Hi,

I recently owned a C3 but had to sell for financial reasons. Looks like I may be able to be back in one in about 4 months, so I am starting up my research again.

Frankly I prefer a C3, but price may be an issue, and I live in Las Vegas now so AC is a MUST, and the emissions must be all there and functional. This means that a chunk of C3s just fell by the wayside.

I know what to look for on a C3, but am clueless on the C4's, so if you could help me with the following info:

1 - What are the "gotcha"s and what to look fors when looking in general.

2 - I really don't like the 84-86's much, plus I've heard "bad" things about them. Are there specific issues with these? Especially since they were the first in a new generation...

3 - My spending cap will be probably 9,000 at the MOST, so I doubt I'll be getting into anything in the 90's...what are the years I can expect to look at in the 7-9k price range?

4 - Any specific info on model years is greatly appreciated.

Thanks a ton!

Tom

 

Here in NY the emmissions standards are based on the year of the car. The older the car the less stringent..

Is this not the case in Las Vegas.

--Jeff

 

If the car is pre 1970 it will not be subjected to annual smog tests.

 

1 & 2. No real issues with 85 or 86 that I would be too concerned about other than the age of the car. The 84 is a good car but you will not find any "easy" add-on power for it. All C4's with the digital dash are probably going to have a problem with it in time.

3. Your $7 - 9k price range should net you something in the 87 to 90 range without much problem though prices will vary a great deal from region to region.

 

So 87-90 would sound good - are there particular differences among them?

 

Not really, other than the upgraded automatic tranny in 88, and the 6 speed manual in 89, oh and the Dport heads were introduced in 88. These are good for ~350hp untouched if you decide to throw some mods on.

But for 7-9k, and since you live in a vette-populated area, i'm not sure you will find something older than an 89, and not a 6speed at that.

I think you should look to the late 86-88s. 84's i would stay away from, by personal preference, but 85s and 86s are the same basically. In late 86 they introduced aluminum heads, but the VIN # was about 18,000 and you may not find one.

But of course, get the newest you can afford.

 

I just bought my first corvette and I have been doing a lot of looking into this very question. Of all the responces you have so far, the one that I would most agree with is to avoid the 1984. The Cross-Fire engine was only offered in 2 model years and then discontined. (take that as a clue). The 1984's I have seen for sale over the last 8 months have been 1500 - 2000 dollars cheaper than a 1985, but the difference between 85 and 86 is only 500 to 1000 dollars. The difference between 86 and 87 is even less ( the iron head 86 engines go for a little less.)
I ended up going with a 1986 convertible, and what more valid advice can somebode give than what they do with THEIR money? I bought it from a corvette specialty dealership for $9500.00 (remember though, that is for a convertible, so I am in the same basic price range as you). I think I got a fairly good deal considering I had a corvette-specialty-dealership mechanic give me his personal word that the car was fit for sale.
The only thing I would have changed if I could have would be the transmission. I got the automatic, and if I had the choice I would have gone with the 4+3 that was offered durring that time period. I have always thought the 4+3 was kind of cool. BUT, when you buy a used car, you can only buy what they have for sale.
One last note; I noticed that ZIP is a contributing sponsor of CF so I don't mind posting this for all to see. Seriously consider the L98 performance package they sell for arround $200.00. I ended up making the exact same list of modifications, but paid more seperately. The K&N filter, TB air Foil, low resistnace wires, and pressure regulator are all things that (from what I can tell) all L98 owners do most of the time. Is there anybody else that agrees?
I got the impression from the way you worded you posting that you were interested in that sort of info too.

:cheers:

 

Thanks for the info Fozzy. Thats good info, I'm not interested in a convertible so price range sounds good, and the mod does sound good too. I just looked on eBay earlier, and I swear every 87-90 coupe up there is 10,000 dollars, but again, I realize ebay can be overpriced (I doubt I'd buy one off there at all anyway, risky.) I haven't seen many vettes out here, but have not been looking real hard. There seems to be a lack of auto for sale publications out here - in Chicago you walk into a convenience store and they fall on top of you - strange.

So if I go C4 it looks like 87-90. What do I need to look for in those years? What are the problems I should be aware of? I feel I am really lacking in that dept. Were I looking for a 77 I would know where to look, but not on a C4...

Tom

 

With E-Bay, the one thing you have to keep in mind is that it is ( in my observations) very SEASONAL. It seems that back in February, there were vettes ending every day for 5-7 thousand. Now that the weather is "fit for cruising" only the ones that are totally abused go for less than 8k. I am willing to bet that come December, you will see nice 88 coupes going for 7k again.
Of course even dealerships experience that. In January you will never have to pay full sticker price, but in July you will see some dealers tacking a $2000.00 "Market Adjustment" on top of the sticker price.



[Modified by Fozzy_Bear, 6:46 PM 6/25/2002]

 

I have a nice 84 for sale right now in turnkey condition. If you are looking to mod then an 84 is not the way to go but if you want a nice reliable vette that look good you can't beat an 84. Plus they handle better than most anything out there. I bought a 91 vert and need to sell the 84. I want to move it and am offering it at 5500 firm. I could get more if i sat on it but i want to find it a new home asap. You could ship it out there for 600 and have a great vette for around 6. Let me know what you think. See the post link on my sig to read all the stuff thats been done to it to make it a turnkey car.

 

Thanks for the kind offer Robert. Right now I am at least a couple months away from having any money, so I'll have to decline. Probably if I end up on the C4 route I will go with a 87-90 too. (No offense, your vette looks very nice!). And even before that, I am trying for a C3 first, which is my first love :)

Tom

 

I really have trouble seeing why everyone is always saying to avoid 84's. My 84, which was an early one built in March of 83, runs perfect and I have not touched the plugs since 1987, seriously. I did replace the digital dash a few years ago and a water pump and the steering rack, but none of that is attributed to it being an 84. I know the newere the better, etc....but my 84 has been just as good to me as I have been to it. :D

I know its not the speediest vette around, but it's still fun.