Hi Folks!

I am a 26 year old, currently shopping for my first vette. My father has been a life-long Corvette enthusiast, so growing up I have had the opportunity to share in his hobby by "vicariously" owning a crop of beauties: a '69 big block, '79 and '85 coupes, 89' triple black convertible and an '01 Z06. I'm under no illusions (or delusions?), I know these babies require love (which usually means money) and a fair bit of luck. I've spent many a Sunday afternoon fixing instead of cruising

This will be my daily driver which, in my case, is about 50 miles a week of mixed freeway/urban terrain. It will also be garaged.

So, my thoughts are a 1993-1996 coupe in the $7000-10,000 range. I'm currently considering this particular car, however, I have a few concerns. Its in beautiful shape for the age and price. It's very low miles (36,000) and has new tires. It's been driven daily for about a month now, however, prior to that it was in storage for at least 5 years. That's what leaves me a little worried. What kinds of red flags should I be looking for under the hood for a 20 year old car thats been in storage for at least 5? I'm familiar with rebuilding cooling systems and transmission replacements ($$) with the C4's but neither of those are things I'd like to worry about right away with my first vette.

Suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

-MP

 

The car looks great and for the price and your needs I think will fit great. I did basically exactly what you are doing now 1 year ago buying a C4 for a daily driver at 26 in that exact price range. You are right in looking for the later C4's. As far as reliability and daily driving duties these cars are great. I have had a great time with mine over the last year and it has been flawless. As far as the storage, as long as it's running now and checks out it should be ok. I don't have much experience with cars sitting as I like to drive mine daily. I would recommend having a mechanic look at it if possible and see if you can get service records or a carfax. Make sure the fluids were changed after it was "restarted" so to speak look for wear on the tires and check out the belts. If it has been driven for the last month though I would think those things would have been addressed. So I think this car is a good one especially with that low milage.

 

Beautiful vette! You would definitely want to change all of the fluids and filters in a car that sat for 5 years! Oil, transmission (flushed), brake fluid(flushed), coolant and differential!

Also check the hoses, vacuum lines and serpentine belt for signs of rot and cracks!

Good luck on your vette shopping!

 

CLEAN! Looks great. I'm jealous.

 

Seems to me like the asking prices are a little higher here in the Pacific Northwest than they are in some other parts of the country.

I would think if that car were at a dealer around here the asking price would be a couple thousand more...if the condition is as good as it appears.

Good luck with shopping.

 

 

Who ever stored that car did it right. It looks very well taken care of. That's a fair price but it is from a car dealer which means he got it for $5,000 - $6,000 at an auction or trade in. I bet you could get that car for $8000-$8500.

 

Thanks all for the great replies! I'm also going to peruse the Spring Auto Fair in Charlotte, NC tomorrow.

 

Nice looking Vette. Good advice from those above.

 

Very nice looking car. I notice the ad said "Like new tires". I'd check the date code on the tires. If they are over 4 years old, I'd be concerned that they may have taken a "set" and not ride like they are perfectly round anymore (because they aren't, from sitting). I'd certainly go easy on the freeway and avoid any high speed excursions.

Early in the visit to the dealer, tell them you HAVE to have a full tank of gas wwith the deal.

Test drive the car with the windows up and radio off, so you can hear any unusual noises. Make sure the transmission upshifts and downshifts smoothly and downshifts properly under part throttle acceleration. Test the brakes, stopping briskly from 40 or 50, preferably in an empty parking lot or side road, and make sure the car stops straight, with a good firm pedal. Standing still, with the engine running, turn the steering wheel back and forth from 11:00 o'clock to 1:00 o'clock and listen for any clunks or thumps. With your foot on the brake and engine idling, shift into drive. Once it engages, shift into reverse. Once reverse engages, shift back into drive again. As with the steering, listen for any unusual clunks and thumps.

Push every button on the dash and look for the correct response. Exercise every accessory. Don't be surprised if the radio isn't perfect.

I'd open and close the headlights several times and make sure they move promptly and completely without any weird noises or run-on. If they aren't right, insist that they be fixed or ask $400 off to have then done yourself.

Run the power windows up and down several times and make sure they are fast and smooth. Make sure they sit against the seals correctly when rolled all the way up. If not correct, again have them fixed or start bargaining.

The headlights and windows are two areas on the C4s where age, as much as use takes a toll. Some of the plastics used just don't hold up after 19 years.

Ask about the Keyless entry key fob. Every car shipped with one. Replacements list for $180, so this is another bargaining point.

Other than that, I'd check the windshield closely for stone chips and have them fixed as part of the deal.

Although that looks like a reasonable price, I'd offer them less, maybe $9K. If the tires are old, use that as a bargaining point ($8500 or a new set of Nitto's). Haggling over price isn't rude, it's good business, just smile and be polite. Take your time to look the car over to your satisfaction. They are open from 9 to 7 and have nothing better to do than answer your questions. The worst they can do is say no, or make you a counter offer. Last, but not least, if you buy, remind them that they owe you a full tank of gas!

Good luck!

 

JustBob: Thanks so much! This is exactly the run down I was wanting to walk in with. GREATLY appreciated!

 

Good luck, that's a great looking Vette at a very good price for it's miles and condition. Keep us updated if you purchase it, and if you do, DON'T FORGET THE WAVE!

 

I'm thinking since its being driven daily for a month, many of the potential bugs may have already shown themselves. But the tires are a definite "must look at." Seems almost too cheap for the mileage, but it sure looks clean in the photos. If the dealer is known to be quite reliable, that would also sway my decision.

 

I'm usually not a huge fan of black cars, but this one looks fantastic from the pics...very clean. I did notice the "dimples" on the upper passenger door panel. My '94 has the exact same thing so I'm thinking maybe the plastic "ribs" in the door may be cracked or are about to let go. Before putting mine in storage last winter I finally noticed that the upper edge of the door has a bit more gap then it had when I bought the car, so I'm thinking a little investigative work's in order when I get it out of storage. Check the door panels carefully and if there's any questions that's one more bargaining chip for you. Good luck and let us know how you come out with it.

astepup said that

 

for a dealer price it seems too cheap. I would have it checked out thoroughly. If it checks and you like it then jump on it! Good luck.

 

Mandy, I live west of Mooresville off 150. There was a really sharp Torch Red Coupe for sale on Perth Road last Saturday. It was between Cornelius and 150. Good luck. There are a lot of excellent Corvettes for sale.

 

Don't buy the first C4 you see. There's tons of them out there. Go out and drive a few (check out Craigslist, I found my '93 and my grandfathers '99 on there). Then pick which one you like best. I'm sure you'll like this one the best, it looks pretty good to me.

Good luck!

 

I love stories about good parenting

 

Hi All!

Just wanted to say thanks again for all the fabulous input. I went to see the car this morning, took my list (complied from this thread) and checked the car thoroughly. There were only a few minor things: the passenger door panel needs to be rebuilt (one of the plastic black clips is loose or missing), the weather stripping as a whole is good but theres a little spot that got bloated with age around the hatch that needs some TLC. Otherwise, it needed oil (badly) and a full tank of gas and it was more than roadworthy. So: I bought it! I ended up getting it for $8900 with a fresh oil change (synthetic) and a full tank of gas. I'm officially a Vette owner.

PS: I already waved (at a C3) on the way home!!

 

Congratulations your going to really enjoy it.