1982 Should I Drive it?

[Michael L.]

I have a 1982 C3 with 11K miles, everything is clean, shows little wear. If I drive this car 1K miles a year will it lower the value drastically?

[Steven C.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

I don't think so, will do it good keeping everything going, and very enjoyable.

There are collectors who seek out very low mileage cars, and pay a premium for them...but they are the guys looking for cars with 6 miles, or a few hundred.

I don't see a big difference on yours between 11k and up to maybe 20k.

Just my opinion.

Steve

[Terry D.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

Mike

Did you buy the car as an investment or did you buy the car to drive and enjoy? It's a matter of personal choice. Do you want a trailer queen parked in your garage for only a few to see or do you want to get out in the fresh air and have fun? I would think that it will take a number of years for the low milage to be a big factor in the value of the car, and you will have missed out on driving the car. And then if you have my luck when you go to sell that very low milage 82 the country will be in the biggest recession ever and you won't get what you think it's worth anyhow.
Terry

[Robert S.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

If it has the original tires on it, you better change them (and save them) before you go out on the road

You don't want to be riding around on 22 year old tires even if the look new!

[James F.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

I had a `82 Collector`s Edition with 4K miles that I sold 2 years ago. I couldn`t justify driving it because of the low miles and unsafe and hard to replace tires. There are plenty of these C3`s stowed away with even lower miles. I reason that it will be at least another 20 years before they`re really worth anything substantial. Life is short, I say drive it and forget about it or sell it.

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

Its a C4... My driver is a very correct 76 with 47k. As much as it means to us, it will never be a C1 or C2. I know that it the pits, but it is the truth!

Chris

[Jacob A.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

Chris, I don't have an 82, nor do I have a C-4, but besides the cross-fire, those are as different as a C-4 and C-5!

Now back to the question at hand.... DRIVE IT and ENJOY IT! I had a 2004 LOADED 3x Black Roadster, 6 spd that I bought off the show room floor brand new! I figured if I NEVER drove it and kept it virgin, as a end of model car it would appreciate.... Needless to say, life throws curves at you, and 15 months later the 586.50 a month for a car I didn't EVER use, was killing me. I traded the car in, and have kicked myself for not using the car when I had it. It was my first new corvette, I lost money on it, and I never used it.... I will never do that again to any car. Currently I have a 67 435 car, it is the real deal... but not even the rarity or the amount of what its worth keeps me from driving her every sunny, dry road day I can!!!

Corvettes are made to be driven! Drive it and enjoy it, if you want a corvette that will never see a scratch, buy a matchbox or hotwheel and keep it in the box!

Happy Day as its Sunny and the 435 will come out and play in a couple of hours!!!!

Best,
Jacob
#40987

[Robert F.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

Drive it and enjoy it.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1982 Should I ???????????????????

You got great advice , you drive it and get the enjoyment or save it for some one els and they get the fun . You wont to be queen for a day or two each year or drive it.

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

Re: 1982 Should I ???????????????????

Amen...Drive it no ,atter what year it is! Besides, then you have to have enough money for the cab pickup and 5th wheel!!!!!!!!

[Tom R.]

Re: 1982 Should I Drive it?

Mike:

You've gotten great advise here but its easy for others to say drive it. The truth is if you're not driving it...you're not enjoying it but yet must balance that with the reduction of value. Bottom line...driving it reduces value due to wear, tear and mileage increase.

My 78 I picked up at 21k miles, original and pristine. It now has 35k miles and shows its road miles which is inevitable. But, I've driven it on two road tours, driven to all its judging events and did Founders Award. It's gone to St Louis national, Hershey national and participated in the 50th Corvette celebration in Nashville among other events like several Regionals along the way. I can say I know that car on the road as well as its limited to blow cool air in the middle of a hot summer. And have made numerous friends along the way. Do I regret...no! But I do find I must continue to remind myself that GM Chevrolet built these cars to drive and they drive well. It's also an NCRS Bowtie car but fading from that achieved glory.

That's the call you've got to make and its tough. But like someone else pointed out...what the hell you saving it for. Good luck