Hey guys, I need some input.

The wife finally completed her Ph.D. this week and it has been her goal all along that I get a new Vette when she finished.

Well, over the last few weeks she has been hinting that maybe it's time we start looking at Vettes as MY present for her graduation. Yes, it's my present as her present was a BMW X5 3 years ago, don't ask.

Anyway, the problem is should I choose to go the Vette route there is no way I could keep the '67 and afford a new C6. So I am faced with selling the '67 to fund a C6 or keep the '67 and wait who knows how long before being able to purchase a Vette.

I am half inclined to sell the '67 now, buy a Vette and pay it off in 3 years and buy another 1st Gen. The student loan payments will start in 6 months and run about $1k a month for 8 years.

I hate situations like this. Can't I just have both!

PhD = Big Raise or new job with big raise. I would hope the new income could handle the 1K per month for 8 years fairly easily.

Sounds like a nice problem to have, Funk. My wife has her Masters and there is a good school less than 10 miles away. Hummm....

Trust yourself. You'll make the right decision.

With the first-gen market the way it is now, it could be a good time to sell the 67, if you believe there may be a bubble in the market that will deflate before you start looking for another one.

Then you can plunk down cash on a brand new C6 that begins to depreciate right away.

I went through this before I added the 69. I thought about a Vette or a 4th gen Camaro, but decided they just weren't unique enough, and I am curious how the computers and electronics will last decades down the road.

A first-gen turns heads as a rolling shell in primer going down the road on a rollback. We were nearly causing accidents bringing the 69 home when I bought it. I don't see the same for a C6.

There isn't anything wrong with the technology in the C5, and the C6 may not be that much improved, which is why most of the magazines are calling it the C5 3/4. Why not look into a low mile C5 that someone else has taken the depreciation on? Or get another 67 and add upgrades that total what the C6 would have cost, and have a pair of first-gens?

I have a feeling you might get some biased opinions in this forum. Mine being one of them of course :D For me i would take a first gen over a vette all day long, but of course its about what you really want. If you can leave the money/what makes more fiscal sense/whats going to be the better investment, side of it out...just do what floats your boat. But, remember, new toys or the thought of new toys is always exciting...just make sure you dont find yourself a year from now when the novelty wears off a bit saying..."I should never have sold the Camaro"

I guess it would be a matter of how much you are attatched to YOUR Camaro, as opposed to just a Camaro.

If you sell your 67 you can always get another 67....just possibly not THAT 67.

That's how I would look at it.

I'd NEVER sell my 67, because THAT 67 cannot be replaced to me.

I checked your sig. picture. That is one sweet ride, I don't think I could part with it. The new vette will depreciate quickly, where the '67 should keep appreciating. I think you may regret getting rid of it a couple of years down the road. If you have to have a vette, I like the idea of buying one that's a year or two old, then you may be able to have both?

Man Funk, I have the twin to your car! Mine is bolero red, black deluxe, 327/275 (original engine), TH350 (missing original glide) and original 10 bolt.

http://www.stratagaz.com/67L30-M35.jpg


If you want a vette, get one! Personally I have no desire to have a new sports car. I like the old iron, but if you want a vette it's your money go get one!

The prices on camaros are going up, but there are always deals out there. If you want one in a few years I'm sure that you'll be able to find one at a decent price if you are patient.

You'd be nuts to give up a '67 Camaro for a pile of trash like a new Corvette. 10 years from now the Camaro will be worth $50K and that 2005 Corvette will be worth $7K. Do the math and then wait until you can afford both, you don't need the Vette right now.

Talk to the wife and give here all the facts..I would think the fact that the 67 is an appreciating asset Vs. the Corvette, a depreciating asset, would be one big one...but since she is your wife maybe the Vette isn't as important to her as your happiness...whatever decision you make, make it together and if you do feel you need to sell the 67 then be prepared to psychologically let it go...

Who needs Dr. Phil anyway..we got TC !

"CHRIS" "DON"T DO IT!" graemlins/waving.gif

Just think about how long I held onto my 67 before I even got it put together, Now look at what I have done and how much more fun it is. Don't get me wrong, a Vette would be fun but it will be easier to find a Vette in great shape in a few years unlike the dwindling population of First-Gens.

Keep the Camaro and build the motor and Drive it like you do now! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Why not have the best of both worlds. I say wait for an LS7 crate engine and drop it into the 67. Now that would be awesome. I know this is probably no help at all, but come on, how cool would that be!
Kyle

Funk,

I don't know how attached you are to your 67 but, If I were in your shoes, I think I would try to keep the 67 and buy a 1 to 3 year old Vette. That way you get the best of both worlds. Talk things over with your wife so there are no misunderstandings or problems there.


-Mark

Keep the Camaro, no question. If you were talking about a vintage Vette', I could see it, maybe, but not for a new one. IMO, the new ones are "cookie cutter" cars. You know that feeling you get when you see a First Generation Camaro on the street and yours is sitting at home, and you get a warm feeling knowing it is there. When you see a Vette' similar to your new one, I doubt you will have that feeling. How fun is it to pop the hood of your Camaro, and just decide to do something to it. When you open the hood of that Vette, you will look at it, close the hood and go into the house and log on to TC.

