C4 prices; new variable here...

[Schrade]

C5 is now 13 years old. This means that lots of C5's are 10+ years old, and just as many are ripe with mileage, and can be had for pretty cheap.

So now lots of kids, who 'just want a vette', and see condition as not a real concern, but only a fresh washing and aftermarket rims as concerns, will begin looking at C5. Which is fine with me. If you can hardly afford to buy it, you can't afford to keep it TUNED, and all those poorly running C5's on the road will soon make the C4's that ARE TUNED look all the better.

And I imagine a few un-tuned C4's will get traded in for C5 too?

So how will that affect C4 market price? Up? Down? :confused

 

[89blackvette]

If you look at Ebay C4 prices are down. I was planning to sell mine but I will not be able to get a decent price at this time so I am waiting for economy to come back some and prices to rise. I have an 89, 6 speed convertable with removable hardtop and 52,000miles. From what I see I can expect to get arounf $7,000.00 to $8000.00 for it.

 

[BADDUCK]

I see C4 prices continuing to fall, maybe forever, unless it's a pristine collectible version. BTW same for C5's, it's all old technology that is aging.

 

[Rex S]

C4s are going to bottom out just like C3s (and C1s and C2s if Ya happen to be that old). C3s are on a mild recovery right now and prices are inching up. What was a 3-5K C3 is now a 5-8K car. We have a 73 & a 77 in the shop right now with another 77 coming in next month. Owners are late 40s to early 60s and can now afford the car they wanted back in HS. All three of the C3s have been neglected and are in for complete suspension bushing replacements, idler arms, bad steering boxes, long forgotten brake maintenance and the list goes on. Two of the cars "show" nicely with great paint and interiors but needing several thousand dollars of forgotten upkeep.

 

[TedC]

Supply and demand. We have an over supply of C4s and C5s. I've received several offers in the 10-11K range for my stock 1989 with 61,000 miles in A+ condition. That is more than I paid for it, but it also required plenty of new parts and labor. Most of the C4s I've driven are not properly maintained. Faded paint, oil/coolant leaks, leaking injectors, rusted exhaust pipes, hacked wiring, crack interior parts, clusters not working properly, worn seats, messed up Bose radios, noisy bushings, and messed up throttle bodies. To be cost affordable, the owner must supply most of the labor. My hobby has been restoring early C4s to like new condition. First was a 1988, and now I'm almost finished with a 1989. I don't view C4s as investments, just very affordable vettes that run great if properly maintained. It is the expertise on this forum that allows me to enjoy this hobby. Save the wave.

 

[CTYANK2]

If you look at Ebay C4 prices are down. I was planning to sell mine but I will not be able to get a decent price at this time so I am waiting for economy to come back some and prices to rise. I have an 89, 6 speed convertable with removable hardtop and 52,000miles. From what I see I can expect to get arounf $7,000.00 to $8000.00 for it.

You will need to be very patient if you are waiting for C4 prices to go up - actually I don't think they will for at least 10 years, probably more like 20 years. If you want to hold a car and wait for it to go up in price you would be better off selling the 89 right now for $7-8k and buying the best C3 you can find for the same money. Hold the C3 and sell it in a few years - you may make a couple of dollars on that.
I have a similar 89 except mine is automatic with 62k miles - I keep it because as the price has come down you can't get the same sports car value with anything else for the same money. As with any old car, prices go up or down based on condition. I don't expect C4's will ever increase significantlly in value. Too many of them.

 

[1991-C4]

You will need to be very patient if you are waiting for C4 prices to go up - actually I don't think they will for at least 10 years, probably more like 20 years.

I can't wait that long. I am going to be 53 on Sunday so I think I will just drive my '91 coupé and enjoy it while I can. I will let me heirs worry about the resale value!

 

[CTYANK2]

I can't wait that long. I am going to be 53 on Sunday so I think I will just drive my '91 coupé and enjoy it while I can. I will let me heirs worry about the resale value!

Excellent plan! Drive the wheels off it!

 

[GS Diva]

You're all pretty much on the money as far as C4 values are today and in the foreseeable future. Unless it's a very collectable, no one should hold their breath waiting for their C4 to gain value. It's unfortunate but just the way it is now. The C4's allow younger people to get into the hobby so that's a good thing.

