I can't speak to the Camaro, but I had a '80 and '82 Corvette. I love the sleek '80-'82 body style, before they went to the horrid cookie-cutter shape in 1984. (There was no 1983 Corvette). If you find one you like, INSIST on allowing your mechanic to put it up on the lift for a close inspection. If the seller refuses, walk away. The integrity of the frame on a 70s/80s Corvette is a huge issue. If the rear axle is structurally sound, you're probably good to go. You don't want to hear the dreaded "THUMP" sound coming from the rear end as you drive along in a Corvette. Remember that most people tend to beat the #### out of muscle cars. That's what they're for. Oh, also... speed bumps will become your mortal enemy.

 

[Raider Nation]

This to me was always one of the most beautiful cars ever made. You can't beat a little red Corvette.

'80, '81 and '82 are basically identical body types. The '82 is a bit longer, if you want to nitpick.

 

[nightmare]

You do know that Vette's have a very bad ride? You'll feel every bump.

Go to a dealer and see how you like climbing in and out of a car that low.

Your now older and larger which is why a truck/suv is in your future.

 

[Raider Nation]

You do know that Vette's have a very bad ride? You'll feel every bump.

Unless he's commuting daily in it - which I'm sure he won't be - it's not an issue.

 

[Otis]

This to me was always one of the most beautiful cars ever made. You can't beat a little red Corvette.

'80, '81 and '82 are basically identical body types. The '82 is a bit longer, if you want to nitpick.

Gorgeous. I always wanted this body type.

 

[Otis]

You do know that Vette's have a very bad ride? You'll feel every bump.

Unless he's commuting daily in it - which I'm sure he won't be - it's not an issue.

This would be our third car, and my second. Basically a toy to lee in the garage, to wax while the kids are playing outside, and to drive on the weekends in nice weather.

 

[Otis]

You do know that Vette's have a very bad ride? You'll feel every bump.

Go to a dealer and see how you like climbing in and out of a car that low.

Your now older and larger which is why a truck/suv is in your future.

Truck and SUV are in our present. Wife's car/main family car is a new Yukon. My car is a Land Rover. I'm a big SUV fan, and would love a pickup just for kicks. But also wouldn't mind a 70s-early 80s white trash sports car. In high school I had an 89 Camaro. After college bought myself a new C5 Corvette. Both a blast.

 

[squidrope]

Please buy any of these cars. Can't wait for the threads "Old car nerds. Why won't my car start?". "Old car nerds. Is it possible to put heated seats in a 1979 pinto?" "Old car nerds. What is that puddle of brown fluid under my classic Vega." "Old car nerds. Why is my mothers Prius faster than my 1980 Corvette?"

 

[Otis]

This looks like pretty awesome fun per dollars too.

http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/#!vdp?listingId=636183603&year=2002&stkTyp=U&searchId=2221377700000000000000001434860881211&userId=2230388500000000000000001434849119417&mkNm=Chevrolet&mdNm=Corvette&zc=11530&partyId=undefined

 

[Otis]

This to me was always one of the most beautiful cars ever made. You can't beat a little red Corvette.

'80, '81 and '82 are basically identical body types. The '82 is a bit longer, if you want to nitpick.

Gorgeous. I always wanted this body type.

RN was that your car? Stunning.

 

[Raider Nation]

This to me was always one of the most beautiful cars ever made. You can't beat a little red Corvette.

'80, '81 and '82 are basically identical body types. The '82 is a bit longer, if you want to nitpick.

Gorgeous. I always wanted this body type.

RN was that your car? Stunning.

No, but not far off. Mine didn't have fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror.

 

[Otis]

Awesome

http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/#!vdp?listingId=639511984&year=1978&stkTyp=U&searchId=2192772400000000000000001434861662591&userId=2182243800000000000000001434861155383&mkNm=Chevrolet&mdNm=Corvette&zc=11530&partyId=undefined

 

[Raider Nation]

It's funny that we're talking about this because I got rid of the last one 12 years ago and I miss the hell out of it. I'd love to grab another one. I was on some site the other day which was basically "Craigslist for Corvettes"... a CRAPLOAD of just Corvette listings, by state. I can't find it for the life of me now.

 

[Otis]

It's funny that we're talking about this because I got rid of the last one 12 years ago and I miss the hell out of it. I'd love to grab another one. I was on some site the other day which was basically "Craigslist for Corvettes"... a CRAPLOAD of just Corvette listings, by state. I can't find it for the life of me now.

Let's do this GB

 

[Otis]

Gorgeous.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/181774791478?_trkparms=aid%253D222007%2526algo%253DSIC.MBE%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D20150519202348%2526meid%253D402ab1e31d0648f3884bf48b7e7aa105%2526pid%253D100408%2526rk%253D3%2526rkt%253D25%2526sd%253D231593387099&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

 

[Otis]

RN these early 70s stingrays may be my favorites, just perfect:

http://www.hobbycarcorvettes.net/corvette/1972-elkhart-green-lt1-corvette-stingray/

The early 80s body style you mentioned is definitely similar, but I think I prefer these in terms of looks.

