What's it worth??
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
I wouldn't
I know that most people on this forum own a Corvette and not looking for a Corvette. I have an 84 Corvette, Z51 Four speed and transparent blue top. It has 99% of the options available.
NADA value Good $8,095 Average $14,550 Excellent $19,880
I have been looing at early C4's. I would like to get it painted, but also looking at other Corvette's. Most of the C4's I have looked at are 8k to 10K. They are all drivers with a need of a paint job.
What is a 84, 85, 86, or 87 worth if the paint is new (excellent) new interior, and in excellent running shape.
I can not seem t0 find a excellent C4 with out paint problems or interior being trashed.
It looks like the really nice cars are C5 and C6's .
I am tring to get a feel if I should spend 4k to 5K into a professional paint job in my 84 Corvette.
NADA value Good $8,095 Average $14,550 Excellent $19,880
I have been looing at early C4's. I would like to get it painted, but also looking at other Corvette's. Most of the C4's I have looked at are 8k to 10K. They are all drivers with a need of a paint job.
What is a 84, 85, 86, or 87 worth if the paint is new (excellent) new interior, and in excellent running shape.
I can not seem t0 find a excellent C4 with out paint problems or interior being trashed.
It looks like the really nice cars are C5 and C6's .
I am tring to get a feel if I should spend 4k to 5K into a professional paint job in my 84 Corvette.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 312
From: Lino Lakes MN
My wife and I are well established with a decent income this car, will be drive maybe 1000 miles a year. In 10- 20 years it will have less than 50000 original mles do see where I'm going with this?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: Washington
I see you're thinking of buying the car as an investment.
If that's the case, don't. They aren't investments. There are VERY few cars that will stand to either make money or even stand up to inflation while appreciating. Most of them are very rare cars.
If you're gonna buy it and put 1k miles a year on it, enjoy every foot behind the wheel. Don't sweat the value, otherwise you'll never enjoy it.
If that's the case, don't. They aren't investments. There are VERY few cars that will stand to either make money or even stand up to inflation while appreciating. Most of them are very rare cars.
If you're gonna buy it and put 1k miles a year on it, enjoy every foot behind the wheel. Don't sweat the value, otherwise you'll never enjoy it.
Last edited by BigDaddy5; Mar 19, 2008 at 01:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 939
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Unfortunately thats the only way some people think.If you dont buy this one most likely you wont see another just like it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
If you were to get this Vette for anything under $9000 , you are stealing it. Good luck and I hope you do. You really must not pay to much attention to some of these "low ball" price quotes as some of these guys are so used to seeing 95,000 mile cars for $3000 and getting the idea that all C4 Vettes are this way. There are still alot of true Corvette enthusiasts who would appreciate a ride like this. Don't look at the Auto Trader Magazine and judge a vehicle by what is found in there.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
If you were to get this Vette for anything under $9000 , you are stealing it. Good luck and I hope you do. You really must not pay to much attention to some of these "low ball" price quotes as some of these guys are so used to seeing 95,000 mile cars for $3000 and getting the idea that all C4 Vettes are this way. There are still alot of true Corvette enthusiasts who would appreciate a ride like this. Don't look at the Auto Trader Magazine and judge a vehicle by what is found in there.
A lot of people approach a Corvette purchase differently. For a true Corvette enthusiast it's all about the CAR, the price is secondary (not because they are wealthy)but because they are fulfilling a dream and the car has to live up to their expectations.
Many owners see their Corvette as a high end Camaro (mod it , swap wheels, tear out Delco Bose and put in whatever).
Those of us who have followed this car through the years and can finally afford to buy one usually have to buy second hand but we prefer bone stock low miles as close to new condition as possible. We drive the high end market and ultimately we create the collectible market by paying big money for cars that aren't even "new". Blue book, black book, Auto Trader has no bearing on the prices payed for these special cars
Last edited by kenmack; Mar 20, 2008 at 12:04 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 143
From: Manalapan New Jersey
Write the check!!! 9k with a 30k clock. Lets get real here boys and girls.....There is so many crappy C4's that you can get from 4-7k. This car looks great and everything works. We all know its not cheap to maintain these cars. Between paint, interior. dash and everything else this car shouldnt need much. If you are looking for an early C4 with low miles I feel you found your ride!!
Dont look at it as an investment. You probably will never lose on this car though. Buy, drive and have fun!!!
Dont look at it as an investment. You probably will never lose on this car though. Buy, drive and have fun!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
These people are right. The adults on here who can afford it after 30 years of working will step in and pay a higher price for a low milage well maintained car. I did that 3 years ago with my green 95 I didn't steal it I paid a priem price .... oh did I mention that was 50K ago. Yes that right 50K of trouble free daily driving over the past 3 years.
