First off I'm new to this board so I thought I'd introduce myself. My
name is Bill, I'm located in northern California and I restore vintage
cars for a living. I'm also an automotive writer, and I'm currently
working on piece for my blog about C4 Corvettes. I want to look at the
cars on a year to year basis and point out which years are the best to
buy and what problems to look at for certain years.

So if I was a going to buy a C4 (which I actually might) what would I
want to look out for or be aware of for certain model years. Now that
the C4 generation is getting older I wondered if their are specific
years where the trannies are packing up, or motors are throwing rods
etc... Similarly are there years that have continued on strong without
major problems.

Thanks
-Bill

 

You are talking about the C4 which evolved over the entire, thirteen year run, most significantly when it changed in major ways. It's a bit hard to know where to begin, so let's try it this way: how much reading have you done on the C4? There are whole books on Corvettes, and they include a huge chapter on each generation.

So, can you give us a bit more info on where you are in the knowledge curve?

 

I guess you could say I'm fairly knowledgeable about C4's for a non-Corvette guy, but I don't have the first hand knowledge of ownership or the second hand knowledge of knowing someone who owns one. I've read Micheal Lamm's The Newest Corvette, which is all about the C4, I've been through the Corvette Black Book, which details the year to year changes and options, but none of the books speak on what has failed on these cars 10-20 years after the fact, and what parts have held strong.

So I know when they changed motors, when the body was restyled, when they upgraded brakes, steering etc.. And I know about the various packages and options that were available, but what I"m looking for is first hand ownership experience. For example I hear the leather seats tend to tear more/easier than the cloth ones.

-Bill

 

Check out the following thread, particularly post #4 and all the links in post #16, especially the first link:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1562846

 

All the information that you want is here on the forum. Read the forum for a week, and then use the SEARCH feature to research specific topics.

That's what I did before I bought my C4, and in the weeks after I bought it. It only took me a couple weeks of casual reading to bring me up to speed about the whole range of C4s.

If you're a professional writer, it's a bit insulting to this community to expect us to spoon-feed you the information that you need.

"So if I was a going to buy a C4 (which I actually might)..." Makes me cringe. Oh... my gosh! You actually MIGHT buy a C4? Do your own research, man! Or maybe pay one or more of us as a consultant. That's the way it's done when you can't or won't do your own research.

CorvetteForum is a community. We share... it's not about take. What do you have to share?

 

I guess I would have to add that the LTx series engines are notorious for the opti-spark. After I bought my 94 that was really the first I was told about. I haven't really experienced the problem, but I just changed mine out because I didn't want to experience the problem. Another issue that seems to never end is the weatherstripping. It seems to be a constant battle to keep the weatherstrip in good condition. As far as the engines go, it appears that they are really well built. There are several here that have 150-200K on them with little or no major problems, mine has a mere 110k. Electrical gremlins can be a nightmare from what I understand, thankfully I haven't encountered those either.

 

From what i can gather, a lot of people (including myself) have had problems with the maf and egr systems.
usually it is as simply as replacing relays or sensor, but sometimes the actual system needs to be replaced.... at a guess id say your typical '20 year old' car problems
sorry i cant help more

 

but best year to buy is the 91 hands down of course I might be a tad biased though. I'm sure other 91 owners will agree.

 

Jim,
Don't take this post the wrong way. As a professional writer I am doing my own research, by reading books, searching the internet etc.. But part of that research is to get peoples personal opinions, people who have owned and used the cars, people like you folks. I'm not asking you to write the story for me, I just want to hear your experiences. Believe me I've already put plenty of hours into the research and writing of it.
As for what I have to contribute, I guess what I have to contribute is that I will be compiling this information, and others into an accessible article for people to read so that they wont have to search through archives etc.. to get the information.

