C4 Questions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: El Toro California
C4 Questions
Hey guys Im new here but ive been reading your threads for a while now
Im looking for my first C4.
Is there any reccomended cars out there?
I found a 1985 via a friend and he wants 3500.
Is this a good deal?
Ive been told that i want to stay away from 84/5s
and im looking for a manual
is the 4+3 anygood?
Thank you for anything you guys and girls could tell me
Colin
Im looking for my first C4.
Is there any reccomended cars out there?
I found a 1985 via a friend and he wants 3500.
Is this a good deal?
Ive been told that i want to stay away from 84/5s
and im looking for a manual
is the 4+3 anygood?
Thank you for anything you guys and girls could tell me
Colin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Keep one thing in mind. A corvette is not an inexpensive car to purchase or to maintain if you drive it everyday like I do.
For $3,500.00 you're going to get a $3,500.00 car. On the other side of the coin if the car belongs to a friend of yours and you have ridden in it and driven the car, perhaps it is a good deal.
As to a recomended car ........ go for a 95 or 96 why?
First it will be 10-12 years newer that what you are looking at.
Second it will probably have a lot more standard features that the 85.
Third, by then many of the squeeks rattles & bugs had been worked out of the C4.
For $3,500.00 you're going to get a $3,500.00 car. On the other side of the coin if the car belongs to a friend of yours and you have ridden in it and driven the car, perhaps it is a good deal.
As to a recomended car ........ go for a 95 or 96 why?
First it will be 10-12 years newer that what you are looking at.
Second it will probably have a lot more standard features that the 85.
Third, by then many of the squeeks rattles & bugs had been worked out of the C4.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; Jan 29, 2008 at 05:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Yeah, I picked up an 86 Coupe for $ 3800, but have ordered over $ 3500 in interior parts...I haven't even started on the engine/transmission/rear/brakes/suspension upgrades yet. I bought the car to be a purpose car: drag racing (bracket racing) and Sunday cruiser. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 5
From: 2010 C6 Grand Sport Convertible
In my humble opinion, purchase the BEST C-4 you can afford. There are plenty to be had in the 8-10k range that are 1995-1996 models. You'll end up dumping a boatload into a fix 'er upper and end up spending the same as if you bought a later model when its all done and said. The stock LT-1 and Lt-4 engines will run circles around the stock L-83 or L-98 any day.
Mike
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Just be careful, it doesn't matter if its 84 to 96, you can still get caught for big expenses, so you get the 85 and put 3k into it, or the 96 for 9k and put 3k into it... do the math...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
From: NJ
$3500 for an 85 is not a bad deal depending on the condition. I paid $7K for my wife's 85 and then spent another $3K fixing a host of little problems.
The 85 doesn't have as much HP as the 86 or 87, and the ride was improved after 85 as well. You also can't get a convertible in an 84 or 85.
Make sure that the digital dash works well. They have a reputation for dropping dead.
My wife's 85 is an auto so I can't help you with info on the 4+3 trans.
Bottom line is if you are more careful that I was when you buy the car you can get a good 85. A C4 is a great starter Vette. If your not sure what to look for in the car bring along someone that knows a lot about Vettes. I also recommend taking the car to a Vette mechanic to look it over before you buy it.
Good luck and let us know what car you buy.
The 85 doesn't have as much HP as the 86 or 87, and the ride was improved after 85 as well. You also can't get a convertible in an 84 or 85.
Make sure that the digital dash works well. They have a reputation for dropping dead.
My wife's 85 is an auto so I can't help you with info on the 4+3 trans.
Bottom line is if you are more careful that I was when you buy the car you can get a good 85. A C4 is a great starter Vette. If your not sure what to look for in the car bring along someone that knows a lot about Vettes. I also recommend taking the car to a Vette mechanic to look it over before you buy it.
Good luck and let us know what car you buy.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
If I were you i'd get a 92-96. The LT1/4 engine is light-years ahead of the L98. I'm not bashing L98 owners here, but it is simply a more advanced engine (with an intake actually designed for a 350...).
I got my 1996 LT4 in November and love every second I'm in it!
I got my 1996 LT4 in November and love every second I'm in it!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 3
From: Maine
Get the maintenance history on it, find out what has been replaced and when. If it is an 85 in good shape with a lot of new parts it will likely be worth the $3500. If the engine doesn't look like its been touched in years, the tires are dry rotted, the weatherstrip, interior, and paint bad I'd avoid it because you're looking at thousands of dollars there. The earlier C4s through 91 run out of power at around 4500 rpm and the 92-96s pull over 5000 rpm. You also get a real 6 speed vs. the 4+3 which is funner to drive in my opinion. Those are the main differences you will notice.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
No such thing as a starter Vette
First of all, there is no such thing as a starter Vette no matter what year it is. C1-C2-C3-C4-C5-C6. There can be any year with a bunch of problems for the new owner. Branding one model as one is just ridiculous. They are all great cars no mater what year. Usually when someone does that, they own another year of Vette and think theirs is a much better car. Some may be lower priced than others, but that does not mean they are so much more inferior than others. Every year is different in one way or another. Get what fits your budget and you will be happy. By the way, I have an 85 with the 4+3 tranny and love it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
From: NJ
First of all, there is no such thing as a starter Vette no matter what year it is. C1-C2-C3-C4-C5-C6. There can be any year with a bunch of problems for the new owner. Branding one model as one is just ridiculous. They are all great cars no mater what year. Usually when someone does that, they own another year of Vette and think theirs is a much better car. Some may be lower priced than others, but that does not mean they are so much more inferior than others. Every year is different in one way or another. Get what fits your budget and you will be happy. By the way, I have an 85 with the 4+3 tranny and love it!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Sometimes the cheapest corvette turns out to be the most expensive in the long run.
