Used C4 Market (Beware, im venting inside)

[esldude]

From Black Bart:

"Since they are now selling so cheap you now have a different class of people buying them and they will use them as daily drivers and run the mileage high and since they don't appreciate the Corvette heritage and can not afford to properly maintain them they will wind up being worth nothing and go to the scrap yard."

So people who use them as daily drivers don't appreciate the heritage or is it that people who cannot afford to maintain it in a manner you deem acceptable don't appreciate the heritage?

"NO I was not kidding and the Corvette heritage has little to do with the value.

You will drive that car until the mileage is high and when it starts costing you a fortune for repairs you will get rid of it."

And what exactly is wrong with this? Any rational person with any car, even a Corvette, would make that decision at some point. If one is wealthy enough not to have to make such a decision then fine, but being that wealthy surely has no bearing on whether or not one is worthy to own a Corvette or appreciate the heritage.

You seem perilously close to implying if you don't have enough money, you cannot appreciate the heritage, and shouldn't drive the car into the junkyard. I'll cut this short and simply say you are being ridiculous.

 

[Black Bart]

You seem perilously close to implying if you don't have enough money, you cannot appreciate the heritage, and shouldn't drive the car into the junkyard. I'll cut this short and simply say you are being ridiculous.

Cars are meant to be driven and if you or anyone else wants to drive a Corvette until their is nothing left that is your right to do so and what I'm saying is that the C-4 will not appreciate until that takes place.
Their are far too many C-4s on the road for them to become very valuable.
For a car to become valuable first most of them must be used up only then will the low mileage cars in like new condition really be worth much.
This process has taken place in all previous generations of Corvettes and now it is happing to the C-4.
This process started the day that someone took delivery of their new Corvette.
You seem to take offense of my mention about the cost of maintaining a car to like new condition and that some will not do it. Well if money never was a factor why aren't we all driving a brand new Z06
Anyway for whatever the reason the process is well underway C-4 prices are in the toilet and this will bring on buyer's who don't give a dam about Corvette heritage only that they got a fast car for cheap and it will be on the drag strip being beat like a rented mule.
I would guess that most of those will never hear of CAC or CF but they do know where the nearest track is.

 

[tntcorvette]

I see your point. Basica the amount of C4's available will have to dramatically decline. Didnt GM make about 25K per year for the C4 lineup? Thats about 250K models out there.

For now I am focusing on replacing the transmission and the car is off the market. A part of me is happy that the car did not sell!



Although I really wish my car was a 6 speed.

 

[Black Bart]

I have owned my 89 for years but when I was shopping I insisted on buying a 6 speed.
Not just because I like a manual but I knew what I was going to do to it and the auto would not hold up to all that torque.
Now is a bad time to sell a C-4 but I don't look for the market to change much for several years.
The good news is I don't think they will go much lower I believe they have bottomed out other than the later ones like 94-95-96 they still have some depreciation left in them.
The early C-5 is now pretty cheap.
Ten years ago a chrome bumpered C-3 could be bought for 10K or less depending on condition now a nice one will bring three times that.
I sold a 1964 Stingray convertible that was two years old and looked like new it was a triple black and I got $3000.00 for it. That was a fair price for it then but think what it would be worth today
When I see them sell at Barrett-Jackson it almost makes me cry.

 

[Evolution1980]

Recently at a car show I turned down and offer of 60K for my 89. ...I have way more than that invested in it and besides I don't want to sell it.

Ok...that's going to need some detailed explanation...
:hijack

 

[Black Bart]

Ok...that's going to need some detailed explanation...
:hijack

Well like I said that was were two fools met and parted but I'm just not ready to sell.


89Black coupe 6spd FX-3 \ Chrome GS Wheels 315\35\17 G-ForceKD's \ SB-406cid\ Procharger D1-R \ 8 Rib pulleys\ Custom built Spearco intercooler \ Spal Fans \ NOS wet nitrous system controlled by jacobs mastermind controller \ Spearco water/alcohol injection system \ TPIS Mini Ram II \ 58mmTB \ AFR heads \ AFR rev kit \ Manley4340 push rods \
Comp cams custom grind roller \ Comp cam lifters \ Comp cams roller rockers 1.6 ratio \ Ross custom pistons 4340 pins \Speed pro rings \ 6 inch eagle 4340 3d rods \ eagle 4340 crank \ fluid balancer \ Cloyes true roller timing chain \ Melling high output oil pump \ 10 qt. multi trap door pan \ large oil cooler \ MSD-Digital-7 ignition\With MSD pro-power coil \ MSD boost retard \ Msd super conductor wires \ Accel DFI Gen.7 W/wide band \ 83lbs injectors \ Centerforce clutch & flywheel \ TPIS jet hot coated headers
\ 3" dual exhaust with electric cut outs \ 13 inch rotors C5 calipers w hawk pads \ Air dam with air ducts to brakes \ Triple pillar pod with Autometer gauges \ Air-Fuel \Boost \Fuel Pressure \ lowering kit\showcar paint with 8 coats of clear \Escort radar detector \RM radar jammer.
The difference between men and boy’s is the speed of their toy’s.
IF IT’S NOT BLOWN THEN IT SUCKS

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i...f Vette/?action=view&current=Duragloss096.jpg











.

 

[Laguna Fred]

You seem perilously close to implying if you don't have enough money, you cannot appreciate the heritage, and shouldn't drive the car into the junkyard. I'll cut this short and simply say you are being ridiculous.

Cars are meant to be driven and if you or anyone else wants to drive a Corvette until their is nothing left that is your right to do so and what I'm saying is that the C-4 will not appreciate until that takes place.
Their are far too many C-4s on the road for them to become very valuable.
For a car to become valuable first most of them must be used up only then will the low mileage cars in like new condition really be worth much.
This process has taken place in all previous generations of Corvettes and now it is happing to the C-4.
This process started the day that someone took delivery of their new Corvette.
You seem to take offense of my mention about the cost of maintaining a car to like new condition and that some will not do it. Well if money never was a factor why aren't we all driving a brand new Z06
Anyway for whatever the reason the process is well underway C-4 prices are in the toilet and this will bring on buyer's who don't give a dam about Corvette heritage only that they got a fast car for cheap and it will be on the drag strip being beat like a rented mule.
I would guess that most of those will never hear of CAC or CF but they do know where the nearest track is.

A lot going on in here. My observation over the past two years is you can:

• Appreciate the Corvette heritage
• Drive your C4 right into the ground (there were over 300K of them made -- plenty of collector/waxer types to preserve a few thousand for my great-grandkids)
• Drive it fast
• Know about CAC and CF - in fact, you need to if you intend "driving it into the ground" to mean 150K miles or more vs. 75K miles!

Let's not stereotype, OK?

 

[BruceBed]

.
I sold a 1964 Stingray convertible that was two years old and looked like new it was a triple black and I got $3000.00 for it. That was a fair price for it then but think what it would be worth today
When I see them sell at Barrett-Jackson it almost makes me cry.[/quote]

When I bought my 1973, there was a split window on the lot for $1800.00. It was just a "Used Car". That car sat there for months and it was a nice one. Who knew. Times change and you can't live your life looking in the rear view mirror.

 

[L48]

Long story short, I have a busted 700R4 and put my heavily modified C4 up for sale on ebay twice with bidding starting at $4999.99 and got no bids. Ended up wasting about $95.00 on f'n ebay.

Worst part is I got about dozen emails from people offering me totally rediculous prices for my car. Anywhere from $1500 to $3K.

I think that putting a car for sale on ebay (even by putting a car for sale in any venue for that matter) opens the seller to those types of inquiries. If you want to avoid people fishing for a deal, be sure to say it in the listing: "All bids through ebay only - no outside offers accepted" or whatever (maybe you did?)

When it comes to selling cars, I have seen ebay work successfully but I have also seen it fail. I prefer to use classified magazines or online sites. If I am selling to the specialty market then I would look for national exposure.

From the looks of the car, I think you should not have had any problem fetching an opening bid, even with the tranny problem. But, I did not bid on it. Heck I was not even looking at C4s on ebay - so what do I know? This car is far from me and to get it I would need a way to get it home, which has to weigh on the minds of many far away buyers you find on ebay.

Enough rambling from me - hopefully the tranny replace will go well, and good luck selling, or keeping it.

 

[tntcorvette]

thanks for the kind words. I still wish I had a 6 speed though!

 

[L48]

Have you considered converting it to 6 speed? (If you have not already bought the replacement tranny that is.)

It's not like you would totally ruin the collector value.

 

[Sunstroked]

B.B. First off you totally missed my point or didnt really read my post. ( from bb. You seem perilously close to implying if you don't have enough money, you cannot appreciate the heritage, and shouldn't drive the car into the junkyard. I'll cut this short and simply say you are being ridiculous.

Although my c4 is my first corvette it isnt my first car, I bought that one over 30 yrs ago. But the last time I checked a corvette is still a car that was made to be driven. Some put them all on pedestals, some sadly trash em. Living in the greater PHX area, I have been to the B.J. auctions and like many, feel that its totally gone overboard and inflated the cost of corvettes and other muscle cars. This, I think is why many owners feel that the C4 corvettes value is so under appreciated. Maybe its that other cars prices are a joke. But if you happened to have caught the Palm Beach B.J. event on speed, corvettes were selling for as much as 30k-40k less. Has the bottom dropped out? Maybe for now. (I digress but the B.J. is simply the best car show to attend, simply to see the cars.)

