LT4 Question re: price of 96 CE LT4

[Row]

I just recently looked at a '96 CE LT4 coupe. The mileage is kind of up there (86K). It is an original owner car, no mods done at all. The only thing he has replaced has been tires and water pump. Hardly any wear on the seats. Anyway he is asking $17K. What do you think is a fair price. I know I can spend another $6-$10K and get one with half the mileage but I will have to travel cross country and this one is right in my price range at the moment. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[*89x2*]

For an LT4 car, the price is reasonable
Yeah, it has some miles on it but, your description of the car seems positive.
Consider about 1 grand in costs associated w/ buying a car out of state (long dist travel, transportation, etc) so a local deal is always favorable

 

[*89x2*]

WELCOME

ohhh, and Row, Welcome to the

 

[Row]

I figured the price was just about right. I can probably get him down a little but I am willing to pay full price if necessary. I really must have this car unless someone can float me a loan for a new ZO6!

 

[Wamp]

re

I think any corvette is worth what you are willing to pay for it. I got a great deal on my 74, but since buying it, it has cost me thousands restoring it and upgrading. I don't think I would ever sell it. My 96, although not a CE or GS I love it. You don't own a vette, you live with it. :love Personaly I would rather have a C4 (with LT4) then a ZO6, the body style just hasn't turned my head yet.

 

[LT4John]

I think 17K is a very fair price for a CE LT4 coupe, and the car sounds like it has been taken care of. There is nothing like a LT4, I say "go for it".

 

[Row]

I got him down to $16,250 and he said there are no leaks. But when we went for a ride my wife obviously stayed behind and she saw a decent size oil puddle where the car had been parked. Right then I already felt mislead and the engine also sounded like there may be a small "lifter tick" or something but I have not been around these engines to know what sounds normal. It ran good but the service engine soon light popped on.
Then I noticed some cracking in the paint on the hood which he said his insurance company would take care of. Well does it still sound like a good price if I am going to have to immediately take it in for service?

 

[wx briefer]

If I were considering this purchase, I would take it to a good independent service shop and have them look it over really well and determine if all body panels line up, what bolt heads have been loosened and retightened, where the oil is coming from, if the oil pan gasket is in place with only minimal RTV sealant around the four corners, if the front timing cover is leaking anywhere, and if any hoses and clamps look replaced. Also, do compression check and run a code diagnostics on it to see what the service fault may be. If the current owner balks at this request, I would run away quickly holding my wallet securely. My LT4 has 65K miles and looks brand new (practically------zaino). The water pump went out last month and that is the only problem I have had with it. It has also never had an oil leak.

 

[LT4John]

Row,

wx briefer is giving you great advice, and I totally agree with him. :BOW

I always thought this to be standard process when buying a used car, especially for this kind of money.

 

[*89x2*]

Typical Oil Leak points on the LT series motors are, intake manifold, pan gasket, oil sensor on the side of the pan, and the front seal (rr seal can leak as well). Valve covers have gotten better over the years so it should not be there...
I would be more concerned of cracking paint on a 6 y/o car :eek

Good luck - negotiate flaws to the fianl offer - if it rejected, walk.

 

[Row]

I have thought about it, and I am not going to buy this Vette. I thought about the taking it to a reputable mechanic but it is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way where this car is located. I'm just gonna keep buying parts for my Chevelle and hold out for an LT4 in better shape.

 

[kingman]

Thank G-d!!!!!!!!

Your a very lucky person, that you passed on that vette. lf it doesn't check out by your naked eye walk away.

You cannot trust what an ad reads nor what the owner says. lf he tells you the truth, you'll walk away.

Do not buy a vette, unless it checks out by a trained mechanic.

l hate to say this, but a vette is an American car that has a shelf life of maybe 6yrs. lf you want to keep a vette longer it must be cared for like a baby.

Think about it, most of the running gear can be found in Camaro's and lmpala's.

Protect your investment.

 

[wx briefer]

Kingman, I have thought about it but cannot come up with much in the driveline on my vette that is common to camaros and impalas. Perhaps the camaro/impala has changed over the years but do they now have ZF6 transmissions, half shafts, transverse fiberglass springs with forged aluminum arms? I do know that there are f-bodies with LT4 and LT1 engines but are there a great deal of them configured that way? What similarities do you know of?

 

[kingman]

Common Parts

The LT1 engine can be found in the impala and the Camaro, only they claim approx 250- 275 hp depending on model and the transmission is the same as the corvette.

Now things change for the C5 model year.

 

[*89x2*]

Iron heads in the Impalla???

 

[kingman]

Magazine Corvette!!

Hi
while l was reading an article in Magazine Corvette or Corvette Fever where it stated that the Corvette shared engine and (auto)transmissions with the lmpala and Camaro. But the Camaro is a thing of the past.

l really didn't think this was odd, because today Detroit is sharing everything they can to save a buck.

ln another year or two they will be coming out with 20-25 thousand dollar pocket rockets that can make the current C4 &C5 models (not the special editions) seem like the old f bodies.

 

[lt4vet]

I just recently looked at a '96 CE LT4 coupe. The mileage is kind of up there (86K). It is an original owner car, no mods done at all. The only thing he has replaced has been tires and water pump. Hardly any wear on the seats. Anyway he is asking $17K. What do you think is a fair price. I know I can spend another $6-$10K and get one with half the mileage but I will have to travel cross country and this one is right in my price range at the moment. Any input is greatly appreciated.

hello


Are you still looking for a 96 LT4 ??? I have one with 52000 miles on it and it is a collector's edition..

If you ar interested my email is lt4vet@hotmail.com

 

[froggy47]

Think about it, most of the running gear can be found in Camaro's and lmpala's.

:confused

 

[Rich96c4ce]

LT1s in Camaros and Impala have 2 bolt main bearing caps, Vettes have 4 bolt. Vettes have a special 4L60, too. Sure, there are similar parts, but the Vettes have heavier duty versions.

 

[Vettelt193]

LT1s in Camaros and Impala have 2 bolt main bearing caps, Vettes have 4 bolt. Vettes have a special 4L60, too. Sure, there are similar parts, but the Vettes have heavier duty versions.

I thought they all (LT4 included) have 4 bolt centers, 2 bolt ends:confused