Need Help Evaluating an 85 C4?

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Aug 4, 2008 | 07:59 AM

Jet Jockey & C5

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From: Calhoun, GA / USA GA

Need Help Evaluating an 85 C4?

This is for my college son. We are all a Vette lovin family, and this will be his first.

I'm looking at a nice 85 coupe. He wants manual tranny for sure. I've never driven the 4+3. How does it work? Is it a problematic tranny? Hard to service? Parts?

And what kind of mpg fuel mileage can he realistically expect? He's got a 20 mile interstate drive to college each way to do.

Thanks in advance!!
Jet Jockey / Z06

Aug 4, 2008 | 08:22 AM

ghoastrider1

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From: indy indiana

with filter/fluid changes,the trans should be fine.they earned a bad rep cause folks didnt do that. Replacement parts were hell on the wallet..most chev dealer could not fix them..the had to be sent away to the factory for fixing. That may still hold true today, not sure. The last two (?) gears were overdrives,If I remember right.

Aug 4, 2008 | 08:47 AM

capevettes

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From: Cape Cod, Mass.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Jockey & C5

I have an 85 with the 4 plus 3 and really enjoy it. There is an overdrive in 2nd, 3rd and fourth gear activated by a button on top of the shifter in later 85's. (early cars had a switch on theh console). I only use it in 4th gear on the highway to keep revs down. Use the clutch when activating. There were some problems with them. If they are maintained prroperly they will work fine. How many miles on it and has it been rebuilt?

You can expect about 24 mpg on the highway at 65 mph and about 16 around town.

Aug 4, 2008 | 11:35 AM

xCCTer

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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.

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http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm

http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1985.php

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1985-corvette1.htm

http://www.corvetteobsession.com/Dou...formation.html

http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/index.shtml

Aug 5, 2008 | 12:08 AM

matrix040

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From: Centralia Illinois

Just keep up on the maint. filter and fluid. Always use the clutch, and you should really like it. I get up to 30 mpg on highway.

Aug 5, 2008 | 08:08 AM

Jet Jockey & C5

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From: Calhoun, GA / USA GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by xccter

Man!!! THIS is some of the best stuff out there!! Thank you so much. How did I miss that these things exist on the I'net?!!? I have some of these books, but didn't have online versions.

MANY THANKS!!
Jet Jockey

Aug 5, 2008 | 08:09 AM

Jet Jockey & C5

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From: Calhoun, GA / USA GA

And a special thanks to everyone who posted. This is all so helpful. Now to find the right car. Thought I had one treed, but it got away.

~ Jet Jockey