 

[Otis]

For that matter if I had 60 or 70 grand to drop, the new stingrays are pretty epic. But I'd like to stay in around the 10k or under range for this toy I'm contemplating. Even less is better. Which is why some of these 20+ year old camaros are interesting in addition to the vettes.

 

[belljr]

I'll take a 68 Camaro while you're out otis. That's what my dad used to race.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Awesome

http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/#!vdp?listingId=639511984&year=1978&stkTyp=U&searchId=2192772400000000000000001434861662591&userId=2182243800000000000000001434861155383&mkNm=Chevrolet&mdNm=Corvette&zc=11530&partyId=undefined

dated a girl in high school that had that exact car. she was a smokeshow and it was too!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Apparently now is a good time to get some awesome cars. Some of those prices are disturbingly affordable.

 

[Otis]

Apparently now is a good time to get some awesome cars. Some of those prices are disturbingly affordable.

Right?? At those prices it feels kinda like "hell, why not."

 

[bigbottom]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

 

[mr roboto]

Yeah no. Long Island doesn't like wanna be rednecks.

 

[belljr]

You equate muscle cars to rednecks?

 

[Otis]

Yeah no. Long Island doesn't like wanna be rednecks.

You sound like my wife.

 

[Otis]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

It's sort of a mid life crisis but I'm not in a crisis and I refuse to spend much money on it.

 

[Otis]

It's also the funny to see the interiors of these cars. Amazing how far we have come.

 

[Christo]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

It's sort of a mid life crisis but I'm not in a crisis and I refuse to spend much money on it.

Yeah, why spend decent money on something you can have and enjoy for the next 30-40 years when you can spend $500 on a meal?

 

[Otis]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

It's sort of a mid life crisis but I'm not in a crisis and I refuse to spend much money on it.

Yeah, why spend decent money on something you can have and enjoy for the next 30-40 years when you can spend $500 on a meal?

Because you can't eat a car?

 

[pollardsvision]

 

[bigbottom]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

It's sort of a mid life crisis but I'm not in a crisis and I refuse to spend much money on it.

I'm with you buddy. Just be sure to factor maintenance and repairs into your budget since you won't be doing it yourself I assume. Take it from someone who's been there.

 

[Otis]

Looks like Oats may be helping finance a college education for his mechanic's kid.

Full disclosure: I did something similar when I was Oat's age.

It's sort of a mid life crisis but I'm not in a crisis and I refuse to spend much money on it.

I'm with you buddy. Just be sure to factor maintenance and repairs into your budget since you won't be doing it yourself I assume. Take it from someone who's been there.

Amen, thanks GB. Noted. I hadn't really thought about that part, but with a 30 year old America made pile of tin, I guess stuff comes up and ain't always cheap to fix...

 

[Otis]

Pretty much spot on.

 

[Ilov80s]

Apparently now is a good time to get some awesome cars. Some of those prices are disturbingly affordable.

Even better deals I've heard on the cars of the 50s and 60s as they nostalgia factor is fading as that generation passes on.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Apparently now is a good time to get some awesome cars. Some of those prices are disturbingly affordable.

Even better deals I've heard on the cars of the 50s and 60s as they nostalgia factor is fading as that generation passes on.

1965 Riviera Gran Sport.

One day.

 

[shadyridr]

For that matter if I had 60 or 70 grand to drop, the new stingrays are pretty epic. But I'd like to stay in around the 10k or under range for this toy I'm contemplating. Even less is better. Which is why some of these 20+ year old camaros are interesting in addition to the vettes.

my boss just bought a used 2014 with only 1000 miles on it for like 50k. He took me for a ride and I couldnt wipe the damn smile off my face. What a car!

 

[Otis]

For that matter if I had 60 or 70 grand to drop, the new stingrays are pretty epic. But I'd like to stay in around the 10k or under range for this toy I'm contemplating. Even less is better. Which is why some of these 20+ year old camaros are interesting in addition to the vettes.

my boss just bought a used 2014 with only 1000 miles on it for like 50k. He took me for a ride and I couldnt wipe the damn smile off my face. What a car!

Seems like amazing bang for the buck. And I think they're stunning in the looks dept too.

 

[Raider Nation]

RN these early 70s stingrays may be my favorites, just perfect:

http://www.hobbycarcorvettes.net/corvette/1972-elkhart-green-lt1-corvette-stingray/

The early 80s body style you mentioned is definitely similar, but I think I prefer these in terms of looks.

I love the flat rear windows in that model. If they combined that with the front/rear spoilers of the '80-'82 Vettes, that would have been sweet. You could put the spoiler package onto that Vette above, but I have mixed feelings about that.

 

[NCCommish]

OH DROOL

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/634659897/overview/

No wanted that model when it was new. The C3 was very long in the tooth by then and enthusiasts of the time were openly mocking them.

 

[NCCommish]

This looks like pretty awesome fun per dollars too.

http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/#!vdp?listingId=636183603&year=2002&stkTyp=U&searchId=2221377700000000000000001434860881211&userId=2230388500000000000000001434849119417&mkNm=Chevrolet&mdNm=Corvette&zc=11530&partyId=undefined

A little high on the price and on the average mileage according to Kelley.

 

[Raider Nation]

Oats, if you're truly looking for a muscle Vette, go with the 454 big boy. But you'll be spending some coin.