First Corvette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
First Corvette
I'm new to the forum and I'm getting ready to buy my first Corvette. I've owed several Chevelle's and Impala's over the years but lately I've got the urge for a Corvette. I'm leaning towards the 96 LT4 coupe. I'm going to look at one this week. Is there anything I should pay special attention to? Any suggestions for a first time buyer?
Thanks,
Charlie
Thanks,
Charlie
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Welcome to the forum. The best advise I can offer is buy the best you can afford. LT4 is a fine motor and the 96 Corvette was one of the best C4s you can buy as all the experience in the C4 run from 1984 up was added to the last one in the run. Avoid a project car if you can unless you have a lot of time and a lot of cash. Paint, interior and motor issues add up real fast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
GC's advice is right on. Also:1) Don't fall in love with the first one you find. You should drive a half dozen so you know what a "good one" feels like.
2) Use the search function and search posts that contain "first time buyer" we've all asked your question and you will find many great tips and even some check lists.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
If you've got some mechanical skills you can save some money by doing your own work but if you're not a car painter you can spend a fortune fixing a badly weathered paint job. As the previous poster said, Body and interior condition are important.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
the opti can be problematic if it got wet
clutches can be pricey
you can pull the codes up on the dash, here's how
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/ccm%20codes/
clutches can be pricey
you can pull the codes up on the dash, here's how
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/f...e/ccm%20codes/
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
Newer ones are better, for sure-if for nothing else because they will be less weathered. The LT4 is the one vette I haven't experienced, but a really clean LT1 6 spd car is still worth a look.
I bought my first C4 based on price/miles. I got lucky, but it still needed about $1000 put into it over the course of a year. $7,000, 77k miles 95 6 spd. It was an off color and needed some tlc with interior cleaning. I got most of my money back.
My 91 I have now only has 28k miles and it looks like it, but it has been considerably more costly due to age specific problems...that and since it is cherry, I'm not letting anything slide like on the 95.
I bought my first C4 based on price/miles. I got lucky, but it still needed about $1000 put into it over the course of a year. $7,000, 77k miles 95 6 spd. It was an off color and needed some tlc with interior cleaning. I got most of my money back.
My 91 I have now only has 28k miles and it looks like it, but it has been considerably more costly due to age specific problems...that and since it is cherry, I'm not letting anything slide like on the 95.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
I'm new to the forum and I'm getting ready to buy my first Corvette. I've owed several Chevelle's and Impala's over the years but lately I've got the urge for a Corvette. I'm leaning towards the 96 LT4 coupe. I'm going to look at one this week. Is there anything I should pay special attention to? Any suggestions for a first time buyer?
Thanks,
Charlie
Thanks,
Charlie
seals (oil leaks)
weatherstrip - all the visible rubber,
starting issues
Run it to redline at least once, you want a nice progressive power band all the way up.
Nothing special about the LT4 to look out for, apart from someone trying to sell a LT1 as a LT4.
Good luck - this forum is a mine of info, I read it for months before I bought mine
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Paint and interior are spendy, mechanicals are basic GM and are reasonable. The real question is can you do your own wrenching? If yes, they can be kept running forever for a reasonable sum and are a blast to own. If no, call your bankruptcy attorney and mental health professional....you'll be needing them.
Buy the nicest one you can afford....not necessarily the newest.
Buy the nicest one you can afford....not necessarily the newest.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Goldcylon,
I’m looking at the C4’s because I like the body style and it’s in my price range for the most part. I’m in the process of selling my 69 Chevelle that I’ve owned for ten years to finance the Corvette. I’m leaning towards the 96 because as you mentioned Chevrolet should have resolved most of the bugs and I like having the extra 30 hp. Although I can perform 90% of any repairs that may be needed I’m not interested in a project car. I’m more into driving than restoring.
Mr. Peabody,
I already fell in love with the first one I drove. That’s why I decided to sell my Chevelle. I know I’ll hate myself for a few months but life is about change. I drove a 95 with an automatic and wasn’t crazy about it. The next day I drove a 96 LT4 Collector Addition and didn’t want to get out of it. Unfortunately it sold quickly. I’m going to look at a 96 LT4 black on black coupe with less than 50,000 miles on it this week.
I want to thank everyone for responding and providing so much information. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I purchase a car.
These are some shots of the Chevelle. If you know anyone interested in owning a nice Chevelle send them my way.
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
Thanks,
Charlie
I’m looking at the C4’s because I like the body style and it’s in my price range for the most part. I’m in the process of selling my 69 Chevelle that I’ve owned for ten years to finance the Corvette. I’m leaning towards the 96 because as you mentioned Chevrolet should have resolved most of the bugs and I like having the extra 30 hp. Although I can perform 90% of any repairs that may be needed I’m not interested in a project car. I’m more into driving than restoring.