I'm just having fun, but keep the Camaro, you won't regret it. They are still making Corvettes anyway.

Tell your wife congrats on the degree. I'm halfway through grad school, and funding it with money that should be going into the Camaro. The Camaro will suffer a bit, but no more student loans. smile.gif

I would keep the 67 camaro. You'll regret selling it and in 5 years from now the camaro will be worth more than it is now. If you wait a year until the z06 comes out, the prices of the 2005 will drop to almost half the new value. That way you can keep the 67 and have your vette too. Keep in mind parts for corvettes are wicked expensive.

Find a buddy who will get the GM workers discount and then look at where your at. I have heard up to 10K off ?

Originally posted by DenRS:
I would keep the 67 camaro. You'll regret selling it and in 5 years from now the camaro will be worth more than it is now. If you wait a year until the z06 comes out, the prices of the 2005 will drop to almost half the new value. That way you can keep the 67 and have your vette too. Keep in mind parts for corvettes are wicked expensive. Amen, do not sell an apprieciating classic for a car that will de-value as soon as you sign the title.

Corvettes are not the exclusive vehicle they used to be. Since the C5 was introduced, the Corvette has sold many more units than previous generations. They now follow a depreiciation curve like any other high dollar GM car.
I bought my 99 FRC for 25k in 2003, thinking that was a low as a Corvette could go. I was wrong, I saw a 99 FRC for sale for 16k recently.

Originally posted by DOUG G:
Find a buddy who will get the GM workers discount and then look at where your at. I have heard up to 10K off ? I get the GM discount. It's only available to immediate family members (parents & siblings) on either spouses side.

Does the GM discount qualify on every car?
I work for Mercedes Benz and I know our employee purchase program excludes certain cars. Not that I would buy any of the cars it excludes anyway...but that would be a great perk from GM if it applied to all models.

My personal taste would dictate that the vette is only good for an overnight trip..No trunk space for anything else. Family can't fit in it. Whereas the camaro can comfortably fit two adults and 3 kids. Plenty of trunk space for luggage. Wont depreciate 2k soon as you leave the driveway. Will always turn heads and raise thumbs. Will never be an overpriced toy that only goes fast. May not be dent resistant, but then again if you get hit, the entire body wont be shot either. Emissions suck, though not with the camaro. No electronics and sensors to fail. Spend a couple bucks, put in a new a/c system, upgrade the stereo to something modern that plays mp3's. So what if the dash gets cut. I dont want to have to get out of the car to change my cd's. One mp3 cd will hold 12 albums. Change out a disk while driving and another 12 albums at your finger tips. Upgrade the brakes and suspension. LS1 swap or not.. Car will always be better than the vette. Unless going for a 57. Then its a close call.

Hey CFunk, I think that only you and Mrs.CFunk can determine what's right for you two. If you want a vette, but it means losing the Camaro...Well then you don't need our help, you need a psychiatrist :D There will always be a better vette coming out next year or so, but they only made so many 1st gen's! ;) Sounds like you're in your 30's-40's, if so, then you have plenty of time to let your wife make enough to support you in the lifestyle you're about to become accustomed to. I personally wouldn't sell it for any newer vette, then there's the payment factor. Camaro=maintenance...vette=payments + maintenance + increase in snobby attitude :D Good luck no matter what you decide graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Dano

I'll read the rest of this tomorrow, but...

CFUNK, I SOLD a year old C4 so I could buy my 68 ragtop!

Would any vette you buy be NEW to YOU? Personally I would get a matching 67 Vette.

Mike

Ok, guys, I knew I would get a biased opinion on the subject and that is OK.

I am not looking to join a "club" and don't care about something exclusive. I didn't buy the '67 as an investment, I bought it because I love the car. Hell, if I loved an AMC Matador I would have bought it, investment or not.

My dilema stems from the fact I have wanted a Vette since the C4 hit the scene. Truth be told I love my '67 but I really wish she had a manual tranny and was a convert. I sold a '97 TA with a 6 speed and really miss the creature comforts a newer car can provide.

Mark had a good idea in buying a 3 year old Vette which would afford me a convert and a 6 speed.

Middle age, I guess at 38 you could call it that.

I am so conflicted, it would be nice to have a 400 horse daily driver with all the creature comforts a newer car provides. Family is not an issue as it's just me and the wife. The two Springer Spaniels don't count as they ride in the X5. smile.gif

Someone said "be prepared to psychologically let it go" and as attached as I get to cars that maybe the hardest part of all.

I know the general opinon of the Camaro crowd is Vette owners are elite and look down on Camaro owners but I don't feel that way. If Tony needs help with his '67 I am there. If Big Jim needs help talking about what to do with his '69 I am there. Ain't no Grey Poupon in my vocabulary.

A big thanks goes to those who understand Higher Education and what a burden a Graduate program can do to a family and it's members.

Despite the advice I am no closer to making a decision. The'67 still tugs at my heart as does a Corvette.

