how about the 1990 model year

[hotshotzny]

anyone have an opinion on the 90 vette, i am seriously considering adding one to my stable but i thought i would see what people thought about that particular year.. i mean a vette is a vette in its own right but i know certain years had thier own demons, the car is cherry and was well maintained it seems, low mileage, all seems well.... just curious is all

 

[Toms007]

I do not have personal experience with 90 models, except a teaching colleague has one. But here's my take. A Corvette is special car, doesn't matter what year it is. I am proud and would be proud to own any year!

So with that said here's a rundown of what I know about the 90 models. This year was a transition model. incorporating some of the earlier features and introducing some all new. First year for the legendary ZR1. Need more info on them? Can't do much better than this site, ZR-1.net . This is the last year of the original C4 body style and the duck tail rear fascia (ZR-1's excluded). Except for the ZR-1, the "base" Corvettes had the "torque monster" L98 engine (used since 85 IIRC) and the power was up from the year before either 245 or 250hp depending on the mufflers that were installed. The Automatic was the standard transmission but the ZF 6 speed manual transmission was a no cost option. The interior got the new wrap around dash vs the old "Star Wars" flat dash of the previous models.

This should give you a good start. If you are considering any C4 I would recommend buying the book Cor-Vette Spec 1984-1996 by Michael Antonick, it is a very comprehensive study of the C4s. If you have any other specific questions about options or features just post them up here, I might be able to help you.

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

90' Vette

anyone have an opinion on the 90 vette, i am seriously considering adding one to my stable but i thought i would see what people thought about that particular year.. i mean a vette is a vette in its own right but i know certain years had thier own demons, the car is cherry and was well maintained it seems, low mileage, all seems well.... just curious is all

I really liked mine. It was so much more than my 84'. Of course I feel the same now that my 02' is more refined than the 90' though. The only issues that really bothered me about the 90' was the A/C wouldn't cool the car. The A/C never seemed to have enough blower motor to cool the car. This is probably more of an issue here on the Gulf Coast in Texas than it will be for you. The car was a blast to drive.

 

[G Winter]

I have a 90 and I can't say anything special goes wrong with them. The dash is different from previous yrs. My tac is off , reads high and haven't found a fix for that. The rest of the dash seems to work well at 89k.The wheels are a one yr item ,89 has same basic look but the lugs on them have a cap covering them were the 90 is open.With the wheels being a one yr only I have never had the urge to change the wheels and had mine repaired and refinished.For the most part the car just works no special issues.

Glenn

 

[DaleD]

All I know is what I've read.
Older body style, new dash. Late L98, no bugs, no problems. Pretty reliable, and nice looking. If you find a good one for a good price, and it appeals to you, I'd jump on it.
91 was the last year for the L98, so in essence, you're getting about as good an L98 as there was in a 1990.
I used to favor the later C4 body style, and I still think it's very nice looking. But there is a certain attitude the early body style projects. I like it. (And yes, I'm biased).

 

[TedC]

I'm a big fan of L98 vettes as a daily driver. Owned a 1988, which I replaced with a 1989. Didn't find a single 1990 for sale in Upstate NY when I was searching last year. Demons... 1988 and 1989 needed new fuel injectors. Hot soak issue on the 1988, and the prior owner of the 1989 had shorted fuel injectors (low ohm readings) preventing the car from starting. CS-130 alternator is a poor design, but upgrades are available to resolve.

 

[Greg Albers]

My opinion

I have a 90 L 98 6 spd 3.33 rear & lots of options & 52,000 mi. The only problems that I have ever experienced are age related. (The Car and Me).
First the Car:
Cooling fan relay
Heater Core
Trash sucked into front of radiator
A few plastic interior parts broken
And the usual bad fuel injectors

And me:
Too old and fat (60 years old and 258 lbs) to get into and out of those Sports Seats.
All in all a great car and I hope to be squeezing in and out of it for many years to come.
Greg

 

[Ugolino]

I agree with Greg, the sport seats are very uncomfortable, although they are really cool looking. Anyway, even though I love my c6, my long-lost 1990 still has a special place in my heart. One issue peculiar to almost all 1990s I have seen is the inflatable restraint warning light. What happens is the impact sensors lose their ground on the frame rails, and the light goes on. The fix is relatively simple: sand down the frame and re-ground the sensor with some dielectric grease. Some unscrupulous owners might just simply remove the bulb from the warning display, so when you start the car make sure this warning lights up.

I replaced so many things on my various c4s, but here is a laundry list: alternator, radiator, the entire a/c system (& recharge), u joints, valve cover gaskets, fuel injectors, radiator fan motor, oil pan, front leaf spring, shocks, water pump, egr valve, valve guide seals, brake booster, master cylinder, windshield wiper motor, intake manifold gasket, air pump, and upper and lower radiator hoses. Even though the car may be low mileage, it's still almost 20 years old, and sooner or later you'll be replacing all of these things.

Stylistically it's actually my favorite corvette, if you can believe that. The car is beautiful, I love the way the doors curve around and then wrap under the frame rails, I love the way the front end looks, wide and flat, and the four round rear lights inset into the concave bumper. I like the newer style interior too, it feels like a cockpit.

Whenever I see an early c4 I always turn and check it out and wish I had kept my last one.

 

[hotshotzny]

I agree with Greg, the sport seats are very uncomfortable, although they are really cool looking. Anyway, even though I love my c6, my long-lost 1990 still has a special place in my heart. One issue peculiar to almost all 1990s I have seen is the inflatable restraint warning light. What happens is the impact sensors lose their ground on the frame rails, and the light goes on. The fix is relatively simple: sand down the frame and re-ground the sensor with some dielectric grease. Some unscrupulous owners might just simply remove the bulb from the warning display, so when you start the car make sure this warning lights up.

I replaced so many things on my various c4s, but here is a laundry list: alternator, radiator, the entire a/c system (& recharge), u joints, valve cover gaskets, fuel injectors, radiator fan motor, oil pan, front leaf spring, shocks, water pump, egr valve, valve guide seals, brake booster, master cylinder, windshield wiper motor, intake manifold gasket, air pump, and upper and lower radiator hoses. Even though the car may be low mileage, it's still almost 20 years old, and sooner or later you'll be replacing all of these things.

Stylistically it's actually my favorite corvette, if you can believe that. The car is beautiful, I love the way the doors curve around and then wrap under the frame rails, I love the way the front end looks, wide and flat, and the four round rear lights inset into the concave bumper. I like the newer style interior too, it feels like a cockpit.

Whenever I see an early c4 I always turn and check it out and wish I had kept my last one.

i have every intention of owning one of every design before i die, the c3 is still my favorite body but i dont dislike the c4 either
like i said

a vette is a vette in its own special way!

 

[DaleD]

Whenever I see an early c4 I always turn and check it out and wish I had kept my last one.

For the right price, I could be convinced to sell you a very nice 1987. :L

 

[air1jpg]

anyone have an opinion on the 90 vette, i am seriously considering adding one to my stable but i thought i would see what people thought about that particular year.. i mean a vette is a vette in its own right but i know certain years had thier own demons, the car is cherry and was well maintained it seems, low mileage, all seems well.... just curious is all

Here is a good site to get some information about the '90 and all other model year vettes.. http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1990.php