Money Pit
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Money Pit
Bought a base '96 convertible in August for $12,500 w/56,000 miles. Within two weeks had to put on a starter. After another month picked up something in a rear tire, two new tires. Another month goes by and had to replace the EGR valve. Had the exhaust modified (self inflicted). Now the water pump leaked, thru the PO335 & 336 codes. Having water pump and Opti spark replaced. Still needs some other items fixed.
Momma ain't happy......
Momma ain't happy......
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
Welcome to the wonderful world of vette ownership$$$! You never know what you are getting into! Mine has 106,000 and runs great! Some parts last longer than others!
Why is your name 90_vette when you have a 96? Do you also own a 90?
Why is your name 90_vette when you have a 96? Do you also own a 90?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Can't really count the tires. Why did you have to change the EGR, emissions? It doen't sound to out of line so far for a 17 year old car. Often time the low mileage cars will have more problems than the ones driven regularly.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Bought a base '96 convertible in August for $12,500 w/56,000 miles. Within two weeks had to put on a starter. After another month picked up something in a rear tire, two new tires. Another month goes by and had to replace the EGR valve. Had the exhaust modified (self inflicted). Now the water pump leaked, thru the PO335 & 336 codes. Having water pump and Opti spark replaced. Still needs some other items fixed.
Momma ain't happy......
Momma ain't happy......
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
Can't really count the tires. Why did you have to change the EGR, emissions? It doen't sound to out of line so far for a 17 year old car. Often time the low mileage cars will have more problems than the ones driven regularly.
True story from all the info I have read!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
12.5k for a 96 vert (im assuming is in excellent shape) isnt bad. Esp. if thats a rare 6speed lt4 vert (by chance?).
But anyways, are you doing the work yourself?
If not, you must learn. By the books, tools, ask questions here on CF.
If you take it to a shop they will:
1. Mess it up.
2. Charge you an arm-and-leg for messing up your car.
That was my experience.
Forget the dealerships also. The techs (even if they still work there) have forgotten how to work on these unique cars.
But anyways, are you doing the work yourself?
If not, you must learn. By the books, tools, ask questions here on CF.
If you take it to a shop they will:
1. Mess it up.
2. Charge you an arm-and-leg for messing up your car.
That was my experience.
Forget the dealerships also. The techs (even if they still work there) have forgotten how to work on these unique cars.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
It was.
Of course 95-96 has the vented optispark, so perhaps its still good.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,218
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
"Of course 95-96 has the vented optispark, so perhaps its still good."
I wouldn't count on it! You can vent out the moisture, but you can't get the fog off of the photo cells from the antifreeze.
I know what you're going through....Sounds like the repair list for my LT4 except I don't have the EGR! Did rear axle stub & seals, all 'U'-joints (twice) rear wheel bearings, all four O2 sensors, wires & plugs, played the Opti game when the water pump pee'd on it.
But HEY! It's like a new car now. It's all fixed!
My wife stopped dosing my scrambled eggs with Dawn dish detergent, because of my foul mouth, and we are now enjoying our car.
I wouldn't count on it! You can vent out the moisture, but you can't get the fog off of the photo cells from the antifreeze.
I know what you're going through....Sounds like the repair list for my LT4 except I don't have the EGR! Did rear axle stub & seals, all 'U'-joints (twice) rear wheel bearings, all four O2 sensors, wires & plugs, played the Opti game when the water pump pee'd on it.
But HEY! It's like a new car now. It's all fixed!
My wife stopped dosing my scrambled eggs with Dawn dish detergent, because of my foul mouth, and we are now enjoying our car.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Reno Nv
I picked up a 1988 4+3 with 141000 miles in august and have sense replaced the water pump, timing chain, clutch slave cylinder,
Clutch master, and the ecm, have small oil leak at distributor or oil pressure switch, now that winter is here no power brakes intell it gets warned up, maybe -2 is a little cold
Clutch master, and the ecm, have small oil leak at distributor or oil pressure switch, now that winter is here no power brakes intell it gets warned up, maybe -2 is a little cold
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 3
From: Seabeck WA
An Act of Love....
...that's what owning a Corvette has to be or you'll go crazy agonizing over the money you're putting into it. I bought my '89 cheap (I thought): $3,500. Then promptly put over $11K into it, But it's worth it to me. I love the car! 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,535
Likes: 25
From: San Francisco's North Bay California