73n95

Typical GM is to buy the latest model of any run you can find. Many of the chronic "bugs" are worked out and frequently you will get a peak at some of the features of the next model. As far as the Opti goes, I don't see the big deal. It isn't all that expensive and once properly replaced will go a long time. While the dual mass clutch seems to be unavailable I understand a properly set up replacement works fine. I'm pretty happy with my 95.

Cliff Harris

I would look for a '96 with an LT4 engine. The LT4 was only available that one year.

JD Shredds

That's because that car has 330 lb-ft torque and only weighs about 3200 lbs. On the street, torque is king.

'95 is about as good as it gets for C4's. '96 as well. If you like the early style, '89 is great cuz you can get the ZF6 spd.

llabesab7

I found a 1996 with 47000 miles thats like new inside and out. It pays to be patient. Divorcee car if you know what I mean.

DGXR

OP, what is your budget? Define what is "a nice C4" in your eyes? That will give us an idea what to suggest.

Karsten

I have a 1993 Polo Green vert, LT1 Auto, New leather seats and cushions, new stereo, speakers and wiring, new dash display and all new lights, New Nitto 555 tires and new wheels.

Looks just like my 1994 but it has a luggage rack on the back.



The GF just doesn't drive it anymore.

Karsten

Cool Runnings

Why are all the nice Vettes out of State?

Burress06

I did. Although I love to drive the car, my son and I really enjoyed working on it together. So much so that we would like to move on to the next project now that this one is done. Maybe even upgrade to a C5.... Who knows. That being said, I am in no hurry to get rid of this one. Its really fun to drive gets looks where ever I drive it.

midlifecrisis1979

I like the l98 vette, cheap and tough. You can buy one for less than 5k if you watch for a while, the 700r4 is nice if your gonna be lugging around in traffic. Never been a fan of covertibles, hot in the summer, cold in the winter and loud 24-7. Love the targa top

llabesab7

Hey midlifecrisis79, did you say the 98 or 88. Looked like a typo.

midlifecrisis1979

L98 is the motor they put in the early c4s, mine is a 87 model, first year of the roller. You can score a decent driver around 5k pretty easy, as for newer is better I'm surprised how much my c4 and my dads c5 are alike, his is faster and in better shape but as far as cruising they aren't very much different, he has the targa like me.

llabesab7

What about an 88 model Vette?

midlifecrisis1979

Yep l98 motor with tuneport injection

llabesab7

Did you sell you Vette?

Paul Workman

The C4 has its own charm, and over the 12-year run the C4 went through several evolutions: 5 motors, 4 body styles (counting convertibles), 3 dash displays, and not to mention numerous improvements and sub categories (Z51, ZR-1, etc.). I have my favorites too, but the most distinctive differences IMO are-

-84 was the only year for the cross-fire induction (carried over from the 82 C3). It was the first of the C4 models and like many "first of series" cars, it had its "bugs": rattles/squeaks, harsh ride, performance (stock) was characteristic for its time. (However, porting and adjustable fuel pressure mods, along with headers made the 84 very respectable as a quarter-miler, and was the first Corvette to pull a lateral 1G+ on the skid pad in stock trim.

-85-91 was the era of the L98 "Tuned Port Injection" engines - owing their lineage to the Bosch induction system carried over and modified for 350 cid L98s SBC from the 305 cid IROC Camaros. (The 305 was the approach of GM at the time to meet MPG and emissions requirements while still providing at least some measure of performance from the anemic, low compression. 305s) Performance inched up over the years along with improvements in on-board computers to 250 in stock trim (tho with modifications including porting, cams, and exhaust improvements, power could reach 325 to 350 [Corvette Challenge cars]. The L98 cars reigned supreme in the Challenge series races in their day, touting a respectable mid-rpm torque curve which surprises a lot of first-time Corvette drivers.

-90-95 was the reign of the ZR-1; a sub-model to the C4s, which introduced the later body style cues adopted (more or less) by the base C4s, starting with the 91s. The Z's were equipped with a special run of motors, co-designed by GM and Lotus and built by Mercury Marine, called the "LT5". The LT5 is to date the ONLY DOHC motor installed in a Corvette to date; producing 375+ hp; a 125 increase over the standard L98s of the time. In 93 the HP was upped to 405 by way of increases in porting and cam phasing, among other minor tweaks.
Also worth mention is the fact the LT5 introduced the all digital ignition system - eliminating the distributors used in (one fashion or another) by the L98s and later LT1/4s.
The transmission for ALL production ZR-1s was the manual ZF 6-speed which replaced the 4+3 transmission in the 89(?) base Corvette. The Zs featured the analog dash with the upper tach rpm being 8000 rpm to capture the LT5's revving abilities.
The tire sizes were staggered, front vs. rear. The rear tires were 315x35x17s. To accommodate the big tires, the rear of the car was widened on the ZR-1s by an extra 3". This is one of the subtle cues, along with the high-mounted center stop light and spacers in the license plate recess that says "ZR-1" to the observant follower...oh, and the ZR-1 badge on the bumper helps too - unless it is a "poser" car.
Worth mentioning, the 90 ZR-1 set FIA 24 hour world endurance/speed record and the 5000 km endurance/speed record too (which still stands for a production car.)

-92-96 base models saw the final body design and spurred by the LT5 performance, GM Power Train produce the (300 hp) LT1 and later the tweaked (330 hp) LT4 for the 96 model year with the manual transmission (automatics got the LT1) All the LT1/4s had reverse-flow cooling which was in part made compression ratios increase to 10:5 and 10.8:1 (LT1/LT4 respectively) possible; encroaching on the venerable LT5.
These motors all featured the "Opti-spark" system which eliminated the spark scatter due to cam torsion issues germane to all SBCs up to that point, and provided much improved piston/cylinder position sensing which enabled extremely quick starting (in less than one crank rotation made possible).
The Opt-spark, like many initial design changes, also had its flaws; mostly related to proximity with coolant and issues with condensation which reeked havoc and was a vexing issue until late 94 when the addition of a vacuum vent tube remedied 90% of the failure issues experienced with previous MYs.

There were other minor improvements along the way too. By the end of the C4 series, the base or ZR-1 95-96s had matured into a very refined car and are the "pick of the litter", far as C4s go.

Hope this helps ya!

Paul

scrappy76

I recommend all of them.