C4 Reliability ?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,693
Likes: 1,132
I believe in the Beer Fairy
You know I have stopped myself 99% of the time from saying this, but did you even put the word "reliability" into the search and check out all those posts? I normally just try to answer the questions, but this is like beating a dead horse and it is such an open question due to a ton of factors. Is mine reliable? Sure, but I have only had it a few months, who knows what tomorrow will bring for any of our cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
QUOTE=Garret;1567264408]You know I have stopped myself 99% of the time from saying this, but did you even put the word "reliability" into the search and check out all those posts? I normally just try to answer the questions, but this is like beating a dead horse and it is such an open question due to a ton of factors. Is mine reliable? Sure, but I have only had it a few months, who knows what tomorrow will bring for any of our cars.[/QUOTE]
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Cruising
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Warsaw, Poland
Hmm, from what I can see, most of you guys say that C4 in general IS a reliable car (for a car of this age, of coarse, and depending on previous maintenance).
No longer than a few days ago, there was very similar topic (here) - and the opinions were just the opposite.
I think it can be a bit confusing for a newbie who wants to gain some knowledge and make his or her decision...
(actually I'm such newbie too 
).
No longer than a few days ago, there was very similar topic (here) - and the opinions were just the opposite.
I think it can be a bit confusing for a newbie who wants to gain some knowledge and make his or her decision...
(actually I'm such newbie too ).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Its reliable, and if you can turn a wrench, fairly cheap for what you are getting.
There are parts in different years that arent always very reliable unless you have a indepth knowledge of them. Opti for 92-96 is a good example. It can be really reliable, or horrible. LT1 Water Pump the same.
Everything else is just a car, and it does work very well and overall is a very reliable car.
And here is another way to look at it, IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT.
My Dad beat me up with this phrase, and I think I finally got it
There are parts in different years that arent always very reliable unless you have a indepth knowledge of them. Opti for 92-96 is a good example. It can be really reliable, or horrible. LT1 Water Pump the same.
Everything else is just a car, and it does work very well and overall is a very reliable car.
And here is another way to look at it, IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT.
My Dad beat me up with this phrase, and I think I finally got it
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
I see you're from Poland.
A friend of mine is currently in medical school at Poznan University in Poland.
Regards,
-Ward
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
C'mon, Ward -- for $8K to $10K, and the ability to sell it for pretty much what you paid for it, it's a no-brainer. You should have done this 18 months ago and enjoyed the ride. I did not even know this Forum existed when I impulsively bought mine 3.5 years ago -- I just knew it had a bulletproof Chevy V8 and had been very well cared for. No regrets; not even close.
For what they are (an older high performance and somewhat high tech vehicle) they are very reliable. My loaded LT1 has 115K on it and has been quite dependable as a daily driver. The adjustable suspension still works, the original clutch is still solid, the Bose works fine (it did need a Dr. Don's refurbishment -- big deal), the power seats, windows and mirrors have yet to crap out, the climate control is great, etc. Frankly, I continue to be amazed at how I just get in and go -- like my wife's Honda.
Just find one that has been babied, steal it at current prices, and don't look back.
Last edited by Rapid Fred; Sep 27, 2008 at 04:07 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Is this a very reliable, dependable car?
Having said that it is a very solid sports car that can be driven hard and often.
I could not afford my 20yr old C4 unless I did a lot of the R&R and have a 2nd car with which to occasionally chase parts.
But I will likely never sell this C4 as it brings a smile to my face when driving it, racing it and even working on it...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I bought my '88 Z52 A4 4 years ago with 89k miles on it.
It now has 130k miles on it and other than routine stuff, I put on a new intake gasket set (oil leak), half-shaft joints and rear wheel bearings on it, a rear hatch solenoid, and switched from R12 to R134.
It averages about 24.5 mpg combined.
I've been very pleased.
It now has 130k miles on it and other than routine stuff, I put on a new intake gasket set (oil leak), half-shaft joints and rear wheel bearings on it, a rear hatch solenoid, and switched from R12 to R134.
