Im looking to buy a C4 corvette and was wondering what the best year is to get. I only can spend around $5000. I want a Targa and a manual trannsmission. I heard 1989s have a updated suspension and seen them go for around this price but I like the interior on 1990s.

 

The biggest reason to be looking at an '89 or later is because of the 6 speed tranny in lieu of the previous years 4+3.

The updated suspension in '89 is basically the previous years Z52 package.

You should be able to find an '89-91 with 75-100k miles in that range.

Personally, I like the digi-dash, so I vote '89.

 

Actually the '88's are very, very similar to the '89's. The main thing to watch for is there were about 5500 '88's that did not have the upgraded suspensions or the 17" wheels. Well, also that none of the '88's had a 6 spd but only the 4+3 as a manual trans.

 

It's clear some folks have no respect for the Doug Nash 4+3 Transmission. I have it in my '86E and I love it. Hell, if it was good enough for the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette, then it's is good enough for me. Don't let a nice C4 get away from you because it has the DN 4+3. Lots of torque and good MPG.

 

88 and 89 had the same suspensions, They revised it in 88 and the Z52cars got the 17's and base got a one year only 16 inch design, as opposed to the 89 which all got the 17's regardless of suspension, The biggest dif as far as suspension goes is the addition of the FX3 adjustable shock suspension for 89.

 

what about the targa, is that on all C4 coupes?

 

The newer the better,try to chek craigslist and private listings
im sure u can get a good deal
let us know the outcome !

 

Yes it is.

 

ill definitely post pics when I get it.Im hoping this summer but if not ill get it for sure by fall. By the way i was in Auto class today and i looked beside me and there was sitting a grey C4 Vette. I about lost it! I didnt even notice it. I figured out it was a 84.


Originally Posted by 72MiuraSV
what about the targa, is that on all C4 coupes?

Originally posted by amminich
Yes it is.

What about ZR1s? I know the all C5 ZO6s are hardtop

 

[QUOTE=72MiuraSV;1569234133]ill definitely post pics when I get it.Im hoping this summer but if not ill get it for sure by fall. By the way i was in Auto class today and i looked beside me and there was sitting a grey C4 Vette. I about lost it! I didnt even notice it. I figured out it was a 84.


Fall?! If youve got the money....get yer butt out there and shop now.

Good lord...this is the best buyers market you can get. Besides, youll have this season to play with it. Also....swap meets out the wazoo if you need some bits and pieces to doll it up.

You can swim in the sea of 80's C4's for sale. Plenty of nice cars, and if you find a REAL nice one for a few hundred more. Thats the one you want. It will be WAY cheaper in the long run.

But "Fall"?? Please.

 

i snagged mine(1989) with 95k miles for $4700 in el paso texas a few weeks ago. theres been a few poping up for under 6k here

 

Pardon my stupidity here or hijacking this thread. I have never been in or around an early vette with the 4+3? How does it work? 3 overdrive gears? I hear alot of trash talk about them, but I have no clue how they work.

Thanks,

Mike

 

The Doug Nash 4+3 was a 4 speed manual transmission hooked up to a 3 speed automatic overdrive unit. There was a button on the shifter (I think in early models it was on the console) that engaged the OD in the top three gears. It gets a bad rap because the OD unit was prone to failure, usually because the owners didn't service them properly or change the fluid on a regular basis. I know several guys who have them and they generally use OD only in 4th gear. As someone pointed out it was used on the Callaway Twin Turbo cars so it's a strong piece.

 

6-speed C4's are rare. I think about 75% of all C4's were automatic but I could be wrong.

Don't close yourself off to just 6-speeds because at this point in its age, you should get the best condition C4 you can afford whether it's a manual or automatic. Both go very fast.

 

All C4 coupes had the targa top. Unlike the T-Tops on the C3s which were held by clips the C4 was a 1 piece top and was secured by bolts front and rear because the top was an integral structural member.

 

So you drive it around like a regular 4 speed, and hit the od in 4th? Sounds ok to me. I dont recall about hearing about 6 speeds anyway during the early 80's. Maybe it was the best option the GM engineers had available then.

 

Get the best you can afford an 89 represented the best of the Atari dash generation.

 

Yeah that sounds weird. If you were driving a DN 4+3 and only wanted overdrive in 4th gear you would have to shift to 4th and then hit a button? then hit it again when you downshift and hit it again when you get into 4th gear again? .... sounds like a pain.

 

Get a 90 or 91. Better interior. 84-90 has the round tail light. 91-96 has a ovel tail light and the front marker lights wrap around the nose. 92-96 have optispark ign. Which will need to replace after a couple years. l98 vs ls1. I like the 90.

 

I had a an '89 Metallic Red which I traded off for my '94 Admiral Blue. For all of the differences between the cars I still made sure they both had automatic trannys. Why is that you want a manual tranny? You can shift an auto if you want and you don't have to worry about missing a gear. The earlier C4's have the L98 and the later models have the LT1 motors so if your thinking you need tranny gears to pickup speed abit faster try and get yourself a model with the LT1 engines. The L98 is roughly 240 horse where the LT1 is 300 and boy can you sure tell. Now let me ask you this... Do you think there may at some time in the future your going to join in on one of the many group drives? If so, your going to be shifting gears like there is no tomorrow driving in town. But your choice is just that, "YOURS". Everyone is right when they say get the very best one you can find. You may have to look at a dozen or so before you find the right one. DON'T be hasty and jump on the first one you come across unless it's just to good to be true. If there is anyone in your area that you know of that is a big "VETTE-HEAD" ask them to go with you when your looking at the cars. On a heads-up note don't be fooled if they say they have a Carfax report on the car. All that means is the insurance companies don't have a report on the car but, doesn't mean it wasn't wrecked. This will be kind of tough to do but look under the car. They sit close to the ground (as they should) because potholes, speed bumps and squirrels can cause big repair bills. Open the hood, doors, hatch, glovebox, headlights, A/C, heater, etc. Make sure everything works or is something your willing to deal with at a later time. Your in charge. They want your money more than you want their car, remember that. Keep us updated. Copper