First Car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
First Car
Hi. I'm 16. I've loved cars my whole life. Especially the Corvette and Mustang. This love has led me to save up and work hard for a corvette. I'm a responsible driver and just got my permit. By my 17th bday, I expect to have over 6000 dollars. With this money, i'm going to by a c4 corvette as my first car. Since it is over 20 years, insurance will be cheap, which is a plys. I know i can get a 84-89 corvette with this amount of money. BTW, this is NEVER gonna be a racing car.
Anyway, I want to ask what years are best and which are worse, necessary and suggested upgrades which don't cost to much. Also, so things which are good to know about the cars, and things to care for my baby. Also, things to help improve the MPG, with gas prices going up. Also, what kind of rims look good, but aren't that expensive for a c4 (besides stock). Also, i want my engine to have a nice sound. What should I up to get this? How much would it cost? I already plan on getting a racing stripe from vettestripes. if there is anywhere else to get them, please tell me.
Any other good info is appreciated.
Answer whatever you can please.
Thanks a LOT.
Anyway, I want to ask what years are best and which are worse, necessary and suggested upgrades which don't cost to much. Also, so things which are good to know about the cars, and things to care for my baby. Also, things to help improve the MPG, with gas prices going up. Also, what kind of rims look good, but aren't that expensive for a c4 (besides stock). Also, i want my engine to have a nice sound. What should I up to get this? How much would it cost? I already plan on getting a racing stripe from vettestripes. if there is anywhere else to get them, please tell me.
Any other good info is appreciated.
Answer whatever you can please.
Thanks a LOT.
Last edited by Pjj1020; Jul 13, 2009 at 12:34 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Wow slow down, you need to get the car first!
Buy the newest car you can afford. Each year was an improvement over the last.
Alot of guys run Corsa for their exhaust, but it isnt cheap.
Rims are all personnal choice. Search around the forum and find some you like.
The only way to really improve MPG is to stay off the gas.
Buy the newest car you can afford. Each year was an improvement over the last.
Alot of guys run Corsa for their exhaust, but it isnt cheap.
Rims are all personnal choice. Search around the forum and find some you like.
The only way to really improve MPG is to stay off the gas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
Buy the newest, best condition, well maintained, lowest mile Corvette you can afford. A lot of repairs can be done by the owner with no cost for labor, but parts do not seem to be really cheap, especially those which are strictly Corvette.
I say newest because every year improvements were made, some major and some minor.
The car in the best condition will cost less to keep looking good and running well as time goes by.
The car that has been maintained well will also require less upkeep in the future.
Low miles are important as things besides the engine start to wear out. The fewer miles the car has on it, the longer it should be until different parts (suspension, drivetrain, electronics, etc.) need replacing.
Talk with insurance companies before you buy anything. If you are a male, newly licensed driver I think you may be shocked by the quotes you will get. So be sitting down when you get them.
If after talking with the insurance company you still buy a Corvette, drive it and enjoy it a while before deciding which "improvements" are desired or necesary.
In my opinion the C4 Corvette is a great looking, great driving car. And remember, my opinion is worth what you paid for it. What you like is what matters most to you. Do not worry about what others think of your car.
I say newest because every year improvements were made, some major and some minor.
The car in the best condition will cost less to keep looking good and running well as time goes by.
The car that has been maintained well will also require less upkeep in the future.
Low miles are important as things besides the engine start to wear out. The fewer miles the car has on it, the longer it should be until different parts (suspension, drivetrain, electronics, etc.) need replacing.
Talk with insurance companies before you buy anything. If you are a male, newly licensed driver I think you may be shocked by the quotes you will get. So be sitting down when you get them.
If after talking with the insurance company you still buy a Corvette, drive it and enjoy it a while before deciding which "improvements" are desired or necesary.
In my opinion the C4 Corvette is a great looking, great driving car. And remember, my opinion is worth what you paid for it. What you like is what matters most to you. Do not worry about what others think of your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,233
Likes: 419
Quite frankly, I think you are getting ahead of yourself. You say you are saving and will have over $6K by your next birthday. I assume it is taking some time therefore to gather up this cash. Some recommendations:
1. Forget any other wheels for the time being. Nothing wrong with wanting new rims, but when you buy this car, you had better have a reserve for unexpected repairs. These are old cars, and for $6K you will likely be getting a fairly high mileage car.
2. Stripes - other than the stock design in 96 - make the car look LESS valuable than stock. Consider that at some point you will likely sell the car. Visual add-ons are not usually liked by most customers. They want stock.
