I would buy the one with the fewest number of impossible to find parts if I was planning on keeping it.

 

He's right. C5 values are dropping like a rock. Too many of them around used as daily drivers and many are high mileage cars that have not been well maintained. Many don't like the styling of C5's. I guess they run OK, just not the best looking body design for a Corvette in my opinion. Be careful of a C5 purchase if you go that route. They won't be gaining value price wise any time soon.

 

Buy the 96!

300hp LT1 engine, Standard 13" front brakes, newer styling, dual front airbags and most refined C4.

 

OK I ran the Vin from the 96 Only issues is one reported accident and 4 owners vehicle. Should I worry???

 

12k for an '87

Listen, most of the issues that you'll see with your car will come from age, not mileage.

A low mileage car will still suffer once you press it into daily service. So, you pay a premium and ride off into the sunset happy as a clam??

No, you are replacing seals and o-rings and gaskets and plastic peices that the sun or heat has cracked.....

Even with 36k on the clock....there are more parts that will need addressing...

Even bearings....some will say the hard parts should be fine.....but what if the bearing [any bearing] became dried out with age.....you'll be replacing it on your own in your garage or paying some else to replace it.

So, when someone tells you that there are variables.....and I didn't listen either.....

1) sometimes you do better paying for a high mileage car that a trusted enthusiast owned.....I'll use mine for an example, everything.....and I mean everything from the Flywheel back to the tires has been rebuilt recently. Everything.....and I mean everything that hangs on the front of my motor has been replaced or rebuilt recently.......my point is....the only thing left on my car to address is the motor itself.

2) a low mileage car that has sat is not always the best value........again I'll use my 62k mile one owner garage queen as an example......is my interior pristine?? pretty much.....but when I pulled my Silver car out of that ladies garage and set it in the sun....a few months went by and the clear coat peeled off like your skin after you get a sunburn at the beach.......

...My car also suffered from dried out rubber and plastic parts......I had to go after many of these items within months......Let's not get into other things that dry out like clutch and brake pads, tires, seals, gaskets.

Within months of pressing that car into service.......I'd stop at a gas station and check the gas and fill the oil tank.

I'm not complaining by any means....I'm not bitter.....I love wrenching on my car.....I'm just wanting to be realistic as you've asked for advice.

My ride is a solid daily runner.....there are just things you cannot foresee and the Seller cannot foresee with such an old car......

One day, as my ride is purring along and seemingly happy, I shift into reverse to back into a parking spot........and flame out.......just that quick.....the dash went black and the engine quit.....the one time I had to get this car towed home......

...what was the problem that day?? a Fusible link [Also known as a thick wire] down by the starter had the housing break [Dried up plastic anyone?] and the wire corroded green and eventually broke.....just happened that particular day.

The fix...once properly diagnosed and found only took 10 minutes as I didn't even have to jack up the car to reach and splice in new wire.......but let me tell you...if someone had to take the car to the shop......almost every shop would have bent you over for lots of $$$$$$

I'll wrap it up with this.

If you are under the impression that this 36k mile '87 will be trouble free.......please keep shopping.....if you still want this car, go in with the healthy view that you are going to have to pet and stroke that car every single month to keep it going properly.

If you aren't the type the hears a "clicking" and turns down the radio to start the hunt........and that hunt continues into the night after you get home or well into the weekend until you properly diagnose the issue .......keep trucking along as this car is not really for you.

Once you realize that you are going to have to address a lot of issues that fail due to age........then maybe that premium you are willing to part with doesn't seem like a good idea after all.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1874191810.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1925123682.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1909174696.html

 

Good points Thanks, I am going to hold off and not rush. How about the carfax I ran would you stay away from a 4 owner that has a reported accident ?

 

Isn't it amazing that a lot of people on this board think that a car for sale should be sold at bargain basement prices, but as for their own car...well, it's priceless. I recently gave $11.9K for my 96 w/60K miles, which is probably too much if you poll the board, BUT, it was a one owner car, nearly flawless, and came with every scrap of paper, receipts, maintenance records from day one, and notebooks full of EVERY time the car had been fueled/MPG between fill ups. I'm not sorry for a minute.

 

^^and let's use you as a great example.

it takes mere seconds to search out your user name and see where you've had issues with leaks in the cabin, a bent wheel, A/C issues....the list goes on....

Just sayin'..........

 

Just read it again, Thanks, So what should a one owner 30 k c4 lt1 90's go for?

 

That is the $64,000 question that only you can answer.

Just go into it with eyes wide open and you'll be fine. Open eyes was the only thing I was trying to accomplish with my long post

If I had to do it all over again, and I was to spend any appreciable amount of money, I would be looking for an enthusiast car and not really pay attention to the mileage and more about the condition.

This is why a properly rebuilt 60s Muscle car is netting high dollar at Barret-Jackson and survivor cars of the same make/vintage are only selling for 1/4 of that price. The true "Car guy" knows that the survivor, to be considered in "good shape" needs to be "gone through" entirely and that is going to cost a lot of money.

I used to think that an untouched survivor is more of a find than a properly restored car.....but not anymore.

Notice one more thing at Barret-Jackson......mileage is only discussed when it is a very very low number......if a car is 36k + miles....the discussion turns toward who did the resto and what is their reputation for re-building a car.

See the scales tipping???

A 400 mile car is sought after when it is 25 years old.....sought after by collectors.....we aren't talking about that realm whatsoever.....so mileage gets thrown out and condition is considered.

Today, If I were buying.....and knowing what I know.....I would be looking for a $1000 beater C4.....I know that I will have to go through it anyway if I want to actually use it....

Then, going by what I spent years ago, I would have $4k left over to take the car apart and rebuild, suspension, tranny, Motor.......

You get the picture.....you have to get into those systems sooner or later....might as well plan for it.

As I stated, the only thing on mine that needs refreshing is the Motor itself....I've planned for it now.....I have an engine stand located....I know what type of mild modifications I plan to do.....I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop as to when I enact that planned maintenance.

As far as mileage is concerned, I don't really look anymore......I plan to drive this car for a while.....200k is not out of the question for me......I really really like this one. And over the years it will take me to reach 200k miles, I think I'll have a stud of a car by that time.

My kids are getting to the driving age as well.....I've been hunting '84s for them as well. I know my older likes black and my younger one likes red.

But I think they need a job.....I'll help them wrench, but they need to pay for parts etc. on their own.

 

The LT1 went from 92-96, with about a 30% difference between the earlier and the later. Current prices would range between $8500-$14000, but you can generally get them down quite a bit, because the economy stinks, and winter is coming on. People just aren't buying non-necessary items right now. JMO

 

The paint on these early cars is junk,a little sun is all it take to kill the clear coat.

 

How true!!

 

From your descriptions, I would have a hard time telling you which one to buy. My only suggestion is to drive them both and look them over thoroughly. My friend has a '96 LT4 convert and it is a beauty. There were a lot of improvements from the early C4's. But the '87 may have been better taken care of.

 

Beware buying from dealers. This I am afraid is to often the case when it come to buffing cars out. I would take the lower milage car.

 

OK So here we are I just bought a 1996 Collector edition convertible picking it up sat drove three hours to see it and it is now mine. Thanks for all the help from people who commented on this thread. Pics will be posted very soon!

 

 

Way to Go Sic-Rod!!!

You Da MAN!!