I'm looking at a 90 model with 119K for $5500 and wondering what I should look for.

 

1990s are known for the seatbelt light and infl rest light being on due to corrosion under the frame sensors or bad sensors themselves. Some people try to mask the problem by taking the bulb out of the drivers info center. Other than that I like mine with the new style interior. Pipe

 

Cool. I am torn between it and a 75 Stingray. I think with the 75 I'm scared of the carb and the fact that I have to get it shipped and the 90 is right here in Texas.

 

I have a 90. In addition to the above, I would do a general good check like any other used car. I am not sure if you are overpaying or not for one with that many miles.

Get a Vette mechanic to look it over carefully. $200 or so well spent. Have them do a compression check on the engine. Oil leaks are common at the rear seal, and at the front and rear of the intake gasket. Look for evidence of that. Can be expensive to fix.

In particular, look at the seats and the interior carefully. The leather can be expensive if it is beat. Look how the tires are waring, could be yet another expensive outlay. If it has sports seats, make sure that all the motors work and the air bladders will hold air for the lumbar support. They all have long since rotted with age and are a real PITA to replace (and expensive).

If the car came with the FX-3 (ride control system) make sure the shocks are in good shape and not leaking and the activators work on each one. Again, make sure he did not remove the warning bulbs in the DIC. If you start the car up three times in a row without moving it, the Service Ride should illuminate (if so equipped). It will have the **** on the console with three ride settings if it is present.

Smell the tranny fluid to see if it is burnt or if it is dark. Dark means it was not changed enough.

Ask for service records. If the records did do not indicate that he changed the oil with Mobil-1, walk away. He was not a caring Vette owner.

Thoroughly check out the Blose stereo if it is so equipped. They are expensive to fix and you are better off replacing the system if they go bad.

Alternators are also troublesome on the 90 sometimes. Electrical gremlins are always a fact of life with bad grounds being a problem. Make sure everything works as it should. Check out the pop up headlights. They are not expensive to fix yourself, but don't want any surprises.

Check the power steering rack for morning sickness. You need to try it totally cold and see if the steering wheel is hard to turn when it is totally cold. New rack is required and can cost.

Check the paint out thoroughly. Painting a car is very expensive and fixing any cracks is too. Check out the underside of the car on a lift. Look where it might have been jacked up improperly and cracked/deformed the fiberglass. Good time to look for evidence of accidents too.

If you do decide to buy it, I would spend the $100 and get the Helms GM service manual. I could not live without it. Best $ I ever spent on the Vette.

Good luck!

 

If I am looking at collectibility and performance (stock), would I be better off going with the 90 over some of the mid eighties such as 85-87? I am seeing some bad *** 80's vettes online tonight.

 

I am very familiar with C3's owned many along with the C4. The 75 is one the least desirable of the C3's, down on HP and not much for performance or comfort. You'll be much happier with the 90.

Don't get me wrong, love the C3's, but if you're going to drive it, get the C4.

 

Like I was told many, many years ago. For a driver, buy the newest, lowest mileage vette you can afford.

 

I'd get 92+ up car with an LT1 engine and newer body style and 300HP.
Also lower mileage like 75-100k.

 

I am in the dfw area and also own a 1990.

I have had it for about 8 yrs ( not that it has needed much ) i do all the mx on it myself it is a fun car to own. If you are close and need a 2nd set of eyes to look at it let me know.

Steve.

 

Well I finally found one. I found an 86 in Florida for $5K. I opted against the 90 model as he had a lien on the car and gave me the ole "I'll get you the title in a few days" thing. I got burned on that bad a few years ago. I'm flying out on Friday to put it on a transport truck.

 

Let see Hmm 19 year old car. It aint gunna be perfect. If you want a perfect one go buy a C6. Get in and drive it. If it drives nice, and you like it, BUY IT. Look at the ground under it to see if it leaks.

There was a post here for a 1989 new vette. Dont remember the details, like under 200 miles or something. He wont be saling that anywhere near 5500 bucks.

JMO..................................... ........................................ .......Corvette Mike

 

I really wouldn't worry about it being a collectable. Unless you're buying a ultra low mileage car in perfect condition and holding on to it for 20 or 30 years put away in storage.