C4 Reliability ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
It probably depends on how you personally define "very reliable". There are not many other sports cars for the money that are more reliable though.
That's how I think of my car. There's not a lot of other exotic cars at all I could own for the price my car cost me. And there certainly aren't any that even come close to the reliability and ease of maintenance this thing has.
That's how I think of my car. There's not a lot of other exotic cars at all I could own for the price my car cost me. And there certainly aren't any that even come close to the reliability and ease of maintenance this thing has.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 0
From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I drive mine everywhere. I'm never hesitant to take it anywhere.
Drove from MI to KY twice and countless Northern MI trips.
96 w/76,000 and counting.
Drove from MI to KY twice and countless Northern MI trips.
96 w/76,000 and counting.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
I bought my LT4 last year in May with 33K on it. I drove it every day until mid-October last year, and every day from early April this year - it'll go into storage again sometime in mid-October, I imagine. This year we also drove it on trips to South Dakota and Pennsylvania - never missed a beat. Having another car to drive if necessary gives me some peace of mind, but I haven't needed it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
They're very reliable cars. However, all older cars are gonna need some work with more mileage and age. Sometimes diagnosing that can be tricky but once you know what your looking for, or you have a mechanic who does, then you should have no problems.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
A C4, like any old car, is reliable to the extent that it's been maintained over the years.
I'd trust my 148K mile 1984 Vette to Los Angeles and back tomorrow. I've seen 5 year old cars I wouldn't trust to go across town.
If you're in the market for a C4, look for one that's been babied. Keep up the maintenance and drive it forever.
I'd trust my 148K mile 1984 Vette to Los Angeles and back tomorrow. I've seen 5 year old cars I wouldn't trust to go across town.
If you're in the market for a C4, look for one that's been babied. Keep up the maintenance and drive it forever.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 4
From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
The digidash, early style ribbon window motors, automatic climbate control, and sensors can all be a real pain to keep working properly. Engine and drivetrain wise are good if kept up and are not pushed at the strip. D36 is a weak differential and so is the automatic transmissions. ZF6 blacktags are good solid but noisy transmissions. The D44 differential is rock solid. Oh yea, can't forget the stock speakers, especially Bose. They are garbage and go out at the worst times.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Duncanville Texas
depends on the owners
The cars are very reliable if you dont jack with the wiring. Couldnt even tell you how many come to me bacause a stereo was installed now the windows don't work or it smokes etc. My specialty is fixing attack of the stereo people.
Last edited by C4forlife; Sep 26, 2008 at 11:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
But a C4 reliability is iffy at best. Unless you can honestly tell the way it was driven, you will have to look at several different versions, LTx, Cross Fire, and TPI and figure out which is your cup of tea. Then there are the little issues, wheel bearings, headlights, wetherstriping, to say a few.
But, if you are mechanically inclined, you could get the best sports car per dollar out there, a C4!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Another good point. If you can work on a car (no need to be an expert) Id say go for it. If you have to pay someone I would stay away from a C4 unless you have money to drop. No way Id own one of these or any yr Vette for that matter if I was dependent on someone else everytime I noticed some little thing wrong. $1000 here, $1000 there, etc etc.
Thread Starter
Southern Piedmont Area
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 19
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by MK 82
It is a machine. If it is properly serviced and maintained, it is reliable.
It was not reliable.
Regards,
-Ward
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
I have a 87 with 90K on the clock and I would take it anywhere without a second thought. As with any car its how its mantained after a few miles get on it.
Last edited by floridamale; Sep 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM.