C4 Questions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
C4 Questions
I am thinking of purchasing the C4 1996 model but have a few questions. I will use the vette 8 months out of the year.
- Does the car require premium fuel?
- Are there any issues with the car I should know about?
- What maintenance is required?
- I can't find any crash test results?
- What the cost to replace the tires and approx how often?
- Does the car require premium fuel?
- Are there any issues with the car I should know about?
- What maintenance is required?
- I can't find any crash test results?
- What the cost to replace the tires and approx how often?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Crash test?
The data is out there using google, but honestly, I have never worried about crash data for my Corvette. I view my C4 as if it were a safer motorcycle. Four wheels and a cage, but I keep my eyes and ears open when driving it. I figure if I crash it, it will suck to be me.
The data is out there using google, but honestly, I have never worried about crash data for my Corvette. I view my C4 as if it were a safer motorcycle. Four wheels and a cage, but I keep my eyes and ears open when driving it. I figure if I crash it, it will suck to be me.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
1. yes it does, but I run mine without it, produces less power as the computer retards the timing. In hotter weather I run premium.
2. Best year for the C4, as with most cars, when they get it right, they stop making them.
3. Normal maintenance is required yes, if you owned a car, this on is no different, being a chevy, maintenance is cheap, beside the corvette tax some places try to charge, don't go to these places. Painting and body work is the only more expensive part of owning a corvette. It takes more work to fix, and usually higher quality is demanded as compared to grandmas 1984 buick.
4. Depends on the tires and driving habits, tire rack seems a popular place to get online prices. Soft tires grip better and wear out faster.
2. Best year for the C4, as with most cars, when they get it right, they stop making them.
3. Normal maintenance is required yes, if you owned a car, this on is no different, being a chevy, maintenance is cheap, beside the corvette tax some places try to charge, don't go to these places. Painting and body work is the only more expensive part of owning a corvette. It takes more work to fix, and usually higher quality is demanded as compared to grandmas 1984 buick.
4. Depends on the tires and driving habits, tire rack seems a popular place to get online prices. Soft tires grip better and wear out faster.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
-Premium is 'recommended,' but the car can run without it. You will simply have diminished power.
-Only real issue is the Opti-Spark, but the '95 and '96 cars are much more reliable than earlier ones. Just don't spray the engine compartment with a hose/power washer, and you should be fine.
-Normal maintenance for a 13 year old car. Most of the stuff is standard GM garb. The 'Corvette Tax' is when you get charged extra for a part/service just because it's for a Corvette. It happens, and can be avoided sometimes. But other times, you'll just have to suck it up.
-It's got a frame. I'm willing to bet it'll hold up better than most compacts out there today. Just don't roll a vert!
-Assuming the car has 8.5" front wheels and 9.5" rear, which is typical on '96 cars, you're looking at a range of $300 - $1000 for performance summer tires, depending on the quality of tire. Mileage depends entirely on your driving style, and will be no different than any other car. Those prices are for Sumitomo HTR Z on the low end to Goodyear Eagle GS-D3 on the high end. Sizes are 255/45-17 front and 275/45-17 rear. You can also put 285's on the rear, and I think that's actually what came from the factory. If the car has 9.5" wheels all around, then it uses 275/40-17 on all 4 corners.
-Only real issue is the Opti-Spark, but the '95 and '96 cars are much more reliable than earlier ones. Just don't spray the engine compartment with a hose/power washer, and you should be fine.
-Normal maintenance for a 13 year old car. Most of the stuff is standard GM garb. The 'Corvette Tax' is when you get charged extra for a part/service just because it's for a Corvette. It happens, and can be avoided sometimes. But other times, you'll just have to suck it up.
-It's got a frame. I'm willing to bet it'll hold up better than most compacts out there today. Just don't roll a vert!
-Assuming the car has 8.5" front wheels and 9.5" rear, which is typical on '96 cars, you're looking at a range of $300 - $1000 for performance summer tires, depending on the quality of tire. Mileage depends entirely on your driving style, and will be no different than any other car. Those prices are for Sumitomo HTR Z on the low end to Goodyear Eagle GS-D3 on the high end. Sizes are 255/45-17 front and 275/45-17 rear. You can also put 285's on the rear, and I think that's actually what came from the factory. If the car has 9.5" wheels all around, then it uses 275/40-17 on all 4 corners.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Yes. Owner's manual: link
The optispark distributor has a pretty notorious reputation. Whether it's completely deserved or not, I don't know. Mine has been fine so far, and there are enough other people reporting high mileage reliability that I'm not too worried. In either case, avoid drenching it with water, and don't let the water pump leak coolant on it.
Weatherstripping and interior parts are expensive to replace.
Nothing unusual. Owner's manual: link
Find out whether a previous owner changed the coolant from Dexcool to the green variety before doing a flush/change.
My insurance policy gives a bodily injury discount to the Vette, but none of the other cars I've ever had on it. FWIW.