Dennis, you got any words of wisdom on the subject?

Thanks for listening.

I can understand your dilemma. The new Corvettes are nothing short of awesome. Although I disagree with the whole C5-3/4 theory. (the new C6 has definetly earned it's namesake) Your 67 is a gorgeous car that would be tough to replace. Think of the time it took to get to know your 67, all of the small things, it's personality. That will be the hard thing to replace. Instead of jumping into the Vette world with both feet, why not consider a C5? Right now they can be had for 10,000 below sticker, and that's if you go new. They are awesome in their own right, and you could get your droptop and 6 speed for a lot less. The other thing to consider, is that the C6, although brilliantly engineered, is still in it's first production year. I'd say do the c5, and give the new one a couple years for the dust to settle, bugs to be worked out, and prices to level out. Problem right now is you'd be hard pressed to get one at sticker, let alone any discounts. Either way, good luck, post pictures, and make sure to keep hanging around TC, even if you get a 'Vette... graemlins/thumbsup.gif

My dilema stems from the fact I have wanted a Vette since the C4 hit the scene. Funk, go for it man. They're just cars and if you can afford a vette and that's what you want then do it and don't look back!!

Some interesting advice, the infamous middle age crisis hits us all in different ways and ages. Chris if you and the wife can afford to put a chunk-o-cash down and pay off a new Vette in 3 years without putting a pinch on the finances or dipping into the savings, I say go for it. If you can do it and keep the Camaro you won't be sorry for having done so.

I know the ph.d puts a brighter financial future ahead of you and the wife, (congradulations to her by the way, her ph.d is a big accompleshment!) it could mean tightening the belt to help kick off the future properly though. Only you and the wife know where you want to be by the time you hit the retirement years. Don't put whim today in front of the main goal.

Now I'm always saying it's not the destination, it's the journey so don't take that last sentence as you can't have your cake and eat it too... If you can't have a new vette paid off in 3 years, maybe 4 but that's pushing it, I would look into a used Vette and keeping the Camaro. There are a ton of garage queen vettes out there. Low mileage, never driven in the rain and just like new with very low mileage on them. Decide on the oldest year you would want to own and start looking for the lowest mileage car you can find.

I think you will develope a new appreciation for your Camaro once it's not a daily driver. You'll start to look forward to taking it out again. Projects take on a more relaxed approach when you're not pressed to finish it by monday morning... Good luck in what ever you choose to do.

Originally posted by CFunK:
Hell, if I loved an AMC Matador I would have bought it, investment or not.

Say it ain't so!

Truth be told I love my '67 but I really wish she had a manual tranny and was a convert.

How about finding yourself a nice matching '67 convert with a manual trans, and making some some creature comfort upgrades? Certainly cheaper than a new Corvettte.

For what it worth... My neibighor just bought a C6. He also owns a Jeep Liberty. When I'm in my garage and I here a car start at his house, I can't tell if it's the Vette or the Jeep. :eek:

It may be fast as hell but it sounds terrible.

We have a 87 C4 and a 67 Camaro. I have really enjoyed the C4 over the last 8 years. It will out handle pretty much anything, looks great and in my mind for the engineering in the car an absolute bargain for what you can buy one for. I think buy a used Vette and keep your current Camaro. You will gain creature comforts, looks and comfort.

Funk: My good friend died of cancer this Jan. I am helping his wife sell their 00 C5. It is a one owner, always garaged, 41000 mile car. It is about perfect. Would be glad to show you that. She is asking $26.5 but might take less. Maybe you could buy that one and you could keep the '67.
Mike Martin
Madison, Ms.

CFunk...I say go for it! Keep the Camaro and buy as much Corvette as you can afford. I hate to use a tired old cliche, but here goes:
"You only live once". Thats it buddy. No "do-overs", no extra innings. Life is too short for regrets. "Gee, I wish I woulda..."

Like 69Mike's good friend died of cancer. (I'm very sorry to use your loss as an example, Mike, but you know what I mean.) When your number comes up, you gotta go. So every day is an opportunity to make your life as big as you can stand it to be!
You're still young enough to earn a boatload of money, and it seems the wife is in a good position to do so as well. And you are DINKs! (Dual Income No Kids). Its never going to be a better time. Hey, you can always sell one of them later. You are NOT defined by what you drive. Drive what you want for as long as you want to, and then on to whatever. We'll still like ya, no matter what! tongue.gif
Seems like this is something you've always wanted. And the wife is in full support. A real no-brainer.

Buying a used 'vette is like buying someone else's Camaro. Or someone's old hot rod. They may have spanked the bejeebers out of it. It might end up needing a lot of work.(Is there a Team Corvette?) Its a crapshoot.

However, being an ex Chevrolet-Buick new car manager, I'd stay away from the first year C6. Let someone else pay too much for a car and then have to "work the bugs out" so-to-speak. Sure, you'll get the warranty, but the hassle of bringing it back time and again isn't covered. graemlins/clonk.gif

Take the reduced price and ALL the incentives on a new C5 while you still can. That's JMHO, of course.

graemlins/beers.gif