Hey gang, I've been planning on a C6 purchase next year, but in the meantime, I've been thinking about picking up a C4 for a 2nd car funmobile until I'm able to pull off my DD C6. I've got maybe 15k to spend, and it won't be something I will be keeping for very long, a year or 2 at most.

What would be the safe bets for cars that would 1)maintain the best possible resale value, and 2)be easiest to sell? I know I can't swing a GS, but I was thinking a ruby or a CE might be in order, or a nice LT4. If you guys don't mind, throw out what you think are specific models, or specifics in general of what I should be considering.

Thanks.

 

Dont bother if you dont plan on keeping it. Let the people who truly appreciate these cars have them.

 

Thank you for your response. The reason I'm getting it for only a year or 2 is because I can't keep BOTH. If I don't get one now, who knows when I'll ever get one. The reason I want one is because I have lusted after them since my dad got his new med blue/blue '85 Z51. On top of that I used to chase ZR-1 prototypes in Stillwater in '88-'89 when I was at college there. I can ASSURE you, I have a deep appreciation for them. What I don't have, is the current market trends for them, so if you have anything to share, please do, if not, don't assume I don't appreciate the car simply because we can't keep 4 cars at one time.

 

Look here in the Forum For Sale/Wanted section. Pick something that has been well maintained. The best ones seem to be the 95/96 models as these had the latest engineering and most of the kinks were worked out by then.
Before you buy it have someone in your area look it over and test drive it for you. Make sure the person has owned a C4 before and knows what to look for.
There are a ton of C4s for sale. If you find one with problems just move on to the next one.
You might even want to go to an area Chevrolet dealer and ask if they have any customers who are hot to sell in order to buy a new one.
Enjoy the hunt!

 

If you spend $15K you can afford a nice LT1 or LT4 but those are far from being a safe bet if you are looking for a zero depreciation car. They still have a ways to go but won't depreciate nearly as fast as a C5 will. If you're going to keep it for a couple of years you will lose money no matter what, these aren't investment cars (yet) and you're going to have to replace things and maintain the car while you're driving it. If you buy an early C4 (84-87) they're getting close to fully depreciated so you won't lose much on depreciation as long as you don't pay too much to begin with. If you're buying a C4 with the primary consideration being not losing money you're looking at the wrong car.

 

Also keep in mind the used car market is soft right now and isn't what it has been in the past, there's a surplus of them and it could take you a long time to sell a C4 and you may find yourself selling it for less than you planned on.

 

I would save your money. Find a certificate of deposit or something with a higher than normal interest rate and a 6-9 month maturation period, then pull the money out next Spring and buy your C6. If you buy a C4 now, you will simply lose money and may have a tough time selling it period and sounds like that could delay getting your C6. So be patient.

 

 

I've got to reluctantly agree with both 96polovette and Leftoverture on all their points. I hate to tell people not to buy a C4 because they're so much fun but under the circumstances, you'd probably be better off just waiting and getting the C6. Unless it's a steal or a deal, your going to be losing at least $1000 a year in depreciation on any LT1/4. And figure a thousand or two in repairs, especially if you don't do them yourself. However, if prudence isn't in your nature, then I'd get the LT4....

 

This looks like a good one. As I said, have it checked over first. And, yes - it will depreciate but you will have fun driving it meanwhile.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1773647

 

The irony is that the money currently IS in a cd (albiet a 14 month one, due in Oct). I didn't mean to imply that I'm looking for something that won't depreciate, just that I was curious what the current market would dictate that I would take the least amount of hit on. I figured an LT4 or maybe a nice, low mile Ruby would be the way to go simply because they are a little different, and maybe a little more desireable (easier to sell). I had a C5, been there, done that, and don't want the kind of C5 that 15k would buy . While I do love the C4, I too share your trepidations about buying one now, which is why I started the post in the first place, if I'm going to do it, what would be the best way to go.

I put a lot of thought into getting a nice C4 and using it more as a pleasure vehicle, or getting new (I can get one w/ GMS) and having the benefits of comparative bulletproof reliability, and being able to take it anywhere, anytime. In the end, I decided I was interested in more of a good weather daily driver than a part time pleasure vehicle, which dictated that I go newer/new. But I might be willing to take a hit to fulfill a long time dream of owning one of these beauties between now and being in position to get the C6 (kid in school, paying off wifes car). In other words, I know I will take a hit, but am willing to take it, just as all of you are, regardless of when I ever get a C6.

