Keep my 84?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Keep my 84?
Hi Guys,
I am in the process of buying a house and am not sure whether to keep my white 84 I have owned for 10 years now. She is pretty stock except for ground effects and Borla mufflers, custom rims.
I always liked having a toy but have neglected her as of late with other priorities. My question is: should I keep her and put mnoey in or get out now and probably not be a Vette owner for a long time or ever again.
She has about 120K. Tires I bought new in 96' have less than 10k. I recently put in a new fuel pump.
Positives:
I live in S. FL. Can drive the Vette all year round.
No emission testing at all.
I own her outright and she runs ok.
I have a second set of new ground effects unfinished.
I do not care about more power, gutted Cat with Borlas sound awesome.
Negatives:
A/C shot.
Needs paint.
Digi Dash broken.
Brakes too small for 84-87, safety is a concern.
Needs Weatherstripping and stereo.
Any 84 owners out there to sway my decision?
Should I sell and get a later model C4 to go with? My daily ride is a Honda.
Thanks.
Jeremy
I am in the process of buying a house and am not sure whether to keep my white 84 I have owned for 10 years now. She is pretty stock except for ground effects and Borla mufflers, custom rims.
I always liked having a toy but have neglected her as of late with other priorities. My question is: should I keep her and put mnoey in or get out now and probably not be a Vette owner for a long time or ever again.
She has about 120K. Tires I bought new in 96' have less than 10k. I recently put in a new fuel pump.
Positives:
I live in S. FL. Can drive the Vette all year round.
No emission testing at all.
I own her outright and she runs ok.
I have a second set of new ground effects unfinished.
I do not care about more power, gutted Cat with Borlas sound awesome.
Negatives:
A/C shot.
Needs paint.
Digi Dash broken.
Brakes too small for 84-87, safety is a concern.
Needs Weatherstripping and stereo.
Any 84 owners out there to sway my decision?
Should I sell and get a later model C4 to go with? My daily ride is a Honda.
Thanks.
Jeremy
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
In one sentence you say if you sell your 84 you "will probably not be a Vette owner for a long time or ever again." In another sentence you ask if you should "sell and get a later model C4", so I'm not sure what you want to do. However, disregarding the small brakes (all 84 - 87 have them), you have a 21 year old car with 120K miles, no A/C (in South Florida, no less), no stereo, and the dash is broken. How much do you think you'll get for the car? I say if you enjoy it, keep it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,105
Likes: 7
From: Canal Winchester OH
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
CI X Blind Auto-X Champ
If you still enjoy it, hang on to it. You're not going to get enough out of it to make a difference on the house. The digi-dash is usually an easy fix, AC, well just drive with the top off.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Pearl Harbor Hi
Someone rang?
Okay, so I understand how the negatives can be frustrating. I have a few myself. But the only thing out of that list that costs over a grand, is the paint. Average digi dash repair cost is around 300, and the other stuff you can get a good deal from Ebay.
I've done a ton of work on my 84 and those suckers just get better and better. Plus you own the classic C4. Some day those will be hard to get ahold of. You have a non-gas-guzzler as a daily driver, which rocks. So you can really use the vette as pure enjoyment.
Keep the vette. You know ya wanna.
....Now that I've convinced you to keep it......let's talk about that extra set of ground effects you have.....
Okay, so I understand how the negatives can be frustrating. I have a few myself. But the only thing out of that list that costs over a grand, is the paint. Average digi dash repair cost is around 300, and the other stuff you can get a good deal from Ebay.
I've done a ton of work on my 84 and those suckers just get better and better. Plus you own the classic C4. Some day those will be hard to get ahold of. You have a non-gas-guzzler as a daily driver, which rocks. So you can really use the vette as pure enjoyment.
Keep the vette. You know ya wanna.
....Now that I've convinced you to keep it......let's talk about that extra set of ground effects you have.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
Originally Posted by venomclan
Hi Guys,
I am in the process of buying a house and am not sure whether to keep my white 84 I have owned for 10 years now. She is pretty stock except for ground effects and Borla mufflers, custom rims.
I am in the process of buying a house and am not sure whether to keep my white 84 I have owned for 10 years now. She is pretty stock except for ground effects and Borla mufflers, custom rims.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Western Washington State
Cruise-In VII Veteran
It's really too bad, but an 84 with no air, bad paint and 120k isn't really going to bring enough money to make a dent in the cost of a house in South Florida.
If you have lost interest, then sell it. But if you still like the car and have the space, keep it.
If you have lost interest, then sell it. But if you still like the car and have the space, keep it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 0
From: Ideaology is a straight jacket for the mind
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by lighter_up
Someone rang?
Okay, so I understand how the negatives can be frustrating. I have a few myself. But the only thing out of that list that costs over a grand, is the paint. Average digi dash repair cost is around 300, and the other stuff you can get a good deal from Ebay.
I've done a ton of work on my 84 and those suckers just get better and better. Plus you own the classic C4. Some day those will be hard to get ahold of. You have a non-gas-guzzler as a daily driver, which rocks. So you can really use the vette as pure enjoyment.
Keep the vette. You know ya wanna.
....Now that I've convinced you to keep it......let's talk about that extra set of ground effects you have.....
Okay, so I understand how the negatives can be frustrating. I have a few myself. But the only thing out of that list that costs over a grand, is the paint. Average digi dash repair cost is around 300, and the other stuff you can get a good deal from Ebay.
I've done a ton of work on my 84 and those suckers just get better and better. Plus you own the classic C4. Some day those will be hard to get ahold of. You have a non-gas-guzzler as a daily driver, which rocks. So you can really use the vette as pure enjoyment.
