Looking at 86 cp.

[magoo]

I know it's a tough question but I'd appreciate any input. The way these prices seem to be changing I'm not sure I have a clue. Checked NADA and Kelly.
Looking at an 86 cp., 4+3 18k mi. Body, paint, wheels and interior look absolutly new. It was probably in rain in its early days just going by its look underneath. It is all original except the battery and the A/C has been converted to 134. The tires are 19 years old and one muffler is beginning to flake at the low end where condensation sits. This of course for me will mean 2 new mufflers or exhaust mod for the right tone in the near future. The engine compartment and underside are 18k clean but not detailed. I'm sorry I have no pics., asking price is 12,500. I love my C-1 and C-3, and now these C-4s are gettin to me. They seem like such a good value.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Moonunit 451]

I know it's a tough question but I'd appreciate any input. The way these prices seem to be changing I'm not sure I have a clue. Checked NADA and Kelly.
Looking at an 86 cp., 4+3 18k mi. Body, paint, wheels and interior look absolutly new. It was probably in rain in its early days just going by its look underneath. It is all original except the battery and the A/C has been converted to 134. The tires are 19 years old and one muffler is beginning to flake at the low end where condensation sits. This of course for me will mean 2 new mufflers or exhaust mod for the right tone in the near future. The engine compartment and underside are 18k clean but not detailed. I'm sorry I have no pics., asking price is 12,500. I love my C-1 and C-3, and now these C-4s are gettin to me. They seem like such a good value.

Thanks

Mike

That's a WAY lot of money for an 86. Need more info. Tell us the particulars of the car in detail. That's definately a collector price, not sure it's warented :crazy If you want a C4 to drive, pass on this one IMHO

 

[Vettefan87]

That is cheap compared to what I have seen going in the autotraders. If everything checks out I would seriously think about getting it if you have the money to spend. I think someone is selling and 89 with more miles for like three to four grand more, I cant remember exactly. I think that is really really cheap considering the miles, and the condition you say everything is in. Keep us informed.

 

[Edmond]

I think this could be a case of the car sitting around too much!

For $12.5K, you could get something with more miles on it but more modern and proven. Who knows what hidden ailments there are in a 21 year old car that has so few miles on it.

My opinion is with Moon on this one.

 

[Mart]

Where is the 21 year old car???

Math time Edmond Just kiddin bud.

Mart

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

Where is the 21 year old car???

Math time Edmond Just kiddin bud.

Mart

It's 3 +1 and carry the 2..that gives you 19...

 

[Jeroenvgfn]

I do not know what your added value is to a low mileage Vette and if you are a bit handy with a screwdriver.

you can also buy a cheaper higher mileage specimen and renew the interior
when needed change the engine for a rebuilded.

I did it with my 1986 coupe 130 k miles on the clock.
rebuild engine last year, rebuild tranny this year and I ordered carpet set, leather sport seats with foam , new dash bezels,

when I calculate all costs together will be around € 8000
and in Europe everything is more expensive compared to the USA for Vette parts

this leaves you about $ 4000 for a Vette with a nice looking paintjob.

maybe its a stupid way of thinking but thats when you have a new Vette on the driveway and almost having insurance for a problems free period.
when you buy the low mileage always garaged car, you do not know what was damaged by just sitting in the garage.
and the $ 12k "bargain" could end up as a $ 20k hell.

 

[Edmond]

Where is the 21 year old car???

Math time Edmond Just kiddin bud.

Mart

Hey, I went to public school!:L

 

[Daryllawman]

Sounds to HIGH in price for that old of a car.....low miles can lead to alot of problems also....OIL LEAKS for one....they are made to be driven not sitting around....IMO

 

[magoo]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies no matter which side of the scale you're on. I guess that is why I'm confused. I'm a pretty good wrench, still a licensed Pa insp. mech. Had a service station for 15 years, sold in 84. And savin 4k is nothin to sneeze at. And puttin together somethin ( like a stroker) with a little more pep is nice too. Your cars all sound great. The particulars of this car are as i've listed. It's not a callaway or any special model, It does have alum. heads which I guess most 86s did because of some defect that year. I believe that's 235 h.p. It is silver beige with brown leather. It does not have climate control A/C but just a standard unit. I considered this a plus because of maint. issues. Everything seems to work as it should and of course the appearance is right. I understand the risk of sitting too much but most all the posts I've read say buy the lowest mi. vette you can afford. And having 2 others it seems like a big time commitment to do the rebuild. I'm thinking about making an offer that I think is enough and leave the decision up to the seller. Does anyone know of particular improvements to the 86 over the 84 + 85s? Or improvments made after 86 that make it a good idea to look at a later model? Anyone who has time, please chime in.

Thanks so much,

Mike

 

[Toms007]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies no matter which side of the scale you're on. I guess that is why I'm confused. I'm a pretty good wrench, still a licensed Pa insp. mech. Had a service station for 15 years, sold in 84. And savin 4k is nothin to sneeze at. And puttin together somethin ( like a stroker) with a little more pep is nice too. Your cars all sound great. The particulars of this car are as i've listed. It's not a callaway or any special model, It does have alum. heads which I guess most 86s did because of some defect that year. I believe that's 235 h.p. It is silver beige with brown leather. It does not have climate control A/C but just a standard unit. I considered this a plus because of maint. issues. Everything seems to work as it should and of course the appearance is right. I understand the risk of sitting too much but most all the posts I've read say buy the lowest mi. vette you can afford. And having 2 others it seems like a big time commitment to do the rebuild. I'm thinking about making an offer that I think is enough and leave the decision up to the seller. Does anyone know of particular improvements to the 86 over the 84 + 85s? Or improvments made after 86 that make it a good idea to look at a later model? Anyone who has time, please chime in.

