New member purchasing C4
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 11
From: Il
New member purchasing C4
Being a newbie I would like to ask some of the members what to watch out for on a purchase. I pretty much have it narrowed down to a 95 or 96 cpe.
I'm open for a auto or six speed depending on the car, mileage and condition. I see that the cooling system is still a headache, how about the electronics (problems)? Is there a spec area on the engiene ( valve size, compression, clearences ect.
thanks in advance
:chevy
I'm open for a auto or six speed depending on the car, mileage and condition. I see that the cooling system is still a headache, how about the electronics (problems)? Is there a spec area on the engiene ( valve size, compression, clearences ect.
thanks in advance
:chevy
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Vandalia Ohio
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
What do you plan to do with the car? If you plan to keep the car stock, get the best car for the money, low miles and great shape. If you plan to modify your Vette, go for the body style you like, 84-90, 91-96, then find a low cost project car. I wanted to modify my Vette. I had a 65 roadster for 20 yrs. that needed a lot of money put in it. Then I would be afraid to drive it anywhere. I wanted a driver to have fun with, not a show car. I found my 91 with a modified 95 LT1 engine. The guy was having trouble selling the car since it was not "correct". This was the car for me. The car is a beauty. Only made turguoise green in 90 and 91. Rare color, great engine...425hp, 6 speed, bought 2 yrs. ago for $12,000. 50,000 miles on car. 2000 miles on engine. So, decide what you want to do with your Vette, drive it, show it, modify it, or do all the above. The choice is yours....Just Do It !!!!!!
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 11
From: Il
Re: New member purchasing C4 (JohnOH327)
Something nice to drive. I used to race and build but I have that out of my system, I just restored a lincoln and had to get rid of it because I was to paranoid to drive it. I would like a stock and correct car. So if I build it I can Unbuild it back to stock. :sleep: :mad :confused: :U :boxing
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 0
From: alexandria LA
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
If money was not a problem I would get a.
#1 LT4 CE
#2 Grand Sport
#3 93 Ruby 40th
All are great looking cars. Of course all Vettes look fantastic. I still love my 85 and it looks like crap for a Vette.
#1 LT4 CE
#2 Grand Sport
#3 93 Ruby 40th
All are great looking cars. Of course all Vettes look fantastic. I still love my 85 and it looks like crap for a Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
Re: New member purchasing C4 (Black85L98)
If this is a sunny day cruiser...then I would get the LT4 available in the '96...maybe a collector's edition or the Grand Sport....just depends on what you want to do with it. People have always said to buy the nicest and newest corvette you can afford...which is pretty accurate. I believe the seats go better in '94 along with a few other little things. Also depends on what body you like...as that changed between '90 and '91. Alot to consider. I have a soft spot for the GS!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Re: New member purchasing C4 (Drewdog)
I had a 95 PoloGreen M6 and now a 96 GrandSport. Both cars were/are very tight rattle free cars. The only problem with the cooling system was a waterpump leaking on both cars. Easy fix though. Good luck in your search
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
I'm sure people have said it, and will say it again... just get the newest 'vette that you can afford. The reason being that there is so much improvement and refinements in every single progressing model year that it make sense to buy the newer model. Except for the fact that some people have a certain affinity towards a particular year.
Good luck with the search.
Good luck with the search.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
From: Las Animas Ca. USA
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
Shop around the prices for 95-96 are all over the place.
Here a 95-96 is about 15k. If you buy a car with too low milage it will give you problems. These cars need to be driven.
95-96 are complicated cars, hard to trouble shoot.
Theres a computer for everything, including climate control.
For a driver I'd stick to a base coupe or vert, nothing fancy. I prefer an auto.
Traffic sucks in a stick. The CE and GS are excellent cars, but pricey, no Corvette is an investment. The resale drops off sharply and LT-1's have yet to bottom.
Cooling, they all appear to run hot. 220 is average in traffic.
A HPP thermomaster will cut your cooling quite a bit.
Also you can run with the air to cool the car.
