Ready to Buy a C-4 - Newer or Older?

[Chuckster]

Right, first vette, ' feel like a kid in a candy store with a pocket full of money. Looking to spend between $7,000 and $11,000. Looks like my best choices are low mileage "84's to "87's or high mileage "91 or 92's. I like "91 and up styling better, but I've seen some really pampered "84-7's. Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[NevadaJim]

My advice is to start looking around and take a few for a test drive, when you find the one for you, you'll know.

 

[WhalePirot]

Buy the cherriest car that lights your fire, but take your time. These cars are cheap and getting cheaper, almost daily. With cash in hand you can deal on a babied and doted-upon Vette. I'd go the newest I could, especially post '85.

Styling is nice and you should get what you want for longterm satisfacion, but these cars are expensive to fix (as most newer cars are) and the well cared for car won't spoil your ownership experience. With time, I'd bet you could find both styling and care.

<<wave for the incoming Vette

 

[c4cruiser]

Buy the latest model C4 you can find that meets your criteria. As with the C5's GM made running engineering changes throughout the C4 production run and they just got better and better. The culmination of improvement is arguably the 96 and the Grand Sport is probably the best of the run barring the ZR-1.

With an 11K budget on the top end, you should be able to find an nice L98 car (pre 92) and whatever you choose it will be a fun car. While the HP went up a bit each year, most of the cars will have fairly comparable performance. One thing to look for is options on the car. A Z51 car will be a great handling car compared to a base FE1 car. In the earlier C4's, only coupes could have the Z51 package, but the verts did get some extra chassis stiffening braces that helped them.

1989 and later cars got the ZF 6-speed manual and they are stonger overall than the older 4+3 manual and easier to operate, but more expensive to repair. The 1990 dash looks much different than the older digital dispaly and has IMHO a better cockpit look and feel.

17" wheels and 275/40-ZR-17 tires appeared as an option in 88 and became standard in 89. In 90, the J55 heavy duty brake package with 13" rotors became available.

Good luck in finding your car and post some pics here when you get it!!

 

[MoeJr]

Look around and try a few out. There are some nice C4's for sale right on here in the for sale section.

 

[Chuckster]

Thanks for the advise and info. Makes sense. I'll be posting pics - looking forward to being a part of a group that shares interests in this great american car.

 

[GS Diva]

Chuckster,

I agree with those who said that the C4's got better and better with each year. I've had 3...an '85 coupe, an '88 convertible and now the best of all the C4's (in my opinion! )...the Grand Sport!! If you like standards, the 6 speed came about in 1989, replacing the 4+3. I've had both and love the 6 speed, but that's just me.

We look forward to hearing about and seeing pictures of any C4's that you think might be "the" one!!

Elaine

 

[*89x2*]

Right, first vette, ' feel like a kid in a candy store with a pocket full of money. Looking to spend between $7,000 and $11,000. Looks like my best choices are low mileage "84's to "87's or high mileage "91 or 92's. I like "91 and up styling better, but I've seen some really pampered "84-7's. Any recommendations? Thanks.

between $7k - $11k, your best choice in my opinion is a 1989 6 speed car - expect to see cars in the 50-85k mi range, depending upon condition.
Main thing I see that is important is buy wht you like, not the newer is better theory - C4's prices are getting to the point (with a few exceptions) that a quality C4 will be the same price year to year, w/ condition, options, and mileage being the main factors

If you really want the "newer styling", a 91 may be w/ in your range in nice shape too, w/ the early LT1 cars not far behind

 

[Chuckster]

Appreciate everyones' advise - I'm taking notes. Here's one I'll be looking at this weekend. It's an older/low mileage pick - any comments? Suggestions on what mignt be a good offer assuming add pans out to be accurate would be helpful. Really like the color - haven't seen many like this for sale.

1986 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. Grey with Graphite Interior. "ORIGNIAL OWNER" Garage kept 33,000 miles. Full power,Electronic A/C, Duel Tops, Z51 handling package, 6k on tires, Maintenance records since 1988. Looks and Runs Great. Bra,Car,Targa top Covers, and service manual included. ALL MANITENANCE PERFORMED BY ME, A 30+ YEAR MECHANIC $11,500

Options Installed Anti-Lock Brakes; Air Conditioning; Alloy Wheels; Cruise Control; Rear Window Defroster; Power Seats; AM/FM Stereo Cassette; Leather Seats; Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors; Power Windows; Power Steering; Sunroof/Moonroof; Tinted Glass; Tilt Wheel;


I tried to add the pictures, but I'm doing something wrong. It looks very clean inside & out.

 

[grumpyvette]

I own three C-4s a 1985,1992, and 1996
I work on C-4 corvettes almost daily
all 1984-1996 corvettes can be nice cars but why spend extra time and money correcting problems the later models avoided
IVE done dozens of engine and trans upgrades/swaps ETC.

THE 1996 would be my choice if I was reduced to only one!
its MUCH better built and more of the "BUGS" had been worked out by then!!
find a CHERRY 1996 ,spend the time, (and extra money if necessary) to find one in near perfect shape, it will be WELL worth the time and MONEY spent rather than getting an earlier one
IM going to trade my 1992 in for a second 1996 as soon as I find one in CHERRY shape
NO you DON,T want a 1991-1993.. trust me TH0SE years had a few problems the later and earlier models avoided
the 1984 with its single year cross fire injection is to be AVOIDED!!!
the 1985-1988s are ok to work on but the 1996 is the best of the C-4 group in my opinion after working on more c-4s than I can even remember

 

[Vette_Newb2]

Have you looked Here?

