Hi all! Not that this post is anything original but...

I'm new here on this forum and looking to buy a car. I had a 1981 that needed quite a bit of work...I loved and hated that car!

I sold that and bought a Yamaha R6 sportbike. That was very fun for a while, but I'm ready to be back in a Vette. My ultimate favorite body style is the C3, but for what I want to spend, I get the feeling that I would end up spending a lot more on it. I really like the C4 body style, too, so I thought I'd try that route. I've had 8 out of 10 people tell me NOT to buy a Vette...what do they know!!! Honestly, I know I can spend as little or as much as I want to on any Vette I buy, but I would like to start with something that's not going to put a huge hole in my wallet right from the start.

I'm looking to spend under 10k. I'd like as late in the 1990s as I can find in that price range. Preferences include manual transmission (can anyone give me pros/cons on that?) and a convertible top. I read in an ad somewhere that that particular car (late 80s, I think) could be a convertible with the simple removal of four screws. Is that a true statement? I'd never heard that before.

I'd like as much information as possible (I've already read the link on buying a Corvette, and it didn't have quite the info I was looking for). I've heard horror stories on transmissions, suspension, electrical. Any guidance on which years to stay away from or which years were the cheapest to fix, etc.

Thanks much!! I look forward to being involved in here for a long time!

Carrie

 

I'd recommend buying the latest model year C4 you can afford to buy, and find the best specimen you can that also fits your budget. The C4 improved at least incrementally each year.

Expect to pay more for a convertible than a coupe. Possibly also a bit more for a 6-speed than an automatic. Probably about the same for a 4+3 as an automatic. I'd get a 6-speed if you can afford a later C4.

The coupes are actually targa tops, which do lift off as you asked (although the center bow and rear window do not lift off, so it's not exactly a convertible).

Be aware that many C4 coupes (especially the early years) exhibit significant cowl-shake with the targa removed, as the car was engineered to be a T-Top, but the marketeers at GM insisted that it become a targa. The x-brace that was added to the later C4 convertibles reduced the cowl-shake a lot.

The C4 began with the '84, which was a Cross-Fire injected (throttle body injected) engine. It had VERY stiff suspension, so be prepared for a harsh ride if you hop in one. It was only available as a coupe (no convertibles). The instrument panel was a full-digital LCD, that you'll either love or hate.

Following is a list that highlights most of what I consider to be the significant evolutionary changes that occurred through the C4s build life (speaking only about the standard C4, not including the ZR-1):

1985: L98 with tuned-port induction was introduced as the new engine (replaced the Cross-Fire, and ran thru 1990), rear axle on manual trans cars became the Dana 44 (thru 1996)

1986: Convertible was re-introduced (all were Pace Car replicas), ABS became standard, VATS (anti-theft system) was introduced, all convertibles and late coupes had aluminum heads

1987: Roller lifters added to engine.

1988: Improved flow-thru ventilation in coupes, new dual-piston front brakes, E-brake used the disc-brake rotors rather than separate small drums, special 35th anniversary edition was offered (coupe only, white with black roof bow & white leather seats, 2050 units sold)

1989: ZF six-speed was the new manual transmission (replaced the 4+3)

1990: Improvements to ABS and yaw control, radiator improved, instrument panel returned to analog (except spedometer & fuel gauge), driver’s side airbag & glovebox added

1991: Rear exterior, nose, and gill vents were restyled, side molding became body-colored, power steering cooler became standard equipment

1992: The LT-1 was introduced as the new standard engine (300 HP), traction control became standard, weatherstrips were improved, insulation was added to doors and transmission tunnel to reduce road noise

1993: Changes made to LT-1 to cut engine noise (torque increased slightly), PKE introduced, special 40th anniversary edition option was available for both coupes and convertibles (all were ruby red exterior and interior)

1994: Sequential fuel injection and more powerful ignition introduced, passenger’s airbag added, all seats were leather and were redesigned with significant changes to side bolsters, run-flat tires became available as optional equipment, convertible rear window became glass with built-in defogger, A/C used R134A refrigerant, electronic controls added to automatic transmissions

1995: Stronger French stitching used on sport seats, drip tube added to A-pillar weatherstrip to improve water sealing, fuel injectors revised to cut dripping after shutdown, connecting rods were changed to powdered metal for strength and weight uniformity, larger brakes of earlier Z07 and ZR1 became standard, wiper arms changed to improve performance, newest ABS and ASR standard, revised OptiSpark distributor was a big improvement over the '92-'94 units which were very troublesome and costly to repair, Indy Pace Car replica was convertible only with dark purple metallic and white (527 units sold)

1996: LT-4 engine (330 HP) was used on all 6-speed cars, LT-1 was used with all automatics, automatic transmissions were improved (clutches, bands, torque converter), special Grand Sport edition was offered (admiral blue paint with stripes, LT-4), special Collector Edition was also available (silver paint only), new On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-2), LT-1 and LT-4 had new throttle body

I hope this helps a bit.

Be well,

SJW

 

Hello and welcome to CF. You will get to know some smart and funny folks here. The info is great and sometimes you might have to read between the lines. All is good.

First thing you need to do is forget about all that BS other people (non-CF) have been telling you about the problems we have with out vettes. The second thing is join CF which you have done. So now you are on the right track.

