First C-4 test drive today

[no_vette_yet]

Hello All,
I found a 1993 LT1 6speed black/gray leather for sale at a good/verygood price, looked it over, and took a drive. The condition was generally good/very good. Paint, interior, suited my moderate requirements. The car started up and was FAST. Shifting was smooth, AC cold, gaskets good (windshield gasket crackled). The car seemed to be tight.

The engine idled smooth with a hiccup every few minutes. No leaks that I could find, lightly dusty on eng even valve cover and heads. Slight smell at stoplight after running. The plugs and wires appeared recent, didn't check the air filter. Didn't have the car up on a rack either.

The car was being sold at a repo lot and though there was an owners manual zippered in its case, no maintenance records. The manager said that the odometer was working when the car came to his lot 2 weeks ago, but I'm skeptical. It reads 77, 045 and is not moving (for how long?) The tires were off brands (Fulda front, xyz rear). The sawtooths were mounted half facing front. The headliner was draped over my bald-spot.

Problems:
1) The speedo/tack/odometer and oil temp gauges were not reading. Gas gauge was a maybe, change oil light on.
2) At 4400 rpm (guessing) the engine would balk in any gear.

The car is $8K firm. My concern is the engine balk. So much has been said about the optispark, I fear that may be the problem. The sales guy says a sensor on the tranny is the problem with the gauges and says one has been ordered and all the probs will go away. I really like the car, and went with a wad of cash. Any thoughts on the diagnosis of the probs I've described. I guess it would be prudent to have a mechanic give it a once over. Is the Carfax worthwhile? Any recommended mechanics to look her over in the Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale area?

Thanks
Richard in Miami, FLA

 

[MsSchroder]

The headliner was draped over my bald-spot

:L
A sense of humor. You will go far here, sir
I would definitely have a mechanic look and get a carfax to provide more info. The carfax might shed some light on the odo issue. I would tend NOT to believe that story.

As for the other mechnical issues, we have lots of knowledgeable C4'ers around here to fill in with answers to some of the questions.

Tammy

 

[KOPBET]

I would walk.

If you choose to proceed, a Corvette mech. is a must see and insist that any gauge issues and possible engine woes are corrected prior to sale. You can have no idea how many miles are really on the odo. That alone would turn me off with a car in this condition not to mention the possible opti problem. I wouldn't pay for a CarFax until you have a clear idea about your intent to purchase, rather only after other issues are resolved and your mechanic has advised.

What kind of smell? Sulfer? Exhaust?

Please describe what you mean by balk. '93 optis are not so good and are expensive to have replaced.

Don't believe the salesman about the tranny.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Be Cautious! You probably know vettes are expensive to fix. Even for me because parts are still expensive. So be careful and don't trust a salesmen's word on having everything fixed.. have it right before you loose your money.
-=Rick

 

[no_vette_yet]

Found a better one

Thank you for the good advice.

I made many calls on Vettes today. Just got a call back on a '91 that I may buy tomorrow. The owner has all the receipts. Has new monro's, P-3's, G3 alarm, battery, perfect paint, garage kept, etc. It has the L-98 with TPI and a superchip that he says, puts the eng at 300hp with better gas mileage. Says he also has the original chip. Says the car is perfect. It's an automatic and though I prefer the 6speed, it'll be cool. Has 78,000 miles, been sitting for a year with only occasional short use. Says the gaskets for the hatch and Targa been replaced. Other things too.

Got another call back. A 95 all orig. automatic with 137,000 mi. Price is $8,500 nego.

I think the 91 will be less trouble than the newer car. At 137k that one will be [pretty tired, I think.

Any advice/opinions on the L98? Superchip? The 91 model year?

 

[Hrtbeat1]

I prefer the 6speed,

You're answering your own question. If you prefer wait for it. Seriously had I waited three more months I would had the Vette I really wanted. Was a six speed with all the mods I had planned ... made a ungodly 525+ hp. But I couldn't pass this one for the price ... wish I'd waited, but then again I wouldn't have this smile on my face all the time either.

 

[Rain]

I'd wait for the one you want. If you want a 6sp, a 6 sp will come available.

Especially now that folks are putting em up for the winter. Post on all the Corvette forums that you are looking to buy. If they dont want to store it all season, they will be motivated to sell cheaper.

Good luck
Rain

 

[Randy Eads]

Ditto!

Life is too damn short to make compromise on the more important things!

When you finally do make a compromise it should be on something that is repairable in time ... like a scratch on a rim! Florida (and Texas, Arizona) seem to be "flooded" with a great choice of used c4s for sale .... try cartraderdotcom and find exactley what you want.

 

[vetteguy]

Wait and get what you want. I sold my 85 and was vetteless for awhile. I almost jumped on a few that were not quite right but I was able to disapline myself and wait. In the end I spent more than I had planned but have never regretted it. If I had bought one of the other cars I would have regretted it and been looking again by now. What I'm trying to say is , be patient, the right one will come along and you will be glad you waited. If you have reservation about a car, walk away. Good luck, Guy

 

[Edmond]

I say wait for the one you want instead of "settling." You're just going to think back and wonder what if. Why bother with that. Just wait and it will definitely be worth it.I would agree that the L98's are easier to work on than the LT motors. I think 89-91 L98's came with the six speeds instead of the 4+3's.

