I don't make much money anymore cus im disability for depression but always wanted a corvette. the c4s are pretty cheap now but everyone says they are ugly, do you think with proper rims and keeping it clean they can look nice?

 

Well who is this everybody you been talking too? FWIW do you think they are ugly? Its your money, and if you think so, don't buy one. Wheels don't change the looks of the body. IMO the c4 is one of the best values out there right now. But, if you are strapped for money, and you don't do your own car work, go buy a decent Honda or Toyota. A 20+ year old car by nature is going to need some TLC to keep it going.

 

I don't know about ugly or not, but they are better value IMO. I seen some nice ones but I guess they get a bad rep from people who don't take care of them. Also the stock wheels are hideous IMO.

I take really good care of my cars, I used to have a 2010 Mustang GT but had to sell it when I lost my job. Right now I got an old beater corolla but want something semi-fancy otherwise I probably am going to shoot myself soon.

What are known issues? Fuel pump? windows? I always follow service manual on all my cars and granted I will do a full tune up when I buy it. I am a decent mechanic, not by profession but in college I did a lot of car work for extra cash.

 

As others have mentioned... any aging car will require attention... the downside is the supply of OEM parts are rare, expensive, and ultimately need to rely on used/salvaged/refurbished/aftermarket.

 

what about parts stores like autozone? they seem to have basic parts for pretty cheap (but yeah they are aftermarket/refurb but most come with 3 year - lifetime warranty)..or are you referring to body parts?

 

There are no easy answers... just choices of difficulties - will cost you down the road.

Let's say you found a low mileage Corvette in decent shape and after a close look - and buy it. You have a 20 year old running car of original condition - consisting of plastic, silicone, rubber, seals, suspension, mechanical and electronic components. Add to that the destructive side effects of ethanol blended gasoline. None of it is inexpensive.

Paint and interior is some of the most expensive aspects...

The best case scenario is finding a well maintained Corvette with a documented maintenance history. Anything less than that you will be facing pending issues.

Just trying to give you a true life example - went through replacing the entire fuel system components; from fuel pump to injectors and everything in between. The gas filter was still original... still had undercoating overspray from the factory on it. Think about it... a 20 year old temporary filter. Basically showed zero effort by the previous owners. The initial purchase price... paid the same amount just in parts and labor combined in the past two years (tires, wheels, weatherstripping, fuel pump, shocks, sway links, exhaust, antennae, ECM, console, plugs, wires, IAC, ICM, wheel wells, bodywork/paint, door panels, stereo, and seats).

Now it is overpriced yet mechanically reliable and refreshed. The old adage becomes clear - buyer beware.

 

I sold my 85 after 17 years and bought a C6 BUT, if I can find a 93,94,95 or 96 for the right price, I would get another C4, no doubt

 

A-MEN brother!

Oh, I'd add getting a nice dog to ride along in that Honda...

 

I would stick to a '93-96. I get in mine, start it up, and drive.

 

C4's are great Corvettes, Have 3 my 95 LT1 has over 200k miles on it and still going strong.

 

By todays automotive standards a C4 is "old school". But with an understanding of the typical failures and related costs.. a C4 is a reliable and affordable sports car.

Mileage combined with cleanliness is what makes the difference in value. Less than 20k garage queen is going to be $20k or more. A 130k mile daily driver w/bad paint might be had for $3k

Just depends on what you want to get out of it and how long you will own it.

It would be pretty hard to go wrong with a 95-96 w/less than 50k on it. Most likely would not have been a daily driver and it'll have all the engineering/factory countermeasures learned from the previous yrs.

 

I get compliments on mine all the time. Not sure who you are talking too? Ray Charles?

 

This is me saying "nothing"

 

I found a beauty back in Dec.2013 95C4 w/60k on it, well kept inside and out, plenty of custom extras for $11,000 and imo a sweeet ride fo sho, fine looking car and makes me feel 18 again, targa top out ,wind blowing thru my thinning hair, nuthin finer..the guy I bought it from furnished maint. records, very pleezed here...and nothing ugly about them at all..JMO

 

 

Keeping one of these things running can cause depression.

 

Ugly huh?





Everyone I know loves the car. Riding in it, driving it or staring at it longingly.

 

If it's any help, I live in England where no-one except enthusiasts know what a C4 is! All my female neighbours love my convertible because it's "so pretty".........

 

If you can do 85% of the wrenching yourself, you can live with a C4, but do not try to buy a $3500 C4 as your first ever vette...I would say that $8000 C4's will cost the least.

Once you have had a couple of cars from this generation and you know all the things to look for, maybe have some spare parts...then you look for the cheap ones that have some value, but don't buy a project vette- cheaper in the long run to get one in good condition with fair mileage.

 

right on, thanks

then don't post, stupid.