c4 ''reliability''
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
c4 ''reliability''
you're right i should have done a search . we have a 66 coupe and a 2000 coupe which between the two usually total less than 600 miles a year . we are half heartedly trying to sell the 66 . if it sells we were looking at buying a used c6 . yesterday we went and looked at c6's and they really don't excite me . when we bought the c5 i had wanted a c4 , long story . we don't drive 66 much because i'm a pessimist and always feel we will end up walking home , it has never happened . i'd probably feel like that in a c4 and wondered if that would be justified [since you own one you'd probably say 'no' ,i realize] . when looking for one several years ago i read about several problems but only one i remember is battery leaking on computer module . thanks , , ,peace
Last edited by bigcypress; Mar 29, 2012 at 07:19 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
To answer your question... there are a LOT of threads around here on the various C4 reliability issues but generally speaking, they are as reliable as could be expected from a car as old as they are. There are plenty of folks who use them as daily drivers.
Part 2... the '66. I've been looking for a new toy. Details on it? Feel free to PM if you don't want to hijack your own thread.
Part 2... the '66. I've been looking for a new toy. Details on it? Feel free to PM if you don't want to hijack your own thread.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
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From: Irvine Ca
The '84 has turned out to be a very stable platform over the years. There is just enough technology and just enough simplicity for a great mix.
My '84 has been towed home once since 2006 and that was due to a fusible link breaking from corrosion. That little booboo cause a "Flame out" that I really couldn't diagnose on the roadside.
Everything else that has occurred has been easily diagnosed and those issues let me know that they needed attention well before the time of needing to be Towed home.
Ya know......noise....bumps....squeaks that let you know that trouble is brewing and you need to address this or that before too long.
44k since 2006 and the car has 103k miles.......Took it Vegas last year without a bit of trouble. I use it to go visit clients all the time
My '84 has been towed home once since 2006 and that was due to a fusible link breaking from corrosion. That little booboo cause a "Flame out" that I really couldn't diagnose on the roadside.
Everything else that has occurred has been easily diagnosed and those issues let me know that they needed attention well before the time of needing to be Towed home.
Ya know......noise....bumps....squeaks that let you know that trouble is brewing and you need to address this or that before too long.
44k since 2006 and the car has 103k miles.......Took it Vegas last year without a bit of trouble. I use it to go visit clients all the time
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,768
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
As stated, the C4 (any year) can be as reliable or unreliable as any other car of the same age.
With that said, I am not afraid to jump in my '96 and drive it across the country.
I put close to 3,000 miles a year on it just doing the Hot Rod Power Tour.
With other various pleasure cruises and such, I average around 8K miles a year.
I've been to just about all the states west of the Rockies (with the exception of the extreme Northeast) in this car.
Knock on wood, the car has never stranded me yet.
As with any car, it comes down to proper maintenance.
Don't start out on a trip with worn tires, belts, hoses, etc.
A late model C4 in good condition is just as reliable as any newer car.
With that said, I am not afraid to jump in my '96 and drive it across the country.
I put close to 3,000 miles a year on it just doing the Hot Rod Power Tour.
With other various pleasure cruises and such, I average around 8K miles a year.
I've been to just about all the states west of the Rockies (with the exception of the extreme Northeast) in this car.
Knock on wood, the car has never stranded me yet.
As with any car, it comes down to proper maintenance.
Don't start out on a trip with worn tires, belts, hoses, etc.
A late model C4 in good condition is just as reliable as any newer car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
There not very reliable...especially the LT1/LT4's...stupid optisparks...Run far away...
Just messing, they can be very reliable if they were well taken care of. I drive my 94 6-speed every day to every-other day, about 350 miles a week. 21mpg with a city/highway mix, 32mpg all highway. Love the car, wouldn't have it any other way. Even if you get one with some small problems, fix them with quality parts and drive on. All part of owning a Vette. And as others have stated, they can be just as reliable, or unreliable as any other car. Remember the C4's still use the traditional small block chevy, the LT's are just a different variation.
Just messing, they can be very reliable if they were well taken care of. I drive my 94 6-speed every day to every-other day, about 350 miles a week. 21mpg with a city/highway mix, 32mpg all highway. Love the car, wouldn't have it any other way. Even if you get one with some small problems, fix them with quality parts and drive on. All part of owning a Vette. And as others have stated, they can be just as reliable, or unreliable as any other car. Remember the C4's still use the traditional small block chevy, the LT's are just a different variation.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
The only thing I worry about when I get in the C4 for a long trip is the price of gas and lack of luggage space in a roadster! 
