Accupulse

I am looking to buy my first Corvette and I have searched locally and nationally looking for the right one. I have narrowed my C4 search down to a 1989 - 1996 models. The problem is that I also like the look of the C5's as well. I've gone back on forth on color, engine, mileage to the point now that I can't decide what to get. Let me pose a question to you to see what you would do.

So here's the question I need opinions on:

Should I buy a black, 1987 Convertible with 21k miles in perfect shape for $14k or should I buy a 1997 C5 Silver coupe with 93k miles for $14k? please explain why because my brain is about to explode trying to decide.

mcnulty95

There's a saying around here "Buy the newest, nicest Corvette that you can afford".

Accupulse

I know that the C4 are rock bottom priced right now and can do nothing but appreciate. If I bought a C5 the value will go down before it goes back up.

Does it not make sense to buy a C4 with ultra low miles and keep it for a few years as an investment?

mcnulty95

Not unless your getting a ZR1, Grand Sport or a Callaway. Base C4s will not appreciate a significant amount anytime soon. There's a LOT better things to invest money in. Just my opinion though.

94ZR1

In this section I believe the advice will be to get the nicest C4 you can find
You can get a ZR1 for C5 money

Over in C5 gen I bet they say the opposite

torchred89

I have a 89 that is better then brand new for the same price in VA

Accupulse

Look at the C3's. A few years ago you could buy those things for dirt cheap. Now they cost the same as the C5's with some going for well over $20k.

Obviously the ZR1 and GS will also be worth more but you really dont think base C4's will rise to these amounts in the next 6 - 8 years?

I would think a C4 forum would be more optimistic.

zr1fred

I've had C4's for years, but the base C4's are not going anywhere (think 74-82 C3). Especially not anything out of the 80's. They were the greatest cars of their day, but those days are gone. Don't let the low miles fool you, you can get nice 94-96's in that range, and frankly they are ALOT better cars. High mile C5's have their own problems, at least ones out of the 90's. Bottom line though is buy the one you want, it's probably going to be a toy/occasional driver anyway. If you think you can drive the 87 everyday, you are probably going to be VERY dissapointed. JMO

mcnulty95

Don't get me wrong, C4s are great cars. I'm not saying that you should not buy one. I am saying that in my opinion you shouldn't buy one as an investment.

C4s were made from 84-96 and they made TONS of them.

DaleD

I think the decision he's asking about is: Is a low mileage 87 nicer than a higher mileage 97?

No.

DaleD

I agree again. I don't see much of an investment return on a C4. But here's the good news: You can buy a C4, a very cool car, drive it, enjoy it, and when you sell it, get about what you paid for it. This is provided you don't mod it, and keep it in good repair. If you want an investment, check out Jim Cramer on "Mad Money".

redwing76

This a no brainer.............C5.

$14K is really cheap for a C5. In my area they average $18,000 or $3000 more than 96 C4.

The Corvette investment boat has already left the dock.
Oil at $100+ a barrel? $4.00 a gallon? "We were warned".

Accupulse

All great posts - thanks.

So maybe I should change the question since you all agree that I should not buy a C4 thinking I can make money on it later.

If Im hearing you correctly, I should buy one to simply enjoy it. That in itself proposes another difficult question.

What's more fun to drive and enjoy (for the money)?

1985 - 1989 going between $5000 - $7000
1900 - 1994 going between $7500 - $9000
1995 - 1996 going between $9000 - $12,000
or C5 1997 - 1999 going between $13,000 - $17,000


Also, would you buy a C5 that has a title reflecting that it ran into a ditch and the airbags were deployed - even though it's been repaired and is beautiful?

96polovette

If I had $14K to spend on any corvette at this time I would buy first a 92-96 with 20K-70K miles. You get the 300hp and the updated body panels. Second choice would be a 84-91 C4, but I wouldn't look for a super low mileage car, I would want one to modify and drive regularly. So I wouldn't spend $14K on the best early C4 I could find, I would find a driver in good shape with say 50K-75K miles and spend the rest on customizing and replacing worn parts.

My third choice would be a 97-99 C5, but I would only buy it if I could find one with lower mileage, and it would have to be in nice condition. My feeling is the C5s that are dropping below $15K right now are mostly the high mileage cars and ones in poorer condition that need work. These can only lose a lot of value as they continue to depreciate. Wait and you will be able to get a more desirable one in a few years. If I was to buy a C5 I would look for one $15K and below at around 20K-70K miles. Prices mostly are not there yet.

zr1fred

a.) 1994-1996. b.) Salvage can be alright if the price reflects the salvage. Some people will never buy them and that's all right too, but basically you have less out of pocket money while you own it, you just get less when you sell it. It can be a way to drive a newer/better car if your not too risk adversive. (just make sure it's been fixed right!)

SteveBlack90

If luggage space and easy of entry/exit are factors in your decision, I can say from experience that C4 convertibles have next to no luggage space. Also, the door sills on a C4 are very high and make entry/exit difficult, especially for shorter people. The C5s have more storage room and entry/exit are far easier. For that reason, I will be looking to sell my C4 next year and find a C5.

In any case, welcome to the Corvette community!

Aardwolf

What do you want to use it for?

I would not pay 14K for an '87!

A few years ago I paid 6k for my '88.

Keep looking is my advice or pick up that C5.

STREETKNIGHT

First decide your intended purpose. Pure weekend enjoyment or a DD? Drag racing, auto cross, show or a combination?

Next, consider your age and any infirmities you may have which would cause difficulties in entry/exit of a C4.

Same for any passengers you intend to haul along regularly.

Finally, are you planning long trips or mainly statewide travels?

I have an 87 that I love, but you not going to find many early C4's with 50k miles. If you do, inspect them thouroughly for rotten hoses, wires, etc and make sure they're in good shape. Cars will go to hell quick just sitting around

It's a great local and statewide driver, quick around town, good gas mileage and 0-60 will pin your *** to the seat and look good doing it

If I were going to travel cross country or do an extended road trip, although I would take it, I think I'd be happier in a C5 or 6. They're just more civilized, more refined, more comfortable, more....elderly friendly

My wife does not care for the riding position of the C4 for long periods. I happen to enjoy it, but the ****'s rough and again, over a long trip, especially if the roads happen to go to hell, it would get uncomfortable quick!

Th C5 " should" have less problems but with the column lock and other crap thats been popping up on them over the years, there's no guarantee.

If ultimate comfort is your goal, I'd go the C5 route.

They both are a kick to drive and the LS engine is substantially easier to mod.

Finally, parts availability. There are more replacement (OEM) as well as custom/mod parts available for the C5 than the C4