bimmervsr

I am considering the purchase of my first vette. This will be a summer driver (5-7K per year.) My budget is around 15K-20K. My research shows I could get a lower mileage (<60K) C4 or a higher mileage (80K+) C5.

Any advice on which way to go? Beside the change in body style, are there other big benefits to going with a C5? If I wait until next Spring, I could even up the budget a bit.

Along the C4 route, I see there are several different engines...do I assume the latest engine is the best?

Besides the usual maint items (tires, brakes, etc.) what are common issues I might expect?

As a first-timer, should I lower my buy-in and go with a late 80's C4 for maybe 10K-12K?

I'm not a mechanic so all of my service will be done by professionals.

Lastly, I definitely want airbags so I'm not sure which year this becomes standard.

Thanks for your input, this is a great forum.

khindmon

You could find a 93 or 94 model for under 10k... This is what I would do, being that its your first time..and C4's are the best. (but hey, Im kinda partial to them, lol)
Good Luck ....... Either route, dont forget to wave

mikey whipreck

If reliability is a main concern, wouldn't the last year of a generation be favored over the first year of a generation?

LT1 or LT4's came in the latest C4's, with manuals getting the LT4's and a slight boost in power.

jimmers

I would drive a C4 and a C5 and see which one you like better.

redwing76

If it was me, I'd look for a 90-91, or up the ante and look for a 97-98.

kalister1

My 93 has a driver airbag only. I do not know when the passenger airbag started.

aminnich

A 96 C4 withthe LT4 engine would definitely be my choice. The c4 is sportier than the C5 in handling and the LT4 engine will run against the C5 very favorably. The C5 is little easier to get in and out, seats are just little wider and few other better amenities. Do some test drives and see what you feel most comfortable and satisfied with.

timvette

I just bought a '95, mint cond, w/ 51K miles on it for $14,000. This was a great price, generally you can expect to pay $14,000 to $17,500 for a nice LT1 w/ fairly low mileage. Drive both, see what you like/dislike. The '92-'96's give a lot of "bang for the buck". Expect to get a higher mileage C5 for around $16,000 to $20,000 (70k miles plus).

rocco16

Just as most CF'ers on this forum will say "go with the latest C4", I'd have to say "Go with the latest Corvette".
Any C5 will be as fast as an LT4 C4, a much better driver, more comfortable, a better handler, and have a lot more aftermarket support(this includes people willing to work on your car for you).

I love my C4, but time marches on and the C5 is a more advanced automobile. No one can argue that.

Larry
code5coupe

poplife

First, get this for the C4:


Each year it got better.

Second, find a good mechanic that works on Corvettes since your not going to work on it yourself. If you can't find a very good one who works on C4's, go with the C5.

You should attend your local Corvette club meetings and network with them.

The difference between the C4 and C5 is like night and day. More room in the C5 than C4. Esp the manual versions.

The C5 chassis is much stiffer than the C4 when the roof panel is removed. The C4 Vert is much stiffer than the C4 coupe due to an x-brace under the car.

Either car, make sure you get all service records.

Good luck.

SJW

Drive a few C4s, and a few C5s. Buy whichever one you like better. If you can't find a car you like in your price range that's in great condition, wait 'til your financial situation improves a bit. It's worth the wait to get a good car.

"Best" is a somewhat subjective term. I'd suggest you buy the newest C4 you can find that is in great condition and fits your budget, if it's a C4 you want. Bear in mind that you'll get less of a C5 (miles, condition, etc) for the same $, as compared to what you can get in a C4.

This question is too broad to answer with any specifics until you narrow your search parameters a bit. Depends entirely upon which model year of Corvette you decide to buy. All have their strengths, weaknesses and peculiarities. Hang around here, search the archives, ask questions. You'll learn.

Only if you'd be straining your finances to buy a later one, in my opinion (in which case perhaps you should delay the purchase until you are better situated).

This raises the importance of buying as good a car as you can find. Be sure to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Corvette expert before you cut a deal on any car.

Passenger's side air bag was added in 1994.

Indeed it is. Stick around and you'll learn a lot.

Good luck. Post more specific questions after you've narrowed your search a bit.

Be well,

SJW

rocco16

The X-brace was added in an attempt to get the vert's chassis stiffness up to that of the coupe with the roof on.

coupe/roof off = worse than vert.
coupe/roof on = better than vert.


Larry
code5coupe

AORoads

I think rocco and sjw have covered it pretty well. Your "budget" is good and if next spring it'll be even better, I'd say, search now. But if you don't find anything that is the best for whatever year it is, wait until next Spring.

And do yourself a favor, and drive both cars. World of difference in how they "feel", look, drive, etc. If this is only to be a summer car, it may not matter to you. But, it might...

rocco is esp. right in that, as this C4 generation ages, there are fewer and fewer people willing/knowledgeable to work on it. You don't state where you live: if it's a major metro area, that may not be a great issue. If you're in the middle of sticksville, that may be an issue.

Talk to us again after you've driven examples of both C4 and C5. Were it me, I'd skip the '97 or even the '98 models of the C5, but that's just me.

bimmervsr

You have all given me much to think about, if anyone else would like to opine, please do!

BTW, I live in CT. I'm pretty sure I can find some good shops in the Hartford area.

VetteUSA

90-93 drivers side only
94 driver & passenger airbags

edited: because of my stupidity.

AORoads

Maybe. There are at least a couple of good, CT CF-C4 members up your way. Hopefully, they'll chime in re shops.

jaa1992

Thats wierd, mine must be the only 92 with a driver airbag then.

rocco16

Yes, you have a one-of-a-kind/factory special/rare/highly collectible/VERY valuable Corvette.

Either that, or vetteusa is wrong.

Larry
code5coupe

SJW

Driver's side airbag debuted in 1990 Corvettes. Passenger's side appeared in 1994.

Be well,

SJW

VetteUSA

ignore me. disregard what i said. post edited. ... but WHY was i thinking 92 and earlier didn't have airbags?