85-89?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 12
From: k-town
85-89?
I found a 85 corvette, black on black with 68,000 miles, they want $4500 seam’s pretty cheap, I think a girl owns it going to check it out this Sunday, I was not really looking for 85 I was looking for a 91 up, till this 85 pop up this a pretty good year? Is there any different between 85-89?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 198
Likes: 47
From: Port Huron Michigan
I have an 85 with 20k on it. I am very happy with mine. The only down side in my opinion on the 85 is the lack of horsepower. But with too many ponies, I just always find myself in trouble! 4500 for a daily driver with so few miles, sounds like a deal to me!
Bob
Bob
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Modesto California
Correct me if I'm wrong, but i think 85 was the last year with the cast iron heads, and you could surely get a decent 86-87 for around $4500. 68K miles is pretty damn good though, how is the int./ext. condition?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
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From: Lino Lakes MN
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 3
From: charlottesville Virginia
I bought my 86 (early with cast iron heads) for 3500 this summer, the car had 105k interior was decent at best and you can tell it has been repainted several times and has lots of clear coat peeling and paint flakes. the engine bay of mine was pretty rough too, and I think I got an incredible deal. Asking for a couple hundred off never hurts, but at that price I don't know that I would be able to walk away.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Actually the 85 and, say an89, are quite different. 85 is far less refined, not as much electronics(HVAC), computer is slower(single year use) MAF burn off is different,again single year, is down on power and the transmission had flaws which were corrected in later years. I like the 85 for it's simplicity more "sports car" feel even though it isn't as quick and slower around corners. I love my 85 and have absolutely no plans to let it go. In fact I just might be buried in it. Don't let the iron heads bother you, thereis far more that enough power to both keep you in trouble or toget you killed if you are not careful.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: PA
68,000 miles, $4,500, buy it. Don't let the cast iron heads change your mind, there's nothing wrong with them. Actually with the aluminum heads you have more of a chance of a leaking head gasket down the road, when the miles go higher. In all my years I found aluminum intake manifolds and heads like to leak with the higher miles and this is with any engine from a 4 cylinder up to a V8. Very seldom does a cast iron intake manifold or head leak at their gaskets.
Anyway, there will probably be little things that need attention, but hey fix it up and you'll have a nice car. If you put $1,000 or lets stretch that to $2,000 into it now you have a fine example of a 1985 with a total of $6,500 with 68,000 original miles.
So what if this 85 needs tires, seat upholestery, carpet, brakes, exhaust and a few little things down to new emblems. For $4,500 and maybe you can get it for $4,000 hey, you can't beat that. 68,000 miles that car is still a youngster.
Anyway, there will probably be little things that need attention, but hey fix it up and you'll have a nice car. If you put $1,000 or lets stretch that to $2,000 into it now you have a fine example of a 1985 with a total of $6,500 with 68,000 original miles.
So what if this 85 needs tires, seat upholestery, carpet, brakes, exhaust and a few little things down to new emblems. For $4,500 and maybe you can get it for $4,000 hey, you can't beat that. 68,000 miles that car is still a youngster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I agree on the heads and the head gasket leaks on the early aluminum 113's were showing up under warranty with no fix until the last Year of the L98 or '91. There are differences in wheel size and some complain about the ride of the early C4's. In addition, but something I haven't seen around here in ages, the steering racks were often toast just after the warranty. The $4500 price seems low enough to be a good deal or there's a couple of warts you haven't seen yet - maybe peeling paint? I paid $30,000 for mine new and with 60,000 miles, I've probably spent that much again keeping it as close as I can to new.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
So your gonna pass on a nice '85 because it has iron heads??? 
How about some good things about the '85 coming from someone who owns one. They weigh the least out of all C4's ('84 is about the same), dont come ABS, air bags, or traction control (useless junk IMO). They also dont have the 3rd brake light found on top of the hatch which I think throws off the body lines. All '84-'87s have 16" wheels and use 255/50/16 tires.
I think you should at least test drive it first to see if you even like it.
How about some good things about the '85 coming from someone who owns one. They weigh the least out of all C4's ('84 is about the same), dont come ABS, air bags, or traction control (useless junk IMO). They also dont have the 3rd brake light found on top of the hatch which I think throws off the body lines. All '84-'87s have 16" wheels and use 255/50/16 tires.
I think you should at least test drive it first to see if you even like it.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: PA
I also have a 85 and agree with Demonic. The 85s don't have stuff that 86 on ups have. And that's a huge benefit, less stuff to go wrong. I don't like the 3rd brake light for the same reasons. Again, $4,000 to $4,500, go for it and so what If you have to put some money into it. 68,000 miles wow. Unless the odometer broke and it has 168,000 on it. You'll know it's background if you go look at it. Listen to what the owner tells you, but also listen to what the car is telling you too, when ya look at it.
If it has the Z-51 option it's ahead of the game. It'll ride hard and like a truck like mine, but that's okay, it's not that bad, but handles soooo nice.
If it has the Z-51 option it's ahead of the game. It'll ride hard and like a truck like mine, but that's okay, it's not that bad, but handles soooo nice.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
68,000 miles, $4,500, buy it. Don't let the cast iron heads change your mind, there's nothing wrong with them. Actually with the aluminum heads you have more of a chance of a leaking head gasket down the road, when the miles go higher. In all my years I found aluminum intake manifolds and heads like to leak with the higher miles and this is with any engine from a 4 cylinder up to a V8. Very seldom does a cast iron intake manifold or head leak at their gaskets.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Aaaah, no. The newer the car the better, although not by all that much, The 88 up's have better suspension, aluminum heads, roller cam, etc. Condition is everything, and IMO would trump year/miles. There is nothing wrong with an 85 though, they can be great cars, especially if they are in good condition and at a fair price. Resale could be a factor though, if that matters.