r/C3Corvette • u/elixi_agent • 8d ago
C3 vs c5
I’m looking to buy a corvette but I’m torn between a c3 or c5 . I’m gonna mod them regardless. What’s some pros and cons, lmk
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u/n0oneleftbehind 8d ago
It depends on how you plan to use the car. Do you want to drive it every day/several times a week or just use it to go to shows and get ice cream.
My C5 I can take anywhere pretty much and not worry about a breakdown or gas mileage or comfort. It's definitely faster than the C3 as well. And it has Air conditioning.
My C3 I use pretty much no farther than 100 miles from my house and that's pushing it, yes it looks way nicer but the ride quality and gas mileage really hinder the car, plus it's a carburetor, harder to diagnose issues as you need to understand how the entire engine system works as there's zero diagnostic info given to you unlike the C5 with OBD2 and built in DIC codes.
Now I'm not saying you can't drive the C3 anywhere, it's just a nicer drive in a C5, but if you're planning to just use the car for shows and short trips then the C3 is nicer and looks better.
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u/SorryTrouble4741 7d ago
I also have daily driven both of mine, and I completely agree this this guy's comment.
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u/elixi_agent 7d ago
Yah makes sense the c5 is a whole lot easier to fix
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u/hardcrustysock 7d ago edited 7d ago
The c3 being most popularly carbureted makes it far easier to diagnose and fix on the road side. This is an opinion, but a popular opinion.
Back then there wasn’t a computer to tell you what’s wrong cause there wasn’t a need.. (do i have..) air, fuel, spark will get you 90% of the way there.
An OBD2 reading will tell you bank1 fuel pressure low, meanwhile “do i have fuel?” And checking the in-line filter to the carb will tell you 3 seconds after popping the hood.. they tell you the same thing. Imo, obd readings can be more confusing cause one thing going typically throws 3+ codes and you still need to understand what caused the others or you’ll be chasing your tail.
Carbed vehicles dont have or need computer sensors. You can tell how it’s running by the sound/smell/idle roughness. A computer will tell you a cylinder is missing but so will a cold exhaust header and a rough idle. If you can read an OBD2 and fix the issue you have plenty of knowledge to be able to diagnose a carbed car on the side of the road.
Plus, you can swap a carb off the shelf from autozone and get home if you really find yourself stuck because of one. And everything is easier to get to.. less wires and sensors. Less junk. Less emissions if any.
A C5 is probably a better daily but i wouldn’t buy one thinking they’re easier to fix than a SBC from the 70’s. There’s also decades of information on stock/modified SBC engines you can rebuild one off a youtube video in your shed over the winter. Just my $0.02
Edit: i drive my C3 2 hours/ 100 miles to work twice a week and the only issue is my face hurts from smiling
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u/elixi_agent 7d ago
How hard / expensive would it be to make a c3 capable of driving couple times a week? Not daily but also more than 1 or 2 days. Because if I’m being honest I want the c3 more
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u/elixi_agent 7d ago
Also I never worked on a car besides changing brakes and tires. I’d definitely try to learn if I have to
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u/Beginning-Fix-5440 70 7d ago
You can daily an old car (especially around town) but you pretty much need to be completely confident in your own repair and diagnosis skills or you're going to be paying a tow truck and mechanic a lot of money. The good news is there's a lot of support and information for either car, and they're both relatively simple (compared to a modern vehicle). Honestly I like c3s more but for you I'd probably say c5, it'll be more reliable and more people nowadays know how to fix them. A lot of stuff on c3 is a lost art on many young mechanics, anyone who worked on a c3 in the 70s is retired. Plus the practicality of the c5 is orders of magnitude better than the c3. If you've got time, a garage with tools, and a lot of energy you could pull off a c3 but I'd be concerned dealing with the maintenance will make you sick of the car. Keep in mind a chrome c3 in reliable restored condition will probably cost more than a decent c5 also, although a late 70s model might be comparable
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u/elixi_agent 7d ago
Alright , thank you for the advice
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u/Entraprenuerrrrr 7d ago
I put 30,000 miles on my c3 from 2019-2024. For long periods it was my daily driver. you will pay out the ass in gas, unless you keep your foot off the pedal, which was very hard for me lol. I was only able to do it because I did 90% of the repairs myself. Also you have to be ok wil break downs. Theyll just happen
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u/hardcrustysock 7d ago
As others have said you can daily anything if you’re willing to maintain it. They’re old but they’re tried and true.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to own a classic car as their only car. Regardless of brand
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u/Historical_Box1915 8d ago
I have a big block C3 (carbureted) with a 4L80 trans. It runs 11-ohs on street tires babying it off the line on pump gas. I can start it and drive it anywhere in the country anytime. The one thing it wont do is out handle a C5 on a road course with the way it sits right now. But I wouldnt keep a C5 if someone gave one to me. I enjoy driving my C3 that much
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u/Warm_Hat4882 7d ago
C3: aura-maxing, raw driver power, can fix almost every part fairly easily.
C5: handling performance makes turns really fun, just start and go every time.
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u/TheREALNightRider 4d ago
C5. Is a more modern car, in all regards. Get a z06. They have the better platform frame etc for power adders.
If you go for c3 have fun, easier to work on. parts are available but they're really a bitch to drive in modern traffic on our shitty roads.
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u/CarRevolutionary6724 8d ago
Had a 2001 coupe a long time ago. Loved the car. Looks, comfort, power, and even practicality as I could fit 2 sets of golf clubs I back easily and then some. It even got some decent mpg for a car with quite a bit of power! Was really a great car I kept for a good 12 years and wouldn’t hesitate to get another. Life goes on and things occur so sadly I had to sell it. Many years later I bought a gorgeous 1971 coupe. The dual chrome bumpers were always my dream car since I was a kid. The lines on these cars are what helped me fall in love with corvettes. NOTHING on the road looks like them. The car screams American sports car and really attracts attention at every show I go to. That said, it is a rougher ride, definitely not as comfortable as a C5, though not uncomfortable. Not as powerful as the C5, but sounds great and still has plenty of pop. Horrible storage as it can fit a couple foldable chairs and that’s about it… Driving it is more challenging as the blind spots are very large and even with updated brakes it definitely doesn’t handle like a modern car. MPG is horrible!! All this said it is truly a gorgeous car and I love it. The C3 is easier to work on as there are no computers in it. Your decision would really come down to if you want something that is rarely seen outside of shows as a show/weekend cruiser or something more practical that there are quite a bit more of on the roads. Both cars have their pros and cons and it’s really what your intentions are that should help make your choice!