3. For gas mileage, I would try for a later car with a 6-speed, but that's not going to be easy with $6K. A good tune-up is probably the best way to insure good mileage. New-ish tires will also help.
4. Exhaust - unless you absolutely need a new exhaust, stick with the stock exhaust for the same reason as the rims.
1. Forget any other wheels for the time being. Nothing wrong with wanting new rims, but when you buy this car, you had better have a reserve for unexpected repairs. These are old cars, and for $6K you will likely be getting a fairly high mileage car.
2. Stripes - other than the stock design in 96 - make the car look LESS valuable than stock. Consider that at some point you will likely sell the car. Visual add-ons are not usually liked by most customers. They want stock.
3. For gas mileage, I would try for a later car with a 6-speed, but that's not going to be easy with $6K. A good tune-up is probably the best way to insure good mileage. New-ish tires will also help.
4. Exhaust - unless you absolutely need a new exhaust, stick with the stock exhaust for the same reason as the rims.
Last edited by bb62; Jul 13, 2009 at 03:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
I know a Vette sounds like fun, but don't kid yourself on the insurance cost. 16 Years Old + Corvette = Big Bucks for insurance, old or not.
I think you're in for a little sticker shock when you see the cost.
I think you're in for a little sticker shock when you see the cost.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,233
Likes: 419
You are right there. But do you think he might try and get collector insurance? I wonder what the costs are for such young'ns.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 77
From: Elgin, IL
If you are looking for a nice sounding exhaust for cheap then you can get some muffler eliminator kits that are cheap and sound great. Search around and you can find some under the exhause sections from some Corvette parts places such as Mid America. Keep the stock parts to return to stock when you sell the car.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-119-6755.html
You only live once...buy it.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-119-6755.html
You only live once...buy it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Either way, some one is going to pay a hefty price!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Not what I meant, most collector's insurance only covers less than 1,000 -3,000 miles per year and some limit driving to shows and events only.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough CT
Another reason the insurance might be so high is there are only two seats. Two seat vehicles are more expensive to insure, This is why a lot of smaller sports cars have tiny unusable back seats they are easier and cheaper to insure.
If the insurance is a problem then there isn't anything wrong with starting with a Camaro/Firebird/Mustang and then working your way up.
If the insurance is not a problem then go for it. I love my C4 and it is a blast to drive. Try to find one for around $5000 and keep $1000 in the bank for unexpected problem (which there WILL be). I recently bought mine with 36,000 miles on her and have already had to put a little money into her. Good luck with your search and I hope you find the car of your dreams!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I don't think that's entirely fair for your parents.
I'm 20 and I drive a '96 LT4, I pay for my own insurance (Nearly $250/month WITH the defensive driving discount.)
I also had to replace the entire rear diff about a month after I got the car.($3k) Due to a problem that really wasn't anybodies fault. You definitely want to be careful if you're going to spend all of your money on just the car. Make sure you take repairs/insurance/gas($60/wk for me) into account also.
I'm 20 and I drive a '96 LT4, I pay for my own insurance (Nearly $250/month WITH the defensive driving discount.)
I also had to replace the entire rear diff about a month after I got the car.($3k) Due to a problem that really wasn't anybodies fault. You definitely want to be careful if you're going to spend all of your money on just the car. Make sure you take repairs/insurance/gas($60/wk for me) into account also.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Most the kids around me are getting brand new cars for there 16th birthday and i at least have some dignity and work for my things <_<
Either way, I'm paying for the car and gas, he offfered to pay insurance and his good friend is a mechanic so he does oil changes and such for free anyway.
Either way, I'm paying for the car and gas, he offfered to pay insurance and his good friend is a mechanic so he does oil changes and such for free anyway.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Yeah, understood. It's an awesome feeling to buy your own car, you love it so much more because it's actually YOURS. Just be careful 
Cops will have a ball with you too, I've been pulled over far too many times because the officer wanted to know if it was actually MY car or not.
Cops will have a ball with you too, I've been pulled over far too many times because the officer wanted to know if it was actually MY car or not.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Exactly. Its just not the same being given a 30k dollar car then buying a 6k dollar car with your own money. It doesn't fell right. And if something terrible happens to the car I can't afford to fix, my parents wouldn't leave me out to dry. But I would be paying back big time plus more :P
and if a cop pulled me over to ask if the car was actually mine, it would be the best day of my life. I'd be so happy when I replied to him.
and if a cop pulled me over to ask if the car was actually mine, it would be the best day of my life. I'd be so happy when I replied to him.