I think the $3500 is a good deal depending on what you want to do with it. Just have fun for a little while, or use it as your daily driver. If you plan on keeping it and restoring it a little, then you would be better off getting something that is in better condition and needs less restoration. The reason is the cost of the restoration parts.
If your budget or finance will not allow a more expensive car, then this is the car for you. But the warning is that it is a 20 year old car with parts that will begin needing to be replaced soon. Brakes, rotors, shocks, tires, etc. may need replacing. But that can also be true on a newer car.
It is a matter of your preference. Is $3500 a good deal? Yes. Is it a great deal...that depends on how much money it takes to make it look the way you want it to.
kdf
I think the $3500 is a good deal depending on what you want to do with it. Just have fun for a little while, or use it as your daily driver. If you plan on keeping it and restoring it a little, then you would be better off getting something that is in better condition and needs less restoration. The reason is the cost of the restoration parts.
If your budget or finance will not allow a more expensive car, then this is the car for you. But the warning is that it is a 20 year old car with parts that will begin needing to be replaced soon. Brakes, rotors, shocks, tires, etc. may need replacing. But that can also be true on a newer car.
It is a matter of your preference. Is $3500 a good deal? Yes. Is it a great deal...that depends on how much money it takes to make it look the way you want it to.
kdf
to worry about and no ABS, ABS is expensive to fix and you get the check engine light coming on for brakes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Sorry, I just could not resist. (The devil made me do it).
Enjoy your corvette, no matter what year, from '53 to '08, they are all fantastic, fun, and engineered ahead of their time.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
I'm with you brother!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood TX
Keep one thing in mind. A corvette is not an inexpensive car to purchase or to maintain if you drive it everyday like I do.
For $3,500.00 you're going to get a $3,500.00 car. On the other side of the coin if the car belongs to a friend of yours and you have ridden in it and driven the car, perhaps it is a good deal.
As to a recomended car ........ go for a 95 or 96 why?
First it will be 10-12 years newer that what you are looking at.
Second it will probably have a lot more standard features that the 85.
Third, by then many of the squeeks rattles & bugs had been worked out of the C4.
For $3,500.00 you're going to get a $3,500.00 car. On the other side of the coin if the car belongs to a friend of yours and you have ridden in it and driven the car, perhaps it is a good deal.
As to a recomended car ........ go for a 95 or 96 why?
First it will be 10-12 years newer that what you are looking at.
Second it will probably have a lot more standard features that the 85.
Third, by then many of the squeeks rattles & bugs had been worked out of the C4.
Of course this depends on your budget but hes right. I would go for a 95 or 96 C4 as 96 was the last year of the C4 and if your looking for a non-LT4 car, you can get one for a pretty decent price.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: El Toro California
hey thanks
i was looking to get the car to drive daily
i know its not terribly fast im just not sure that its worth it to have to hot rod if i was gonna do that i would totaly buy a LTX series car
i do like the round rear lights
i was just asking if they were anymore or less reliable
cause i cant see the point of dropping thousands into a car that cost 3k
im realy grateful for eveyones imput
and the car is on its second owner and was previously maintained by my uncle who is Steve LuVisi of auto expertise
i dident like that it was rather slow though
in comarison to my parents old car
A 66 427Ci car with a 450 horse motor
but i undestand it was smog choked
i was kinda looking to go for about 300 to 350 out of it and be happy
im just not sure that cost to efective ratio was any good
lt it is
i just dont want an automatic
plus i dont like i drive a ford as it is even if it is a cobra
i know its not terribly fast im just not sure that its worth it to have to hot rod if i was gonna do that i would totaly buy a LTX series car
i do like the round rear lights
i was just asking if they were anymore or less reliable
cause i cant see the point of dropping thousands into a car that cost 3k
im realy grateful for eveyones imput
and the car is on its second owner and was previously maintained by my uncle who is Steve LuVisi of auto expertise
i dident like that it was rather slow though
in comarison to my parents old car
A 66 427Ci car with a 450 horse motor
but i undestand it was smog choked
i was kinda looking to go for about 300 to 350 out of it and be happy
im just not sure that cost to efective ratio was any good
lt it is
i just dont want an automatic
plus i dont like i drive a ford as it is even if it is a cobra
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
If the $3500 car is safe to drive and will pass whatever state inspection you need to get tags, buy it and enjoy driving it. It sounds like you know all Corvettes can become money pits if you let them. Some people need the car to be perfect in every way. For that kind of money it's a driver, you don't need to worry about resale value dropping because you put too many miles on it.
Let's face it, all the C4's are getting old so reliability is questionable, BUT, it's a Chevy, you can get most parts you need for it pretty quickly. Lot's of people around here to help with trouble shooting the Little things that aggravate you.
Let's face it, all the C4's are getting old so reliability is questionable, BUT, it's a Chevy, you can get most parts you need for it pretty quickly. Lot's of people around here to help with trouble shooting the Little things that aggravate you.