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Would you buy a 1987 Callaway or 1996 LT4?

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Old 11-12-2010, 10:04 AM
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1989 406
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Default Would you buy a 1987 Callaway or 1996 LT4?

I am not real familiar with the Callaways other then when they came out. I do not know the maintence upkeep especially on a twin turbo set up.
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Old 11-12-2010, 03:37 PM
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McGirk94LT1
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As with everything depends on goals. Just a Sunday car? Lookin for mid to big power? If your not lookin to Sunday drive/show then lt4 is much better. Engine wise it may not have as much power but you get a 6 speed, way more usable rpms and because of that also have the option to change gear ratios. Then your just bolt ons away from being way faster then the callaway I'd assume. If you want an idea of upkeep on the callaway just go to their site. You must prove you own one to buy any original stuff, and I think once you look at the prices of parts, that will probably decide if you want one or not.
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Old 11-12-2010, 04:24 PM
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calloway will probably always = money, since it's really rare, and really a nice package overall. With all of that comes the expense to up keep.

The lt4 is special in someways, but IMO just a hopped up LT1.

Price being the same, and you actually have the money to buy one I'd go with a calloway over about every time.

Last edited by pologreen1; 11-12-2010 at 04:27 PM.
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Old 11-12-2010, 04:43 PM
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Personally for my taste I'ld take the LT4. But it all depends on how much power you want.
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Old 11-12-2010, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by McGirk94LT1
As with everything depends on goals. Just a Sunday car? Lookin for mid to big power? If your not lookin to Sunday drive/show then lt4 is much better. Engine wise it may not have as much power but you get a 6 speed, way more usable rpms and because of that also have the option to change gear ratios. Then your just bolt ons away from being way faster then the callaway I'd assume. If you want an idea of upkeep on the callaway just go to their site. You must prove you own one to buy any original stuff, and I think once you look at the prices of parts, that will probably decide if you want one or not.
I believe our prices are great and we support a car nearly 25 years old, is a strong statement to the power of our brand. Really no extra maintenance, either...

That said, I know I would take a Callaway over any other C4, hands down. They are great cars! DRIVE ONE and you will understand.

Also, for a different perspective, check out the owners group site at www.callawayownersgroup.com

Enjoy!
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Old 11-12-2010, 06:24 PM
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If you want a car that you will use regularly as a daily driver, I think the LT4 would be the better bet, lots of improvements to the car over that 7 year period. Not saying the Callaway can't be used that way but the newer car would be better. If the car is going to be used more for the "wow" factor or for long term appreciation, then the Callaway would probably be the better bet.
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Old 11-12-2010, 07:00 PM
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I wouldn't think twice about buying a good condition LT4 and then hammering on it at the dragstrip, etc. I would absolutely think twice before doing that in a B2K. I suspect if you look, you will find most owners would too. So for me, the LT4 is a no-brainer.

What do you plan on using the car for?
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Old 11-12-2010, 07:54 PM
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LT4, but I'm biased . nearly 10 years of advancements is pretty huge.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:43 PM
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Ive had both. Really depends what you want to do with the car.

Weekend driver = B2k
Daily driver/race car = LT4.

For me Id trade my LT4 for an 88 and up Callaway any day of the week, with the knowledge that it would be a fun car, not a work horse.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:44 PM
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Callaway for me but I'm a sucker for 80s tech and circular tail light C4s.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:46 PM
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Drive what you like the best, dont think about the money and youll be happy with whatever you buy.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:47 PM
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One is a limited production Corvette with classic car status. The other is just a production Corvette. If you want something special the Callaway is the way to go. If you just want a nice Corvette the newer one is your best choice.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by SurfnSun
Weekend driver = B2k
Daily driver/race car = LT4.
100%


Let's face it, by today's standards, neither is a rocket ship in terms of performance.

The LT4 is a great engine in a great car, but for a weekend cruiser, opening up that hood and seeing those big inter-coolers is just unbeatable.

I also agree with the post a few back about value. In my non-expert opinion, I think that the B2K cars will be towards the top of the list of C4s that actually gain value in the foreseeable future. It will be a loooooooong time before the LT4 becomes a $$ getter again.
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
100%


Let's face it, by today's standards, neither is a rocket ship in terms of performance.

The LT4 is a great engine in a great car, but for a weekend cruiser, opening up that hood and seeing those big inter-coolers is just unbeatable.

I also agree with the post a few back about value. In my non-expert opinion, I think that the B2K cars will be towards the top of the list of C4s that actually gain value in the foreseeable future. It will be a loooooooong time before the LT4 becomes a $$ getter again.
A few grand can turn an 88+ B2k into a C6Z muncher.
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Old 11-12-2010, 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by SurfnSun
A few grand can turn an 88+ B2k into a C6Z muncher.
When I said that, I was talking about stock form. Neither of them is really fast by today's standards when stock. I'm not saying that they can't be modified to do it. Once you start modifying, comparisons to other cars are pointless for the most part.

<~~~~ That LT4 (nowhere near stock) can hold it's own with some of today's best and with turbos in the mix, anything is possible.
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Old 11-12-2010, 10:32 PM
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Yeah I know.

A 3" exhaust setup and a tune isn't a huge variance from stock IMHO. Just speaks to the caliber of the b2k car.

A 450-475rwhp/575rwtq car from the 80s is way cooler than a 440rwhp stock Z06, but thats just me.
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Old 11-15-2010, 12:52 PM
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Did you buy the Callaway
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Old 11-15-2010, 01:00 PM
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prinzSD455
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If it has the Callaway Aero package on the car, I would take the Callaway because it looks like a unique Corvette instead of the run of the mill C4.

But I am biased because I have always like the Aero Package on the Callaway C4.
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Old 11-15-2010, 05:44 PM
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Unless you are a real gear head I would pass on the Callaway. The lt4 will be easier to maintain and enjoy. The Callaway would be fun to drive though.
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Old 11-15-2010, 10:47 PM
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The 87 Callaway hands down. But, the dash and the transmission are big deterrents.
If you could transform all the callaway stuff to the 96....J/K
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