Elaine

 

[Bronze85]

I bought mine a year ago for a very good price due to the usual list of problems,Hood would not open, no battery power at all(jumped through fender panel, radiator leak, starter going bad, screwed up instrument panel, oxygen sensor broken off etc. It was a used car dealer and I assume they thought they'd never get rid of it. Being an auto mechanic I accepted the challenge and can now say with all the details fixed, it is a fast and reliable car.

 

[Rex S]

You will need to be very patient if you are waiting for C4 prices to go up - actually I don't think they will for at least 10 years, probably more like 20 years. If you want to hold a car and wait for it to go up in price you would be better off selling the 89 right now for $7-8k and buying the best C3 you can find for the same money. Hold the C3 and sell it in a few years - you may make a couple of dollars on that.
I have a similar 89 except mine is automatic with 62k miles - I keep it because as the price has come down you can't get the same sports car value with anything else for the same money. As with any old car, prices go up or down based on condition. I don't expect C4's will ever increase significantlly in value. Too many of them.

While I agree with the basic statement, how many VW Bugs were made and look at the prices now (they did kind rust out quick though).

 

[CTYANK2]

While I agree with the basic statement, how many VW Bugs were made and look at the prices now (they did kind rust out quick though).

Back in the day I owned a '64 bug and it was rusting then! I have no idea what they cost now but I guess you are saying they cost a few $$$. Oh well, maybe I should have kept it!

 

[WillC4]

Pretty much as everyone has been saying, pricesof C4s will continue to drop for a good while still. Now, im 22, and i bought my '94 vette about a year ago, was 21 then. I got a good deal for it as well, and had a list of problems, some of which i still am adressing.
But as far as investment in the car i have done:

-Fresh coat of paint
-New weatherstripping
-52mm Throttle Body
-Cold air intake
-Longtube headers
-3.5in straight pipe
-2x flowmaster mufflers
-New tires
-200° F Fan Switch
-A/C Delete
-New Distributor
-New Wires
-New Coil

I still have quite a list of things to do to this car, like some light head porting, fresh cam (LT4 Hotcam or similar), 355 rebuild, ZF6 tranny rebuild, new ring and pinion. More or less a "performance restoration" approach. I guess i could call it project "Be on par with modern day corvettes..ie LS3 C6 Corvettes"

 

[Curious George]

I see C4 prices continuing to fall, maybe forever, unless it's a pristine collectible version. BTW same for C5's, it's all old technology that is aging.

It is supply and demand... "aging or technology" has little to do with it.

CG

 

[BADDUCK]

Well I disagree, but I did forget to mention supply, 13 years worth of C4's out there.

 

[93Rubie]

You're all pretty much on the money as far as C4 values are today and in the foreseeable future. Unless it's a very collectable, no one should hold their breath waiting for their C4 to gain value. It's unfortunate but just the way it is now. The C4's allow younger people to get into the hobby so that's a good thing.

Elaine

Exactly, I'm 22 and I can afford a C4, they are modern compared to the ancient C3, still plenty fast, handle and braking capabilities are still sports car class, even 17 years later (my 93). Can be made to go like any newer Corvette, LS swaps are becoming more popular with C4's. I met a guy today who got a 92 6 speed, with 176K on it in good shape for 4K. He drives it all the time and plans on making a LS swap happen. Its lowered and unlike a lot of Vette owners runs the poop out of the car on the road course. Gotta love it. Besides we can't all be like 40-70+ something and have 50K+ to spend on a C6.

 

[MBDiagMan]

I'm 61 years old and paid $14,000 for my stick shift 88 in 1994. I fully expect that if I live to be 90, I'll never see the day when I can get my $14,000 back.

The good news is that I have kept the car in good mechanical shape and find it fun to drive. I will just drive the wheels off of it and be happy. I did not buy it as an investment anyway.

 

[Blue92]

My 92 convertable is exactly the car I want. Every time I open the garage door and see it it makes me smile. It runs well looks good enough to win a trophy here and there at local car shows. What I paid for it and what it is worth today is not the reason I own it.