How dependable is your C4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
As long as the consumables, e.g., fluids, brakes, etc are in good shape, and you've gone thru the usual 110k mile replacement cycle (alt, water pump, etc) I wouldn't worry. Took my 95 on several extended trips and loved every minute of it. IMO, that 95 was THEE best road car I ever drove cross country. (Prolly why I put std 95 seat in my 90 ZR-1 soze the original sport seats wouldn't keep cutting off circulation all time!)
P.
P.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 39
From: Southern Indiana
I've only owned my 88 since January, but so far it has been very dependable... in fact, in the 4k+ miles I've put on it I haven't had to do anything other than adjust the timing.
And I plan on driving it to San Diego next month (admittedly not a 1500 mile trip, but will be close to 700 -800 round trip probably). And I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country... however, I would go over it with a fine-toothed comb before leaving on the trip, whereas our 2008 Jeep Commander I'd just make sure had fresh oil and hop in and go. But hey, it's a 22 year old car... being cautious is just the prudent thing to do.
But anyway, yeah my car has been great (so far... knock on wood).
And I plan on driving it to San Diego next month (admittedly not a 1500 mile trip, but will be close to 700 -800 round trip probably). And I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country... however, I would go over it with a fine-toothed comb before leaving on the trip, whereas our 2008 Jeep Commander I'd just make sure had fresh oil and hop in and go. But hey, it's a 22 year old car... being cautious is just the prudent thing to do.
But anyway, yeah my car has been great (so far... knock on wood).
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Any vehicle correctly maintained is generally reliable. I just took my 86 Fiero GT on a 1600 mile round trip to San Antonio in May....car didn't miss a beat. Then again, I've seen 5 year old cars I wouldn't trust across town.
Anything mechanical can break. I watch brand new cars of every ilk come in on the rollback every day at work for a variety of maladies.
Anything mechanical can break. I watch brand new cars of every ilk come in on the rollback every day at work for a variety of maladies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 1
From: Quincy IL
Any vehicle correctly maintained is generally reliable. I just took my 86 Fiero GT on a 1600 mile round trip to San Antonio in May....car didn't miss a beat. Then again, I've seen 5 year old cars I wouldn't trust across town.
Anything mechanical can break. I watch brand new cars of every ilk come in on the rollback every day at work for a variety of maladies.
Anything mechanical can break. I watch brand new cars of every ilk come in on the rollback every day at work for a variety of maladies.
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 would do it without hesitation. I would opt for something a little more comfy, but wouldn't worry about the 93.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
Same here, allthough I would prob. buy a new ignition coil and module and a set of new water hoses (just in case because i´ve never replaced them in the 5 Y. ownership), but that´s just individual.
Drove it to the Netherlands (from Sweden) a couple of times, and only managed to get a flat tire because of......... A Toyota ignition key in it!!!
I knew they had problems with gas pedals gettting stuck, but how do you lose an ignition key......... in the middle of the highway???!!!
Anyway, that´s a round trip of 1300-1400 miles, just put in gas and drive.
Drove it to the Netherlands (from Sweden) a couple of times, and only managed to get a flat tire because of......... A Toyota ignition key in it!!!
I knew they had problems with gas pedals gettting stuck, but how do you lose an ignition key......... in the middle of the highway???!!!
Anyway, that´s a round trip of 1300-1400 miles, just put in gas and drive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,057
Likes: 2,159
From: Schaller Iowa
After having it a year, and 3 months into ownership I had to have several things replaced, mainly the wp, opti cap and rotor and belt idler pulley, so I went ahead and had the plugs/wires/coolant/themostat and a few other minor things done. It's been as reliable as ever since then, and with just turning over 35K I'd not hesitate to take anywhere. About the only two things I should do are replace the differential fluid and a transmission flush/filter...oh..and drive it a LOT more
astepup said that
p.s. The car's 16 yrs old with 35K on it, tranny fluid looks nice and red and doesn't smell....so should I still replace it or is it usually good for so many miles? I don't race or autocross and have only done 2 brief burnouts on a little over a year..and YES I know I should be doing a few more
astepup said that again
astepup said that
p.s. The car's 16 yrs old with 35K on it, tranny fluid looks nice and red and doesn't smell....so should I still replace it or is it usually good for so many miles? I don't race or autocross and have only done 2 brief burnouts on a little over a year..and YES I know I should be doing a few more
astepup said that again
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
The Red LT4 in my Avatar is RollaMo's. The white 90 behind him is me.
Pulling into a venue on the Hot Rod Power tour. I left half way through the tour and put on over 1700 miles. Greg went the whole way and double that.
I hope this answers your question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I have a 91 Blazer, a 99 Cavalier, and the 88 Vette. If Kathy said "Lets go to Las Vegas" I would have my bags packed and in the Vette before she had a chance to change her mind. AAA Premium of course.
PM is the key, actually I would take either of the other 2 also.
PM is the key, actually I would take either of the other 2 also.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
for everyone here.
The Red LT4 in my Avatar is RollaMo's. The white 90 behind him is me.
Pulling into a venue on the Hot Rod Power tour. I left half way through the tour and put on over 1700 miles. Greg went the whole way and double that.
I hope this answers your question.
The Red LT4 in my Avatar is RollaMo's. The white 90 behind him is me.
Pulling into a venue on the Hot Rod Power tour. I left half way through the tour and put on over 1700 miles. Greg went the whole way and double that.
I hope this answers your question.
I say lets get all of these dependable C4's together and make a road trip for next years Power Tour.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
I don't get to drive my 85 much, but I would have 100% confidence in it to drive it on long road trips any day of the week. It has 35k and all the normal maintainance items have all been addressed when needed. I worry about my new Impala breaking down more than my 25 year old Vette.