It averages about 24.5 mpg combined.
I've been very pleased.
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by MK 82
Good thing you didn't ask about one, huh?
Originally Posted by MK 82
It was a sincere answer and did not warrant your sarcasm.
You might fit in better with the import guys.
You might fit in better with the import guys.
I come out here and asked the guys a legitimate and sincere question about C4's, and you, who've been out here for a total of 8 months, feel the need to show your ***.
If you're gonna dish it out, learn to take it in return. Until then, go bug someone else.
Regards,
-Ward
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by xccter
I bought my '88 Z52 A4 4 years ago with 89k miles on it.
It now has 130k miles on it and other than routine stuff...
It now has 130k miles on it and other than routine stuff...
Regards,
-Ward
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Onyx C4
C'mon, Ward -- for $8K to $10K, and the ability to sell it for pretty much what you paid for it, it's a no-brainer. You should have done this 18 months ago and enjoyed the ride...Just find one that has been babied, steal it at current prices, and don't look back.
I think the main thing is, the wife didn't seem real receptive to the idea.
She seems much more receptive to it now for some reason.
Actually, her and I just got back from a Chevy dealer (just browsing around) and the salesman wanted to trade me...on the spot...a 1990 C4 convertible (automatic, burgundy with beige leather) with 60,000 miles for my 2000 Ford Expedition with 60,000 miles.
I'm not in the market for a convertible, but the wife was encouraging me to take it for a test drive anyway.
I'm taking that as a green light from her.
Regards,
-Ward
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Geez a newb pulling rank. Now I have seen it all. And this is coming from a wannabe Vette owner.
I can take all you can give Sonny!
And it was a sincere statement.
P.S. It will be a cold day in Hell when I need my wife's permission to buy anything!
I can take all you can give Sonny!
And it was a sincere statement.
P.S. It will be a cold day in Hell when I need my wife's permission to buy anything!
Yeah, it really sounded sincere.
I come out here and asked the guys a legitimate and sincere question about C4's, and you, who've been out here for a total of 8 months, feel the need to show your ***.
If you're gonna dish it out, learn to take it in return. Until then, go bug someone else.
Regards,
-Ward
I come out here and asked the guys a legitimate and sincere question about C4's, and you, who've been out here for a total of 8 months, feel the need to show your ***.
If you're gonna dish it out, learn to take it in return. Until then, go bug someone else.
Regards,
-Ward
Last edited by MK 82; Sep 28, 2008 at 12:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by MK 82
I can take all you can give...blah...blah...It'll be a cold day in hell...blah...blah...
Your petty, immature nonsense is a waste of bandwidth out here.
Regards,
-Ward
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Put it this way, I'm way more worried about getting cut up on the freeway than I am about the car breaking down. My '96 has had it's small share of problems but has let me know when something was wrong and has never left me stranded.
Solid mechanics, 'heavy duty' where it counts.
Get the latest model you can afford
Good luck
Solid mechanics, 'heavy duty' where it counts.
Get the latest model you can afford
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
I am done. If that picture in your profile is of you, you have a big enough cross to bear.
You can email me at wardcleaver@hotmail.com if you'd like to whine, complain, or brag.
Your petty, immature nonsense is a waste of bandwidth out here.
Regards,
-Ward
Your petty, immature nonsense is a waste of bandwidth out here.
Regards,
-Ward
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 5
From: 2010 C6 Grand Sport Convertible
Ward,
Pull the trigger.....don't look back. It's the luck of the draw too. If you can find a one owner C4 with documented service records, thats about the best you can do. That kind of vehicle is out there, but scarce compared to the stock available all over the country. Now is the best time to shop and deal. Best luck to ya, Don't come back empty handed!...
Mike
Pull the trigger.....don't look back. It's the luck of the draw too. If you can find a one owner C4 with documented service records, thats about the best you can do. That kind of vehicle is out there, but scarce compared to the stock available all over the country. Now is the best time to shop and deal. Best luck to ya, Don't come back empty handed!...
Mike