Why do you own a C4 corvette??
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by toptechx6
As a teenager I always wanted a Vette, they were muscle cars well before the term was invented, but I got a job in a Chrysler dealership at age 18 and became a lifelong Mopar fanatic. After several years working on cars as a flat rate technician ruined them for me as a hobby, boats took over that role in my life. Loyalty to Mopar kept me from purchasing any other brand the rest of my life since the cars were the source of my income. When Viper came out in 92 it got me excited again but it was way beyond the means of a grease monkey and I did at least get to drive them on a regular basis with no car payment!
After retiring to Florida I took up scuba diving and eventually lost interest in my boat, much easier and less expensive to dive from commercial boats here in Florida since there are so many competing for business. I put the boat up for sale but after many months it failed to sell being more suited to the Great Lakes than sub tropical paradise. One day an interested party did come by to look and liked the boat, he could tell from the rest of the toys in my barn I was a "wrench" so asked if I'd consider a trade for a Corvette? My first reaction was "hell no" but then my brain kicked in, I figured a Vette would have to be easier to sell than the boat! Arrangements were made to look at the car, my wife was even more negative than I was but came along to check out the deal, she figured the car would be junk in spite of the owners descripion, my boat was immaculate since I'm a maintenance fanatic. The car looked pretty damned good in the owners driveway so I asked for the keys to take it for a drive with my wife as passenger. We hadn't even finished backing out of the driveway when my wife said "We're DOING this deal!" Vette fever had infected her pretty quickly. The road test checked out, as did the history and the deal was struck, NO money changed hands. I was still sceptical, wondering what unpleasant surprises this "foreign" car was waiting to spring on me, but eventually the fever got me too and the car has been great. I have actually enjoyed fixing the few minor problems found and am now a believer, it is NOT for sale! Sorry this got so long but expect my ownership experience is somewhat unique, thought you would like to know the C4 had the power to convert an old Mopar guy, now does anyone know where I can get a Pentastar tattoo removed from my ***?
After retiring to Florida I took up scuba diving and eventually lost interest in my boat, much easier and less expensive to dive from commercial boats here in Florida since there are so many competing for business. I put the boat up for sale but after many months it failed to sell being more suited to the Great Lakes than sub tropical paradise. One day an interested party did come by to look and liked the boat, he could tell from the rest of the toys in my barn I was a "wrench" so asked if I'd consider a trade for a Corvette? My first reaction was "hell no" but then my brain kicked in, I figured a Vette would have to be easier to sell than the boat! Arrangements were made to look at the car, my wife was even more negative than I was but came along to check out the deal, she figured the car would be junk in spite of the owners descripion, my boat was immaculate since I'm a maintenance fanatic. The car looked pretty damned good in the owners driveway so I asked for the keys to take it for a drive with my wife as passenger. We hadn't even finished backing out of the driveway when my wife said "We're DOING this deal!" Vette fever had infected her pretty quickly. The road test checked out, as did the history and the deal was struck, NO money changed hands. I was still sceptical, wondering what unpleasant surprises this "foreign" car was waiting to spring on me, but eventually the fever got me too and the car has been great. I have actually enjoyed fixing the few minor problems found and am now a believer, it is NOT for sale! Sorry this got so long but expect my ownership experience is somewhat unique, thought you would like to know the C4 had the power to convert an old Mopar guy, now does anyone know where I can get a Pentastar tattoo removed from my ***?
Drive on and enjoy it like we all do.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
toptechx6 that is a great story! I had really wanted a midyear (63-67) roadster, Ideally a 66 big block w/air. But as the time grew near to where I figured I could afford a Corvette, the mid-years became less and less affordable (for me). This put me into a tizzy, now what am I going to do? My next choice were 70-72 raodsters (1st choice) and coupes again big blocks, but they had issues (with me) that I couldn't get over, the biggest was finding one in decent shape to start with and the second was the price had started raising on them as well. Later sharks didn't appeal to me as much because of the lost performance. When it camae down to it I needed to educate myself in the C4 realm. Buying Mike Antoincks book Vette Facts 1984-1996 educated me to the performance and styling features offered by the C4's. I had just by passed the Vette after the C4 came out and figured I'd never have one that "new". Once all the facts were known, the C4 was the best "bang for the buck". I am so happy that I chose a C4, they are comfortable, powerful and beautiful, all in affordable package. No need to look any further. My wife likes the C5's and the C6's, I could easily do one of those as well, just in addition to the 94. Would still love to have the mid-year roadster......just as soon as I win the $100 million in the lottery. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
Reasons:
I traded a sluggish C3 for an 88 back in 89 and was never sorry.
