What look for in a Vette

[WantaVette]

I currently drive a V6 mustang but i have always loved vettes especially the C4's. I am planning on getting one in the near future and have found out that the insurance is less for a mid 90's vette. The problem is that I am only 18 and no one takes me seriously when i ask about a vette. I have never even ridden in a C4 but I still know planty about them. I know i want to get an Lt1 with a 6 sp and have found plenty in the 14000-17000 range. I want to know, what type of things should I look for when buying a used vette?

 

[JRMaroon]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/buying.html

I pulled this link from the learning center tab here on Corvette Action Center. More comments are sure to follow but this is a good place to start.

Good Luck with your search and welcome to the CAC.

Jeff

 

[Tuna]

Drive every Vette you can find. Each one has a little different personality.

The checklist referenced above is a good start.

The LT1 is a fine motor in my book. The 92 is unique in some ways but nothing wrong with it. The 92 has metal valve covers and a double sided belt, so it looks a little different under the hood.
LT1 finer points:
1. OptiSpark - under the water pump, 92-94 versions not vented well and don't like getting wet (don't wash the motor!). 95-96 better but still avoid hosing down the motor.
2. Intake manifold oil leaks - the factory seal is a bead of silicon sealer at each end. These seals have had problems and create annoying oil leaks. Check for oil leaks.
3. Suspension/shock - Base, nothing of concern here. FX3 and Z07 with the adjustable shocks - expensive to repair and replace. Something to consider if your finances are going to be pushed with the Vette.

At the age cars you are looking at, here is a short list of things that may be ready to replace: wheel bearings, shocks, head light motor bushings, brakes, clutch. Ask about these.

There're a place to start. Got any specific questions?

 

[sherry_ridgeway]

I currently drive a V6 mustang but i have always loved vettes especially the C4's. I am planning on getting one in the near future and have found out that the insurance is less for a mid 90's vette. The problem is that I am only 18 and no one takes me seriously when i ask about a vette. I have never even ridden in a C4 but I still know planty about them. I know i want to get an Lt1 with a 6 sp and have found plenty in the 14000-17000 range. I want to know, what type of things should I look for when buying a used vette?

..Hi wantavette, have you looked in the "learning center" top of the page, it has a printable page of things to check when shopping for a corvette
ie general shape/engine/transmission/overall condition of the vehicle etc etc
its really helpfull to carry along an itemized list of things to look for "that way you"ll get some respect and treated like you know what your looking for" and having a list you wont forget anything
I hope this helps in your venture
by the way welcome to
sherry

 

[WantaVette]

I went to a corvette dealer the other day and the mechanic there scared me quite a bit. I said i want a manual with around 60-70k miles and he started telling me all the things that will probably go wrong. He said that the synchros, clutch, and flywheel commonly go bad. He also said the axle splines (i think) go out.He said the ZF is a pretty weak transmission Basically he said get an automatic. Well i know i wont be happy with an auto, i love shifting gears. Are these common problems? Will a vette with these miles just turn into a big money pit? My car now has 41000 and i have had no problems at all. And I drive it pretty hard.
I went to the other vette dealer across the street (pretty awesome to have 2 in the area!) and they said they have never heard of what the other guy said.

Also, neither of them would even consider lettin me drive one:cry

 

[Tuna]

I went to the other vette dealer across the street (pretty awesome to have 2 in the area!) and they said they have never heard of what the other guy said.

This guy is closer to being right.

I have the ZF in my 92. It's a pretty tough transmission. 105K+ miles and still going strong. My clutch lasted until 103K. It depends on how you drive them. I've autocrossed, drag raced and did open road runs with it.

Money pit? Maybe, maybe not.

What I was saying before - 96 and older Vettes are now 8 years old and older. Things wear out and need replacing when they get this old. Some more than others.

It also sounds like you need to look at other dealers, used cars places and private sales for a chance to drive a Vette. If you can't drive a used Vette, you can't buy it.

 

[larry bud]

Do you plan on buying from a dealer or a private owner? Personally, I would never buy from a dealer, but they're a great place to look after hours if you want to see what's available. You'll also get a good idea of the range of quality (visually). These are probably general guidelines:

Decide on some general feature you want and don't stray from them. Stick or auto? Covertible or coupe? Decide on which model years you're interested in, and a max price. Don't go over your max price. Once you have these general items down, STICK BY THEM! If you're not completely unreasonable in your expectations, there's a car out there that fits your bill.

