Which year C4
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence Kansas
Which year C4
This is your normal new bee question..however...I am trying to make a good decision.
Are there years to stay away from and years that are typically better with C4 series?
Are there years to stay away from and years that are typically better with C4 series?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
Even though as pointed out this is the C6 section, will provide a few comments:
Are you looking at a standard C4 or a ZR-1 or a GS?
The new upgraded interior did not appear until 1990 on and strongly suggest only considering those years.
Airbags were only in the later years of the C4 run (the 1990 ZR-1 did have a drivers airbag and ABS)
Higher output engines (the LT5 being the best) did not appear until 1990 on
Exterior appearance changed noticeably on the standard C4 in 1991 on
Are you looking at a standard C4 or a ZR-1 or a GS?
The new upgraded interior did not appear until 1990 on and strongly suggest only considering those years.
Airbags were only in the later years of the C4 run (the 1990 ZR-1 did have a drivers airbag and ABS)
Higher output engines (the LT5 being the best) did not appear until 1990 on
Exterior appearance changed noticeably on the standard C4 in 1991 on
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 162
Likes: 73
From: Harrisville Mi
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
C4's can be notable for electronic gremlins. My '94 was great and had about 60K miles when I sold it but it had lots of creaks and squeaks. The headlight gears went bad, the A/C controls lost vacuum and a few other issues which I chose to ignore because I enjoyed the car so much. One issue I luckily did not have a problem with is the Optispark ignition. You can research that and solutions. Another one I started hearing about at the time was that clutch components were very hard to find. If I was going to buy another C4 I would find one with very low mileage and probably a 1995 or newer model.
And just to keep this C6 relevant, my '11 GS is currently visiting my local Chevy service center for a failed airbag/passenger seat sensor (or something) causing an Airbag Warning Light.
Good luck on your search. The C4 section has some great people that will be happy to answer your questions.
-Chris
And just to keep this C6 relevant, my '11 GS is currently visiting my local Chevy service center for a failed airbag/passenger seat sensor (or something) causing an Airbag Warning Light.
Good luck on your search. The C4 section has some great people that will be happy to answer your questions.
-Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
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From: queensbury ny
Buy the newest C4 you can afford....I had 3 of them with no issues..89,90,95. I happen to like the 96 GS myself with that LT4 ENGINE....and any 96 manual tranny has the LT4 which is 330HP versus the normal 300. The ZR-1 is something too,but my issue with those is for the pricing you can often buy a c5 or c6 which is a better car all around.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Colorado
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95 or 96. 
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I would get a '92-'96. Everyone will probably talk bad about the optispark. It's not as hard as people make it sound to replace. The weather stripping on all C4s will probably need to be replaced. See if the steering column has any play in it. Other than that, just lookout for the normal car problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Other than that... you're pretty much good to go.
Just be aware you're buying an older model sports car likely with over 100k on the odometer.
It's going to need TLC at some point.
I prefer the earlier style, cars since they can build just as much power as an LT series engine, without the drawback of the infamous opti spark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 336
From: Greater Cincinnati Area.
lol. I'm so shallow.. I just thought the early C4 was one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
It's exciting to me.
That'd be my criteria. Do you just love to look at it? If so, that's probably your car.
It's exciting to me.
That'd be my criteria. Do you just love to look at it? If so, that's probably your car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Which year C4
Pick up a copy of the "Corvette Black Book" for options/features list of each year of Vettes.
What's your budget. Do you want air bags, digi dash, L98, LT1, etc.
If you like the digi dash & L98 I recomend driving an '89; for the newer LT1s try a '96.
Have fun with the search.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Panama City Beach Florida
My 94 C4
It's probably true with all series of models that the later years in the run were better than the first years. Hence for C4's the 94-96 were better than early years and the same with the C5's. When I first saw my 94, that was it! I still open the garage door just to admire it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 9
From: N.E. WA
I prefer the styling of the 91 and up, hands down. I prefer the LT1 to the L98. I also would seek the ZF6 rather than the 4+3. If you can afford the GS, that would be a great car. Something else to consider, you can buy a heavily modded C4 for a fraction of what people have in them.. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 12
It's all personal preference. One thing you can say is that every year Chevy makes them just a bit better than before. C4's were revolutionary, C5's are evolutionary, C6's are better still, and I hear that the C7 is the best yet. I have driven 5's & 6's and I know they're better cars than my '95 but that doesn't diminish my appreciation of what I have. Pick a style you like and buy the best example you can afford. You won't be disappointed.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Lititz PA
It's all personal preference. One thing you can say is that every year Chevy makes them just a bit better than before. C4's were revolutionary, C5's are evolutionary, C6's are better still, and I hear that the C7 is the best yet. I have driven 5's & 6's and I know they're better cars than my '95 but that doesn't diminish my appreciation of what I have. Pick a style you like and buy the best example you can afford. You won't be disappointed.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
From: Biloxi Mississippi
After some research, I really wanted (and just recently purchased) a 1985.
It was the last year before ABS was added, but still has proper fuel injection. It didn't have the extra cats they tacked on in later years. It was also the last year before they added VATS and those stupid chips in the car keys. It still has cast iron heads.
Obviously these are all personal preferences.
It was the last year before ABS was added, but still has proper fuel injection. It didn't have the extra cats they tacked on in later years. It was also the last year before they added VATS and those stupid chips in the car keys. It still has cast iron heads.
Obviously these are all personal preferences.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
I just replaced the optispark and timing cover seals on a 1996 Corvette Collectors Edition LT4. That was a car from hell. Everything I touched on that car put up a fight with me. I am so glad that when I bought my C4 I did not go with an LT motor. To do the mods to that motor would have been a freaking nightmare compared to mine. Also, I like the interior and exterior better on the earlier models. If you do get an LT motor, make sure the optispark is good, and try not to get it wet... I will never offer to replace an optispark ever again.