Tires are expensive, $12-1400.00.
Have any car you intend to buy checked by a Corvette shop.
The newer the car the more complicated they become.
Take your time looking, these cars don't move all that fast.
Lt-1's are fantastic cars, good luck.
Here a 95-96 is about 15k. If you buy a car with too low milage it will give you problems. These cars need to be driven.
95-96 are complicated cars, hard to trouble shoot.
Theres a computer for everything, including climate control.
For a driver I'd stick to a base coupe or vert, nothing fancy. I prefer an auto.
Traffic sucks in a stick. The CE and GS are excellent cars, but pricey, no Corvette is an investment. The resale drops off sharply and LT-1's have yet to bottom.
Cooling, they all appear to run hot. 220 is average in traffic.
A HPP thermomaster will cut your cooling quite a bit.
Also you can run with the air to cool the car.
Tires are expensive, $12-1400.00.
Have any car you intend to buy checked by a Corvette shop.
The newer the car the more complicated they become.
Take your time looking, these cars don't move all that fast.
Lt-1's are fantastic cars, good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Athens Ohio
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Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
I've never met a stock bodied Vette that I didn't like. Buy the best you can afford.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
I agree with all of the suggestions that you buy the newest and best car you can afford, however, I think you were asking for tips as to what to watch for in your price bracket that could turn a bargain into a money pit. First don't believe what the owner tells you about condition, "the engine is 6 months old", "I just did the brakes" and that sort of thing. Only believe what the seller has receipts in hand to back his claims with. A high mile vette can still run and drive great, but it may go sour in three months. Compared to a Ferrari, Corvette parts are cheap, but they still cost more than you would think. I trust you are also reading the Tech forum for tips. Good Luck
P.S. My Boo Boo, I thought I read 85-86, the above still applies :conehead
[Modified by myblack864+3, 2:33 AM 3/23/2002]
P.S. My Boo Boo, I thought I read 85-86, the above still applies :conehead
[Modified by myblack864+3, 2:33 AM 3/23/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
All the stuff said above plus: Buy the one you fall in love with. You'll know when you see it. Of course, you should look at several befor making a decision. Unfortunately, you may lose out on the one that you want if you wait too long. I did. The guy selling it really loved Corvettes, but had to sell it because he was starting a family. He put all kinds of kool improvements to the car and it had a great price. Oh well, I love mine though.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Re: New member purchasing C4 (abigfoot)
Welcome.
I bought a 1996 about a month ago and love it. It took me over a year to find the right car at the right price. Do a little research, identify what options you really want (cd, perf axle, both tops, etc.). Once you find one you like, run a carfax, ask for documentation of repairs, etc. I found that there were huge differences between cars with similar mileage. Some were real tight, no rattles or buzzes, other were very loose and rattled terribly. Keep at it until you find the right one. I did. :D
Bruce 1996 CE
I bought a 1996 about a month ago and love it. It took me over a year to find the right car at the right price. Do a little research, identify what options you really want (cd, perf axle, both tops, etc.). Once you find one you like, run a carfax, ask for documentation of repairs, etc. I found that there were huge differences between cars with similar mileage. Some were real tight, no rattles or buzzes, other were very loose and rattled terribly. Keep at it until you find the right one. I did. :D
Bruce 1996 CE
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
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From: Athens AL
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Re: New member purchasing C4 (New N96)
get the newest you can afford
There are no real major problems with 95-96, all the bugs were worked out by then. Only thing you have to worry about is getting the engine wet, they have an optispark instead of a distributor which goes out on a drop of water. 95-96's have a new vented opti so you can get away with a drop or two just dont douse it.
If you can, get an 96 manual with the LT4 engine (50hp more than the LT1)
There are no real major problems with 95-96, all the bugs were worked out by then. Only thing you have to worry about is getting the engine wet, they have an optispark instead of a distributor which goes out on a drop of water. 95-96's have a new vented opti so you can get away with a drop or two just dont douse it.
If you can, get an 96 manual with the LT4 engine (50hp more than the LT1)