mastershake575

I've been looking around at cars alot lately ($9500 budget) and the newer cars are nice but these C4 corvettes have really caught my eye even before I was in car purchasing mode. These are nice looking cars with lots of power (LT1/4) and rear wheel drive (driven a few muscles cars and there a blast) but I was wondering are these cars really that reliable ?

The ones ive looked at are pretty old (92-96) and I wonder if I do decide to go this route will maintance be a big issue ? Also how long do these transmissions last ?

Jamie Lennartson

Yah the L98 will run forever and they make a turbo kit for it that makes 500hp and 611 ft lbs tq at the wheel's.
23 years old and still runs like new.
With any car its all about how you take care of it.
run the **** out of it and never change the oil yah its gonna die before its time thats with any motor!

Relic

I have an L98. In my experience, the answer is no.

LT1/4 have the opti... it can be an issue.

kenv

I preface this by saying that this is only my opinion.

Having said that, I think that most folks have C4`s as hobby cars. There are some that use them as daily drivers, but most have them as a "fun" car & have other cars/trucks as dd`s. As for reliability, the newest C4 that you are going to be able to buy is going to be 14 years old. So it depends on what you are looking for. Are C4`s dependable?, for the most part- yes, but again- if you buy a car that is original, a lot of parts are just going to wear out. As a hobby car, you can let it sit when something expensive breaks until you get the money to get it fixed. If you need a car, as an only car to get you to work or school, I don`t know if I would have just the `Vette, but again, a lot of folks do use their `Vettes as their dd`s

FOURSPEEDVETTE

You could not have said it better.

mastershake575

The big year gap is the big concern im having and is the only real thing leaning me away from this car. It will be a daily driver but not to a crazy extent (I'm talking about maybe 5-6K miles a year). The only ones i'm looking of course have under 100K miles but there is some doubt.

Also should I be looking for these cars under private seller or dealership ? I was talking about it with people at work today and they seemed to have mixed reactions with both sides

Jamie Lennartson

Cheapest place ive seen c4s is on this forum in the c4 forsale section.
And they guys on here seem Honest and are corvette lover's 9/10 your gonna get a much better car from here then off any lot or any ebay auction.

kimmer

Dealers usually want more for them but there are some private owners that think their car is made of gold, just look at CL

mastershake575

This one is right by my house and looks nice http://www.stallionautosalesinc.com/..._Corvette.html might go check it out later
My friends a mechanic and will probaly go with me, what should I speciically look at for this year (issues)

Nowhere Man

its just another old chevy. keep good care of the car and it will take car of you. I drive my 94 everyday and in every kind of weather you can get in south central PA. its been a good car too me.

tblt44

I got my 95 W/92k at a caddy dealer for 7800,they were asking 12999

1963SS

Many LT1 Caprice and Impala's are going strong at 200,000 miles. The LT1 engine is, IMHO, bulletproof. I've torn down many with 100K+ on the clock and could still see the factory cross hatch pattern and they had very little bearing wear. Original opti's with 150,000 miles on them are not uncommon. Try that with a cap and rotor. The 4L60E may be a bit suspect if you thrash it daily but under reasonable driving it will last a long time.

So, in my opinion yes, the mechanical bits and pieces are very reliable but just as a thoroughbred horse requires more care than a plow horse the Vette will require more care then a Caprice taxi.

aboatguy

IMO get a second generation LT1 (1994 or later in a b body) or 1995 and up in the Y and F body....Vented opti is a great ignition device.. I have driven my 1995 Corvette in all kinds of weather over the last 5+ years. I have no qualms about hoping in it going on a roadtrip crossing multiple states at one long wack(ok so at times not such a long wack )
Problem is due to its size I usually end up in one of the bigger cars....hard to fit the wife, kids, and luggage in the vette at the same time......

Mike

cv67

Go completely through any car and they can be reliable

Would I depend on one day in and day out as a DD from just buying it from someone and "go" no way.

These cars require someone to stay on top of things, its the truth.

Engines/trans/suspension arent bad, its all the stuff attached to them that will go. Sensors, electonics, etc.

Frizlefrak

Like the guys said, it's all in how the car is maintained. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in my 150K mile 1984 Corvette and drive it to Los Angeles and back tonight. Contrarily, I've seen 65K mile C4's I wouldn't trust across town. Find the car that has had the best care taken of it. It will be obvious when you see it.

Do the maintenance, fix the small stuff that breaks, and they are as reliable as most any other car on the road.

cv67

[QUOTE=Frizlefrak;1573445558]Like the guys said, it's all in how the car is maintained. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in my 150K mile 1984 Corvette and drive it to Los Angeles and back tonight. [url]QUOTE]

Next time youre out this way stop on by

RC000E

Hope the 170k mile Corvette I'm flying out to get in two weeks makes it from San Diego to Pittsburgh....

pkazsr

That sounds like something I would do. If I had a reason to drive across country in any of the 3 cars I have (99 Cavalier, 91 Blazer, 88 Vette) the Vette gets the nod.
Buy a AAA membership and enjoy the trip.

Old87owner

I have owned my 87 just about 2 years now. That being said, I have 172K on it, the engine, tranny and suspension are all in good condition.

However, I have had to replace most of the sensors and electronics. But now it runs great. I dont expect many more issues.

My 87 is a fair weather or club event car. I only drive her on a decent day. I have other vehicles for grocery getters or lumber getters. I doubt she would be a good DD.

If I was to get another Vette, it would be a 73 or early model c5, mostly so I could get in and out of easily.

SurfnSun

Ive been daily driving my 96 LT4 for 3 years now- 109k miles. Has never given me a problem. Id drive it cross country tomorrow and not worry about it.