Is a 1984 CFI with 80,000 miles a good starter Vette?

[geo52hop]

84 Vette

I bought my 84 vette with 83,000 miles on it and now it has 111,000. It has taken me across the country and has not cost me anything more than normal maintainence. Go for it!

 

[Onebadelf]

1984 two-tone bronze

I would have to agree that if you are looking for a vette that you can enjoy for driving only save for a newer one. However, if you enjoy working and driving then the 84 is not that bad of a vette. I have both an 81 and an 84. I have spent more time under the hood of my 81 than I have under my wife's 84. Remember the dash on an 84 can burn out. Make sure you are prepared to replace if necessary. While I enjoy doing most items I had my shop take care of that one. In the end make a list of needed repairs and see if you are willing to put the time and or money into those repairs. Think of an older vette as a hobby and a passion and you will survive through any repair. Afterall, no matter the condition it still is a vette.

Enjoy and good luck.

 

[vett boy]

I'd pass /welcome /good luck

 

[WhalePirot]

'84 Z-51, here

Having owned an '84 Z-51 since 1985, I like the car. That one, however, I'd not pay much for, citing the many reasons above.

When I buy a used car, I insist that it had good care; quite obviously missing in this example. The cost of ownership to repair any modern used car extends way beyond the price of admission.

Take your time and look, as dispassionately as possible. The right car will be obvious, having been cared for.

Spend it now, or spend a lot more, later. Good luck.

BTW, my kidneys are FINE, even with heim jointed rear links and NO rubber, anywhere in the suspension for well over a decade.

 

[nelson84]

For almost the same money, I would go with an 85-88. Those have the tuned port injection. Parts are more available, you can add 50 to 100 hp with $500 and a screwdriver.

The issues I have had with the 84 are with getting parts.

The one listed in the Ebay auction seem to be.

Paint seems questionable
Missing Fuel door.
Does it have the top? Is it cracked? Those are $500 to $1000
Radio. I think this model had the bose. Therefor you will have to remove the bose amp (Located at each speaker) for sound.
Probably need tires $100 each at very good discount
Unless dash has been rebuilt, you will have to do it (They come and go) Figure $100 (DIY) and $500 professional

So you could invest $1-$3000 or simply spend that much on the origional purchase and get a solid vette.

Just my thoughts.

50 to 100 HP for $500 - $1000?

Which parts to get for an 85?

I own both an 84 and an 85 and in stock form, there isn't much difference stop light to stoplight, maybe a car length. but in the 1/4 probably 2 car lengths. But the 85 does pull alittle harder mid range. I hav slightly modded both cars and my 84 is 14.2 in the 1/4 and the 85 is 13.8. Really notmuch done to both, just opened up the exhaust and K&N filters and a few sensors moved. Just keep them maintained and after 25 years they are still as fast as they were new.

C3 vettes are proned to rusting around the window frame and the main frame. My two C4s have no rust anywhere. Personally I would buy anything 84 and new just because of the rust issues of the earlier vettes. I couldn't aford a 59 vette anyway. buy one cheap and no worries.

 

[xfirez51]

If you want a good 84, go to www.crossfire.webhop.net. The 84 is a very good Corvette. The Z51 is an exceptional handling package, even by today's standards. You can mitigate the "buckboard" ride using better tires and shocks.
I owned one for 24 years. With mods that any SBC would use, I had mine running in tthe low 13's. In fact, the person I sold it to may wantr to sell it.

 

[Stumbo]

So what's the decision?

I say no. By the time you spend $5K to $10K getting everything just right, you'd be better off putting $5k as a down payment on a newer 'vette (in xlnt condition) and making payments.

There's a whole bunch of 'vettes for sale on ebay in the $10-$15k price range.

 

[Funtoy]

Greetings everyone,

Thanks for all the great information. I've decided to pass on this particular vehicle. The help from action center members have encouraged and inspired me to press on, in the search for my perfect starter vette. Thanks again I'll see ya on the forums.

Funtoy,

 

[vett boy]

Greetings everyone,

Thanks for all the great information. I've decided to pass on this particular vehicle. The help from action center members have encouraged and inspired me to press on, in the search for my perfect starter vette. Thanks again I'll see ya on the forums.

Funtoy,

In 1985 I passed up a 1965 fuelie /4sp vert /frame off rest completed ,because I didn't feel I could afford the $16,000 .Instead I bought as my first a 69 vert that needed everything for $3000. Took me two cases of oil to bring 200 miles to home.I spent and spent and drove and drove.Sold it in 03 for $15,000 and had put $30,000 into it.

I'm not sure what the moral of the story is or if I even learned anything.

I did drive the 69 approx .200,000 fun filled miles and I miss the car .I think no matter what your first vett is a special vett.

 

[WhalePirot]

IThe Z51 is an exceptional handling package, even by today's standards. You can mitigate the "buckboard" ride using better tires and shocks.

Or rebuild/revalve the Bilsteins. Beats the 900# of ceramic tile I once carried, but the ride was nice.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Greetings everyone,

Thanks for all the great information. I've decided to pass on this particular vehicle. The help from action center members have encouraged and inspired me to press on, in the search for my perfect starter vette. Thanks again I'll see ya on the forums.

Funtoy,

If you were meant to have it; it would be setting in your drive way right now. Trust your gut that is usually where the real feelings come from

Bill :ugh

 

[yadawho]

I got in on this thread late, but here goes, I restored a 1984 Z51, it was a freebee, ran ok, but everything else was worn out, it was an interesting project, learned how to fix the digital dash myself, balanced the throttle bodies, which I considered an easy job, a little time reading the FSM goes a long way. After all the work, driveline, digital dash fix, interior restoration, new exhaust and just about every other system on the car was restored or replaced, I sold it to a very happy person for $5,000, which was by a weird twist of fate the sum total of the parts I had bought new and used to redo the car. Was it fun, yes most of the time, did I get a tatse for another Corvette, yes!! I am now the proud owner of a really nice 1996 coupe, so I have had the 1st and the last C4! Both are and were a joy to own.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Sounds like an absolute labor of love, and I bet you would do it again wouldn't you?

Bill

 

[yadawho]

You bet

Yes I would!

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Yes I would!

That's what I'm talk'n about

Bill

 

[yadawho]

IN THE BLOOD

Until you own a Corvette life is no complete, Trans Am's, Mustang's (owned them all) ETC. can't compare, the Corvette is the Alpha and the Omega of sports cars, were else can you get such a great sports car for a fraction of the price of those foreign made sports cars, they can try to compete, but the class is closed to anything but a Corvette. Thanks General Motors!!! :cool I guess I really love my Corvette!!!!!! Lets Drive!!

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Until you own a Corvette life is no complete, Trans Am's, Mustang's (owned them all) ETC. can't compare, the Corvette is the Alpha and the Omega of sports cars, were else can you get such a great sports car for a fraction of the price of those foreign made sports cars, they can try to compete, but the class is closed to anything but a Corvette. Thanks General Motors!!! :cool I guess I really love my Corvette!!!!!! Lets Drive!!

Very well said; and I agree totally

Bill

 

[XLR8]

Greetings everyone,

Thanks for all the great information. I've decided to pass on this particular vehicle. The help from action center members have encouraged and inspired me to press on, in the search for my perfect starter vette. Thanks again I'll see ya on the forums.

Funtoy,

The thread originator, Funtoy, has moved on to search for another Corvette to serve as his Starter Vette. We've been in communications and I'm closing this thread at Funtoy's request.

Good luck with your search!
Jane Ann