Guys. I am probably a year or so away from buying. I prefer the body style of the C3 over the C4. But if I did not find a C3, I would most likely get a 1989+ car. I think that is when they re-vamped the C4 and got rid of that goofy looking sterring wheel.

Any big cons I should be aware of in the C3 or C4? I realize that all equal the C3's will have high mileage because they have been on the road longer.

Any heads up before I buy will be appreciated.

Thanks,

- w

 

Any C4 is a con as compared to a C3 on the C3 site.

Nothing has lines quite like a C3!
Buy one, you will love it.

C4 looks like a daytona.....

 

C3s just look better. Period. C4s might be roomier, flip up front end is nice, more creature comforts, etc.. but they will NEVER look as good as a C3

 

and another major drawback of owning a C4 is you can't hang with us in the C3 forum, instead you're forced to post in the mental institute they call C4 forums

 

THAT'S the truth

Go with the C3, you'll never regret it.

 

OUCH!!!!!

 

A C4 is a car that has 1980's engineering, impossible-to-diagnose electronics, flat or decreasing value, and parts that are twice as expensive as C3 parts and twice as hard to get. It is also a car that in stock form can easily outcorner a C3 and get better gas mileage. On the other hand, almost ANY C3 that you buy and take decent care of will appreciate in value and once you get over the initial impression of looking under the hood and seeing the 10 lbs. of poop in a 5 lb. bag you'll find that they're surprisingly easy to work on. And, might I add, they LOOK much better than a C4 so women are instantly and irresistibly attracted to you when you are in or near one. Now that we've talked you into buying a C3, write us back about two weeks before you decide to pull the trigger so we can lovingly and gently prepare you for-
1) Overheating
2) Failed Brakes
3) Swiss Cheese Frame Syndrome
4) Rusted Rearend Disassembly
4a) Trailing Arm Bearing Replacement
5) Vacuum System woes ('esp. 68-'72)
6) Boiling Cockpit Syndrome.
There are others, but with our Cherished and Beloved C3's 1-6 are the Biggies. Bottom line here though is that the C4 was GM's first real attempt at making a Corvette that the string-back glove set (Road&Track, etc.) wouldn't laugh at, and IMHO the Corvette lost a lot of its soul in the process. The C3 conversely is basically a Chevy Truck with an extremely beautiful fiberglass body, so that while many of them still need to be rescued from years of neglect and abuse the parts to effect the rescue are still in abundance. You can literally build an entire C3 from catalog parts. I would still suggest buying a car that you can verify has had The Biggies already taken care of because it will likely cost you less overall but if you can only afford a starter car jump on in anyway. An old Corvette is still just about the most affordable musclecar you can buy, and you won't be seeing any C4's at Barrett-Jackson any time in the near future.

 

ive got a c3 and a c4,, get the c3,,, !!!!!the c4's are a pain in the a$$ to get in and out of,,trust me,, later, rj

 

C3 = sexy.
C4 = rolling doorstop, good source of engines.

 

You can find C3s and C4s with low mileage. My 81 had 28K on it last year when I bought it. Go with what looks and works best for you. They are all Corvettes, and each has a following. We're a bit partial to the best looking vettes, ever.

 

c3 of course. c4's are nice, but the c3's are so much cooler, especially the chrome bumper ones.

 

And the most annoying thing about C4's...those video game dash boards! Try troubleshooting one of those. I also never wanted to know I was doing 103mph, around a 100 was good enough for me. That was the biggest reason I bought Porsche's in the 80's and not a vette.

 

I've had a passion for Vettes since I was a kid and didn't really care what kind I got for the first one. Well about a year and a half ago I ran across a 76. I had the money so I got it. It's not in great shape and has a couple of years worth of work yet to do but the longer I have it the more I love the C3. The paint isn't that good and people still say, "SO! That thing is still gorgeous." Probably don't get that alot with the C4's.

That being said, go C3 and if you want better handling, put C4 suspension on it.

 

chrome bumpers rule.

 

You never really mentioned what your going to do with this Vette?? If it is going to be used as a daily toy you would be better off with a more reliable c4. 90 is the first year they got rid of that goffy atari dash and ugly steering wheel. 91 is the first year for the rounded edges and the last year for the TPI L98. right now i am looking to get a 91-93 c4 for the wife to drive. But i already have a C3 so i am biased. If you just want a Vette to use on the weekends and cruise nights absolutley get a c3. Much better looking and everyone loves them. I have been surprised how many people comment about my car since i got it. Either way you go take your time look around do your hoemwork on available options and get an idea of what you like. They are both winners in the end being that they are both Corvettes

 

If.....you go C4...get 93/above in a 6 speed...much better vette than 84-92....
Rich

 

We're kinda partial to C3's here!

 

IMA,

I'm not looking for a daily driver. But something I can drive a few weeks in the summer, and a lot of the weekends. Probably no winter use. I'm looking toward the future. I have a two car garage. In the winter it stows my daily driver (right now a Cobalt SS 2.4), my wifes station wagon, and my Sport Bike. We park our kids car/family beater outside year round. My wife and I are guessing that in a year or so, the boys will be out of college, and we can have space for a "collector". I am a shade tree mechanic, and enjoy doing work on bikes, and cars.

I have NOT craved a Corvette since youth. I'm looking for a "collector" that I can drive once in awhile. I don't need something in concours conditioin. I don't even car if its 100% stock. Realisticially I'm probably looking for a collector under $15,000 - probably closer to $10,000. That the Vette's have fiberglass bodies is a big plus. But there other cars that pop up from time to time. For example last week I saw a Porsche 928 in the paper with like 30,000 miles for $7,000. The little that I've looked at vettes - the 1990 and newer vette's get pretty expensive. I prefer the looks of the C3. Prices really drop on higher mileage cars. I guess if I had the space, and the money right now (which I don't) - I would look for a Vette that is basicially mechanicially sound, but high mileage - say 80,000+ miles, and forget about re-sale value. This is if (big if) I can convince myself a C3 or C4 vette with 80,000 plus miles on it, has another 30,000 to 50,000 miles left in it.

- w

 

I've owned C3, C4, and C5. Of all of them, I'd have to say I enjoy the C3's the most. I mean that ...

 

if you are looking from a "collector" standpoint, that should automatically rule out c4's
seems to be alot of value in the later c3's...alot of growing room for value increase. 10-15k buys a pretty nice one too.
of course, you cant go wrong with a 69 though