 

[74bigblock]

You should take a gander thru this link http://206.126.208.74/trinity/static/showMenuList/corvette_4.html

It's a site called cars-online.com. They generally have some choice vehicles... and you may find one that suits you and falls in your budget. Keep in mind when looking for the car you really want, you may not find one in your area... keep an open mind and a sharp pencil, and you can strike a good deal for shipping, or buy a one way ticket and drive your dream car home over a weekend!

 

[Tim Scales]

After many years of owning several C4's..L98 and LT1 I would advise you to "pass this one up". The problems you desrcibed are too numerous for a 93 with that mileage...If I were wanting to purchase that particular vehicle I would NOT pay over $1,000.00 for it as you will easilly spend $5,ooo.oo to get it right if you do the work yourself! And if you take it to a Dealer that KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING you can double the amount quickly. Corvettes are a very sensitive machine, especially the LT1's. I personally prefer the LT1 over the L98 due to advances in technology and HP/Torque gains but the L98 is MUCH simpler and easier to work on....believe me I have had many a sore finger and cut from my experiences with the both of them. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Vette and would not want to think of life without one or two or thre..etc. but they are NOT the easiest and cheepest machine to work on. GOOD LUCK in the "HUNT", Tim

 

[no_vette_yet]

"""Corvettes are a very sensitive machine, especially the LT1's. I personally prefer the LT1 over the L98 due to advances in technology and HP/Torque gains but the L98 is MUCH simpler and easier to work on...."""

My concern of owning a Vette is reliability. I am nervous about the potential to be left on the side of the road facing huge repairs. I would gladly trade some of the performance of the LT1 for an L98 if it meant more reliability or cheaper repairs. From my perspective, the slowest of the bunch is about ten times faster than my full size Bronco. I really don't want to have two cars either. Is it unwise to think that a 9-13 year old C-4 could be my daily driver? How come I hardly ever see any Vettes on the road. (I live in Miami)

In my nationwide search for a reasonably priced 6 speed (without overly high miles), I am coming up fairly dry. Automatics are widespread. Seems easier to find a good auto than a stick.

Are the Z-28's with the 5.7 Vette engine more reliable?

I am really appreciative and feel so good about this forum. Thank you all!

Richard

 

[Tim Scales]

Richard,
If I wanted an L98 I like the 91 model the best. It was the last year the L98 was made and the one I had was very trouble free. I drove it about 80K before selling it. Never did anything more than service, ie, oil & Lube, plugs that type thing. Ran very good but would not keep up with the LT1. If Performance is not that important to you, look for a good 91, the body style has the "new" look of the later C4's and in my opinion, performed better than the 86 and 88 I had. Tim

 

[G Winter]

I purchased my 90 with 6 speed in June. It had 69k on it was well maintained . Other than to work we drove it everywhere. We have put about4000 miles on it and no real issues yet . You wonder about a 13 yr old
car being good enough for a daily driver ? I also have an 89 Riviera with 206,000 miles on it , drive it everywhere the vette don't go. Soon the vette
gets stored for the winter and the Riv will see all the duty. You just need to
be aware of things and repair before a breakdown. I wish you luck in finding your Vette, took me about a yr to find mine. They will have to pry my
dieing hands off the wheel.

 

[MoeJr]

I feel you would be best served with trying to find a 90-91 L98 car. They are not quite as quick as a Lt1 but only short by 4 tenths in the quarter. The L98 will feel peppier on the street in part due to its torque coming on lower than the LT1. Unless u need every last bit of HP a L98 car is a great choice and can be modded very easy. Tons of goodies for those.

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

$8K for a 40th Anniversary year Vette is pretty good. I would be concerned with when the clutch was replaced if ever. That could be in your future. Still though, the price is right, and it's a Vette. I had a 94' that was a very good car. I tend not to worry about the mileage too much, but carfax it a good idea to see what kind of history it has. The LT1 is a great motor. The opti-spark would be a pain, but it could also be a MAP senor, so who knows. Good luck with the decision. If you decide to buy, we will all give you the support and advice you need

 

[Edmond]

Are the Z-28's with the 5.7 Vette engine more reliable?

No, I don't believe so. In terms of GM cars reliability, it would be hard to beat a Corvette. Think about it, Corvette is GM's #1 car.

 

[schmaltzr]

I made a prioritized list of options when I went looking for my C5. Top priority was a 6 speed, second was a Coupe. I needed the stick shift for fun. I kept my 93 K1500 pickup for my daily driver, it has 93K miles on it and has an automatic. It's got a 4" lift and looks sharp, but best of all it is a great commuter car. When I want to get on a freeway and 'feel the thrill', there is nothinig like 3rd gear and 4500 RPM to get the adrenaline pumping. Don't settle, you'll regret it. The right one will come along. I passed up 2 other ones that were close, but not right. I'm glad I waited, got a newer year, and more options than I expected. A few minor mechanical problems (Keyless entry and oil leak) and a clutch that blew apart cost me 5K this year in repairs....Things seem okay now. - Ron

 

[Edmond]

Ron,

What ended up being the source of that oil leak? Was it the rings?