Thanks so much,

Mike

Mike, I don't know right off the top of my head, but the book "Cor-Vette Specs 1984-1996" by Mike Antoinick has all the facts figures and info you will need. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[jester]

.... Does anyone know of particular improvements to the 86 over the 84 + 85s? Or improvments made after 86 that make it a good idea to look at a later model? Anyone who has time, please chime in.

Thanks so much,

Mike

Improvements were being made every year during this time. As suggested before, it would be a good idea to get a good book with descriptions for each year and decide what is important to you. I believe '86 added a body stiffner to the coupe and ABS.

Good luck with your search.

John

 

[Moonunit 451]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies no matter which side of the scale you're on. I guess that is why I'm confused. I'm a pretty good wrench, still a licensed Pa insp. mech. Had a service station for 15 years, sold in 84. And savin 4k is nothin to sneeze at. And puttin together somethin ( like a stroker) with a little more pep is nice too. Your cars all sound great. The particulars of this car are as i've listed. It's not a callaway or any special model, It does have alum. heads which I guess most 86s did because of some defect that year. I believe that's 235 h.p. It is silver beige with brown leather. It does not have climate control A/C but just a standard unit. I considered this a plus because of maint. issues. Everything seems to work as it should and of course the appearance is right. I understand the risk of sitting too much but most all the posts I've read say buy the lowest mi. vette you can afford. And having 2 others it seems like a big time commitment to do the rebuild. I'm thinking about making an offer that I think is enough and leave the decision up to the seller. Does anyone know of particular improvements to the 86 over the 84 + 85s? Or improvments made after 86 that make it a good idea to look at a later model? Anyone who has time, please chime in.

Thanks so much,

Mike

OK, there are a few more important details here, but it would still be nice to know:
1 is this the original owner
2 are there a FULL set of service records available
3 what is the driving history, how often was the car driven, started and
warmed to full operating temps, was it always garaged - heated?
4 why is the car being sold

The car couldn't have even been driven 1k/yr. It doesn't seem like that's enough to keep the car components that degrade without use from doing just that. It could easily nickel and dime you, and become a headache you'll wish you didn't have.

84 and 85 were crossfire setups. 86 went to the TPI and improved computers. The aluminum heads came on the very late 86 coupes and all ragtops. The D44 was standard only with the standard shift on all C4's.

In 88 the brakes and wheels were upgraded to larger sizes.

I think the LT1 was introduced in 91 or 92,at which time the OPTI ignition began, and OBD 2 began in 96.

I'm close on this stuff. Someone will rip me sideways if I've made any errors :L

 

[magoo]

Thanks Moonunit, I sure won't rip ya for helpin. This is not the original owner, it is the second and the first is the one who put all the miles on. This guy says he put less than 1000 mi. on it in the last 9 yrs. That is why it's for sale. He advertised it last year for 14k and didn't sell it, and he advertised it for a week now and hasn't sold it so I don't think he knows of anything wrong with it. It is now being kept in an attached garage which is not heated, but I think it would be warmer than a detached and at least be dry. I don't know about any service records, I will ask. Does anyone think it's worth 10k?

 

[Edmond]

No, I don't believe it's worth 10K.

Ask him for a test drive. If he refuses, you have no business buying from him anyway. If it checks out well, start working the price down.

 

[86pacecar]

I may be biased because I own an 86 vert, but as described that car is worth the price. Low mile Vettes of early C4 vintage are starting to appreciate in value and this one sounds like it's near showroom condition. With only 18k on the odometer you sure aren't going to get it for a song and unlike some here low miles is an asset, not a detriment like some have suggested. Take someone along with C4 experience and look it over with a fine tooth comb and if it's as nice as you describe, offer $11k.

 

[WhalePirot]

Or $10k with a handful of $100s in hand (if you can).

Cash talks...BS walks.

 

[tnovot]

84 and 85 were crossfire setups. 86 went to the TPI and improved computers. The aluminum heads came on the very late 86 coupes and all ragtops. The D44 was standard only with the standard shift on all C4's.

'82 and '84 were crossfire (dual TBI). '85 was TPI.

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah 85 was the introduction for the TPI, and all those had cast iron heads, like you said some 86's had aluminum, the later production cars and all verts. Well magoo if you decide you don't want it let me know, and I will sell mine and buy it, find some way to get it. I have seen way more mile Corvettes that probably aren't in good condition go for around the same if not more. If you know how to work on cars, the early C4 cars are not that bad to work on, the computer stuff has not yet entirely taken over.

 

[magoo]

Thanks everyone for valuable input from both sides. I offered 9500 tonight, he is going to think about it and I expect some counter offer. So if anyone thinks of anything else please jump in, I could be becoming blinded cause I like it. I'm really enjoyin talkin with you guys, what a great forum.

Mike