Mr. Peabody,
I already fell in love with the first one I drove. That’s why I decided to sell my Chevelle. I know I’ll hate myself for a few months but life is about change. I drove a 95 with an automatic and wasn’t crazy about it. The next day I drove a 96 LT4 Collector Addition and didn’t want to get out of it. Unfortunately it sold quickly. I’m going to look at a 96 LT4 black on black coupe with less than 50,000 miles on it this week.
I want to thank everyone for responding and providing so much information. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I purchase a car.
These are some shots of the Chevelle. If you know anyone interested in owning a nice Chevelle send them my way.
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
Thanks,
Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
These are some shots of the Chevelle. If you know anyone interested in owning a nice Chevelle send them my way.
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
More fun then those 0-60MPH blasts!
Last edited by bac22; Apr 27, 2011 at 07:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Welcome to the forum. The best advise I can offer is buy the best you can afford. LT4 is a fine motor and the 96 Corvette was one of the best C4s you can buy as all the experience in the C4 run from 1984 up was added to the last one in the run. Avoid a project car if you can unless you have a lot of time and a lot of cash. Paint, interior and motor issues add up real fast.
x2
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Goldcylon,
I’m looking at the C4’s because I like the body style and it’s in my price range for the most part. I’m in the process of selling my 69 Chevelle that I’ve owned for ten years to finance the Corvette. I’m leaning towards the 96 because as you mentioned Chevrolet should have resolved most of the bugs and I like having the extra 30 hp. Although I can perform 90% of any repairs that may be needed I’m not interested in a project car. I’m more into driving than restoring.
Mr. Peabody,
I already fell in love with the first one I drove. That’s why I decided to sell my Chevelle. I know I’ll hate myself for a few months but life is about change. I drove a 95 with an automatic and wasn’t crazy about it. The next day I drove a 96 LT4 Collector Addition and didn’t want to get out of it. Unfortunately it sold quickly. I’m going to look at a 96 LT4 black on black coupe with less than 50,000 miles on it this week.
I want to thank everyone for responding and providing so much information. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I purchase a car.
These are some shots of the Chevelle. If you know anyone interested in owning a nice Chevelle send them my way.
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
Thanks,
Charlie
I’m looking at the C4’s because I like the body style and it’s in my price range for the most part. I’m in the process of selling my 69 Chevelle that I’ve owned for ten years to finance the Corvette. I’m leaning towards the 96 because as you mentioned Chevrolet should have resolved most of the bugs and I like having the extra 30 hp. Although I can perform 90% of any repairs that may be needed I’m not interested in a project car. I’m more into driving than restoring.
Mr. Peabody,
I already fell in love with the first one I drove. That’s why I decided to sell my Chevelle. I know I’ll hate myself for a few months but life is about change. I drove a 95 with an automatic and wasn’t crazy about it. The next day I drove a 96 LT4 Collector Addition and didn’t want to get out of it. Unfortunately it sold quickly. I’m going to look at a 96 LT4 black on black coupe with less than 50,000 miles on it this week.
I want to thank everyone for responding and providing so much information. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I purchase a car.
These are some shots of the Chevelle. If you know anyone interested in owning a nice Chevelle send them my way.
http://public.fotki.com/CMagers/11_a...lle/?view=roll
Thanks,
Charlie
Charlie my pop has a 96 (CE) Collectors Edition. Its a nice car and a great color but a large numbers of 96CEs are out there and its not a "Rare" option. However that being said the 96 was the only year that offered the LT4. A lot of CEs out there had the LT1. If you find a great 96 out there that is an LT4 that you are happy with go for it. The GS had the LT4 motor as well but basically was an appearance package limited to 1000 in the run. While this makes them highly collectable at the end of the day its just a paint job with the same motor. Enjoy your quest BTW nice Chevelle. GC
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Don't wash that engine until you've researched the opti-spark issues.
Like the others have already posted, PULL THE CODES!!
And don't buy the first one you look at until you've looked at the others.
Like the others have already posted, PULL THE CODES!!
And don't buy the first one you look at until you've looked at the others.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral, Florida
I switched gears a little.........
Well I switched gears a little. I decided to buy a 97 Corvette. Found it in Cape Coral, Florida. I had a friend of mine check it out for me. I flew down last Friday, bought the car and drove it back home Sunday and Monday. 1,180 miles and 18 hours later I was back home in Maryland with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
wow, a 97 Looks clean!
Those are kinda rare these days. 9,752 made 14 years ago.
I bet it had a bunch of recalls.
Those are kinda rare these days. 9,752 made 14 years ago.
I bet it had a bunch of recalls.