Your Opinion and Advice

[Vette_Dreaming]

I have been lurking around here for a long time and on several occasions new buyers have been advised to buy the newest C4 they can afford (this is the C4 forum after all :L ). Looking at a local used corvette dealer's web site today I found two C4's that I would be interested in. One is a 1993 LT-1 coupe with 53,000 miles, the other is a 1995 LT-1 with 94,000 miles. Which would be the better car to buy? I know there are some issues with the '93 optispark but does the lower mileage warrent the older car? From pictures on the site and the dealer's own rating system the '93 is a "cleaner" car in general. By, the way '93 is $1,000 more than the '95. Which would you choose? I am not ready to buy today, but would like a little more food for thought as I continue to look for my dream.

 

[B17Crew]

Vette_Dreamin,

If you are able, check out the two cars in person. You can sped a lot of time speculating, but if the 93 had a caring owner and maintenance-minded owner and the ’95 did not, I’d buy the ’93 hands down regardless of the opti demon.

The overall condition is what would be a factor for me. I had a ’93 and loved it, and yes, the opti left me stranded -- got it fixed.

If you can’t see the cars in person, ask for detailed shots of the car. Interior, exterior, tire tread, body panel alignment, weather strip condition, etc.

Oh yes, color can be a factor as well.

B17Crew

 

[1stC3Vette]

I agree with B17Crew. I looked at multiple year vettes I liked and settled on the older vette with less miles. This car was really cared for and it showed. I didn't pay more money for it, but it was a great deal for the price. The mileage is a key item for resale. Along with the condition of the vehicle, but if you were the person looking for a long time keeper, the mileage would definately be a factor.

Good luck.

Dino

 

[Vettelt193]

go for the 93... the opti's aren't that bad. you will fix it once, then be fine for many many miles.C4's are more milage based than age based when it comes to value.... 1000 more for a car with so many less miles is a good deal, especially if they are only 2 years apart

 

[Blu ByU]

I was in the same boat - I was *this* close to buying a 96 with 65000 miles, then happened upon this 94 with 36000. The 94 was in better condition (darn near perfect in fact) and was the same price as the 96 I was looking at. I have no regrets at all about buying the older car.

 

[Robertwav1]

Go for the 93...it's a great car. 65K and it runs like the day I bought it. Anniversary car might be worth a little more once the C-7's arrive. Best of luck!

 

[Tuna]

I agree with all comments here.
I have no problem with the older OptiSpark either.
Between a good clean 93 and a more used 95, I'm taking the 93.

 

[Vettefan87]

If the 93 checks out then go for it, but the 95 with forty thousand miles could run better. It all depends on how it has been maintained by the previous owner. Good luck.

 

[PLRX]

Go for the 40th Anniversary!

 

[tyrel]

I would choose the car that had the most care. This is easily discernible through the use of complete repair histories. I would much rather choose a high-mileage car with a complete repair history than a low-mileage car with little or no paperwork. If an owner cares enough about the car to give it regular oil changes, flush the coolant, service the transmission, keep the car washed and waxed, rotate the tires, change the serpentine belt, and repair all of the other little things that need attention, then this is an owner who genuinely cares about the car.

 

[Toms007]

I looked at several when I was looking to buy. I ended up with the higher mileage car (97k on a 94 vs a 70k 96 less money to boot), because as has been said previously, it was better cared for and the maintenance records showed that the (one) previous owner was very meticulous about its' care.

 

[Edmond]

You just have to be patient and look at a bunch of cars before you think about putting the money down. When you eventually get the Vette', it will become very close to you and you will bond with it. I'm serious!:L

If you can find someone who already owns a C4 to make a trip with you to check it out, that would be even better. I've checked out cars for members before and it's a cool experience!

 

[Vette_Dreaming]

If you can find someone who already owns a C4 to make a trip with you to check it out, that would be even better. I've checked out cars for members before and it's a cool experience!

I am fortunate enough to have friend at work that happens to have a '91 ZR-1 and he has volunteered to go with me when I get ready to put the money down. In fact, when the weather gets a little better he is going to take me out in the ZR-1 and let me see what it feels like.

 

[Toms007]

I am fortunate enough to have friend at work that happens to have a '91 ZR-1 and he has volunteered to go with me when I get ready to put the money down. In fact, when the weather gets a little better he is going to take me out in the ZR-1 and let me see what it feels like.

You may not want to do that....if you do, then a ZR-1 may be the only thing that satisfies you.:blue:

 

[Edmond]

I am fortunate enough to have friend at work that happens to have a '91 ZR-1 and he has volunteered to go with me when I get ready to put the money down. In fact, when the weather gets a little better he is going to take me out in the ZR-1 and let me see what it feels like.

Nothing feels like a ZR-1

 

[redc4corvette]

1994 and up you can program the computer and handel alot of issues with the car yourself I would consider that.
93 and down have chips and 94 and up have SFI injection, car runs much smother.

 

[tomtom72]

Hi Vette Dreaming, I only have this to offer as my two cents. Like was already said you would rather have a car with as complete a maint. history as possible & the reason is obvious. I just went thru the process this past Dec. I started with a budget first, then worked backwards to a car that fit that budget. I know one thing it is nice to be able to talk to the owner of the car. I think you get a feel of how much the person was "into the car". To me that was important info to have. Having another set of vette owning eyes to look at the car is great! I bought mine over the 'net' so I had to hire 'eyes', and that is scary if it's the first time. It was my first! The next thing is to know the common issues with a particular car & you seem on that already. Then you got all the bases covered & you can go find the best car for your budget. Good luck in your search!Oh, on a lighter note. When you get the car the will be there a long time!
Tom

 

[nyernga]

You may not want to do that....if you do, then a ZR-1 may be the only thing that satisfies you.:blue:

Man isn't that the truth. My next vette will definately be a ZR-1. One sold at auction at the NCRS meet in Kissimee two days ago. 39K miles and it sold for $15K..I knew I should have gone:cry

Good luck in your search. Everyone here has offered sound advice. Patience is the key

Len

 

[My Prozac]

I spent 3 years looking for the right car and I was really going for a 96 because of your same reasons, I was going to turn down my 93 until I talked to a Certified Chevorlet dealer Corvette Mechanic (not all mechanics at a dealer are certified by Chevrolet to work on Corvettes) and he explained the differance... the newer OBD II computer just gives a more detailed report as where to look for mechanical problem it monitors more systems on their own, like 100 + systems, not like OBD I that monitors in groups, like only 15 groups, and the newer computer was put on the last half of the 1995 production run, not all 95's have the newer OBD II all 96's have it. As for the optispark they will go out no matter what, a few will run forever. I had to replace mine with only 29,000 miles because the water pump went out and dripped in to the optispark and I had gotten the motor wet and finished it off. The opti on the newer cars is better it is not as tempermental about water and runs a little hotter but I could not tell the differance between 93 and 96 with the same milage on the street, I am sure some will disagree.
I would go for the car with less miles, and the older a C4 is the more somebody will deal on it and with less miles somebody babied it. You want one somebody babied. The guy I bought mine for was upset to let it go and his wife cried when I pulled away in it.

Just a note:

NEVER GET THE LT1 MOTOR WET BY WASHING IT CLEAN WITH SQUIRT BOTTLE AND A RAG

 

[BruceBed]

I'd always buy the cleaner car. My bro-in law had a Z that he drove on the road for business. It had 90k in two years. The car looked brand new and had only one set of tires replaced and religious maintenace. I would rather have the history and care of a vehicle , than a low mileage abused vehicle.