Some of the kids here are just benchracing the C4 buy/sell game but if it's what you want it's worth an extra grand or two to get one with the permagrin option set to "daily"
Looks like a keeper to me but as an investment .... no way too many miles on it for that already. These cars are not good financial investments. If you really want to do that buy a brand new one and wrap it up and have it professionally stored for 40 years and then sell it. Then you'll make a lot of money from it The only rub is ya got to be young enough now to be able to enjoy all the dough in 40 years and enjoy it for a good long while .... and you gotta be pretty rich already to be able to plunk down the money for a brand new vette and not need that cash for the next 40 years.
Some of the kids here are just benchracing the C4 buy/sell game but if it's what you want it's worth an extra grand or two to get one with the permagrin option set to "daily"
Looks like a keeper to me but as an investment .... no way too many miles on it for that already. These cars are not good financial investments. If you really want to do that buy a brand new one and wrap it up and have it professionally stored for 40 years and then sell it. Then you'll make a lot of money from it The only rub is ya got to be young enough now to be able to enjoy all the dough in 40 years and enjoy it for a good long while .... and you gotta be pretty rich already to be able to plunk down the money for a brand new vette and not need that cash for the next 40 years.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; Mar 20, 2008 at 12:48 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Yah really RARE
I see you're thinking of buying the car as an investment.
If that's the case, don't. They aren't investments. There are VERY few cars that will stand to either make money or even stand up to inflation while appreciating. Most of them are very rare cars.
If you're gonna buy it and put 1k miles a year on it, enjoy every foot behind the wheel. Don't sweat the value, otherwise you'll never enjoy it.
If that's the case, don't. They aren't investments. There are VERY few cars that will stand to either make money or even stand up to inflation while appreciating. Most of them are very rare cars.
If you're gonna buy it and put 1k miles a year on it, enjoy every foot behind the wheel. Don't sweat the value, otherwise you'll never enjoy it.
You mean like every 63 -67 Corvette ever built (about 115,000)
and not 1 running car is worth less than 3 times it's original MSRP.
Sorry I disagree !! No one knew in 1980 what would happen to the C-1 C-2 and now it seems the early C-3 market.
For some the CAKE is owning the driving is the ICING
I have 8,000 mi. on my 93 and I'm enjoying every second of it.
It may never be COLLECTIBLE but man you won't buy it for the average price of a 93 when and if it sells.
Someone will pay amazing dollars for my new /old car.
Not an investment ???? The jury is still out.
Last edited by kenmack; Mar 20, 2008 at 02:08 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Value
Very interesting thread on early C4 values. Just for fun, I have been looking at C4's in the area for sale. Advertisement states "85 Corvette in exce3llent condition for $9500." I took the two hour drive to see it. The brakes would hardly stop the car, very poor repaint, bubbles in paint and interior needed to be redone.
I spent the max of 10 min looking at the car. What a joke.
I would love to purchase a C4 that all I had to do was to wash it, wax it and drive it.
The trully remarkable cars are very hard to find.
If you have a nearly new C4 that requires very little work for 8k to 9k send me a PM, and we will talk.
I spent the max of 10 min looking at the car. What a joke.
I would love to purchase a C4 that all I had to do was to wash it, wax it and drive it.
The trully remarkable cars are very hard to find.
If you have a nearly new C4 that requires very little work for 8k to 9k send me a PM, and we will talk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
This depends on who's value system you want to use. If your a Kelly Blue Book fan its worth about $6500. If you go by Vet-N-Investments this above average Corvette is worth $12,500. If you can steal it for $6500 without insulting the owner(which you Will) then give him the $6500 and leave with a big smile on your face. Other wise be willing to pay the real market value of a prime Corvette.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 48
From: W MI
When I have bought every other car I've owned I would call and ask what was broken. The most I've paid for a car other than the Vette was $500 and that was 3 years ago for a 1998 Camry. I poured $1k into it; engine rebuild, carpet and seat cover replacement(all new OEM parts on eBay) and still need to respray the rear quarters. I'll be into that car about $2000 total and the book in it's condition and mileage is $4500.
That said, a value Corvette is a value only when you can deal with the compromises that come with it. If you are picky about any spots in the paint, any wear line(not even a crack) in the leather, etc. Anything cosmetic is VERY expensive on these cars. After looking at what parts and such cost, I decided I didn't want to mess around with a tlc car. I bought my 87 Vert because I wanted that car without any issues. I am very picky and knew that if I bought an average car I would spend a ton of money and make it minty. If you don't need that flawless car, a value priced car with a few imperfections is a very good deal.
That said, a value Corvette is a value only when you can deal with the compromises that come with it. If you are picky about any spots in the paint, any wear line(not even a crack) in the leather, etc. Anything cosmetic is VERY expensive on these cars. After looking at what parts and such cost, I decided I didn't want to mess around with a tlc car. I bought my 87 Vert because I wanted that car without any issues. I am very picky and knew that if I bought an average car I would spend a ton of money and make it minty. If you don't need that flawless car, a value priced car with a few imperfections is a very good deal.