How practical is a C4?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 70
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From: Tempe AZ
How practical is a C4?
Hi,
I'm currently selling my truck and I've been considering a 95-96 C4 as something I could buy after I sell the truck.
I wanted to know how practical and reliable these cars are for daily driving? I'll be driving this thing daily for at least 3-4 months before I could buy a decent daily driver.
I've been looking around the site and it seems the Optispark system is a weak link. How serious is this problem with the distributors? I've read that they don't like moisture at all. I live in Arizona and it's pretty dry here for most of the year, so should that be a concern? I'm pretty good with fixing mechanical problems, but I hate pin pointing electrical issues. How good/bad are these cars electrically?
Thanks a lot in advance, I appreciate your time!
I'm currently selling my truck and I've been considering a 95-96 C4 as something I could buy after I sell the truck.
I wanted to know how practical and reliable these cars are for daily driving? I'll be driving this thing daily for at least 3-4 months before I could buy a decent daily driver.
I've been looking around the site and it seems the Optispark system is a weak link. How serious is this problem with the distributors? I've read that they don't like moisture at all. I live in Arizona and it's pretty dry here for most of the year, so should that be a concern? I'm pretty good with fixing mechanical problems, but I hate pin pointing electrical issues. How good/bad are these cars electrically?
Thanks a lot in advance, I appreciate your time!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 70
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From: Tempe AZ
So no pressure washing the engine?
I think later down the line, if I get a C4, I may do the distributor-less ignition conversion. There was a link for a kit somewhere on the site when I was looking for C4 common problems.I honestly don't think the MPG would be any worse than what I drive. I have a 2001 Silverado with the 5.3 and on a lucky day, I get 15 MPG. Hahaha
Also, how roomy are these cars? I know it's a sports car, but I'm 6'3" and about 280 lbs. Would it be impossible for me to get in and out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I purchased My 95 2 years ago and I use it as a 50 mile a day dd year round through a lot of rain and no problems at all. It's my only car. My car is an auto with the optional 3.07 rear end and I average 17 around town and 22 on the hiway. An auto with a 2.59 will get you better milage and even better so will a 6 speed but you'll pay a little more for the 6 speed.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; Apr 16, 2007 at 01:09 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I'm 5'11 160 and it fits me perfect. You on the other hand might have just slightly less space on the sides
I'm sure others who are your size that will give you a more precise answer on that situation.
I'm sure others who are your size that will give you a more precise answer on that situation.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Consider that a Vette is another "used car", albiet a damn exciting one to drive.
As I recall there are a large number of Vettes advertised in the local news paper so you should be able to find a very clean one with low mileage.
Good luck on the hunt.
As I recall there are a large number of Vettes advertised in the local news paper so you should be able to find a very clean one with low mileage.
Good luck on the hunt.
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Herndon Virginia
Tight Fit
I own a 96 Corvette. My brother is about 6' 3" and 240 pounds. I had him sit in the driver seat before we went on a trip to see if he could fit to drive it. Both of us still laugh when thinking about that. He fit, but barely. God forbid he would drive and wreck the thing. We put the seat as far back as it would go and his knees were jammed in against the dash. I would suggest finding one to test drive and sitting in it. I'm 6' and 200 pounds and it fits me perfectly, but I can definitely see why taller people hate the C4 and love the C5. The C4 just has a very tight driver's space.
Nick
Nick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Hi,
I'm currently selling my truck and I've been considering a 95-96 C4 as something I could buy after I sell the truck.
I wanted to know how practical and reliable these cars are for daily driving? I'll be driving this thing daily for at least 3-4 months before I could buy a decent daily driver.
I've been looking around the site and it seems the Optispark system is a weak link. How serious is this problem with the distributors? I've read that they don't like moisture at all. I live in Arizona and it's pretty dry here for most of the year, so should that be a concern? I'm pretty good with fixing mechanical problems, but I hate pin pointing electrical issues. How good/bad are these cars electrically?
Thanks a lot in advance, I appreciate your time!
I'm currently selling my truck and I've been considering a 95-96 C4 as something I could buy after I sell the truck.
I wanted to know how practical and reliable these cars are for daily driving? I'll be driving this thing daily for at least 3-4 months before I could buy a decent daily driver.
