Question: 95 blk/blk roadster 6-speed

[TAS250]

I just made a deal with a gentleman to purchase his 1 owner 95 BLK/BLK roadster 6-speed for $9500.00 68K miles. He just put new tires/battery, changed trans and oil fluids. Seems to be in very good condition paint, seats and ragtop is perfect. He lives about 3 hours away so I've only seen pictures but am going to look this weekend and if everything looks as good in person as they do in pics will lay down the cash. I'm not a mechanic by trade but had a 92 so I'm familiar with looking closely for leaks and around engine bay and underneath. My question would be anything I really need to key in on when going over this vette. It has clean car fax as well. I don't expect it to be perfect but just wanting to know if I run into anything that I should just stay away. He says he just doesnt drive it anymore and it just sits. Also,If anyone with a black book can tell me how many of these were produced I believe the production numbers were fairly low.

Hey thank you all in advance for any feedback. I'm looking forward to the 3 hour drive to my driveway with this vette if all is good!

Tom

 

[Tuna]

While looking for leaks, check the water pump shaft. LT1's like to be run or the seal on this shaft starts leaking and can ruin the OptiSpark while doing it.

Check the headlights. Those plastic bushings in the gear cases get old even if they are not being used.

Does it have the adjustable shocks or tire pressure warning system? Those can be expensive to fix.

Check the vacuum hoses below the battery. They control the cruise control and if acid leaked on to them, they could be bad.

Check the climate control head.

Black Book says 4971 convertibles out of 20742 that year. Black accounts for 3959 of the total. 6-speed is 4784 of the total built. Too bad the Black Book doesn't narrow that down. Check the RPO sticker to see what all it had when it left the factory. It's either on the console lid or the rear compartment lid behind the passenger seat.

 

[TAS250]

Thanks Tuna, picking up this Friday, good information for me and I appreciate.

 

[John Robinson]

The water pump was the first thing that I had to do on my 93 with 67K when I bought it. Look for a fine mist when the engine is running and up to temp around the power steering pump. Probable the best thing you will do for the car when you get it is to drive the 3 hours home. Expect it to run a little rough at first because I would guess the gas may not be all that fresh by the second tank that issue should be gone. Drive the car before putting the money down and be sure the new tires are properly balanced and there are no vibrations while driving. If there are vibrations put the car in nuetral and let it coast. If it gets markedly smoother there could be problems with the u joints wheel hub bearings pulleys or engine tune. If the vibrations don't improve then the tires or wheels are suspect even if they are new. If none of these things are a problem put on your best smile and start for home.

 

[TAS250]

The water pump was the first thing that I had to do on my 93 with 67K when I bought it. Look for a fine mist when the engine is running and up to temp around the power steering pump. Probable the best thing you will do for the car when you get it is to drive the 3 hours home. Expect it to run a little rough at first because I would guess the gas may not be all that fresh by the second tank that issue should be gone. Drive the car before putting the money down and be sure the new tires are properly balanced and there are no vibrations while driving. If there are vibrations put the car in nuetral and let it coast. If it gets markedly smoother there could be problems with the u joints wheel hub bearings pulleys or engine tune. If the vibrations don't improve then the tires or wheels are suspect even if they are new. If none of these things are a problem put on your best smile and start for home.

Thanks John,
I've never driven 3 hrs in this year vette or C4 so what should temp be running at. What would be a danger zone if you will. I know they run hot but what should the norm be. Thank you in advance.

 

[John Robinson]

Mine runs 208 on the road and will get up to 235 in stop and go traffic. On mine it helps in stop and go traffic to run it in a lower gear to keep the rpms up and the water pump pumping faster. Remember the auxilary fans don't even come on until the temp gets to 228. If it gets over 250 shut down the AC and put the heater on to 90 degrees (Oh and you will want to open the window if you do) Check to be sure the radiator is full and the pressure cap is tight before you start it up to drive it the first time. Check the overflow tank to be sure there is something in there to be siphoned back. Get and enjoy. 3 hours is a short trip for me with a C4. I try to get some 500 to 700 mile days in during the summer and fall months.

It's not a deal bracker but you can expect to put brakes on the car fairly soon with 68K on it. Again a test drive will tell you if thery are needed before you take her home.

