You can find some higher mileage C5's for $10-12 if you look hard enough. And like you said, you can't beat the performace for the bucks on a C5. But you'd be hard pressed to find a 97, since they didn't make very many of them. 9,752 total in the 97 year model all coupes, with only 2,800 6 speeds. Buy you can find a 98 or 99, maybe already slightly modded in the mid teens. And what's cool about having a C5, is they all looked the same from 97-04. :beers:

 

I have always liked the 82 if it has the rear spoiler.

 

The one thing I can say is the the C5 will make the better driver of two. The '82 while a sharpe looking car will not hold up (or any of the C3's) as well as the the '97 or any of the C5's and doesn't have as nice a ride. Also, the performance on the '97 will be noticeably better.
The technological advances in the C5 over the C3 generation Vette's is huge, really making hard to compare the 2. They are really 2 very different cars.

 

The 97 for sure

 

I had a 79 L-82 automatic. It was my first vette and I really enjoyed working on it and driving it but as others have said, it's a different car as compared to the C5. For performance and dependability you can't beat the C5. I get 30 mpg with my 99 6 speed on the highway and 24 local. I've owned it for 6 years and done nothing but oil changes and tires. It gets as many looks as the 79 because it still has the distinctive styling.

 

'74, 454 4-Speed or TH400 Roadster in my book!

This way, when the dreaded, "More power Scottie" bug bite's you, you are just and 9.8 tall deck aftermarket block away from a 588"!

Can you say "BIG POWER"?????

Sucker's have a little-bitty top on them like the old 356 Porsche's!!! Way cool to me, imho...............

pdq67

 

Easy the 1997 vette it's better looking better made.:yes:

 

get the 82, and swap in an LS2 out of a newer Vette.
the same amount of money is spent, and you wind up with an old car with new car power.
well, at least until one of the rear axles break (they are load bearing parts of the C3 rear suspension).. then you have a wrecked Vette with a good motor.

 

unless your sporting a Mullet hair do get the 97 !!

j/k about the mullet thing, my dad has an 81 Vette that I do all the stuff on it for him .. Its a nice car BUT The Brakes BLOW !!!!!!! you let it sit for acouple of weeks and the brakes Stick .

and you said 82 Corvette .. those came with that Crap Crossfire Motor .. that alone should tell you get the 97.

 

Hands down, 97.

 

97

 

Well based on all this commentary I've determined that an '82 would sure be nice to look at in the garage but a '97 would be a lot funner to drive and more reliable & functional as a daily driver or road-trip car. Now I just have to start saving $ and wait until a '97 or '98 drops into my price-range. Yes I will definitely be looking for the 6spd too and I can't decide if white or black in color - like 'em both!

Interesting comment above on the C-3 axles as I can recall seeing two vettes from that era on the side of the road with the wheel obviously sticking out/busted off. Now I know why.

Thanks for your opinions. In the meantime I'll keep working on my '68 Camaro which as cool as it is, even a '97 Vette somehow looks "ordinary" when next too.

 

UPDATE:

Well after much deliberaton, I changed my mind and bought an '82 Corvette. It just looks too dam cool - my daughter thinks it looks mean and like the batmobile. Those are some high compliments that you can't say about the '97 which don't get me wrong looks very nice as well. I decided the obvious performance featurs on the '97 just didn't add up when compared to the superior look/design of the '82s exterior. I don't think there's a cooler looking body in all of auto history and that's why I got the '82. Probably similar reasons why I have a '68 Camaro vs. a 2002. You can always make them handle better and more power but you can't change the body design. I paid $7,000 for it and looks like a new car from outside and all original w/80,000 miles. Interior needs some work but all is there and working - needs new seat covers and carpet. I fixed the A/C, Radio, power windows & misc other items the first day I owned it so think I got a pretty good deal on this one. Not a spot of even surface rust anywhere. Here's a look: My plan is to build a supercharged 350 and set the crossfire motor aside in about a year or so.

 

UPDATE:

Not a spot of even surface rust anywhere.

You know the car is fiberglass ... Right!?

Enjoy :beers:

 

I like your choice.

 

I like it! Silver too.
I like the older shapes.
Not very fast, but that can be changed.
7K?!?!?!
He have another one? J/k.

 

You paid $7,000???? That seems like a steal.

I'd say that's money well spent. Very nice.

:thumbsup:

-

 

Nice car Bill, I think you got a good buy. There was /is a lot of complaints about the crossfire but as I remember there was a few critical things that if one understands them, they were a good thing. Enjoy your Corvette.

 

My buddy left his 82 Vette at my place for a year. I drove it a few times. It could not believe how gutless that car was. I mashed the gas and had to look at the telephone polls out the window to make sure i was moving.

 

My buddy left his 82 Vette at my place for a year. I drove it a few times. It could not believe how gutless that car was. I mashed the gas and had to look at the telephone polls out the window to make sure i was moving.

Ya, stock they only have about 200hp and 285ft. lbs. I guess they forgot how to make power after the lull in performance during the 70s after the embargo and finally started to get some ideas on how to do that again in the early 90s. Well for now the stock motor will tug me around (and is actually better than I thought would be (still will beat all the imports at least - not that I'd even be racing them) but I already have an extra 350 w/aluminum heads that will be built for the supercharger and that should spark it up..

 

I think i had false expectations. I got in it thinking "its a Vette" therefore its gotta be fast. Its a cool looking car though!