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C4 a good idea?

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 07:07 PM
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You better jump on this one cars in this shape/yr with 6 spd in this range come around once in a blue moon.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...705329881.html

transporting doesnt cost much go for it!
only reason it isnt in my driveway I havent had time to go look at it today dont have to.

Last edited by cv67; Mar 29, 2013 at 07:13 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 07:08 PM
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They arn't as reliable as the German built 6spd. That aside, If you really enjoy driving a stick, then you'lll find the smooth shifting 6spd way better than the 4+3 with its clunky shifts with long throws.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Bicyclewrench
I'm afraid the C4 may be more car than I'm looking for. Thoughts? Suggestions? Flames?
I can't help myself. Buy a Cobalt
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by TommyFox
I can't help myself. Buy a Cobalt


That my friend makes you aces in my book.


But like i said i have Civic Si already!
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by truggiero19
You can find one for $6000 but expect there to be some more money spent on maintenance on top of that. If you are looking for it to be good in the twistys you will probably want to replace the shocks and springs as they will probably be worn out or find one that already has them replaced. Made a huge difference on mine.
I plan on tinkering anyway. Got to get acquainted with her. For street thrashing I don't want anything too pretty anyway.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
You better jump on this one cars in this shape/yr with 6 spd in this range come around once in a blue moon.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...705329881.html

transporting doesnt cost much go for it!
only reason it isnt in my driveway I havent had time to go look at it today dont have to.
This ones closer. Though that ones a little cleaner! I've got a little saving to do yet anyway and plenty of research.

http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/3641928568.html
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:13 PM
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Just get the best one you can
A clunker C4 will bankrupt you...not like a honda where you can dig up parts cheap all day on CL. Lots of this stuff is NLA and many parts are Vette specific meaning you basicall get banged for them.

Think after you drive a C4 for awhile thats nice you wont want the Honda anymore except point A to point B.

Got decent torque fair mpg handle real good and all the creature comforts. Cheap way into a sports car. Then you can wear Hawaiian shirts gay socks with sandals and feel good about it. Try that with a Honda!
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Bicyclewrench
This ones closer. Though that ones a little cleaner! I've got a little saving to do yet anyway and plenty of research.

http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/3641928568.html
what the hell man?! That car is literally 20 minutes away from me, why couldnt I find it last summer? I had to drive 1.5 hours and spend 8grand for my 88 auto
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:50 PM
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Have you ever even driven one? That alone should tell you if this is a car you could wrap your head (and pocketbook) around.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Durissus
Have you ever even driven one? That alone should tell you if this is a car you could wrap your head (and pocketbook) around.
No and that bugs me, but how exactly does one get the opportunity to drive a corvette without owning one?
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Just get the best one you can
A clunker C4 will bankrupt you...not like a honda where you can dig up parts cheap all day on CL. Lots of this stuff is NLA and many parts are Vette specific meaning you basicall get banged for them.

Think after you drive a C4 for awhile thats nice you wont want the Honda anymore except point A to point B.

Got decent torque fair mpg handle real good and all the creature comforts. Cheap way into a sports car. Then you can wear Hawaiian shirts gay socks with sandals and feel good about it. Try that with a Honda!

What are parts costs/maintenance like? Tires from the tire rack don't seem too terrible. It's a Chevy so It can't be as terrible as some things I've hade (first gen RX7) or have lusted over (Lotus Elise) right? I did factor in Hawaiian shirts already, and maybe a Don Johson jacket!

The Honda is reliable as a brick and gets great gas mileage. Even with the 2.4 swap and mild tuning. Everything works all the time. It is in short a GREAT car. BUT it doesn't turn for **** and minus the extra power it's about as boring to drive as it comes. I don't particularly care to drive it now. Si or not it's a Civic. As a PAID for daily driver though it will allow me to have a "toy" like a Vette.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Netfly
They arn't as reliable as the German built 6spd. That aside, If you really enjoy driving a stick, then you'lll find the smooth shifting 6spd way better than the 4+3 with its clunky shifts with long throws.
Didn't throw any more than the stock ZF6, and in fact there's less travel between the gates. Slipping out the clutch was just as smooth as on my ZF6. The most awkward thing about the 4+3 is that the overdrive unit is engaged every time you start the car, so you need to remember to turn it off until you want to cruise. As an automatic feature, it just doesn't work nicely. Using it as a manually-engaged feature is really quite nice.

Which makes me wonder, is there a way to mod it so that it's off by default when the car starts?
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 10:16 PM
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The best 6k I ever spent was on my 92.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Bicyclewrench
Hello all. I was hoping to get an owners perspective of Vette ownership. I am in search of a (relatively) inexpensive to own front or mid engine rear drive manual transmission sports car. It will NOT be a daily driver. It will NOT be a show/collector car. I want to run the back roads of WV and I just happen to live 20 mins from Summit point raceway. C4's seem to be fairly cheap to buy. Are they cheap (again relatively) to own? I'm mostly concerned with a FUN visceral driving experience. To be honest I'm afraid the C4 may be more car than I'm looking for. Thoughts? Suggestions? Flames?
OK, totally honest answer from a "former" non-vette person.
As you may guess from my user name, I'm a rock crawler, so no stranger to repairing my rigs, lol.

I have a 96 LT1 auto coupe that so far, has been good. 120K miles, and running strong.
However, the trans is starting to act goofy, and it's a matter of time before the water pump/ optispark bites me.

The bottom line IMHO, is if you have a tool or two, it's a totally fun car to own. If you are the "take it to my mechanic", sort of person, my opinion is that you will hate it and will lose your "donkey" getting rid of it.

But when it's all said and done, I'm in the market for a 95 ZR-1 and a 96 LT4 convertible, so you may just get hooked on these things. I grew up in my 20's lusting after these cars, I have a pretty comprehensive shop to keep them running, so I might be a bit biased, lol.
The bottom line is can you fix it, or do you have the $$ to send it to a shop? And FWIW, I drove mine form Tucson to Salt Lake, and other than a sore behind, it was awesome.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 11:09 PM
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Ive owned an 87 Z-28, a 89 IROC Z, an 87 Trans-am, a 91 RS 5 speed and a 97 Pontiac Fiero...among some others. As stated in a reply above the Fiero is a super fun mid-engine car. Of course the C4 is more powerful and faster .....the fun factor in the Fiero ...being a 2 seater also is off the charts.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 04:20 AM
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A c4 is a great car for running twisties. For the price you want to spend it would be tough to beat. They have great torque down low, which makes them fantastic for tight turns. I would try to find an 89 or later for the 6 speed. My problem with the 4+3 is the placement and throw of the shifter, the 6 speed just seems better to me. Good luck with your decision.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 05:32 AM
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Just for kicks go look on You Tube under V8 Fiero........
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To C4 a good idea?

Old Mar 30, 2013 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by kimmer
The best 6k I ever spent was on my 92.

What a deal!
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:38 AM
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Thank you guys very much for the responses. You guys have helped me feel like this isn't the stupidest car purchase I've ever contemplated. I'll be lurking and asking lot of dumb questions like: What are some good parts resources? And What are the best service manuals/reference books to get?

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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Bicyclewrench
Thank you guys very much for the responses. You guys have helped me feel like this isn't the stupidest car purchase I've ever contemplated. I'll be lurking and asking lot of dumb questions like: What are some good parts resources? And What are the best service manuals/reference books to get?

The reliable (new and used parts) vendors are located along the left side of your display... just a point and click away.

As for the manual - there's the Factory Service Manual (also known as the FSM)... a two volume set.
It's the one of the best investments you can buy for the Corvette.
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