I would like to know if there are any particular things to look for when buying a C4.

I am going to check out an '89 tomorrow. It has 162,000k on it and according to the current owner is runs good. He says the only major thing it needs is a paint job. I am not worried about that.

I know I will check out under the passenger tubs to see if the thing has been bottomed out shattering the tubs, run up on a curb and other obvious damage. Look for alignment issues, bent frame and or suspension parts.

What advise could any kind soul give as far as peculiarities to focus on? Electrical; Motorwise?

The current owner has a 2000 C5 so I think this C4 may be decently taken care of. He says he is selling it because he doesn't drive it anymore since he got the C5.

I would appreciate any input anyone may have.

I also will be changing my name since the C6 is no more and I will hopefully have pics of a C4 tomorrow, with the new name to follow.

I have always liked the C4 models, it will be good to have a Vette again that I can have fun with.

He is asking $3,500 obo. If it is decent it will be mine.

 

Is it a 6 speed? coupe or vert?

A few things to look at how does it idle, if its rough, alot of things can cause this, fuel injectors, MAF sensor, O2 sensor even head gasket leaks, except the o2 sensor, none of these items are cheap to fix.

The interiors are not cheap to replace either, figure on about 2k, digital dash , they can be expensive to repair, heater core?...air?...the heater core is cheap...but a real PITA to replace. but the air can get expensive.

The L-98 can be prone to leak fluids, oil, power steering, coolant, if its real wet underneath, be careful, oil leaks can cause a fire, especially if its leaking oil on the cats. And this can be a expensive thing to fix unless you do all your own maintaining

These cars are alot of fun to drive, but to get them back in good condition, if not maintained, can be very expensive.

If you see alot of what i mentioned, you might be better off spending a bit more for a car thats in better shape.


C

 

Try this:

http://www.c4guru.com/articles/BuyersGuide.pdf

 

Thank you for the input. I will keep that in mind.

It is a coupe. As far as tranny I guess I will find out when I get there. It's only 15 min from my house.

I am willing to do work to the car if it is solid. That seemed to be one of the reasons I want an older Vette. The '05 I had was a great car but I felt like I had so much wrapped up in it it was no fun on that level. As great as a C6 is I will be happy to have a Vette that I feel I can mod without feeling guilty. And I won't worry about depreciation.

Hopefully pix will follow later today.

 

Okay, here's the story.

It's an auto.

The bottom side of the car looks clean, no obvious leaks appearant.

It did not look as though it had been cleaned, just like it was never leaked on, like original condition after 18 years. The were no obvious scrapes or damage to the undercarriage. At least to me it looks like it was kept on the street and off the curbs. The areas between the wheels under the doors are straight & true.

The door panels and the seats are free of cracks in the leather and plastic, look to be in great shape. The steering wheel looks worn and would be replaced if I get it. The dash is in good shape. All the guages work and the AC blow cold. Overall the interior is fine. I am not looking to show the car, just drive it.

After driving the car the only thing leaking out the bottom was AC condensation. I'm pretty sure that is what it was since it was ice cold water.

According to the owner they have done rings/oil pump/valve job and tranny.

The thing seems to run like a stripped-*** ape. It is solid free of rattles and tracks straight and true. The brakes felt great not spongey or soft and it stopped straight when letting the wheel follow the car during braking.

The idle is solid and not surging and stumbling.

The only negative I could see is the front/rear caps have definitely faded faster than the body. The hood has damage that was caused by a large type truck rolling back into the car as it was parked on a hill. Whomever tried to fix it should be shot.

You will see in the pix it will need care.

I am offering $3300. We'll see if he accepts the offer.

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I better start on that screen name and avitar change!

 

In my area, that car would likely sell for 5K.
If he accepts your offer, you will have made a great deal. Even if he refuses, $3,500 looks like a decent price, in my opinion.

 

Why bother with changing your screen name?

You may get another C6 someday.

Keep us posted.

 

Cars good, price is good, stripped-*** ape is good. Buy it!

 

Well I was supposed to p/u the car yesterday morning. The guy I'm buying her from just needed to get her smogged.

He called to say that he was going down to get it smogged and noticed that the heater core was leaking.

He went and got the parts to fix it, and fixed it without me even knowing it. I told him I would pay whatever it cost to fix but he said we already agreed to the price and it wasn't a problem. The guy has a full shop and builds both cars & airplanes.

The smog was done today and I am headed over to pick it up and pay for it right now.

A Corvette back in the garage just the way life should be!!!!

 

That's a good price. That gives you a little room to work, just in case you need to put a few more dollars into it.

 

Its worth $3500 looking at the pics buy it.

 

Well I picked her up this morning before work. $3,400.

Drove the 90 miles to work and I am totally blown away. She drives fantastic. Solid body, few if any rattles and tracks straight and true.

On the freeway the water temp stayed at 185 degrees during cruise @75. Going up a long grade the temp rose and held at 190.

Oil pressure at cruise holds at 52 psi, at idle it goes down to 30psi.

The idle is steady oil temp ran at 190 degrees.

Driving over the varied road surfaces and expansion joints there is a feeling of security not like in making those transitions makes you feel uncomfortable, just solid.

When I pulled into the lot here the avg MPG for the trip was 29.8.

I opened the hood for the mandatory cool down and there were no hissed, creaking or other scary noises coming from the engine. I checked under the car after an 1-1/2 hours and it is totally dry.

The only malfunction I have seen so far is the cruise control seems to be set at 60MPH. It doesn't set via the end button on the stalk when you try to set it, but if you press R/R it sets at 60?

This thing drives pretty damn good for 162,000k. It actually drives the way I expected my C6 to feel when I first got it; but it didn't.

No harm or insult intended to C6's but this C4 drives like I expected a Corvette to drive.

What a deal IMHO!

 

Excellent!!

 

You said you weren't worried about the paint. Does that mean you're going to tackle the job yourself or just drive it as is. A professional paint job could set you back as much as you paid for the car!

 

Right now I plan on driving and enjoying. Since this will be a work-in-progress, the decision on paint will be made at a later date. After having the car for a while and determining what direction to go.

There is a part of me that wants to re-paint in the Rat-Rod style, flat black with red pinstriping and red pinstripe flames. What are the chances of finding 17" Deep-dish steel wheels that would fit to paint Red and put baby moons on?

My other idea is to go with a traditional re-paint in Red. I may take it back the the original color Charcol Grey, but I am not really excited by Grey.

Time will tell, if the car is as solid as it appears so far, spending the purchase price for paint/body will definitely be a possibility.

I'm sure many think it should go back to original.

 

Paint it like you want it.

It's not like it's a C1-2 or Chrome Bumper C3.

It's a really fun used car.

Enjoy!