First Corvette
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Never trust a used car salesman. Do your homework. Somewhere on the forum is a document that lists all the highlights of each year's Vette from 84 to 96. Go by a Pep Boys and buy a Haynes Repair Manual and read through it to learn more about the C4. In general there are 2 types of C4s, 84-91 and 92-96. When you find a 96 that sounds good, ask this forum if someone in the area would go look at the Vette for you. If you find one in the Charlotte area, I'd be glad to take a look for you. Here is my checklist to inspect: Put it on a lift and check everything underneath. Test drive up to normal operating temps and turn everything on to see if everything works. If you are going to look at a lot of Vettes bring a camera and take some notes. Don't fall in love with one until you go through it and bargin for a price. It's really fun to shop for Vettes.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by 65Z01
I strongly suggest you drive a late model C4 and a C5 to see which better appeals to you. For that matter, also take an '89-'91 Vette around the block to see how it feels.
As is his habit, 65Z01 has given some good advice.
The feel of a late C4 is far different than that of a C5. One or the other will surely appeal to you, but you need to experience them both for yourself.
The later C4's (especially the years you are looking at) are solid, reliable cars, and generally better cared for than the typical '94 or '95 Lumina.
There is much to be said for the C5, to be sure.
Keep us posted on your search...
Larry
code5coupe
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
typical sales guy...when i was in the market for a dakota, i couldn't get the sales guy to tell me if it was a 4 banger or a v6...check out autotrader.com, it really lets you narrow down your search criteria. i traveled 3 hours south to look at my vette before i bought it. also, have it inspected at a vette shop. they know all the real shortcomings of vettes and can pinpoint all the problems that a car has/will have soon. everything that was revealed during my $40 inspection was dead on.
keep one other thing in mind, you "put on" a C4, you "get in" a C5.
good luck with the search!!
keep one other thing in mind, you "put on" a C4, you "get in" a C5.
good luck with the search!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Texas
You mentioned "sharing" your Vette with your son as a Father/Son partnership thing. Is your Son the mechanical type who has been working on/maintaing old cars for several years? If, he likes to work on cars and has kept an old beater going for several years then I'd opt for a nice C4, but, if you and he want to keep it waxed and just turn the key then I recommend the latest one you can get with a full warranty. I was pretty hard on my first car, but, I was able to fix what I broke, and, fixing things became part of the learning process. Any older car driver had better somewhat enjoy working on their ride themselves. Most on this forum look at a thrown rod as a great excuse to build the next monster engine!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Well ofcourse he was going to down the c4 he had a c5 on the lot.
what he told you os BS I owned a 99 before my 95 vert I sold the 99 to get this exact 95 I have now.
the 99 had all the problems that were common on early ls1s early meaning 97-00 the ls1s motor wise had a horrible oil consumption problem I had a friend with a 01 with pampered miles just blow for no reason. IMO the ls1 is a PIECE my 99 ran 13.4 in the quarter bone stock and my 95 ran 13.2 stock in the 1/4.
if your a big guy I would recommend the c5 though because it's basically a caddy, it's huge!.....the corvette lost a lot of hey it's a vette in both the looks dept. and the actual feel of the car. Look inside the c5's and what you will see is parts from their truck line etc... like the radio etc. To me if felt like a camaro with some suspension upgrades.
what he told you os BS I owned a 99 before my 95 vert I sold the 99 to get this exact 95 I have now.
the 99 had all the problems that were common on early ls1s early meaning 97-00 the ls1s motor wise had a horrible oil consumption problem I had a friend with a 01 with pampered miles just blow for no reason. IMO the ls1 is a PIECE my 99 ran 13.4 in the quarter bone stock and my 95 ran 13.2 stock in the 1/4.
if your a big guy I would recommend the c5 though because it's basically a caddy, it's huge!.....the corvette lost a lot of hey it's a vette in both the looks dept. and the actual feel of the car. Look inside the c5's and what you will see is parts from their truck line etc... like the radio etc. To me if felt like a camaro with some suspension upgrades.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh Pirates PA
i agree with everyone. check them all out.. c4 and c5. read through this forum and the c5 forum. i know you want one now, but it will make you happier to wait a couple of weeks and become informed. you will be much more content. if you get a 95 c4 you'll love it, i do...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Perhaps I can chime in as I just completed an 8 month long search for my first Vette and went through exactly what you are going through. I ended up purposly choosing a C-4 over a C-5 because I not only prefer the way that they look 
but after test driving several C-5s and at least half a dozen C-4's I came to the conclusion that the C-4 is so much more fun to drive.
The best piece of advice that I can give you is to not be in a rush. It took me a long time to find exactly the right car. I bought it over the internet from a private party over 900 miles away.
I ended up with this cherry 95 C-4 Auto loaded with every option, sport seats, selective ride control, 3.07 rear both tops and .... it has only 36,000 miles on it.
If you'd like to read the full story of how I came upon this car and the story of the 900 mile drive home that my 17 yr old son and I shared try this link:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=64678
There are lots of very helpful people here and on the actioncenter forum. Ask lots of questions!!!
Best of luck in your search
Mark
but after test driving several C-5s and at least half a dozen C-4's I came to the conclusion that the C-4 is so much more fun to drive.The best piece of advice that I can give you is to not be in a rush. It took me a long time to find exactly the right car. I bought it over the internet from a private party over 900 miles away.
I ended up with this cherry 95 C-4 Auto loaded with every option, sport seats, selective ride control, 3.07 rear both tops and .... it has only 36,000 miles on it.
If you'd like to read the full story of how I came upon this car and the story of the 900 mile drive home that my 17 yr old son and I shared try this link:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=64678
There are lots of very helpful people here and on the actioncenter forum. Ask lots of questions!!!
Best of luck in your search
Mark
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; Mar 22, 2005 at 08:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by jeverly
I'm not sure if Pep Boys would look at a corvette, but they will inspect most used cars for $25 before you buy - try calling them and seeing if they will take a look at it one before you plunk your money down.