There are some of us that have a bagillion miles on our C4's and believe it or not they are still running strong. I personally have a 93 with about 135000 on it and the tranny is original and has never been opened up as the same with my motor. Around 133000 miles I had to install a new WP and Opti. I have had no electric issues and the suspension is rock solid and is adjustable and it works. I can go on and other will chime in but I can honestly say that this vehicle has been great to own and it doesn't cost all that much to keep her in tip top shape. Plus I get 29 mpg on the highway and 26-27 in town. If you tell a non vette person they are going to look at you as if you lost your marbles. So you might want to keep it to yourself.
Get out and have a look around. Climb in some and get a feel. Spend alittle time here. Test drive a couple and maybe attend a few vette shows.
If you decide to buy one I seriously doubt that you will be unhappy with it.
Have fun with the search

 

Also add alittle more info










<--------

so we kinda know alittle bit about you

 

This is awesome! That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for!! Keep it coming!

As for myself, I live in Beaverton, OR; work for Nike; married with 2 little girls and 2 dogs; used to ride motorcycles (see avatar). I quit riding bikes when the fear surpassed the adrenaline rush. My husband still rides and I still want a toy of my own.

Thanks again for all the input. I'll take all the advice I can get.

Carrie

 

Welcome to the forum. I'm a new Vette owner myself. Three months ago I bought a 1993 six speed coupe with 36,000 miles on it, and it has the anniversary package (ruby red exterior and interior). I got to drive it for about two months and now it's away for the winter . It's a blast to drive, and when you get one you won't be dissapointed. It looks like SJW filled you in with plenty of info, so now you can start shopping. Just remember motorcycles are the most fun you can have on two wheels, but a Vette is the most fun you can have on four wheels .

PS: Don't forget to wave .

 

As SJW said, you'll want to buy the newest year you can afford.... And i may be wrong, but i think the people who said Not to buy a vette.. have never owned or driven a vette before. Car mileage will be a factor if you want to stay under 10k. My '93 had only 45k miles on it, and i got it for about $13k. on average, from what i've seen in numerous posts, is that something like my car will usually run around $11.5k to $12k. Price will vary of course with body & paint condition, vehicle history, etc.... I believe i bought my vette at a very good price, it was a super clean ride (and still is! )

===

our beloved vettes are susceptible to normal maintenance as is any other car... I got my '93 about a year ago, and maintenance really has been minimal... I had to change a couple of engine sensors, fixed a tilted passenger window, i replaced my shocks, and changed the spark plugs. Overall, those are the only Major maintenance issues i've had to fix. The shocks and plugs, and especially the window fix, should last a long time. I don't expect to have a problem with the window again for another 10-12 yrs.

I do have an interior lights electrical issue i still need to troubleshoot, but a simple removal of a fuse has fixed it temporarily..

It all depends on the vette you buy, obviously if someone ignored the car and didn't maintain it properly, it might not be a wise decision to purchase the car... some of these vettes require the owner to keep pouring more and more money into them.... but it's no more common than any other brand or model of car.

fwiw, that's my 2 cents

 

Welcome, both of you. Sounds like good advice has already been posted, all I can tell you is after having had a C3 and owning 2 C4's I would never go back. The C3 has some killer bodylines and a cool looking interior, but outside of that.... C4, baby! No comparison.

BTW, see the sticky/faq at the top of the page, this will help.

 

Welcome aboard there is a wealth of info here and a lot of very helpful people. I hope you find your dream car soon.

 

Welcome to the funest place around

 

You've received good advice already but here goes. I have a 1996 and drive 50 miles a day, seven days a week. Thats 18000 miles a year. The gas mileage is great---22 highway and 17 city. Never had a breakdown but I do preform maint. often. I have 102000 miles and hope I can get another 75000 miles.

Its been a great experience, a lot of fun, and a rather cheap hoby.

 

Welcome to the forum, and good luck on your quest to find a C4.

Joe B.

 

You work with a fellow C4 Corvette owner!! His Forum name is Yellowlust and I assisted him with his purchase of a Competition Yellow 6-speed 95 convertible last year. He works for Nike in graphics design (I think). He is a great guy and is a 2nd time C4 owner. I think he and his bride just had a new baby too.
You can do a search for postings by Yellowlust and get in touch with him by Private Message (PM) here on the Forum. His name is Dave Friesen. He WILL help you out!

 

Welcome and good luck in your search. Now is a very good time to get into a C4 as prices are low and there are a ton of them for sale. I am going to disagree with some here telling you to buy the newest. I think it's more important to buy the best Vette you can find and don't be so hung up on what year it is. You'll want to do a bunch of research into the car, have it checked thoroughly by a mechanic friend before you buy, and run a Carfax on it. You should be able to land a pretty decent C4 for $10k with all the options you're looking for. Be patient and check out the Cars for sale section here as well as there are a bunch of nice ones up for sale.

 

Carrie, I sent you an email at work.

 

MEOW!!! If I could get my hands on exactly that car...I would be in heaven!! I got your email! Thanks! Would love to get together and chat!

Carrie

 

I'm feeling the love here on this Forum. Lot's nicer when we get along rather than some of the feuding lately.