Hi All,

Back in the 1960's - 1980's I was fortunate enough to have had a dozen or so C1's, C2' & C3's. My last Corvette was '75 L82 convertible. In those days, I was a gearhead and the owner/operator of a full service, Mobil gas station.

I recently had the opportunity to spend a few hours behind the wheel of a friend's 2004 C5 Z06. An incredible car compared to the Corvettes of old! I'm past wanting the ride and performance of a Z06 but the Corvette bug has, once again, bitten.

Within a budget of $10,000.00, I can afford a late model, reasonable-mileage C4 or an early, high mileage C5. I've read a lot of the posts in the C4 forums and, you folks seem to like them quite a bit. My only experience with a C4 was a weekend in a neighbor's 1994 C4 convertible and, forgive my description, his was a rattle-trap.

Anyway, the 1995-1996 seem to be the most highly touted C4's and, many of the ones I've found fall within my budget. So, I have turned to you, the C4 owners and experts for the reasons why a late model C4 is as desirable or more desirable than an early model, high mileage C5.

I mean no disrespect with any of my comments, above, and look forward with appreciation to an education that, for me, ended with 1975 model year.

Regards,

John G.
St. Petersburg, FL

"If you think you're in control... you're not going fast enough!" Mario Andretti

 

Sounds like you need a C5. Smooth and quiet. Softer ride. I like C4s because they are none of the above.

 

As a general rule, buy the newest and best condition car that falls within your budget.

Even the newest C4 is 18 years old now, so "condition" is everything.
Most will be very disappointed if they try to buy a low cost car, and think they can fix it up cheaply.

One of the members hear wrote this checklist some time ago, and should help you in what to look for.
http://www.corvette-guru.com/uploads...uyersGuide.pdf

 

No disrespect taken for a valid, yet difficult, question. I don't really see the late model C4 being any more of a rattle trap than an early model C5. The C4 driver's seat is more of a cockpit than the C5. Gives you more of a sports car feel. In doing so, getting in and out is a bit more difficult. A $10k C5 might be a bit rough. On the other hand, that same amount can get you a nice, well-maintained early or late model C4. (Not sure the late model C4's are touted any higher thant he early model ones; except by late model C4 owners. ) Wish I could help more.

 

When I got mine it had some rattles but I had fun chasing them down and shes pretty rattle free now.

 

Both can be very good but really it comes down to actual cars you find available out there for $10K. I would read up on both to get familiar with the cars and the option packages (and their RPO codes) and start looking at cars and driving them. Your mechanical experience will be to your advantage during your search but a couple of cautions might be in order when sizing up a potential purchase. Unless you have refurbished a Corvette recently it is all too easy to miss items needing attention and underestimate the true cost of fixing things you did see. Above all, avoid catching Corvette fever and rushing into an emotional purchase.

 

I would have to agree, if 10k is your budget, you could get a pretty nice c4 if you really look around, I just sold a 94 with 79k miles on it and it was in really great shape for 10k, i've owned a couple 94's over the past 10 years or so, and really like them for what they are, a nice tight fast fun sports car. i recently decided to move into a C5, and yes for 10k they are really hammered quite a bit, and are very high mileage to boot. I looked for a few months and finally found one that was a one owner 98 with 40k miles on it and flawless, but cost around 15k. I love both models, but c5 is easier to get in and out of, its a bit roomier inside, the top comes off in 2 seconds, and the ride is a lot smoother IMHO, but can have a lot of electronic quirks if they have not been taken care of, but the c4 was a blast to drive as well, i would say go find some of each and drive them and see what suits you best.

 

Thank you all for your recommendations, so far. I would, however, like to clear up something from my original post. I did not mean to imply that my neighbor's C4 was representative of all C4's and all C4's are "rattle-traps." I simply have no personal experience with C4's except for that one. That's why I have turned to you, the C4 Forum, for input.

My recent ride in a friend's (lowered and race-prepped) C5 Z06 was no picnic, either. If I thought that was representative of all C5's I'd probably go looking for a C3.

I am interested in your input because the C4 appears to offer the most value within my budget. I'm not expecting the ride of a Cadillac XLR. As a matter of fact, I would try to avoid "Corvette Fever" until locating a clean, affordable, RPO LT4 '96. But, you all know about Corvette Fever...

Regards,

John G.
St. Petersburg, FL

"If you think you're in control... you're not going fast enough!" Mario Andretti

 

Some think the C5 took the "sport" out of sports car. I know they are just as fast and handle just as well but the C5's are a little to smooth at everything for my taste. It no longer feels like a sports car. With $10k I would rather get a C4 in great shape then a C5 that's rough. I also suggest getting a 95' or 96'. By 96' they got most of the bugs out and I personally believe they are the top of the C4 series. Plus they are the newest version. $10k might even get you an LT4. Just say'n!

 

Many years ago when I was looking, I drove 6 or 7 C5's and C4's before I made the decision. I did a lot of research on both before I purchased. For me, it came down to the feel of the car. For me, the C4 made me feel like I had a **** pit around me and more of a sports car feel. I could feel the road better. The C5's I drove did not give me that feel, however, I did not drive a Z06 at the time as I was set on a convertible. Buy what feels right to you, both C4's and C5's are awesome cars.

