Looking at 93 Convertable
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood Park Alberta
Looking at 93 Convertable
Hello!
I'm looking at a possible trade with my 1973 Roadrunner project for a 1993 Convertable. I have yet to see the car in person, but pics look great and the owner says it's pretty minty. She's a black LT1 auto, 80,000km.
What should I look for before committing to the trade? Are there any problem areas I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance!
I'm looking at a possible trade with my 1973 Roadrunner project for a 1993 Convertable. I have yet to see the car in person, but pics look great and the owner says it's pretty minty. She's a black LT1 auto, 80,000km.
What should I look for before committing to the trade? Are there any problem areas I should watch out for?
Thanks in advance!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
The seats are prone to wear and tear, at ~50k miles it shouldn't be an issue, but just something to look at. Weather stripping is a key point to look at, I'm replacing my 93's weather stripping soon. Test drive before you buy/trade (obviously). Other than that just make sure it runs well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
I have a 92 convertible, which I love. The soft top adds to the fun factor immensely. Be aware that there is precious little storage space in these cars unless it has a luggage rack on the back. I would pay attention to the condition of the top and especially the back window. The levers and buttons that are used to stow the top can be a little touchy at times, so be sure all of that works. The lever and cables to release the back bow from the deck lid are easily repaired and/or replaced with parts available on-line. The electrical switches to raise the deck lid are a little bit more of a problem if they are not working.
Good luck and have fun!
Good luck and have fun!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
See if the owner has any maintenance records. If he has a FSM that's a good sign. Condition and age of tires, brakes and rotors, fluids, Check the top is good advice along with the weatherstripping. Insure the headlights open and close properly.
Obviously do a roadtest on it. Wouldn't hurt to pull a Carfax on it along with having a mechanic give it a once over. See if it's been repainted in the past and look & feel the body panels for previous repairs.
If possible, get it onto a lift or look it over on the underside. Many have been improperly lifted and can sustain body damage as a result.
I have an 86 convertible so the space issue is very valid if you plan on any trips with it.
All I can think of right now.
Obviously do a roadtest on it. Wouldn't hurt to pull a Carfax on it along with having a mechanic give it a once over. See if it's been repainted in the past and look & feel the body panels for previous repairs.
If possible, get it onto a lift or look it over on the underside. Many have been improperly lifted and can sustain body damage as a result.
I have an 86 convertible so the space issue is very valid if you plan on any trips with it.
All I can think of right now.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 409
Likes: 7
From: Taunton MA
I have a 92 convertible, which I love. The soft top adds to the fun factor immensely. Be aware that there is precious little storage space in these cars unless it has a luggage rack on the back. I would pay attention to the condition of the top and especially the back window. The levers and buttons that are used to stow the top can be a little touchy at times, so be sure all of that works. The lever and cables to release the back bow from the deck lid are easily repaired and/or replaced with parts available on-line. The electrical switches to raise the deck lid are a little bit more of a problem if they are not working.
Good luck and have fun!
Good luck and have fun!
Also, since it is a pre'95 C4 check to see if the optispark has been replaced, if not, stay away! Also, check the cooling system, if you need to do the opti or cooling, do both.
C
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 409
Likes: 7
From: Taunton MA
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Oh, come on, you guys.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Oh, come on, you guys.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 27
From: Stony Brook NY
Oh, come on, you guys.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
At this rate, no one on this forum will ever buy ANY car, since it will be too scary all the things that "might" go wrong.
Find a car you like, listen to it, run it, look at the tires, look at the guy who owns it.
Then buy it.
These are 20 to 30 year old cars - SOMEthing is going to be wrong with them. Heck, at the current prices, tires, brakes, seats, opti, wheels, starter .. pretty much everything is going to cost you $500 to $1000. Save a grand out of your buying budget to cover the stuff you didn't know about, and pay for it when it happens.
Or, go out and buy a $60,000 to $80,000 Corvette with a warranty.
And make $1000 per month payments. For eight years.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Add one more thing to the list if you look at a new one. Assume everything is sealed up unless you have umpteen dollars and your own personal mechanic, I doubt many if any people can work on the new ones themselves.
That's one thing I like about the C4's, you can do some of the work yourself without having $20K in diag gear and an electrical engineering degree.
That's one thing I like about the C4's, you can do some of the work yourself without having $20K in diag gear and an electrical engineering degree.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Add one more thing to the list if you look at a new one. Assume everything is sealed up unless you have umpteen dollars and your own personal mechanic, I doubt many if any people can work on the new ones themselves.
That's one thing I like about the C4's, you can do some of the work yourself without having $20K in diag gear and an electrical engineering degree.
That's one thing I like about the C4's, you can do some of the work yourself without having $20K in diag gear and an electrical engineering degree.
And .. if you have umpteen dollars, a few hundred bucks isn't even noticeable to put into your C4.
I wonder what it costs to put a brake booster or a starter into a C7...
Last edited by MaxDaemon; Jan 10, 2015 at 12:48 PM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood Park Alberta
Thanks for the replies guys.
He has all the maintenance records back to 93 so it's pretty complete. Also I have no problem doing any work myself, it's my favourite part!!
I'll know this week what is what, hopefully she is what he described!
He has all the maintenance records back to 93 so it's pretty complete. Also I have no problem doing any work myself, it's my favourite part!!
I'll know this week what is what, hopefully she is what he described!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Good luck and let us know!
If the owner says it's a 40th anniversary, the exterior and interior will be burgundy(ruby red)
Last edited by 1993C4LT1; Jan 11, 2015 at 10:19 PM.