I've been looking around the site and it seems the Optispark system is a weak link. How serious is this problem with the distributors? I've read that they don't like moisture at all. I live in Arizona and it's pretty dry here for most of the year, so should that be a concern? I'm pretty good with fixing mechanical problems, but I hate pin pointing electrical issues. How good/bad are these cars electrically?
Thanks a lot in advance, I appreciate your time!
There are only two reasons why you'd have to worry about the Opti.
1) You spray wash the engine
2) The Opti is located underneath the water pump. If/When the water pump leaks, you can most likely kiss your Opti goodbye.
Other than that, there's no need to worry about the Opti.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I own a 96 Corvette. My brother is about 6' 3" and 240 pounds. I had him sit in the driver seat before we went on a trip to see if he could fit to drive it. Both of us still laugh when thinking about that. He fit, but barely. God forbid he would drive and wreck the thing. We put the seat as far back as it would go and his knees were jammed in against the dash. I would suggest finding one to test drive and sitting in it. I'm 6' and 200 pounds and it fits me perfectly, but I can definitely see why taller people hate the C4 and love the C5. The C4 just has a very tight driver's space.
Nick
Nick
I am 6'4" and i am a little north of 300 lbs, and I fit very well in my C4.
BTW, I drove a c5, and hated it
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 70
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From: Tempe AZ
Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate your time and help!
Thanks bud, this is good news for me! haha. As long as it has more room than a Miata, I think I'll be fine. I sat in one at the Motortrend auto show; it was a tight fit, but I was OK for the most part.
Thanks bud, this is good news for me! haha. As long as it has more room than a Miata, I think I'll be fine. I sat in one at the Motortrend auto show; it was a tight fit, but I was OK for the most part.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
i drove mine to work today. my daily driver is not a late model c4, but a 1985 z51 auto. i've had this car for almost 11 years and have put some 70K+ miles. so far, its been one of the most reliable cars i've owned. only let me down once whe the fuel pump went belly-up. as a matter of fact, the frickin' check engine light has never come on (and, yes it does work). i do, however, keep up on the preventative maintenance - but this should be standard operating procedure for any DD - 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
My C4 has been my daily driver since '99 love it.
Bought it with 20k on it, it's got 124k on it now, and I don't exactly baby it.
The later vented optis are a lot more forgiving.
You can either vent the early ones, or there's aftermarket replacements for them now.
Bought it with 20k on it, it's got 124k on it now, and I don't exactly baby it.
The later vented optis are a lot more forgiving.
You can either vent the early ones, or there's aftermarket replacements for them now.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Mine has been pretty reliable as a dd for the past 4 years (snow and all). A few small problems but nothing money and an hour or two in the garage couldn't fix.
It's not getting any better though. Now the brakes and and a small oil leak. $$$
It's not getting any better though. Now the brakes and and a small oil leak. $$$
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
If you're trying to haul a family of 4 around they aren't too practical. If you are trying to get laid, have some fun or just beat the **** out of something they are very practical.
I doubt you will puke an Opti unless you or your wasserpump drown it like a rat.
I doubt you will puke an Opti unless you or your wasserpump drown it like a rat.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Glendale Arizona
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.
So no pressure washing the engine? I think later down the line, if I get a C4, I may do the distributor-less ignition conversion. There was a link for a kit somewhere on the site when I was looking for C4 common problems.
Thanks for your reply bud!
I honestly don't think the MPG would be any worse than what I drive. I have a 2001 Silverado with the 5.3 and on a lucky day, I get 15 MPG. Hahaha
Also, how roomy are these cars? I know it's a sports car, but I'm 6'3" and about 280 lbs. Would it be impossible for me to get in and out?
So no pressure washing the engine?
I think later down the line, if I get a C4, I may do the distributor-less ignition conversion. There was a link for a kit somewhere on the site when I was looking for C4 common problems.Thanks for your reply bud!
I honestly don't think the MPG would be any worse than what I drive. I have a 2001 Silverado with the 5.3 and on a lucky day, I get 15 MPG. Hahaha
Also, how roomy are these cars? I know it's a sports car, but I'm 6'3" and about 280 lbs. Would it be impossible for me to get in and out?
I am 6'3" about 340. I get in and out of my 84 no problem. As a matter of fact I was looking at C3's and bought the C4 instead for the room.