 

Agree with this one hundred percent. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a decent C5 for 10k. I looked at my local craigslist and there is one... A 1998 auto with 180k miles, and in need of paint for $10800. I think it would lead to more trouble than the benefits of the newer model is worth. Terrific condition 95 & 96 C4s can be had in your budget.

 

For $10K you can buy a craiglist Vette and have $9,000 for repairs.

 

PLRX,

Thank you for your response.

Not sure I understand your message. Are you suggesting that any $10,000.00 Corvette I buy will require $9,000.00 worth of repairs? If that's your message, it sounds like a warning against purchasing almost anything in the "C4 For Sale or Wanted" forum.

Or, are you saying a $1,000.00 C4 is available on Craig's List?

Please clarify.

Many thanks.

 

As someone who has owned a C3 (71 big block 4 speed) C4, (96 Grand Sport)and a C5 (2001 Z06) in the past. I can tell you that after a ten years without a Vette, I recently purchased a 96 grand Sport. I like that you don't get in a C4 you put it on!! The looks combined with all the creature comforts and peformance make it second to none.

Just my 2 cents.

 

When I was searching around for a C4, I wanted to stay away from the Crossfire Injected ones (84) because a lot of them were neglected and although the throttle bodies on them can work properly if well maintained and everything, I did not want to deal with the hassle.

I did not want the second generation C4s because they were 1, out of my price range, 2, I didn't like the idea of optispark and reverse coolant flow and all that, and 3, I personally like the sharper corners of the earlier C4s better.

Then I had to narrow it down, I looked at an 87 that was a cockroach and they wanted 7k for it, I said hell no. And I looked at an 85, the second I saw it from 30 feet away I said I'm buying this car.

Near perfect condition car for 6500, under the car looks brand new, interior looks new, paint, under hood, everything. And everything worked.

I like the 85 because I personally prefer to not have the third brake light on top.

I didn't want a convertible because these cars have targa tops, the luxury of a convertible, and the speed of a coupe.

And I wanted a stick shift. I would have gotten a later model L98 with the 113 heads and ZF6 transmissions, but there was none nearby.

For what they are, the dash in the earlier C4s was wayyyyy ahead of it's time. People get in my car and are impressed and think I installed an aftermarket cluster. Haha.

And on top of that, they are pretty damn quick. 0-60 in 5.6 or 5.7 seconds stock for a 1985 is pretty good. People underestimate the power of the car, I find it funny when people try to beat me out of a light to get in front of me.

The only problem is the TPI intake, yuck, it had to go, so now I have a miniram, it looks more appealing now and I have a lot more power. I have some other mods too, but let me just say this, the engine is fairly easy to work on, but when they solder an adapter in your computer for tuning chips that extends half an inch out of the computer, removing the tray for the computer to modify it to fit is not an easy task. Learned that the other day. The car is done now and runs awesome, and I think 85 had a strong bottom end from the factory or something, not sure.

Aside from that, whatever you choose is up to you, don't make me happy, don't make your wife happy, don't make your friends happy, make yourself happy.

But the first thing that is a must on these cars, is a nice sounding exhaust. I recommend this one, seems to be a favorite among the community!

 

I was in the same position almost 2 years ago I looked at a C5 first for $10k and it was a dog, paint was in bad shape, really high mileage like 150k+ and needed some other things. I decided to check out C4's in that same price range and they were in far better shape and drove better than I was expecting so I decided to go with my 95 I have now and I love it and have not regretted it one bit. I highly recommend a 95 or 96.

 

What he was saying, if you buy a 10k C5 off CL, you'll likely have to put another 9k to have a decent car.

I myself have owned many Corvettes, both C4's and C5's, I sold my last C5 (02Z06)in in 04, I then went 8 years without a Vette. I decided last year I wanted back in a Vette. I had to have a C4. The C4 is such a raw fun car, you really should go drive a nice C4 to understand what we are saying. Good luck with your search!

 

The C4 is a great car- and the advice you have gotten here is superb. You can buy an excellent, no excuses, low mileage C4 for 10k. Hang around a while and read and your choice of year will become clearer. I paid $5300 for a superb '86, because I love the early cars. Tires, battery, and exhaust later, I am in the car for about $7100 and the car is a dream. Good luck with your search, whatever you decide.

 

After your experience in a C3, I suspect you will be shocked at how much nicer a C4 is, when compared with your C3. I sure like my '84, now that I've had my fun in the TLC department! If you know how to "wrench", there's nothing to be afraid of! They are, after all, a pretty complex car, but not nearly so complex as a C5!

(My '84 has no rattles, at 240,000 mi.!)

 

For $10k you can find a lot of nice C4's, but the C5's are really the bottom end and probably not in to good shape.

I have had 5 C4's and 2 C5's. They are different cars. Some things are better with either. I like the C4's for the seats and the feel of the car. It feels more like a sports car. The C5 is more refined and loses some of that feel even though it may be faster. The LS motors are great and easily modified.

The best advice is to try driving several of each and see which you like better.