 

[TAS250]

Mine runs 208 on the road and will get up to 235 in stop and go traffic. On mine it helps in stop and go traffic to run it in a lower gear to keep the rpms up and the water pump pumping faster. Remember the auxilary fans don't even come on until the temp gets to 228. If it gets over 250 shut down the AC and put the heater on to 90 degrees (Oh and you will want to open the window if you do) Check to be sure the radiator is full and the pressure cap is tight before you start it up to drive it the first time. Check the overflow tank to be sure there is something in there to be siphoned back. Get and enjoy. 3 hours is a short trip for me with a C4. I try to get some 500 to 700 mile days in during the summer and fall months.

It's not a deal bracker but you can expect to put brakes on the car fairly soon with 68K on it. Again a test drive will tell you if thery are needed before you take her home.

Thanks John,
Well I'll go up there and see what the deal is. Hopefully it will be a positive experience. Very good information and I appreciate!

 

[John Robinson]

Will don't keep us in suspense did you get the car? If so how was the trip home?

 

[TAS250]

Thanks

Will don't keep us in suspense did you get the car? If so how was the trip home?

Ha... Thanks for remembering! YES, I made the deal. After looking it over, body was in fantastic condition, just needed a good wax job (of course I did that last night when everyone was sleeping) carpet was great, seats great with very slight wear on bolster driver. Convertable top excellent. Car drove and tracked very straight, when breaking stayed straight. Alot of receipts for past maintenance, new oil, ac discharge and charge, new alternator, belt etc. New brake pads within 10K mi's.Cons were slight oil leak and keyless entry fob was in operable. Cruise worked and radio with cassette and cd worked.

The ride home went perfect. Temp stayed right at 200 - 210 the whole time. Then I got in heavy traffic about 5 miles from home and temp started to rise as I was sitting in 90 degree heat. I'm like o shit, then we started to move and the temp dropped back to 205 or so.

Then it happend, (only me) I was screwing with the convert top trying to put it up in my driveway when I got home and I guess I pushed down to hard on the rear deck of the car and now that side is jammed shut. The actuater is popping when I hit it and releasing the passenger side but not driver side. I've tried just about everything so I will take it to my local guy and have him do what ever Monday morn. Here we go alredy spending more money. O' well, already many compliments on it. Every vette I've had has had some oil underneath and I did'nt want that to be a deal breaker. you don't find many blk blk 6-speed ragtops so I said what the hell. I thought there were more positives than negs. If I can figure it out I will post a picture. Thanks again for remembering John!

Tom

 

[John Robinson]

Check the back of the intake manifold for the oil leak. At least that was were mine was and for less then $80 I fixed it. Glad the drive went well sounds like a very nice car that will give you many miles of fun. One question after you got the car on the road and had driven it for a few miles did you notice any improvement in the way it idled and ran?

 

[TAS250]

Check the back of the intake manifold for the oil leak. At least that was were mine was and for less then $80 I fixed it. Glad the drive went well sounds like a very nice car that will give you many miles of fun. One question after you got the car on the road and had driven it for a few miles did you notice any improvement in the way it idled and ran?

John it seemed to run good all the way. I filled it up with premium before heading out and was smooth all the way. I will say I got up early about 6 this morning and took it out and it ran unbelievabley smooth as it was about 60 out. Real smooth thru each gear.

 

[John Robinson]

According to my FSM for a 93 you can manually release the topstorage lid by pushing back and upwards on the actuators. You may have to do some looking for them but there should be one on each side. I also have found out that some models had a cable or lever on each side to release the top in the case of a power failure. Good luck and let me know if you are able to get the hatch open.

 

[TAS250]

According to my FSM for a 93 you can manually release the topstorage lid by pushing back and upwards on the actuators. You may have to do some looking for them but there should be one on each side. I also have found out that some models had a cable or lever on each side to release the top in the case of a power failure. Good luck and let me know if you are able to get the hatch open.

John,
You are a genius, you would think I would look at the manual, sure enough it says there were 2 emergency levers one on each side buy the side wall so if theres no power you can use these like dead battery and so forth. Well, the passenger worked well but the drivers because I must have jammed something yesterday was a little tougher but after working with it it released. Now the actuater buttons are working as they should so everythings normal. WOW

Thanks John, have a great day!

Tom