Checking out this C4, thoughts??
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
I might offer counter argument that a $7k C4 could be a cheaper purchase over 24 months or so. The fact that the newer ones are faster and have the newer interiors/styling is just a bonus.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
Not all C4 buyers are looking for the newer style C4 interior. It's only a bonus if you like that style. I'll pass. Remember some people still like to buy C3's. The ones that some here say ride so badly, are cramped and have no power. I love C3's. That styling is beautiful. It doesn't have to be faster to be better to some people. It's all in what appeals to the potential buyer.
Last edited by FOURSPEEDVETTE; Jan 11, 2011 at 05:53 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,507
Likes: 2,399
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The missing muffler on the left side might be a symptom of the damage on the right. I also noticed the top pics show it with wheels from a 90 and the other pics show the ZR1 style A mold wheels. I'd be taking a close look at the rear suspension. I drove an 89 for 12 years. They have an appetite for alternators. I wouldn't pay more than $3K for this one.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
In 89 they removed the cold start injector as well, which causes my 89 to have a hard start after it's been sitting a long time. (no I don't lose fuel pressure)
One thing I will tell you from my experience.... It's always better to spend a extra 2 grand and get a almost perfect C4 then pay 3 grand for something you will end up putting 4 grand and a lot of time and effort into.
The flip side is, you will get to know the C4 inside and out with all the troubleshooting from issues you will run into fixing it up.
One thing I will tell you from my experience.... It's always better to spend a extra 2 grand and get a almost perfect C4 then pay 3 grand for something you will end up putting 4 grand and a lot of time and effort into.
The flip side is, you will get to know the C4 inside and out with all the troubleshooting from issues you will run into fixing it up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Guilford, CT
To answer the question of what I'm looking for in a C4....
Basically, I have my C5 that I baby, use as a weekend cruiser in nice weather, and never drive in adverse weather. I have a lifted Jeep that I use for offroading and to get around in snow / bad weather. At the moment, I have a beat up 98 Mustang that I use to commute to the train station (5 miles away) and to drive around town. It's a piece of junk, and I'm looking to get rid of that and get another "drive around town and to the train station in nice weather" car. I was looking at basic commuter cars like used Toyotas and even Cherokees, but I stumbled across some surprisingly low priced C4's along the way. Of course, I figured a reliable (but obviously not perfect) C4 would be a fun car for this purpose. So, the lower HP doesn't bother me at all, nor do some DIY type of repairs that may be needed in order to get the C4 into better shape. I'm not looking to overhaul a transmission or anything, but if I can get a generally reliable C4 to get me around town in while performing some weekend DIY fixes, that sure beats driving a Camry around town in.... I love Vettes, and have since I was a kid. I would love to own a C3 someday as well, as I really appreciate the design of those cars, despite the low performance of the later C3's.
Basically, I have my C5 that I baby, use as a weekend cruiser in nice weather, and never drive in adverse weather. I have a lifted Jeep that I use for offroading and to get around in snow / bad weather. At the moment, I have a beat up 98 Mustang that I use to commute to the train station (5 miles away) and to drive around town. It's a piece of junk, and I'm looking to get rid of that and get another "drive around town and to the train station in nice weather" car. I was looking at basic commuter cars like used Toyotas and even Cherokees, but I stumbled across some surprisingly low priced C4's along the way. Of course, I figured a reliable (but obviously not perfect) C4 would be a fun car for this purpose. So, the lower HP doesn't bother me at all, nor do some DIY type of repairs that may be needed in order to get the C4 into better shape. I'm not looking to overhaul a transmission or anything, but if I can get a generally reliable C4 to get me around town in while performing some weekend DIY fixes, that sure beats driving a Camry around town in.... I love Vettes, and have since I was a kid. I would love to own a C3 someday as well, as I really appreciate the design of those cars, despite the low performance of the later C3's.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
For a basic commuter car, stick with the Toyota or Cherokee. It will be more of the utilitarian type second car that it seems like you need for your purposes. Remember all those cheap prices mean something on any Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
To answer the question of what I'm looking for in a C4....