I'm almost as fast as the good Z06's at my autocross events.
Take a look at how cool a c4 moves through a slolom.
Replay this and go to 6 1/2 minutes in. I'm the black one in between the Z06's.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...=goog-sl&hl=en
I can't get enough of this car. Seat position, torque are great. The newer cars just haven't made me want to give this one up.
I traded a sluggish C3 for an 88 back in 89 and was never sorry.
I'm almost as fast as the good Z06's at my autocross events.
Take a look at how cool a c4 moves through a slolom.
Replay this and go to 6 1/2 minutes in. I'm the black one in between the Z06's.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...=goog-sl&hl=en
I can't get enough of this car. Seat position, torque are great. The newer cars just haven't made me want to give this one up.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: New Egypt NJ
Was shopping around and was looking at an LS1 Trans am and my 92 Vet couldnt quite decide the LS1 was cheaper (more miles) then i asked a girl what she thought her response "Vets make me wet" enough for me!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by robertt43
........................................ ...............Why....
I like it!
I like it!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
[QUOTE=LT4CompYell]You must be a pro photog.; you're pics just get better and better.
Thanks. the pic was taken with an olser Fuji digital
Thanks. the pic was taken with an olser Fuji digital
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
The Vette has always been a dream car since that TV series, "Route 66". (yeah, I'm dating myself!) The clincher was the '63 split window - the "king" of the Corvettes, IMO.
However, I'm a perfomance freak, and the C4s are incredible performers, even by today's standards. The '63s will always be my favorite, but from a performance perspective, the first reviews of the C4s really set the stage. I was hooked.
I love that clamshell hood, the ride and handling, the pure fun ('95 M6) of rowing the gears - it simply flys! I love the '95s cockpit that wraps around ya like the instrument pannel of an aircraft.
I bought the best condition/latest model C4 that I could afford a the time (4 years ago), and I haven't stopped smiling every time I go into the garage. The C5s are nice, but give up that "something" my C4 has. The C6s got it back tho, and someday there will be a C6 in the barn too.
The C4s, and the ZR1s especially are best kept secrets and more car than most of their drivers can even appreciate!
P.
However, I'm a perfomance freak, and the C4s are incredible performers, even by today's standards. The '63s will always be my favorite, but from a performance perspective, the first reviews of the C4s really set the stage. I was hooked.
I love that clamshell hood, the ride and handling, the pure fun ('95 M6) of rowing the gears - it simply flys! I love the '95s cockpit that wraps around ya like the instrument pannel of an aircraft.
I bought the best condition/latest model C4 that I could afford a the time (4 years ago), and I haven't stopped smiling every time I go into the garage. The C5s are nice, but give up that "something" my C4 has. The C6s got it back tho, and someday there will be a C6 in the barn too.
The C4s, and the ZR1s especially are best kept secrets and more car than most of their drivers can even appreciate!
P.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
Started with the favorite car in the WORLD...1963 Stingray. After 8 years of that (4 of College!) a toothless redneck and his crank buddies decided to take it off my hands.
Life without a vette is so-so. You just do what you can to get by. 3 years ago in came the '96. I wanted a skunk to honor the '63 but red and black was my choice. After the upgrades to looks and performance this is not only a 'vette but up there with 200k exotics- for $16,000.
I sink in the seat, roll down the glass and enjoy the show. What else runs like this, is a Chevy (you can fix with a hammer) and has 50+ years of American motoring tradition behind it? Only we the few can understand.
Life without a vette is so-so. You just do what you can to get by. 3 years ago in came the '96. I wanted a skunk to honor the '63 but red and black was my choice. After the upgrades to looks and performance this is not only a 'vette but up there with 200k exotics- for $16,000.
I sink in the seat, roll down the glass and enjoy the show. What else runs like this, is a Chevy (you can fix with a hammer) and has 50+ years of American motoring tradition behind it? Only we the few can understand.
