85 or 94?
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
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85 or 94?
A couple of different cars for sale that seem like reasonable deals. '85 4+3 with 61k for $6,000. '94 with 187k, ya I know a lot of miles, but looks to be in good condition from pictures but I haven't seen the interior of either. The 94 is offered at $5,800.
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From: Maryville Tn
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If I had to buy one or the other, I'd go with the '85. I've owned one before and never had any problems with it. I'm not too fond of the 4+3 manual, but it wouldn't stop me from buying a clean C4. Good luck with your search. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
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From: El Paso Texas
But given the choice of the two, the one in better overall condition. This is NOT necessarily the lowest mile car. Paint and interior are quite spendy, mechanical stuff isn't so bad. A decent paint job can run twice what an engine rebuild will run.
There is an abundance of C4's for sale right now. Keep looking. If the 85 is in a condition commensurate with the miles, offer $5K
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
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From: H-Town Texas
Just remember that a picture only shows you what the seller wants you to see. There's replacement for the old fashioned walk around and test drive.
Sometimes low miles, or under use, can create as many problems as high miles, or overuse. It all really depends on maintanence and how the car was treated.
Sometimes low miles, or under use, can create as many problems as high miles, or overuse. It all really depends on maintanence and how the car was treated.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
What is UNreasonable is folks downing the values of our cars. These arent Citations or Buick Regals. When you "buy" one for $4K do you make a profit?? Or do you buy at $2K and sell for $4K?? Granted our C4s aint your '69 but they are still Vettes. The only place they arent worth decent money IS IN OUR VETTE COMMUNITY! What is wrong with this picture??
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Supreme Soviet Peace-Loving Pipple's Kollektive of Seattle Wa
What is UNreasonable is folks downing the values of our cars. These arent Citations or Buick Regals. When you "buy" one for $4K do you make a profit?? Or do you buy at $2K and sell for $4K?? Granted our C4s aint your '69 but they are still Vettes. The only place they arent worth decent money IS IN OUR VETTE COMMUNITY! What is wrong with this picture??
Buy LOW, Sell HIGH.....
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
I know my high mileage '85 will never be worth a lot of money but I hate to see late model C3's and all c4's for that matter bring such low prices. High production numbers will keep values from bringing '63 split window or '69 chrome bumper prices but sheesh man we are our own worst enemy.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Be VERY leary of any 84-89 Corvette with under 120k miles. The dash's are very prone to failure, and when they are replaced they often have lower miles (for some reason
). It's very easy to "adjust" the miles. Buying vettes in that price range pretty much assures you of a steady supply of work. Present condition is everything on any car over 10 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
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From: Frederick Md
Depends on what you want from the car....I just a few months ago added a 6th Corvette to my garage (an 88 ANC with 102K on her clock for less then the asking price of either of the 2 cars you mentioned...
I BUY COSMETICS because I actually enjoy wrenching on my cars just as much if not more then driving them... and the price of parts is not much different from model year to model year...
I also do not put a lot of millage on any given car in any given year... so for me I'd most likely go for the 85.. maily because of the huge difference in millage and (fingers crossed) it was in better Cosmetic shape...
Now if I wanted the car to drive the heck out of locally the 94 is just more car BUT I sure would not expect it to be able to be driven cross country this summer ..
Bob G.
I BUY COSMETICS because I actually enjoy wrenching on my cars just as much if not more then driving them... and the price of parts is not much different from model year to model year...
I also do not put a lot of millage on any given car in any given year... so for me I'd most likely go for the 85.. maily because of the huge difference in millage and (fingers crossed) it was in better Cosmetic shape...
Now if I wanted the car to drive the heck out of locally the 94 is just more car BUT I sure would not expect it to be able to be driven cross country this summer ..
Bob G.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
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From: Pennsylvania
You really need to stop looking in the back row of used car lots or in the local trailer parks for Corvettes for sale. 
Only a car with 187k miles might fit that price range but not the 60k mile car. Most here with any sense about the real value of a clean, good condition, low mileage C4 Vette would just laugh if someone were to offer your "reasonable" offer if they were selling. I know I would.
Only a car with 187k miles might fit that price range but not the 60k mile car. Most here with any sense about the real value of a clean, good condition, low mileage C4 Vette would just laugh if someone were to offer your "reasonable" offer if they were selling. I know I would.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
What is UNreasonable is folks downing the values of our cars. These arent Citations or Buick Regals. When you "buy" one for $4K do you make a profit?? Or do you buy at $2K and sell for $4K?? Granted our C4s aint your '69 but they are still Vettes. The only place they arent worth decent money IS IN OUR VETTE COMMUNITY! What is wrong with this picture??
100% 
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 704
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From: Shillington PA
I say, find what you like, drive it, have it checked out, and if your check book will make it.... get what you want. Im quite sure I over paid for my 1985 Grand Sport clone at 6,000, but it has what I wanted... the look of a Grand Sport (my dream car). Mileage on mine is 90k, and she drives like a champ..... and according to my insurance company, its insured for 11,800.....
So again, if you dig it, and you can afford it, get it. just my 2c
So again, if you dig it, and you can afford it, get it. just my 2c
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Buy what you want
Last edited by msledge50; Feb 7, 2011 at 06:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,295
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From: Antioch Ca
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Or, you could do what I do, buy high, sell low, and work on volume (yeah, I know it's an old one).
Be VERY leary of any 84-89 Corvette with under 120k miles. The dash's are very prone to failure, and when they are replaced they often have lower miles (for some reason
). It's very easy to "adjust" the miles. Buying vettes in that price range pretty much assures you of a steady supply of work. Present condition is everything on any car over 10 years.
Be VERY leary of any 84-89 Corvette with under 120k miles. The dash's are very prone to failure, and when they are replaced they often have lower miles (for some reason
). It's very easy to "adjust" the miles. Buying vettes in that price range pretty much assures you of a steady supply of work. Present condition is everything on any car over 10 years.
The original owner was my dad who bought it new. Low milage early C4s might be exceptions with good working dashboards and non altered odometers but we are out there. Unfortunatly, it still doesn't seem to make much of a difference in price values.
Oh and by the way, as other posters have mentioned, there are plenty of C4s out there. There is a good priced one with your name on it. Just don't rush into one and get burned with a problem child. Take your time!
Last edited by prinzSD455; Feb 7, 2011 at 06:28 PM. Reason: added second paragraph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
Or, you could do what I do, buy high, sell low, and work on volume (yeah, I know it's an old one).
Be VERY leary of any 84-89 Corvette with under 120k miles. The dash's are very prone to failure, and when they are replaced they often have lower miles (for some reason
). It's very easy to "adjust" the miles. Buying vettes in that price range pretty much assures you of a steady supply of work. Present condition is everything on any car over 10 years.
Be VERY leary of any 84-89 Corvette with under 120k miles. The dash's are very prone to failure, and when they are replaced they often have lower miles (for some reason
). It's very easy to "adjust" the miles. Buying vettes in that price range pretty much assures you of a steady supply of work. Present condition is everything on any car over 10 years.