Hope that makes sense
Don't want to come off as a free loader

-Bill

 

I own an '85 and am very happy with it. I did some research before I bought it, and was informed the "star wars" digital dash was a problem area, as well as the headlight motor as another possible problem area. Can say I've had no problems though, and my Vette still runs as well as the day it was new, all options operate perfectly. I've got a little over 70,000 miles on it. Of course, it does seem a bit more "unrefined" than later C4 models, but for the $6,500 I paid for it, it's been a blast to drive, and I figure as long as I maintain it properly, it won't lose any value. What other "world class sports car" can you purchase for $6,500? Good luck on your research, would be interested to read your article when it's done.

 

Convential wisdom is to always buy the newest one you can. As was already said it was a very long run and the newer ones benefitted greatly from the earlier models knowledge gained. Many people will say be sure and get a '92 or up to get the LT1 engine. But my '91 was the last year for the L98 (it being the last year I call it the 'perfected L98') but the L98 is a rock solid tire shredding workhorse. I much prefer the interior of the 90 and up models as well as the body style of the '91 and up models. Good luck with the project!

 

welcome aboard

 

Car Craft has allready done this: http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehi...5_c4_corvette/ They weren't looking for a particular Year, just a bargain - which spun a bearing or had some other catstrophic event shortly thereafter.

 

The first thing I would tell you is from 91 to 92 there is 50 HP differance in the engine. 1991 has 250hp with the L-98. The 1992 has 300hp with the LT-1.
The second thing...buy the newest C4 you can afford.
Hope this helps!

 

Basically, C4 Corvettes are comfortable, reliable, and safe cars that can be driven daily if you desire. Whatever the year in this generation, the performance you'll get for the money you'll pay is unbeatable.

As others have said, this generation changed quite a bit over its lifespan. What didn't change is that the basic drivetain is solid and reliable; what tends to break on C4 Corvettes is electrical and peripheral. The engines and transmissions are standard Chevrolet fare and really don't have issues specific to the Corvette.

In terms of maintenance issues, early cars often have problems with the digital dash, steering rack, headlights, and electrical accessories. Later cars can have problems with the optispark distributor because it's susceptible to moisture and is located directly under the waterpump. People make a big deal out of it mostly because there's really nothing else on the LT1/4 engine that breaks regularly; it's really a pretty reliable engine. It's the same engine as in the Camaro, Impalla, and Caprice police cars of the same vintage. Later C4's also suffer from the same electrical accessory problems, but they're not terrible if you keep up with them. Just don't buy a car that hasn't been well maintained. The CD players and speaker amplifiers in the Bose stereos frequently stop working but can be rebuilt. Weatherstripping degrades easily, especially if the car is kept outside. The leather on the driver seat bolster is usually worn if the car has much mileage. Optional FX 3 adjustable ride control system shocks and actuators sometimes break and are very expensive to replace.

On the plus side... amazing acceleration, handling, and braking performance for the money. These cars are easy to modify and parts are readily available. There are lots around so it's not hard to find a good one. Good gas mileage. They're fairly easy for someone with average mechanical ability and tools to work on themself, especially with the help of the available factory service manual and this forum.

Hope this helps!

 

If you don't mind plagiarizing an existing publication a bit, the December '06 issue of Corvette Magazine has an excellent article on buying a C4. It looks at each year and the strong and weak points a prospective buyer will want to be aware of for that year.

Good luck.

Larry
code5coupe

 

Welcome aboard!
I currently have an 89 and a 91, each with some things I like better than the other. We got the cars to drive and enjoy so if that's what you want to use one for, things break/wear out so you fix them. It's more a passion than a means of transportation for most. The engine seems to be a very dependable power plant with the flexibility to really add mods to make it scream! Headlights / weatherstripping are often an issue, opti spark in the 92's and up. If the previous owners took care of the car, it's like any other used vehicle, things happen as the car ages! Find out as much as you can from the previous owner about the cars history, can be a big help, as with any used car. Look at several before you buy one, don't get seduced by the first one you see. Try the different generations but definitely a convertible vs. coupe. If you are fortunate to find one you like and the person is a vette addict like the ones on this forum, chances are you getting a car that has had better care over it's life than the two year old trade-in on your local dealerships lot. The folks on here are the best source of knowledge you will find and it will be based on their own experiences, not hearsay. As is often said on this forum, “Drive it like you stole it!”