I do regular maintenance.
I do regular maintenance.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I had bought my '88 with 98k on the clock and let it go with >200k, due to a "totaled" accident. Over the 12yr period of ownership the '88 was raced every season treked on a 1,000 mile trip each year. Of course there were some maintenance items like fuel pump, EGR system, brakes, tires and the like, but overall it was an extremely reliable DD & racer, IMO.
I now own another '88 starting with 47k on the clock, am taking care of the "little issues" and, with quality maintenance, I expect a long trouble-free life from it.
I now own another '88 starting with 47k on the clock, am taking care of the "little issues" and, with quality maintenance, I expect a long trouble-free life from it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you DO do a search :-) you will find that there are plenty of us that use our C4s for daily drivers. I put 90K on my 95 over the past 6 years. It's also more fun to drive than my C5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
thanks to all . i want to sell the 66 and DRIVE whatever replaces it . the only good thing with both the 66 and 2000 sitting is the 66 going up a little and 2000 going down a little each year i was kind of breaking even money wise . i do appreciate your time . . .peace . . .ps. you notice i found the ''shift key'' for a minute .
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
you're right i should have done a search . we have a 66 coupe and a 2000 coupe which between the two usually total less than 600 miles a year . we are half heartedly trying to sell the 66 . if it sells we were looking at buying a used c6 . yesterday we went and looked at c6's and they really don't excite me . when we bought the c5 i had wanted a c4 , long story . we don't drive 66 much because i'm a pessimist and always feel we will end up walking home , it has never happened . i'd probably feel like that in a c4 and wondered if that would be justified [since you own one you'd probably say 'no' ,i realize] . when looking for one several years ago i read about several problems but only one i remember is battery leaking on computer module . thanks , , ,peace
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
just read ''ultimate c4 diy'' thread and it makes my interest in buying c4 a little bit shaky . heck of a good post but scary to think of owning one that needed half the things done .
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ottawa Ontario
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
You will always read about issues someone (or multiple people) are having.
You will very rarely here about all the "non-issues" people have with the same parts.
In other words for every issue you read about, there will be hundreds of cars that didn't have that issue.
Sometimes people will buy an old car (any car, not just Corvette), and they will buy it at a bargin price to get their foot in the door.
If you buy a "project", then you should expect to have lots of issues to sort out.
Buy a well maintained quality car, and the chances of having issues are dramatically reduced.
Yes, you will pay more at first. But in the end you will probably have less money in the car than a car your trying to restore.
And then again, sometimes stuff just breaks. Could happen just as easy to a brand new car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
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In my opinion here are the things you will likely need to replace but could also avoid all together.
These are obvious and will apply to any car
Tires
Brake Pads/Rotors
Plugs/Wires
Lightbulbs
These apply to the C4 and some depend on the engine you have.
Optispark
Intake Gasket
Brake Booster
Headlight bushings
Weather striping
These are just some things I can think of off the top of my head. Remember, you won't have all these issues and if you do, they wont be all at once. If you find a nicely taken care of C4 which many have been, (and many have not) you'll have a great car to enjoy. Paint and body issues and mechanical problems are many times caused by the lack of attention of the previous owner. There were so many C4's made, you can easily find a nice one.
What you should consider is the comfort of the car. It is tight in the cabin, it feels more like a race car than the C5. Some consider that more fun. The actual ride varies by year. Earlier cars ride stiffer. Also remember you'll have to get used to getting in and out of the car with the large door sill. My dad no longer likes to drive his because it's too hard for him to get in and out of. Hope this helps.
These are obvious and will apply to any car
Tires
Brake Pads/Rotors
Plugs/Wires
Lightbulbs
These apply to the C4 and some depend on the engine you have.
Optispark
Intake Gasket
Brake Booster
Headlight bushings
Weather striping
These are just some things I can think of off the top of my head. Remember, you won't have all these issues and if you do, they wont be all at once. If you find a nicely taken care of C4 which many have been, (and many have not) you'll have a great car to enjoy. Paint and body issues and mechanical problems are many times caused by the lack of attention of the previous owner. There were so many C4's made, you can easily find a nice one.
What you should consider is the comfort of the car. It is tight in the cabin, it feels more like a race car than the C5. Some consider that more fun. The actual ride varies by year. Earlier cars ride stiffer. Also remember you'll have to get used to getting in and out of the car with the large door sill. My dad no longer likes to drive his because it's too hard for him to get in and out of. Hope this helps.
