CORVETTE

[Brad Wilson]

SIMON HOLTBY wrote:

> 350 ci (5.7 litre)

That 5.7L V8 has been around since the 1960s, and it's basically
bulletproof. A hard working engine that can take more than its fair share of
abuse.

> really did look good inside and out.

The biggest problem with these is rattling. I assume you took an extensive
test drive so you could tell if the rattling was too bad?

> Handleing is appauling by quattro standards, the back end slid out on most
> corners but I found it good fun to drive.

The 5.7L is tremendously fun to drive in performance garb with a rear wheel
drive car. It does reach its "ragged edge" rather quickly, I'm afraid. I
owned a 97 Firebird w/ a 5.7L engine, making 310bhp. It was a riot.

> I'm trying to think of the good and bad points of owning a car like this.

The bad point is: hard(er) to sell. Most Corvette aficionados will be
looking for 60s and earlier, or a C5. The purchase price will seem obscenely
low (in the $10k range, I would presume) compared to those models (I saw a
1965 (?) get sold for $35k recently). Most people think of this era of
Corvette as the "very dark years". :)

> Fuel economy is a worry I was told between 15 to 20 mpg does this sound
> about right?

It seems about right, perhaps a touch on the high side. It depends on how
heavy your foot is. The Firebird had EFI, so it's hard to compare fuel
economy, but 14 was realistic in the city with that car and my foot. :)

> What about reliability it looked simple enough cast iron block and heads,
> carburetter and simple ignition system.

If you have any engine problems, they will be simple and cheap. The
likelihood is, if you treat is well (and the POs did, too), then you could
drive it nearly forever.

> Are these cars any good, will maintenance and reliability be better than
> my Ur.

Almost assuredly a LOT less money to maintain than an Ur!

> Please let me know if I am being daft considering a corvette.

If only it had quattro, eh? :)

Best regards,
Brad

2000 A6 2.7 biturbo quattro
http://www.quality.nu/bradw/audi/