Best C4 year
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Best C4 year
I plan on getting another vette soon and I am deciding on a C4 automatic convertible. What were the best years for performance and reliability and upgrade ability?
I had a 2001 24,000 mile pos oil burner and don't want another pos so I am asking for your advice.
I had a 2001 24,000 mile pos oil burner and don't want another pos so I am asking for your advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
I like the 1992 and up Vettes with the LT-1 engine with 300 HP. The earlier L-98 cars had about 240 - 250 HP.
The dash changed in 1990 to the new style.
The rear end changed to the new style in 1991.
Seats got wider in 1992 and wider again in either 1994 or 1995.
The opti was improved in 1994 or 1995.
1996 went to full OBDII diagnostics.
In 1996 the LT-4 was available with a rated 330 hp, manual tranny only.
Any year ZR-1 is good. 1990 - 1995. Manual tranny only.
Since you want an automatic and easy upgrade I would go with any LT-1 that is the right color and has been well maintained, with a reasonable amount of miles. Any year should fit your budget as they are quite reasonable.
DISCLAIMER
The above are my opinions and are worth what you paid for them. Anyone can feel free to disagree with me. The above was taken directly from my non-digital, older memory and may contain errors. Anyone may feel free to correct them.
The dash changed in 1990 to the new style.
The rear end changed to the new style in 1991.
Seats got wider in 1992 and wider again in either 1994 or 1995.
The opti was improved in 1994 or 1995.
1996 went to full OBDII diagnostics.
In 1996 the LT-4 was available with a rated 330 hp, manual tranny only.
Any year ZR-1 is good. 1990 - 1995. Manual tranny only.
Since you want an automatic and easy upgrade I would go with any LT-1 that is the right color and has been well maintained, with a reasonable amount of miles. Any year should fit your budget as they are quite reasonable.
DISCLAIMER
The above are my opinions and are worth what you paid for them. Anyone can feel free to disagree with me. The above was taken directly from my non-digital, older memory and may contain errors. Anyone may feel free to correct them.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD
Definitely '92 and up for the LT1 engine (2nd gen small block). '94 and up unless you want a plastic rear window. '95 and '96 got the bigger brakes standard. '94 and '95 are OBDI; '96 is OBDII, can be a pain in the *** with some mods.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Spring City Tn
If you want the best handling, my opinion is the late '86 coupe Z51 (you couldn't get the z51 package in a ragtop). If you want a later c4, I would go with a '91-93 with the z07 suspension. It was a 2045.00 option and the springs were very stiff and they handle very well also.
Also, take any '96 over the '95.............don't take my word, spend 30 bucks and buy a corvette black book and it explains why!! Good luck
Also, take any '96 over the '95.............don't take my word, spend 30 bucks and buy a corvette black book and it explains why!! Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,233
Likes: 419
If you want the best handling, my opinion is the late '86 coupe Z51 (you couldn't get the z51 package in a ragtop). If you want a later c4, I would go with a '91-93 with the z07 suspension. It was a 2045.00 option and the springs were very stiff and they handle very well also.
Also, take any '96 over the '95.............don't take my word, spend 30 bucks and buy a corvette black book and it explains why!! Good luck
Also, take any '96 over the '95.............don't take my word, spend 30 bucks and buy a corvette black book and it explains why!! Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
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From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Of course I drive an '88 and love it but, if I wanted a stick shift I would look for a low mileage clean '89. This was the last year of the really "tight fitting" seats and the digi-dash, also the 1st year for the 6-speed manual tranny.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
To the OP: The standard 95 and 96 with automatics were virtually the same (very nice cars by then), BUT the advantage of the 95 is it is OBD-I and may be exempt in some states from emmissions testing (IL for one).
If a manual trans is in the mix, then one could argue that the 96 with the LT4
is a consideration, in spite of the OBD-II 
, but best of the best would be the 95 ZR-1 in terms of off the shelf performance, ammenities, and upgrade potential while retaining all of the street/traffic manners.P.