 

[MoeJr]

I am gonna disagree with grump here :bash .If you find a nice 84 don't worry bout that Cross Fire engine. If you have someone who knows how to work on them they run great. I had mine all serviced and it runs beautiful. Any 84-96 Vette will be fine if it was taken care of. NONE of them are cars I would avoid.

 

[Chuckster]

Thanks, yes, auto trader seems to be one of the best sites. I'll be looking at an "86 for $11,500, Charcoal Gray, 33K miles - if you catch it let me know what you think.

 

[lone73]

Check out the '90

The '90 dash is the newer style and you can get a ZF 6spd in it. It still has the old C4 body which is IMHO very cool looking when shined up with a nice set of 5 spoke wheels. Also you don't have to mess with or worry about the optispark, the later C4 owners worst nightmare. If performance is your thing an L-98 car can be built up to whatever HP level suites you. I'd buy a '90 6 spd myself for a driver if I had the cash.

good luck & have fun !
.
.
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[Vette_Newb2]

I see some real deals here in Texas from time to time. Be patient and study up on the differences from 87-88 and from 93-94. If you can find a reasonable mile (less than 80k IMO) 96 go for it, Grump says it and I do agree that the 96 was the culmination of the vast improvement of C4's between 84 & 96. A 30k car sounds great, but it is really harder on a car to sit than to be driven. A well maintained 80 - 100k LT1 will still be pretty much bullet proof. I see alot of 150k + LT1 F-bodies & vettes still running strong. It does help if your mechanically inclined enough to crawl in there and do your own maintenance and repair work also. That 86 is still a 18 year old car, even with 30k your gonna need to check alot of things very close, wheel bearings, bushings, tie rod ends, so on and so forth to make sure before you spend $11k (93-96 money IMO) on it.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Edmond]

I personally prefer the 88-91 L98 cars due to their simplicity to work on. If an idiot like me learned to work on the L98, anyone can do it.

You've got the best of the worlds in that group: the larger wheels/tires, brakes, aluminum heads and a tad more power. There are also other small refinements.

I love my 88'. Yeah, it's getting old now but for that guy out there who drives an Escort and thinks that he can take me, "I'll still lay a whoopin' down on you." :L

 

[Mad-Mic]

i thought this one sounded like a cherry car.
Black 1987 for sale in PA, 4+3, 83k miles, great shape!

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50334

i'm impartial to 87's to be honest they got the aluminum heads although the 88's to 91's got the better aluminum head. you can find nice clean L98 cars for your price range even lower in milage than what you think. 50k+ cars no matter how high in milage are bottomed out and selling from 8k-12+k LT1 cars 10k on up.

i found my 87 with 30k in miles for 15k 2.5 years ago when the economy on C4's were still stable. if i would of waiting another 6 months i could of stole it.

84's are nice but they don't have the low end torque but will rev too 6500 rpm easily. ( i have an 82 Z/28 with crossfire so i know ) 85-91 cars have ALOT of torque to be uncapped and can whip the snot out of most cars stop light to stop light. L98 cars though don't pull past 4900 rpm then you have to shift. anything more and you'll go slower due to the long runners of the TPI. this can be fixed with another intake manifold for a price. all in all pick the car YOU want that feels comfortable to YOU and you will be happy. either 84 -96 they pretty much handle the same. you are buying the platform not just the car and the platform of these cars are very stout!

enjoy and post some pics!

 

[grumpyvette]

"I am gonna disagree with grump here :bash .If you find a nice 84 don't worry bout that Cross Fire engine. If you have someone who knows how to work on them "


first let me point out a few things about the 1984s
these are the intake ports (VERY RESTRICTIVE)

heres the specs, notice it came with 205HP???? and torque peaked at 2900rpm,hp peaked at4300rpm???
and BOTH THE HEADS AND INTAKE on the l83 crossfire engines flow noticably less than even the CRUMMY L98 TPI intake that everyone needs to port extensively or replace before you can make any power

http://www.fast-autos.net/chevrolet/84chevroletcorvette.html
below is a pic of the ports

by 1996 youve JUMPED to 300 or 330hp (about a 95-125 hp gain!!) and added about 50 ft lbs of torque in a quite similar car . added a roller cam, 17" vs 16" rims, MUCH BETTER BRAKES, better LT1 heads and intake , reverse flow cooling in the block/heads to lower detenation, aluminum vs iron heads, a MUCH stronger trans, a STRONGER FRAME, FAR BETTER EFI CONTROL CPU SKID/traction, CONTROL, ETC. and while upgrading a L83 to 350 hp is a challange, getting 400 plus hp from an LT1 is VERY EASY

 

[lbitp37]

It all depends on the bank account.
When I was looking I had $12K in mind , but paid $16K for a 92 with 24,000 miles and garage kept. I couldn't refuse it and I am very happy.

So far I only put tires on it due to dry cracks, and it has already won a trophy.

 

[MoeJr]

Mic the 350 in the 82&84 Vette with CFI is noticeably more torquey than the 305 in the Z-28. My car is done making power by 4700 rpm though it pulls strong to the 5k shift point. It is by know means a barn burner but it sure the hell isn't the slug that grumpy makes it out to be. I know all about the shortcomings of the CFI but for the person who wants to have some fun on the street and the stoplight Grand Prix it does great.

:bar