Newbee to Vettes...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
When you want a Corvette for performance, the basic rule is to get the newest one possible, chevrolet added about 10 HP per year (average) from 1984-1996. So, with your position, get an 85, or wait and get an 86+ later...
Good luck.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Originally Posted by CorvFan
.. my name is Stefano and I live in Italy. I'm going to turn 18 soon and i got my dad to promise me that he would buy me a vintage Vette for my 18th birthday...
Anyway, as far as handling, fuel economy and top end speed I would strongly suggest a C4 over any C3. (I own a C3 and am looking for a C4). The C3 has two main things going for it: looks (one of the sexiest cars ever made) and easy to work on (no computers or black boxes). But the high HP C3's will eat you alive as far as gas mileage (I average 15 mpg with my L46), and the C4 will run rings around any stock suspension C3. Also at top end speed the C4 just feels safer.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 0
From: Anytown USA
well my dad owns a 76 C3 and i have an 88 C4. i can say hands down for a daily driver get the C4. it's a better ride both on the highway and on the side roads. if it's flash and looks your, well, looking for, get the C3. i get three times the looks in my dad's than i get in mine.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: peculiar mo
r u going to be able to modify either one both have potential to be way better the c3 might be worth more later in life even though the driveability is down but you said you wont drive it everyday fuel prices are sucking c3 might also be easier to work on not sure how readily the parts are compared c4's handle better a little more refined but not all the way whats the weather like carbed vs fuel injected in cold is a big differance
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Yeah my dad's got two cars that run with carbs so were pretty used to the hassles...
So summarising.. you seem to believe that a C3 would be a better choice over an early C4 (especially as far as the 84 models are regarded.. given the F.I. problems on early models) but the best deal would be getting a C4 that ranges from 86 to 90?
How about the 85 model? I read on a book that in 85 Chevrolet switched to a different fuel injection system.. is this true? did they fix the problem? any other problems u could reveal for this particular year?
Thanks a lot!
So summarising.. you seem to believe that a C3 would be a better choice over an early C4 (especially as far as the 84 models are regarded.. given the F.I. problems on early models) but the best deal would be getting a C4 that ranges from 86 to 90?
How about the 85 model? I read on a book that in 85 Chevrolet switched to a different fuel injection system.. is this true? did they fix the problem? any other problems u could reveal for this particular year?
Thanks a lot!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by CorvFan
i don't want a super-car or anything.. but i also don't want some punk with a subaru to burn me..
Unfortunately, my young friend, if that punk has the right Subaru, and you have a 20+ year old Vette, he WILL burn you!!
No matter.... get your American Icon sports car and you will cooler, if not quicker, than any turbo 4-cylinder.
If you are looking for a "classic" Corvette, I'd go with the C3. The C4 just doesn't look old enough to pull it off.
Larry
code5coupe
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nv
HI, Im from New Zealand but living in Las vegas. I too am taking my vett home and it has to be 20 years old otherwise I have to convert it to RHD.
I faced the same questions. I think it depends on what you are going to be using the car for, if its an everyday driver go for the C4 the are nicer and easier to drive, more reliable, injected and economical with the added HP.
I got myself a mint '86. This has 235HP standard. and from what I have heard they were under rated.
For me I also took into account what the values were in my home country, Yes the stingrays were worth more (in terms of resale) However I didnt consider it to be worth it for something that is really only a Sunday car.
I faced the same questions. I think it depends on what you are going to be using the car for, if its an everyday driver go for the C4 the are nicer and easier to drive, more reliable, injected and economical with the added HP.
I got myself a mint '86. This has 235HP standard. and from what I have heard they were under rated.
For me I also took into account what the values were in my home country, Yes the stingrays were worth more (in terms of resale) However I didnt consider it to be worth it for something that is really only a Sunday car.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Heck, get one of each!
I can only echo what others have said that the C3 is much better looking and has a "cool" factor that the C4's dont. However the C4 handles night and day improved over the C3 and is a much better choice for a regular driver.
As far as the 84 model goes, don't rule it out if you can find a well maintained one. If properly taken care of, the crossfire setup works just dandy even if at a HP loss to later models.
The 74-75-76 C3's are the lowest HP corvettes ever built. (well not counting the early 6 cyl models) A stock 75 L-48 was rated at 165 HP. Hardly awe inspiring. But with a few mods they can be made to run pretty well. However no matter what you do (beyond an overdrive trans) your not going to see much better than 15 or so MPG w/a C3. On the highway my 75 gets approx 15 MPG while the 84 does 23-24 MPG easily. Most of the difference is probably the OD trans, but no doubt the FI helps too.
Hope this helps. Lots of luck w/your search.
I can only echo what others have said that the C3 is much better looking and has a "cool" factor that the C4's dont. However the C4 handles night and day improved over the C3 and is a much better choice for a regular driver.
As far as the 84 model goes, don't rule it out if you can find a well maintained one. If properly taken care of, the crossfire setup works just dandy even if at a HP loss to later models.
The 74-75-76 C3's are the lowest HP corvettes ever built. (well not counting the early 6 cyl models) A stock 75 L-48 was rated at 165 HP. Hardly awe inspiring. But with a few mods they can be made to run pretty well. However no matter what you do (beyond an overdrive trans) your not going to see much better than 15 or so MPG w/a C3. On the highway my 75 gets approx 15 MPG while the 84 does 23-24 MPG easily. Most of the difference is probably the OD trans, but no doubt the FI helps too.
Hope this helps. Lots of luck w/your search.
Last edited by ACECO; Apr 15, 2005 at 03:12 AM.