Keep the vette. You know ya wanna.
....Now that I've convinced you to keep it......let's talk about that extra set of ground effects you have.....
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
Another Crossfire owner checking in. KEEP THE VETTE! You know in your heart that you want to, but are having justifying the "luxury" item. Rationally, you will not get much for it right now. Fix 'er up and keep having fun. You live in the only place in the country where the roads are decent enough to enjoy that '84 suspension. Get it painted, put a black stripe down the hood (search the forum for other owners who have done it--there in no sharper color than white with the black stripe).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
if you dont need the money for the house but just dont have the money to fix the car right now i would keep it and park it for all the reasons above and put some time and money into to fix whats broken. the 84 is a great bang for the buck car
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I say rent the Vette to your next-door neighbor to use as a tool shed. Then, take off the massive depreciation on your taxes as a depreciating capital asset. In seven years, take the Vette back and give it to your step-daughter as a wedding gift with the words "There. Don't say I never gave you nuthin'."
That's my advice.
Now, I'll get serious:
If YOU don't know what you want to do, how are WE supposed to know what you want to do?
Larry
code5coupe
(man, I'm in a vile mood today....)
That's my advice.
Now, I'll get serious:
If YOU don't know what you want to do, how are WE supposed to know what you want to do?
Larry
code5coupe
(man, I'm in a vile mood today....)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thanks
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your input. I do not need to sell the Vette for the house. I also realize that I will not get much if I do sell her. The house I am buying has only a single car garage so if I keep it it may not be in the garage.
I appreciate all the input and was looking to hear some positives from fellow owners and got some. At this point I would really only be saving the insurance money.
For fellow 84 owners: Have you guys upgraded the brakes?
I keep hearing about an x-ram thing that gived the cross-fire oodles of power. I am curious if anyone tried it?
I have attached a pic of what seh looked like in 96.
P.S. Honda stays, just bought it. 2005.
Jeremy
Thanks for all your input. I do not need to sell the Vette for the house. I also realize that I will not get much if I do sell her. The house I am buying has only a single car garage so if I keep it it may not be in the garage.
I appreciate all the input and was looking to hear some positives from fellow owners and got some. At this point I would really only be saving the insurance money.
For fellow 84 owners: Have you guys upgraded the brakes?
I keep hearing about an x-ram thing that gived the cross-fire oodles of power. I am curious if anyone tried it?
I have attached a pic of what seh looked like in 96.
P.S. Honda stays, just bought it. 2005.
Jeremy
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Good decision, except that you should garage the Vette and the Honda goes on the street/driveway. 
Also, you will save only part on the insurance as you likely have a 2-car discount. You might consider getting colletor's insurance on the Vette as you don't drive it much.
The X-fire forum should have some interesting ideas for '84 enhancements.
Also, you will save only part on the insurance as you likely have a 2-car discount. You might consider getting colletor's insurance on the Vette as you don't drive it much.
The X-fire forum should have some interesting ideas for '84 enhancements.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood Il.
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by MIke350
if you dont need the money for the house but just dont have the money to fix the car right now i would keep it and park it for all the reasons above and put some time and money into to fix whats broken. the 84 is a great bang for the buck car
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
Venomclan, keep the Vette! For all teh reasons people have mentioned here and then some.
It's paid for and you don't have to drive it everyday. You can afford to work on it in stages and not be pressed.
There is a lot you can do with a CrossFire.
In my opinion DO NOT buy a X Ram. It will make a little more power, but just swapping to a X Ram on it;s own without changing roller rockers will actually cause your 1/4 mile times to go UP not down. You'll lose a bit of power without the RR's. Besides, a ported stock intake will flow better than a X Ram, and the X Ram is basically just a four barrel carb intake manifold with a modified top plate to accept your dual throttle bodies. You would lose the benefit of teh Crossram intake which is the whole point...
Stay tuned... I just got another crossfire intake and set of throttle bodies off a donor 84 last night and I am planning to port it myself. Then I'll put it on the car (along with a few other mods) and do some dyno and track comparisons. I'm planning on getting some good pics of the porting process as well and maybe doing a tech documetn on it when I'm finished for anyone else that might be interested.
It's paid for and you don't have to drive it everyday. You can afford to work on it in stages and not be pressed.
There is a lot you can do with a CrossFire.
In my opinion DO NOT buy a X Ram. It will make a little more power, but just swapping to a X Ram on it;s own without changing roller rockers will actually cause your 1/4 mile times to go UP not down. You'll lose a bit of power without the RR's. Besides, a ported stock intake will flow better than a X Ram, and the X Ram is basically just a four barrel carb intake manifold with a modified top plate to accept your dual throttle bodies. You would lose the benefit of teh Crossram intake which is the whole point...
Stay tuned... I just got another crossfire intake and set of throttle bodies off a donor 84 last night and I am planning to port it myself. Then I'll put it on the car (along with a few other mods) and do some dyno and track comparisons. I'm planning on getting some good pics of the porting process as well and maybe doing a tech documetn on it when I'm finished for anyone else that might be interested.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 414
From: Muskogee OK
Cruise-In VI Veteran
from what others have said on here and other forums keep the stock intake over the x-ram. get that intake and TB's ported, free up the exhuast, and cut a hole in the radiator shroud to match the hood ducts opening to get the intended use of the ducts. You can even change out the block and heads, since it doesnt have to be your daily driver. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Troy Ohio
I wouldnt!!
I sold my 90 to buy our first house.....It was my decision. Still it took me 5 years till I got another one and the only reason I got it was that it was basically given to me (super cheap) by my brother. I'll never do that again. Its paid for and it aint eatin nothing....keeep it.