Search at www.tirerack.com to get an idea. There's a pretty wide range if you're shopping for price. Longevity will depend mostly on driving habits. I've bought tires once in my 5-1/2 years (~$800 for Goodyears) and the set I inherited from the previous owner was on its last legs.
The optispark distributor has a pretty notorious reputation. Whether it's completely deserved or not, I don't know. Mine has been fine so far, and there are enough other people reporting high mileage reliability that I'm not too worried. In either case, avoid drenching it with water, and don't let the water pump leak coolant on it.
Weatherstripping and interior parts are expensive to replace.
Nothing unusual. Owner's manual: link
Find out whether a previous owner changed the coolant from Dexcool to the green variety before doing a flush/change.
My insurance policy gives a bodily injury discount to the Vette, but none of the other cars I've ever had on it. FWIW.Search at www.tirerack.com to get an idea. There's a pretty wide range if you're shopping for price. Longevity will depend mostly on driving habits. I've bought tires once in my 5-1/2 years (~$800 for Goodyears) and the set I inherited from the previous owner was on its last legs.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,674
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
Oh, one more important thing to know about 96.
Do not buy the crappy, automatic. Its got the underpowered LT1.
You want the manual which comes with the LT4.
LT4 is also a slightly better platform to build up for more power (ex. better flowing heads, lightweight valves, HD timing chain, etc.).
Do not buy the crappy, automatic. Its got the underpowered LT1.
You want the manual which comes with the LT4.
LT4 is also a slightly better platform to build up for more power (ex. better flowing heads, lightweight valves, HD timing chain, etc.).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Oh, one more important thing to know about 96.
Do not buy the crappy, automatic. Its got the underpowered LT1.
You want the manual which comes with the LT4.
LT4 is also a slightly better platform to build up for more power (ex. better flowing heads, lightweight valves, HD timing chain, etc.).
Do not buy the crappy, automatic. Its got the underpowered LT1.
You want the manual which comes with the LT4.
LT4 is also a slightly better platform to build up for more power (ex. better flowing heads, lightweight valves, HD timing chain, etc.).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Don't ask me for dyno proof... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 2
From: Ft Myers Florida
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
Crash test results? It passed federal requirements for 1996. It has those great "killer" airbags that infected all cars before 1998 (don't sit too close to the wheel). You stare at the bumpers of pickup trucks at stop lights. But is she safe? you bet! At least my wife and I think so. Why? because EVERYONE notices a Corvette. Doesn't matter the color, it gets noticed, and therefore one has a better chance at not getting hit then in say, an Escort. At least that's our theory. Then again, if one is determined to run one under a semi (or roll a 'vert as Stealth said), your results may vary. Go ahead, buy one. They're wonderful!
-pete
-pete
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
I am thinking of purchasing the C4 1996 model but have a few questions. I will use the vette 8 months out of the year.
- Does the car require premium fuel?
- Are there any issues with the car I should know about?
- What maintenance is required?
- I can't find any crash test results?
- What the cost to replace the tires and approx how often?
- Does the car require premium fuel?
- Are there any issues with the car I should know about?
- What maintenance is required?
- I can't find any crash test results?
- What the cost to replace the tires and approx how often?
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
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: victoria texas
i got mine knowing what i was getting into. ...the looks the criticism. people thinking in rich because i have a paid off 95 and in my early 20's. but i tell you what it is something you can only feel in a vette with the targa off and the wind in your hair.
but also, if you have to ask what kind of gas goes in it that kinda worries me..not to be rude.
tires are not that bad i put some performance tires that ran over a grand and wheels that were also a grand. but it is what i wanted
maintenance is ok but the vette tax does sucks. just take care of the car like you would any other and it will last a good while. but do not expect to hammer down the throttle and expect it is be forgiving everytime...just to let you know.
it also depends on your size. not to be rude but if you are a bigger person getting in and out. in and out car take its toll on you. i had surgery on my shoulder and i am a small guy but getting in and out of the cockpit took a hit on me. so beware of that. the gas mileage is great on my 95, i have a full exhaust system hypertech programmer, vortex rammer ram air set up shift kit and i still get close to 30mpg on the highway. its great.
well just a little for you to know.
but also, if you have to ask what kind of gas goes in it that kinda worries me..not to be rude.
tires are not that bad i put some performance tires that ran over a grand and wheels that were also a grand. but it is what i wanted
maintenance is ok but the vette tax does sucks. just take care of the car like you would any other and it will last a good while. but do not expect to hammer down the throttle and expect it is be forgiving everytime...just to let you know.
it also depends on your size. not to be rude but if you are a bigger person getting in and out. in and out car take its toll on you. i had surgery on my shoulder and i am a small guy but getting in and out of the cockpit took a hit on me. so beware of that. the gas mileage is great on my 95, i have a full exhaust system hypertech programmer, vortex rammer ram air set up shift kit and i still get close to 30mpg on the highway. its great.
well just a little for you to know.