I saw a Red 1985 Corvette on Craigslist and wanted opinions if the car is worth getting?

Question

1985 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PROJECT CAR $1,200.00 OBO

V-8 5.7 LITER, TARGA TOP WITH LATER STYLE POLISHED 5 SPOKE ALUMINUM OEM CORVETTE RIMS.

THIS VEHICLE Starts but runs a little rough because it needs a complete tune up and fresh gas. The transmission is in good working order. I just installed new OEM fuel pump but just doesn't have the time to complete restoration already to many projects but the car is priced to sell
THIS IS THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE SELLER
I'm looking for a car and came across this 1985 Corvette for $12k
It looks decent on the outside inside looks bad drivers seat looks like a dog torn half the seat off the steering wheel is also in bad shape as well as the gear shifter the interior looks bad
But i don't really mind it cause i could probably get the chairs replaced at a junk yard as well for the steering wheel
I would love to drive this car i mean it's a classic 1985 Corvette it just looks so freaking awesome i would love to own one
Here are my concerns
The vehicle starts but runs rough
How much would it cost me to get this thing running? It has 120k miles How long will this car last me What's the maximum high millage this car goes like 200k or something? As you can see i don't know anything about cars Ignore the username and stuff i don't anything about corvettes or cars in general i just made this account I'm very ignorant when it comes to that department But i intend to change that by learning more
Is this car worth it?

Answer 1

Is it 1200. or 12K? You're saying both here. 1200. is a fair price, 12K is NOT. First, except for certain special editions of this generation, this is the LEAST popular of all Corvettes. They are also weak in the performance dept. It will cost you a fortune to get it running and looking really nice.

You wont find any parts in junk yards, trust me on that.



Never believe ANYONE who says "All it needs is a tuneup to run good"

That is complete bee ess.



Voice of experience speaking here. I'm rebuilding and modding a 78 Corvette that came from the factory with a whopping 185 HP. It now has 350 HP, and that was not cheap.

Answer 2

PLEASE have the BOTTOM of the car inspected for FRAME ROT and RUST! The STEERING is not always RACK AND PINION either! The 1980 350 VETTE only made 180 HP! SO this car MAY need an UPDATED MOTOR to be a HAPPY CAMPER! I NEVER liked the MODEL T type suspension on these babies! They HOP and SKIP across bad roads and make the car only a SUMMER CAR! They do very BADLY in bad weather and WINTER time! THey use a CROSS LEAF SPRING and causes a VERY JOUNCy ride that waears on your NERVES! They do NOT track all that well! A MUSTANG tracks better< But the y DO lolok GORGIOUS if cared for! The older 350 made a LOT of noise and did NOT go as fast a th NOISE did! LOL! The #%) was like a MAYTAG in many ways! DURABLE maybe but mostly DETUNED for that year with SMOG pumps and BAD converters! ALSO the ignitions were RETARDED and the compressio ratios were LOWERED as the 350 was NOT very eco friendly and the design came from the FIFTIES! GM tried EVERYTHING to keep that thing ALIVE< even if it was a GAS HOG! I always would replace the CARwith a HOLLEY system or even a CARTER system! or an EDELBROCK! THere are LOTS fo thigns you can do to them! I never liked the OVER PUMPED brakes on them either, and the STEERING was kinda ODDISH and not controllable as well! THey are WORTH getting if you really LOVE them, but I am NOT a vette fancier! They JOSTLE you around like an old TRUCK! There are UPDATES to make that GO AWAY out there! They are ALWAYS worth money and many are collectables!

Answer 3

https://smd.craigslist.org/cto/d/1985-chevrolet-corvette/6676342210.html



That's a rough car. Basically find out what is working and what is not working(ie dashbroad). Think if you can handle it then estimate time and money to do. At least these days you got the internet for information.



If the frame is not broken then not a major NO. It is if you think you can handle it.



I said this because, I did something worse than this when I was young, never finish it as I would like, had other priorities, sold it, but learned a lot.



Edit: May cost about $5,000-$10,000+ including tools you would need to buy. You don't know the condition of the motor and transmission. You maybe lucky but not likely because the condition it is, you can see it was neglected and so will be the rest of the car.

Answer 4

As long as you aren't in a location that needs smog tested, go with it.

Answer 5

What will you do with it? A daily driver. NO. A hobby car? You do not KNOW anything about cars so NO. This car is not for you. Get a $100 Civic. Try putting a new engine on it by yourself.

Answer 6

If you don't know anything about cars ( your words, not mine ), I suggest you stay far away.



While I applaud you for wanting to learn, this is not the vehicle do it with.

Answer 7

I'd buy it,mechanics are not that hard...however the chassis might be coroded.Bodywork will be fine its fibreglass, so might need the odd patching up.Its a Chevrolet, not a porche so it could be mechanically ruined by high mileage.I'd still buy though because I like the look of them and would strive to get it to show condition...,but i love cars

Answer 8

Hi so the problems associated with old cars is so many. Rust in the bodywork which are not immediately apparent do effect it's structure and handling. with olde cars it is not just the look of the shinning paintwork it is it's structural integretary that matters. as they can fall apart when driven fast and around bends.

Answer 9

[quote] As you can see i don't know anything about cars Ignore the username and stuff i don't anything about corvettes or cars in general i just [/quote]



Walk away René A project like that is for an experienced mechanic with a workshop and full set of tools including a hoist.

Nobody can advise you on how viable a project this is without fully examining the vehicle, you NEVER take the seller's word for anything.

Also it's on CL, the chances are there isn't actually a car in the first place.

Answer 10

are u absolutely out of your mind? unless u re a mechanic with a shop who buys a car which is 33 years old? humans start having problems, car needs to be either totally rebuild or get to the dumpster. the owner should pay YOU to take it off his hands