...WW
I need some advice
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I need some advice
I'm looking into buying a C4 Corvette. Realistically I'm looking between a 1985-1991 although I would like the lt1. Can I just get some information on these years. Are they good cars? What is the selection of mods for the l98? I personally love the digital dash more than the later combo dash. Only thing I dislike so far is the boxy front end. Thanks in advance. Also, can somebody provide an opinion on the handling, power, and gas milage (not that I'm worried about it)
Last edited by SwampDonkey; Apr 18, 2012 at 12:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
They're good cars, for being a quarter century old. Some parts are harder to find than for, say, a late model civic, and you'll save a lot if you do any work yourself. Handling is the best, power if good, gas mileage depends on your foot weight
I get 10-15mpg when farting around, if I go easy on it I can get up to 30mpg. And changing to the later front end is fairly easy, as long as you remember paint jobs are more expensive.
I get 10-15mpg when farting around, if I go easy on it I can get up to 30mpg. And changing to the later front end is fairly easy, as long as you remember paint jobs are more expensive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
As with any used car, be prepared for repairs and the Corvette tax. That being said, its all about personal preference. I have an 85 with the L98 and have had it for 7 years now. It currently has 152K on the original engine and it’s a blast to drive and gets 25mpg on regular gas. It also has the Z51 suspension option which handles great but your ride quality suffers. Its not my daily driver so I really don’t care about how smooth the ride is. I drive it for fun on the weekends and do local cruise ins, etc. Each year has problems that you should be aware of, but as the C4 got older, those problems were addressed and the car was improved. While there are many things you can do to the L98 engine, the intake limits you, so I’ve heard. Any major power gains will cost you money so depending on your budget, this may be the deal breaker. By itself, the L98 is a very stable and dependable platform. Most guys here will probably recommend looking at a later model C4 with the LT1 and my next C4 will probably be one as well.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
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From: El Paso Texas
Fair enough....
Just be ADVISED that in certain areas, it's also a very derogatory racial slur. I'm sure that wasn't your intent, but we have had folks come in here just to stir the pot.
If that isn't you, my apologies.
Just be ADVISED that in certain areas, it's also a very derogatory racial slur. I'm sure that wasn't your intent, but we have had folks come in here just to stir the pot.
If that isn't you, my apologies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
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
tomato-tomahto
Im guilty of that rule 100%
I better get with the program now!
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
Im guilty of that rule 100%
I better get with the program now!
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids MI
I bought my 91 convertible with the l89 about a month and a half ago. Aside from the small problems that you get with a 21 year old car i love it! Today on the way home from class a hose broke so fixed that. My weather stripping is going bad too. But hey its a corvette! Its in excellent condition and its fun. The l89 puts out 245 horse and plenty of torque. I talked to my mechanic about the gains of a k&n air filter but he he didn't think the air filter is as good for the engine as people think.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
tomato-tomahto
Im
guilty of that rule 100%
I better get with the program now!
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
Im
guilty of that rule 100%I better get with the program now!
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
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
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Pick up a copy of the Corvette Black Book to see what changed from year to year.
Drive a few to get a "feel" for how it fits you.
I recently found my '88 for a good price on AutoTrader.
Have fun with the search.
Drive a few to get a "feel" for how it fits you.
I recently found my '88 for a good price on AutoTrader.
Have fun with the search.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I bought my 91 convertible with the l89 about a month and a half ago. Aside from the small problems that you get with a 21 year old car i love it! Today on the way home from class a hose broke so fixed that. My weather stripping is going bad too. But hey its a corvette! Its in excellent condition and its fun. The l89 puts out 245 horse and plenty of torque. I talked to my mechanic about the gains of a k&n air filter but he he didn't think the air filter is as good for the engine as people think.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
If you can find a well cared for L98 they are a workhorse and very dependable. rear intake seal leaks are common but can be repaired easily. Injectors need to be replaced and upgraded to the Bosch if it hasn't already been done.
Supspension is fine on the highway, a little manly on a less than ideal road. They are a blast to drive. The LT1 will get you 50 more HP and a more rounded nose if that's your issue.
There are plenty of Mods for the C4 so don;t people tell you otherwise. Mida America, Corvette Central, Ecklers. They don't advertise a bunch but they all have tons of things on their website and in their catalogue.
Check the weatherstripping. If it hasn't been replaced it will need to be. These cars are older now and all cars need it at some point. An aftermarket stereo would be preferable as well, if it's done tastefully and accurately.
Welcome SwampDonkey, how's my spelling and grammar?
I'm terrible at it but I don't care
If any of these C4 guys give you a hard time, just let me know, I'll fix them.
Supspension is fine on the highway, a little manly on a less than ideal road. They are a blast to drive. The LT1 will get you 50 more HP and a more rounded nose if that's your issue.
There are plenty of Mods for the C4 so don;t people tell you otherwise. Mida America, Corvette Central, Ecklers. They don't advertise a bunch but they all have tons of things on their website and in their catalogue.
Check the weatherstripping. If it hasn't been replaced it will need to be. These cars are older now and all cars need it at some point. An aftermarket stereo would be preferable as well, if it's done tastefully and accurately.
Welcome SwampDonkey, how's my spelling and grammar?
I'm terrible at it but I don't care
If any of these C4 guys give you a hard time, just let me know, I'll fix them.