Basically, I have my C5 that I baby, use as a weekend cruiser in nice weather, and never drive in adverse weather. I have a lifted Jeep that I use for offroading and to get around in snow / bad weather. At the moment, I have a beat up 98 Mustang that I use to commute to the train station (5 miles away) and to drive around town. It's a piece of junk, and I'm looking to get rid of that and get another "drive around town and to the train station in nice weather" car. I was looking at basic commuter cars like used Toyotas and even Cherokees, but I stumbled across some surprisingly low priced C4's along the way. Of course, I figured a reliable (but obviously not perfect) C4 would be a fun car for this purpose. So, the lower HP doesn't bother me at all, nor do some DIY type of repairs that may be needed in order to get the C4 into better shape. I'm not looking to overhaul a transmission or anything, but if I can get a generally reliable C4 to get me around town in while performing some weekend DIY fixes, that sure beats driving a Camry around town in.... I love Vettes, and have since I was a kid. I would love to own a C3 someday as well, as I really appreciate the design of those cars, despite the low performance of the later C3's.
Basically, I have my C5 that I baby, use as a weekend cruiser in nice weather, and never drive in adverse weather. I have a lifted Jeep that I use for offroading and to get around in snow / bad weather. At the moment, I have a beat up 98 Mustang that I use to commute to the train station (5 miles away) and to drive around town. It's a piece of junk, and I'm looking to get rid of that and get another "drive around town and to the train station in nice weather" car. I was looking at basic commuter cars like used Toyotas and even Cherokees, but I stumbled across some surprisingly low priced C4's along the way. Of course, I figured a reliable (but obviously not perfect) C4 would be a fun car for this purpose. So, the lower HP doesn't bother me at all, nor do some DIY type of repairs that may be needed in order to get the C4 into better shape. I'm not looking to overhaul a transmission or anything, but if I can get a generally reliable C4 to get me around town in while performing some weekend DIY fixes, that sure beats driving a Camry around town in.... I love Vettes, and have since I was a kid. I would love to own a C3 someday as well, as I really appreciate the design of those cars, despite the low performance of the later C3's.
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Personally I would buy the one with the best paint, interior and interior electric things working. Seat covers paint rado stuff all of that will double the price of the car. Stock exhaust typical hoses belts fixing the headlight door is nickle dime stuff.After all it is a 27 year old car some things will be less than perfect. A bad battery is no reason to not buy a car as long as it runs fine with a new one. Low voltage will set the ses light so no surprise there either. I would be happy it does not have an optispark as it seems like 1 in 10 posts here involve a bad one and one in 1000 a bad distributor. As far as power goes I would rather have a 205 hp Vette than a 220 hp rice burner. The torque difference during average driving will more than make up for the top end.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Orland Hills ILLINOIS
I have a 84 myself. I bought it in July of 2009. That car looks pretty good for the price. Make sure you drive it and see how it runs when you step on the gas. And how well it actually turns over and idle. 84 crossfire engines are not hard to work on.
Since I have been on this site I have gotten tons of great info to help me do alot of the work myself. I would offer him 4000. Just like what was said.
I am sure he will take it.
When I bought mine it had 88k miles and the guy was original owner, garage kept and well taken care of.
I went to see and drive the car 4 times before I decided. He wanted 5300. I went with 4600 in my pocket and he took it right there.
Money talks, and talks alot.
Kevin
Since I have been on this site I have gotten tons of great info to help me do alot of the work myself. I would offer him 4000. Just like what was said.
I am sure he will take it.
When I bought mine it had 88k miles and the guy was original owner, garage kept and well taken care of.
I went to see and drive the car 4 times before I decided. He wanted 5300. I went with 4600 in my pocket and he took it right there.
Money talks, and talks alot.
Kevin