I appreciate the comments. And corvetteronw, I see you finally found your G/S (I remember you looking, I lurk here a lot )

 

I just have it as my avatar. I am in between Corvettes right now. I will be in Carlisle this coming weekend. As of right now my plan is to see how my wife's job shakes out and see what our income looks like when and if she retires. You never know, I might come across a good deal in Carlisle and pull the trigger.
I have been watching the for sale sites and have a pretty good handle on what is out there now.
One interesting thing to do is to go to several of the on-line sites and just punch in "Corvette" "all areas" $15,000 max and see what comes up. There are some REAL interesting ones out there. Some excellent buys and some folks with their head up in that real dark stinky place too.
Here is a good site: www.corvettetrader.com

 

You could probably swing a high mileage ZR1, I cant imagine the prices of those going much lower. http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_sale.htm

 

Ditto

 

Here is a red 96 in Texas. Does not list the miles though.
http://www.corvettetrader.com/ads/19...etexas3080.htm

 

I purchased an 85 not because it was cheaper than a later model, but because it lacked certain features. It doesn't have ABS & VATS which give many new owners trouble. Granted, stock 85's have less power than the later years, but mine without a doubt, now has much more power than any later model. I modded the living hell out of my 85 and it now pumps out 500 HP, so, getting an earlier model doesn't necessarily equate to less power. It all depends on what you want and what you want to do with it.

You can get a very nice later model year for 15K. It will depreciate, but you said that doesn't matter much. One option is to pick up an early model for little money. They are out there. You could now get an 85 for around 6K in decent shape. If you invest another 9K into it, bringing the total expense to your 15K mark, you will have one heck of a fast, sharp looking car.

It all depends on what you're looking to do, your time frame, your mechanical expertise, etc. If you pick up a later model (95 or 96), look to see if the opti has been upgraded to the newer, more reliable unit. The stock ones are notorious for going out on you when they get wet.

 

Tell me, if I'm just as enthusiastic about the C4 as you are, how long is it acceptable for me to own it before you "approve" of me getting one? You guys need to get off the soap box. The fact of the matter is that I have lusted after this car since 1983, helped my dad wax and detail his '85 whenever I could, read up on every detail through the 80's and 90's, had the thrill of getting to sit in a prototype ZR-1 in early 1989 in Stillwater OK (white/tan) at a gas station after I chased the guy down and begged to oogle it. I've memorized Corvette from the Inside and Corvette by the Numbers, have been in the GM Heritage Museum and have pix of the Aerovette, the Stingray II, the early Callaways, you name it.

Now the FACT is that I'm not able to keep our 2 cars, and get a C4 AND a C6. For my needs, the C6 is just a better choice in the long run, but that doesnt take away any of my interest in the C4. You 2 guys would have me believe that it would be better to not have one at all than have one for only a year or two? WTH kind of attitude is that? You call yourselves enthusiasts?? You're certainly not in my book by having attitudes like that towards someone who's trying to find a way into C4 ownership, regardless of how brief a period of time that ownership may be.

BTW, can't quite tell, but from your avatar, it appears you may have a quasar blue. If so, nice color, one of my favorites, currently watching a QB/white vert on ebay.

 

I've been looking for a NICE medium blue '85 forever. I have logged many many miles in one back in the day. The old man's was a med blue/blue, Z51, A4, and not much else. Cloth seats, solid top, (no CB lol). What it lacked in options it made up for in just coolness, the last generation w/ the Corvette trademark corner mounted wipers, trick pop up headlights, clamshell hood, 11 inch wide rubber, and it ran like nothing I had ever seen. I was 15 and in HEAVEN when he bought that thing.

I don't have alot of interest in doing a lot of wrenching, I would prefer a stock, clean, well maintained car to start off with, so that I can just keep up w/ it and not have to do a lot of catch up maintenance on it. But maybe since I'm only going to keep it for a year or 2, I don't deserve one . Shhh, don't tell anybody, but I only kept my C5 for a year

 

psshhh, I had my 93 for 3 months and my 94 for less than a year. Who cares how long you're goign to keep it, that"s your business. Enjoy the car you buy and enjoy that C6 I can only dream about

BTW, I agree, post 92 is the way to go. Verts seem to be keeping their value pretty well, so that may be an option. I love my 92 vert

 

Don't listen to that . Buy what you want...drive it like you stole it...and sell it when you like. Nobody loves a Vette any more than me but it is still a car.