thinking about getting a c4
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
For that price range, you'll find lots of POS 84-89 vettes, and a few solid ones.
The trick will be identifying which is which. Of course, we are all expert C4 buyers only after buying one.
Buy from an enthusiast, that takes care of it. Expect to sacrifice on other things, like worn out seats, ugly stock wheels, etc.
Consider the cost of repair on them, and compare from there. Don't be fooled by a seller who claims their 100K mile vette hasn't needed any repairs.
Here's some general costs on some maintenance items that won't last forever.
Weatherstrip = $400
Bushings = $200
Wheel bearings = $600 for 4
Ball joints = $300
U-joints = $150
Clutch cylinders = $250
Clutch = $200
Brake master+booster = $400
Radiator = $200
Injector cleaning = $100
And, there is no such thing as a "Corvette tax". These parts will cost the same as most other domestics of that vintage. The interior/cosmetic stuff is overpriced, because it's all aftermarket low demand production. (Try finding new replacement cosmetic parts for all those other 80s domestics).
The trick will be identifying which is which. Of course, we are all expert C4 buyers only after buying one.
Buy from an enthusiast, that takes care of it. Expect to sacrifice on other things, like worn out seats, ugly stock wheels, etc.
Consider the cost of repair on them, and compare from there. Don't be fooled by a seller who claims their 100K mile vette hasn't needed any repairs.
Here's some general costs on some maintenance items that won't last forever.
Weatherstrip = $400
Bushings = $200
Wheel bearings = $600 for 4
Ball joints = $300
U-joints = $150
Clutch cylinders = $250
Clutch = $200
Brake master+booster = $400
Radiator = $200
Injector cleaning = $100
And, there is no such thing as a "Corvette tax". These parts will cost the same as most other domestics of that vintage. The interior/cosmetic stuff is overpriced, because it's all aftermarket low demand production. (Try finding new replacement cosmetic parts for all those other 80s domestics).
Last edited by CentralCoaster; May 27, 2006 at 12:36 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
thanks for al the info so far, i have another question about them though, how much are tires for them? and how many mpg do they get? what insurance agency is the cheapest (for a 19 year old, i will go with my parents insurance i believe though)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by drhobo007
thanks for al the info so far, i have another question about them though, how much are tires for them? and how many mpg do they get? what insurance agency is the cheapest (for a 19 year old, i will go with my parents insurance i believe though)
. I get 17 - 18 around town and about 23 on the hiway but with a stick you can get perhaps 5 more mpg on the hiway.Tires depend on how much you want to spend from $130 each (or less) up to about $300 each for goodyear run flats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by drhobo007
i drove a 1990, it was loaded too, leather, power seats, power windows, heated seats, heated mirrors, targa top, it was niiiice he barley drives it too so it was really clean, and drove awesome (or at leaast it seamed like it lol that was the first vette ive ever driven) except its tranny was going it was having a hard time shifting around 2nd gear(it was an auto) and the brake pedal had a fairly long travel before the brakes worked (atleast compared to other cars ive driven)
As others have said - once you set your budget buy the newest lowest millage one you can find. I drove about 300 miles one way to pick up my current car (1992 6spd). It had less than 90K miles and a few issues, but I only paid 8100 and got an extra set of rims with it. Now, I'm the guy that loves to wrench on the car and knows my limitations.
If you like wrenching then the clamshell hood can't be beat. The L98 engine is fairly easy to work on, Lt1 is a different beast.
Once you find one try to get a local c4 owner to go with you to help look it over.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
so far pretty good stuff, but i have more questions lol ^_^, k did they ever come with analog tachs(1990)? also if the auto transmission is having trouble shifting, what would be the problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Tach, not that I know of (I could be corrected on that one) and if auto has probs, it could be a variety of things including the most expensive/worst case---a new/rebuilt one. Or it could be as little as filling it up (and finding where it leaked to). Diagnosis first, BEFORE you buy it. And btw, those prices/costs are parts only (in almost every case). To do a full clutch job will in all likelihood be more, much more.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
a buddie of mine just picked up an 84 that had been stored for 6 years. needed a good cleanup, tires and the usual stuff. no seal leaks for 4k. needed carpet, but the seats are ok. runs great. just be patient. if you have cash, sit tight and wait for a deal. they come along. a few years back i bought an 85 with new leather and interior, good paint 4+3. 89k on the clock for 6500. really liked that car, drove the snot out of it for a couple years and sold it for 5. still in good shape, but the tires were done. magine that. they are around, just need to look. regards, j.d.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo