Hey guys I am about to buy my first vette i am looking at 2 diferent 93 lt1s both are black on black coupes my Question is 1st vette has 58,000 miles on it and the fx3 susp. package an the better seats the 2nd vette has the standard susp. standard seats, but 46,000 miles. vette number 1 i can get for $12,000.00 and the 2nd vette for $11,300.00 is the susp. package worth the extra mileage both a stock would like any input you can give me also anything i should look for the is known to go bad on these cars

Thanks in advance
steve

 

Briefly, I can tell you (which may seem obvious) make sure the tires have decent tread left. Replacing tires on any Corvette can be expensive, but the years you're looking at are wide, specific, and not cheap. For good rubber, expect to pay upwards of $1500 and all 4 have to be replaced at same time. If tires are not great, you can use this as a bargaining chip to lower sale price when you go to purchase the car.

 

thanks great point

 

You should check inside the centre console for the list of RPO codes
that are on a sticker.
This will tell you what options these two cars have, as some options aren't all that visible.
Write them down and post them here.

Jim

 

thanks I have not looked at the cars yet both are about 2 hours away in diff. directions just trying to figure out what car to look at first how big of a deal is the mileage differance i drove a 93 conv. through work for a couple of years, car was brand new but the car seamed pretty bullit proof so is the mileage a big factor????

thanks
Steve

 

How deep is your maintenance budget? The FX3 system is very expensive to fix if it breaks. I had a 96 with the FX3 and would really have to use my imagination to feel the difference between settings. I was told that you would mostly feel it when driven hard and at high speeds. I never really beat on it so I can't vouch for the truth in that statement.
I would go with the less expensive car.
Be sure to ask how well they were maintained. Check the weatherstripping as it too is expensive to repair.
Here is a buyer's checklist from the Grand Sport Registry. Much of the info here applies to the LT1 cars.http://www.grandsportregistry.com/GSBuyersGuide.pdf
Your best bet is to take another with you who has owned and actually knows what to look for on a C4.

 

To me, the Fx3 and the sport seats are troublesome options that will not measurably improve your car ownership experience and may make it more of a pain because they may fail and require extra work

Ok, that's an extreme view, and the miles are low on both of the cars, but neither of those options appear to be things that people rave about. I think if you do a search for fx3, most of the time I see it, it is someone looking for a less expensive replacement shock option.

And if you are concerned about resale value, I think lower miles is something people will pay more for.

 

Now to me on the other hand, the sport seats make a big difference and those alone would be worth the difference in price. But I have a bad back and use my vette as a daily driver.

The difference in miles on these two cars is not significant. See which one has the more complete maintenance history.

My one important piece of advice to you, if this is your first vette, is to drive as many of them as you can before you decide which one to buy. Drive at least a half dozen at least 30 minutes each to see what they feel like to you.

One other thing ... there is very little on a vette that is inexpensive to repair unless you have the time, the tools and the ability to do it yourself.

 

thanks the conv. i drove back in 93 had the fx3 and i could not feel the diff. between settings. thanks you guys very much for your input i am looking at the classifieds here and have seen a few nice one here, also i will slow down a little and find the right one. the 94 red one with the 383 looks pretty sweet just starting to get out of my price range

thaks again
steve

 

also thanks corvetteronw for the link to the checklist very much appreciated

steve

 

Open up the hood and squeeze the hoses.. It should feel rubbery. If it feels crunchy they are about to go causing all sorts of problems for your Opti.

 

The FX 3 and Sport Seats make that car a lot more valuable.
It's possibly a ZO 7 optioned car.
Steering difference and adjustable traction relocators.

I can tell my FX 3 car is working because the CD 's hate it ! LOL

You might not notice because the Sport Seats are that much better !

 

Is the FX3 options you guys are discussing the Ride Control (tour, sport, performance)?

 

If it were a Z07 it would make all of the difference in the world - but the owner would know and would be advertising it as such.

 

The difference in mileage and price is not that great. Go with the car that is in better overall condition (especially weather stripping) and has the more complete service records. Of course if one is a six speed and the other an automatic the choice should be obvious.

 

Here's my advice:

Carfax is a must.

Learn to turn a wrench if you don't already. If you don't this car can get expensive. At 15+ years old, it WILL have problems. Things will break. It's sooooo much less costly if you learn to fix stuff yourself. This forum is an excellent source of knowledge. See my examples below.

Common bothersome items on a LT1 C4.

-Replacing all 4 tires: $1,000+ for quality tires. Upwards of $2000 if you get runflats or that really high dollar stuff.
-Weather stripping $400-500 in parts alone. Might double that to get a body shop to install it.
-Opti Spark $600-800+ for a water pump and new opti parts alone (you replace both at the same time). Double that if you get a mechanic to do it. Optispark distributer is the #1 fail item on an LT1 C4. It is not a question of if, but when it will fail. Some have gone well over 100K with no problems. Some crap out at 40k. Depends on your water pump. If it leaks at all, your opti is toast.
-Headlights. Sometimes you get a winker. Also expensive. I have taken mine apart a couple of times and put it back together. Seemed to work okay. Headlight motors-very expensive also. Usually it's just the gears that get stripped or the bushings wear out. Don't assume your headlight motor is failing.

I have the standard suspension and standard seats so I can't speak for the sport. I guess try both. I look at the suspension thing as one more possible item that can break. And another thing that can be expensive to fix.

Ecklers, Corvette America, MA motor sports are probably among the best selection of parts. But, be sure to check ebay. You can often get stuff cheaper there. Sometimes a LOT cheaper.

 

the fx3 car is at a dealer and does have a car fax report guy said weather stripping is good and is original paint how can i tell if it is a zo7 optioned car also have new firehawks on it w/ original wheels, the other car has aftermarket zr-1 style wheels and off brand tires in good cond. think i am starting to see the fx3 car may be the better choice but i still need to look at them

steve

 

There is a label on the bottom of the passenger side compartment (behind the seat). It will list all options on the car. If it is a Z07 car it will show Z07 on the list.

Here is a list of the codes:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...4-rpo-faq.html

Note that not all options listed were available for all model years, and some options are redundant. For example, Z07 was only availabe for 1991 - 1995 (while Z51 and Z52 were not available), and included RPO FX3. FX3 will also be listed as an option, but a car could have FX3 and not have Z07.

As for the weather stripping, check it yourself. The weather stripping is a sealed form rubber. It may look in good condition but if there is even a small tear it will soak up water like a sponge.

 

You really need to go and drive both cars I would think with the low miles the fx3 package would still be ok. Check all the lumbar settings on sport seats, if every is working and equal on both cars paint, interior, tires, I would opt for the more optioned car all the better if it's a Z07 RPO and try talking the guy down some dealers will price higher then a private sale. Good Luck welcome to the Madness

 

The guy I bought mine from of course knew it had the options but not the ZO 7 part . They do not put a badge on them anywhere.
I knew only after joining the Forum !

If it's FX 3 and Sport Seats all thats left to make it a ZO 7 optioned car is adjustable traction relocators on the batwings and the larger steering arms.