Help! looking for my first vette

[bruce20161]

I am new to the Vette world.I am looking to buy my first Vette but am unsure of what to look for or back away from. I am looking spend no more than $15000.00 i like the c4 styles but not to sure on the computer stuff and the efi system i also am looking at c3's but perfer c4's.it will be just a 3rd car(spare) to drive and maybe take to shows.I can do a lot of the work on the car myself.I am a little leary of the Opti-Spark Distributor's.;help

 

[tcramstrek]

I am new to the Vette world.I am looking to buy my first Vette but am unsure of what to look for or back away from. I am looking spend no more than $15000.00 i like the c4 styles but not to sure on the computer stuff and the efi system i also am looking at c3's but perfer c4's.it will be just a 3rd car(spare) to drive and maybe take to shows.I can do a lot of the work on the car myself.I am a little leary of the Opti-Spark Distributor's.;help

FOR SALE 1991 Corvette Convertible ​

Offered for sale is a beautiful 1991 Corvette convertible. It has every option and has been garage kept, and is in near show room condition. It has never been in harsh weather. The miles are very low at 99500. It is a rare Factory Turquoise Metallic with a Tan leather interior and a New Black top with upgraded Glass, The tires have only 5000 miles on them and the chrome sawblade wheels are perfect (No Curb Rash) All Fuel injectors replaced and are all within specs.. All of the Brakes & Suspension have been upgraded with VBP and Bilstein. The Battery, EGR Valve, Starter, Distributor, and Alternator are new. The Exhaust System is also new, including the High performance CAT back system, with highly Polished T-304 Stainless Steel LT-1 Billy Boat Mufflers.

As anyone who has owned a Corvette will tell you, regardless of miles, upkeep is essential. All fluids in this car, front to rear, were replaced year, 2007at a state certified Corvette specialist, including the fuel filter, rear end, transmission, radiator, power steering and brake fluids. Mobile 1 Synthetic Engine Oil, Over $800 if it is done right. I also had the entire vehicles belts and hoses replaced. Air-conditioning upgraded to R-134 and serviced the A/C is ice cold. The vehicle was checked from front to rear. I have included the garage bills as well as a Car Fax print out. This car could easily go three or more years and need nothing. The vehicle has been maintained meticulously.

And yes everything works. The head lights, radio and antenna, power windows Power locks and Sport seats, and all the electronics and LCD’s. The Stereo has been upgraded with the latest JVC CD-CD ROM, Cassette /w Remote Control and Ipod input Jack. The Bose Gold Speakers sound great also. It runs like a top shifts very smooth and sounds terrific. Plenty of Power ALL around. The real BONUS is that it gets superb gas mileage I avg 23 city & 32 Hwy. Which is a real plus with rising fuel costs?

This was my first C-4 Corvette. I had to have at least one and have been very happy with it. I purchased it in August 2004 and I only put 7000 miles on her typically only used to drive the coast and tour the So Cal area on the weekends.
I'm selling the car with all documentation and receipts Stated “as is” and with NO WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LOOK AT ALL THE ATTACHED LINKS, THESE PHOTOS WILL SHOW THE PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP OF THIS FANTASTIC CORVETTE

$14,900. OBO
Serious inquiries only...No dreamers, looky loos, or lowballers.
Absolutely no trades!
562-402-7522
Tom

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0174.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0175.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0189.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0185.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0188.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0166.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0187.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0172.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0168.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0167.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0170.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0165.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0169.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0186.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0173.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0190.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0182.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0183.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0180.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0179.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0178.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0177.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0176.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0164.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0163.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0161.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0160.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c238/tcramstrek/DSCN0159.jpg

 

[Toms007]

Really the optispark gets a bad rap, it's not really that problematic. The standard response when people ask about buying a Corvette is "buy the newest, lowest mile one you can afford". Well I will say that when I got ready to purchase mine, the first thing I did was RESEARCH. I tried to learn as much about these cars as possible, then after doing quite a bit of research I decided that my search would be narrowed to 94-96 models, for various reasons.

Most of my research came in the form of the book "Vette Facts 1984-1996" by Mike Antonick. It has a rundown of each and every year, listing out the options, changes, etc year by year. Well worth the $24 I paid.

 

[Tuna]

Check out the Buying a Vette link in the Tech Center here for all sorts of information on buying a Corvette.

For $15,000 you can find some very nice C4's.
Do not let the OptiSpark scare you away from a late C4 - just don't give the motor a bath either, if you buy one.

All C4's have computers, so getting to know them may be required.

When you shop them, check the RPO list under the console lid or under the rear compartment lid and see what the options are (or were). You might want to print out the RPO lists from the Model Center C4 RPO codes here.

LTPWS can be a pain and parts are not available - many owners just removed them.
FX3 has caused others a lot of grief or expense. It works good when working and I recommend it but it ain't cheap to fix either.
C68 automatic electronic A/C is a nice option but expensive to fix also.

Check out every Vette you can and check out all the options before you buy.

 

[ZumZum]

Generally, buy the newest vette you can afford. For $15k you should be able to get into a 95 or possibly even a 96 LT4. Sometimes an older vette with fewer miles might be a better option, but beware of one with super low mileage because a vette that's been in storage for most of it's life could have maintenance issues of it's own. (dry seals, etc).

The opti is not a big deal as long as you don't power wash your engine. The later or aftermarket vented opti's are better than the earlier ones.

Happy Hunting!!

 

[jrzvette]

You've given yourself a pretty large range. For $15k you could buy:
a very nice later model C4
a high mile early C5
an exceptional rubber bumper C3
a decent chrome bumper C3

I suggest you pick up a copy of Michael Antonick's "Corvette Black Book" and familiarize yourself with the various Corvette models. Then try to narrow down your search. With a $15,000 budget and little or no knowledge of these cars or what you really want you will quickly drive yourself crazy.

 

[MusclecarJohn]

Also don't forget to check out the showroom section of CAC as there are alot of NICE Vettes on here for sale

 

[vett boy]

http://frontiermotors.biz/corvettes.html he has a very clean c-4 .I looked at it the last time I was there.

 

[air1jpg]

I see you are in Michigan. I drove up to Holtautosales in Holt MI when I was looking. Do yourself a favor and skip that dealership. Most of their cars are high priced and not in the best of condition. The place was selling a C4 that needed all of the weather stripping replaced and still wanted about 16 or 17 grand for it. The battery was even dead. I also looked at a '79 that my friend told me as we test drove that it had a probably had a dead cylinder. I ended up buying my car at American Sports Car Center in Atlanta GA (www.buyavette.net). Their cars were in much better condition for the same amount of money.