I attend corvette shows when I can, and am always attracted to any corvette at all car shows. I almost owned corvettes in the past, but sadly, my funds simply didnt allow me to make the car payments AND the monthly insurance quotes at the time.

I guess what Im getting at is this, the ZR-1 is a collector car nowadays. But even at its sticker price of 60k new, a well kept low mileage example only brings 1/2 of that price today. Your basic C4 coupe probably sold new for under 30k, depending on age, options and condition, you may be able to get 1/2 of sticker price for it on a resale. Realistically a 1/3 of new. Dont automatically assume everyone who puts the mileage on a corvette runs it to the ground and then junks it. Being a mechanic by trade, I wouldnt do that to ole trusty rusty my 94 explorer that doubles as my work, hunting and go fer vehicle let alone my new pride and joy. But I will drive the heck out of it until something else breaks, then I do like all good mechanics do and fix it. If she sees 200k or even 300k miles then it means Ive done something right, I enjoyed it.

 

[tntcorvette]

Have you considered converting it to 6 speed? (If you have not already bought the replacement tranny that is.)

It's not like you would totally ruin the collector value.

Yes I have....I think about that alot. Not sure if I am capable of such a swap though as I have 0 experience with a manual car.

 

[L48]

Yes I have....I think about that alot. Not sure if I am capable of such a swap though as I have 0 experience with a manual car.

Like any big project, just create a list of everything that has to be done. Break it down into smaller pieces and figure them out one at a time.

Pedals and linkage,
transmission,
steering column?,
computer?,
speedo hookup,
mounting brackets,
bellhousing,
neutral safety switch,
backup switch,
cut a hole in the floor?
etc.

Start asking questions and look at a stick shift C4. Plan ahead and you can get an idea what you are in for before you even buy one part.

If the market is really as down as everyone says, maybe you can get a wrecked C4 manual car cheap and have all the parts you need.

 

[tntcorvette]

Like any big project, just create a list of everything that has to be done. Break it down into smaller pieces and figure them out one at a time.

Pedals and linkage,
transmission,
steering column?,
computer?,
speedo hookup,
mounting brackets,
bellhousing,
neutral safety switch,
backup switch,
cut a hole in the floor?
etc.

Start asking questions and look at a stick shift C4. Plan ahead and you can get an idea what you are in for before you even buy one part.

If the market is really as down as everyone says, maybe you can get a wrecked C4 manual car cheap and have all the parts you need.

I have planned this out too. Ebay ususally has a zf6 speed swap with a used zf6 speed, corvette flywheel, clutch, pedals, etc for about $1500. I have a dana 36 so I can use the zf yoke and keep the dana 36 for now, but I would have a 3.07 gear. Guess I could hit 200 mph in 5th! A dana 44 swap is not in my budget now, nor is the time for it, and a 6 speed swap. Only other alternative is the Keisler perfect fit TKO 5 speed, new stuff but cost alot more. Proabbly ~$4K just in parts!
I would still have the dana 36. Might as well spend the money on a dana 44, or better yet sell the car and take the money and upgrade to something else!

 

[Edmond]

Did you know there's a Corvette salvage yard in Streator? It's not that far away from you.

 

[tntcorvette]

yes I am aware of Vette2Vette...have ordered from them before.

Thanks!

 

[Edmond]

Might be a way to save some money and be able to look over the parts before you buy them.

 

[BruceBed]

Long story short, I have a busted 700R4 and put my heavily modified C4 up for sale on ebay twice with bidding starting at $4999.99 and got no bids. Ended up wasting about $95.00 on f'n ebay.

Worst part is I got about dozen emails from people offering me totally rediculous prices for my car. Anywhere from $1500 to $3K.

Guess people try to offer you b/s for your car with a busted trans, or the C4 market is just weak.

Anyway, back to work. Have a good weekend all!

It wasn't ebay's fault. The same thing could have happened with a classified ad or similar venue. The market speaks. We don't always like what it says. Everyone is looking for a deal(aren't you). Imperfect items i.e. real estate, antiques, auto's bring out value hunters. If your in doubt look at what a nice, ready to go Vette brings vs. yours. I think it's reality versus expectations. Sometime reality hurts. Good luck whatever you do with the car.

 

[tntcorvette]

well somebody is comming to look at the car this weekend. Not sure if I want to sell it though....the person proabbly wont make the offer I want for the car anyway. If he does, I may be one of those guys in the future saying "I should have never sold that Corvette, blah...blah...blah"


:confused