Best year of the C4

[My Prozac]

It's all in what you want. When I was looking everybody told me to get a C5 but I felt that although it is a great car it was more like a good mix between a Cadallic and a C4. The C4s are like getting in to a fighter jet, and are not made for everybody. All the reviews for the C4s talk about the noise and quality but you have to take the car for what it is, a real sports car that can pull close to 1 g on a skid pad, accelerates like a rocket and can out brake just about any other car out there stock. Each year the car has more to offer, I picked a 93 anniversary because there are just over 6000 made, and was going for uniqueness with the convertible hardtop but it has the older computer on it and the older version of the optispark.

Some of the things to look for... make sure the body panels fit right and and gaps are even. No wet spots under the car, make sure it sets level, try all the features on the car, make sure they work. Let the radio play about 15 minutes to make sure the amps in the spearkers don't cut out. Paper work, Paper work, Paper work, it tells how the previous owner kept the car, oil changes, gm parts or after market stuff like that, you will be able to tell when you see the car how some body took car of it,and how they talk about it. I was looking for a car that somebody would cry when I drove it away. I was lucky I found just that. Get a Corvette Black Book it tells every change from year to year they are about $15 it will also have the options list and production numbers for each model year this will help if you buy from a car lot (most sales people don't know crap about Corvettes) it helped me cut through a lot of BS. If you are like me there is not an ugly Corvette out there. You will know the right car when you see it, you will compair other cars to it and it will aways win, you can picture it setting in you driveway, and you will keep coming back to it. Most of all Good Luck

 

[jssc4]

I love my torch red 93 LT1, but the 96 LT4

 

[bluecoupe]

The 4+3 stick is unusual but very expensive to replace. Stay with the 6 speed or automatic. I like the later (mostly) analog dash, The earlier all electronic dash is also a pricey item to replace ( but it is pretty cool looking). Then later year the better is my advice. They are great cars. I have a C5 (now) and my brother has a C4.

 

[Vette Dawg]

Thanks for all of the responces! I've always liked white C4 verts.


Thanks again,

- Dawg

 

[jwilliams]

Best C4, tough question. Good but tough. Depends on what you want. 89's with the Z51 and 6 speed are regarded as excellent autocross cars. My biased opinion. 91 Z07 6 speed I think is a great choice for excellent handling, first year of new rear end and last year for L98. Any 96 LT4.

If I was gonna get a C4 for weekend car, I'd want a GS or a red LT4. I know, I know, I don't want much.

 

[JEFNLSA]

It wasn't long ago that I was researching which Vette to buy and a low mileage LT4 seemed the best bang for the buck. Well, found one w/ 21k on the clock and after driving it....I was SOLD! (as was the car)

 

[Vette Dawg]

This has been great. I'm going to copy and save this entire conversation!

 

[Vettefan87]

If you are going to buy a LT4 and mod it you are wasting your money in a way, why? because if you plan to change the cam and heads, then you are paying for it twice. If you plan to build a fast car go with the LT1 and mod it, with the extra money you saved not getting the LT4.

 

[marine1975]

Someone else said "you will know the right one when you see it". All I can say is do not get in a hurry and look a lot before buying. When you look at a lot of them you will be able to notice the differences and will keep going back to the "winner." Also, if price is a big part of the question then the time of the year can make a big difference in prices of Corvettes. They tend to sell for quite a bit less in the winter months...for obvious reasons... My pref? The L98's are real good in the torque department and easier (computer wise) to work on. Looking for some more power, in the way of a 383 stroker when I get back from Iraq though. When is enough power enough?? NEVER!

 

[Vette Dawg]

Cool suggestions dudes (and dudettes)!

 

[wannavette]

1st and foremost I love all Vette's!But I have A really taken a special liking to the 96 Collectors Edition and the Grand Sport.

 

[Achilles]

Because of my general lack of knowledge of C4s I would like to ask you which year is the all around 'best'? What packages to look for, what engine is the most powerful etc . . . etc . . . .


The best advice I can give is to buy the best car you can afford. A low mileage early model C-4 in good condition will make you a much happier Vette owner than a late model C-4 that is worn out, even if it has all the bells and whistles you want on it. We all know that our Vettes need to be consistantly maintained to stay in top running condition, but if you are spending most of your free (driving) time doing repairs, you're not going to enjoy what the car was meant to do...Drive.

If you're looking for a particular model, engine (L98 or LT-1) with a 4+3 or a 6 speed, but you find something sweet with a automatic, BUY IT! Enjoy that car while you're looking for the perfect car to buy later. It's easier to be a patient Corvette buyer when you already own one.

 

[RedRagTop]

The 88 with the Z51/52 (17" wheels, first offered) is really coming down in price yet offers a lot of what the later years do.

 

[TriTown]

First C4 Vette

Hey you'll buy what you can afford... I bought an 85 and I wasn't even in the market for one! I drive a tractor trailer and deliver almost every day to a place where this car was parked. For over a year I would look down at it as I backed into the dock. The guy said he wanted $5500.00 for it. It had body damage to the left corner of the hood, the dash was hacked for an after market radio, the clutch was cooked, etc. To get to the point I offered him $2500 for it he said $3000.00 and now it's in my garage. I got most everything to fix it off of eBay. The clutch was from the auto parts store. I'm into the car for $3500.00 fat. I plant to enjoy it this summer and upgrade to a 96, we'll see.
Good luck!
Joe

 

[G Winter]

Hey you'll buy what you can afford... I bought an 85 and I wasn't even in the market for one! I drive a tractor trailer and deliver almost every day to a place where this car was parked. For over a year I would look down at it as I backed into the dock. The guy said he wanted $5500.00 for it. It had body damage to the left corner of the hood, the dash was hacked for an after market radio, the clutch was cooked, etc. To get to the point I offered him $2500 for it he said $3000.00 and now it's in my garage. I got most everything to fix it off of eBay. The clutch was from the auto parts store. I'm into the car for $3500.00 fat. I plant to enjoy it this summer and upgrade to a 96, we'll see.
Good luck!
Joe

see any others like that out there ?

 

[Vettefan87]

If you're looking for a particular model, engine (L98 or LT-1) with a 4+3 or a 6 speed, but you find something sweet with a automatic, BUY IT! Enjoy that car while you're looking for the perfect car to buy later. It's easier to be a patient Corvette buyer when you already own one.

I disagree, If you are out to get a manual, then get a manual. Don't settle for anything less then what YOU want, yes you might find a car that might be worth it, but will you be happy?? What happens if you do buy that car, and see the one you've got and either don't have the money to buy another vette, or dump the one you have to get the one you want?? Don't get impacient though like I did at first. I went and looked at the first vette and it was completely crap, but I wanted it. My dad had enough sense to not buy it and wait until I actually seen one in the auto trader for 14 grand, and after about two weeks of negotiating, we went and picked it up. Just hang in there, and you will find exactly what you want.

 

[Vette Dawg]

Thanks, I will