When I bought my '86 in '92, the ones I was looking at seemed to range around 14-15K, and I didn't think they were in the best of shape. One of the nicest ones I found (it was VERY nice) was the same price, but an auto without the Z51 handling package, which I wanted. It was tough to pass it by since I had been looking for so long, but the very next day I found the exact car I wanted at an excellent price. The guy had it listed for $12k that day (sunday morning), and I offer $11500. He probably would have taken 11k, but I figured I was getting a steal as it was. He was happy, I was happy. Turned out to be a nice guy who just happened to have 1 too many cars (just bought a mercedes if I remember correctly).

Don't take any BS from anybody, although it's tough to do for the first Vette because you really don't know that much about them. The first one I bought I probably got suckered, but the 2nd one I knew enough about them to take 3 months until I found the right seller.

Take a log book with you when you check them out to write down any details (good or bad) vs. price. You'll soon get an idea of what to look for.

Check for oil leaks, bad smells, and strange noises. Whether or not you can detect such things is going to depend on your knowledge of cars in general. I personally look at the physical shape of the interior as a good indication of how someone would take care of their car overall.

 

[larry bud]

Take a parent with you when looking. They will take you much more seriously. I was 22 when I bought my first Vette, and had an older buddy go with me. While I never drove any cars at the dealership, I never had a private owner turn me down. Dress respectably (no torn jeans or eyebrow rings, for crying out loud!), and don't look like a bum and you should be alright.

Whether or not you're going to spend money to keep it up, well, yeah probably. Any car that age is most likely going to require some work. I had the luxury and patient enough parents to live at home, and spend my money on tools. I learned quickly to repair this car, and if you do it yourself, the parts generally aren't that bad.

As someone else said, a '96 is now 8 years old. Rubber parts start to go brittle by then.

 

[4U2NV1986]

Whatever you do, run a Carfax on the car you pick. It is well worth the $19.95 to have the car checked out, at least for collision issues and title changes. Most dealer won't care if you snap a couple of digital images for future reference. I sorta kinda got burned on my 86. The car is in A+ condition, but the rear window in the soft top was toast. The dealer said that places can sew in a new window for about $100 bucks....B**L S**T. The entire top needs redone, latest quote with new rubber is more like $1000. I should have checked this out first before I purchased the car, and haggled for a better price because I was informed. Just do your homework, there are alot of good values out there for $10k plus. If there are obvious interior and exterior issues, check the prices of the parts before you buy, you will be surprised how much seemingly minor thing can cost. The only problem from buying from a private owner is that you do not have any recourse if they sell you their problem. Maybe pay a professional mechanic to take a look at it with you.

 

[01TriBlack]

I'm just going to chime in on the "not buying from a dealer" advice. I agree. I found that unless it was a Chev dealership who dealt in a fair number of 'vettes that you aren't going to get the straight skinny on the car. Most 'vette owners that I've been acquainted with take great pride in their cars and they are more than happy to share the car's maintenance/repair history with you. Dealers, often times, don't know and don't really care - it's a used car to them.

My biggest concern with an C4, particularly pre-'95/'96, would be the water pump/opti-spark issue. It would be great to find out the waterpump had been replaced because chances are your opti-spark won't need replacing anytime soon. If your waterpump goes (and it seems like roughly 60K miles is about the norm), your opti-spark could go as well... and an OS is not a cheap repair. Dumb placement for the waterpump, eh?

Good luck! Oh...and the advice about bringing a parent is a very wise suggestion.

Mary

 

[Grizzly]

What can you do? I know I can't do body work or painting, therefore body condition is real high on my list. A noisy rear I can deal with.

Everything has it's price. Because each car is different the prices are different. I've bought from factory dealers, specialty dealers and owners. Factory dealers give the worst deals but you have the most security. Most all offer some kind of waranttee. Owners are the worst to deal with and you have the least security and may not be the cheapest.

What some one said about dressing up is very important. I've delt with the public all my life and slobs don't get any breaks, believe me. Clean your Mustang up too. Let people know you are serious about your cars.

Good Luck