Hello C4 members! I've been in the market for a Corvette in particular. Was trying to buy a C5 Z06 or even a C5. But it's just not in reach for me right now. So I was thinking a C4. I've always had a soft spot for C4's. I remember driving by the Chevy dealership back in the day and just staring at them while I was in my clunker.

So anyway, I worked for Chevrolet in service and parts for 10 years. So I know the LT1 is a very solid engine. Seen them go over 300k a few times and well over 200k many times. A C4 is well in reach for me. So, why not make it my first Vette?

I found a 1994 C4 manual trans car. It is black, has 133k on it and is a one owner car. I saw the carfax on it. It has always been serviced and well taken care of. Until now, it has always passed smog. I'm about to call this little dealership to find out why it failed the last smog. Because in the report it says it failed smog a few months ago.

What do you guys think? The dealership is asking $4995 which I know is well under book. I was going to offer $4500 cash otd. I can always sell it in the future and get my money back.

 

I think they've likely got it cheap for a reason, it could be beat up inside and have lots of expensive minor issues, maybe it's the smog thing, don't know. Go drive it, and if it's clean, buy it. They're great cars, a LOT of fun. They've got it priced very well too.

 

For one that car is 25 years old. If all the soft ruber is shot and the inteior is rough you will have a bunch to bring it back to life. Then you throw in the mechanicals that can be worse. If you can do your own work it might not be to bad.

 

Here is the carfax

10/08/1994 263 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
Title or registration issued
First owner reported
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
09/25/1996 26,665 California
Inspection Station
Palmdale, CA Passed emissions inspection
10/09/1998 57,129 California
Inspection Station
Los Angeles, CA Passed emissions inspection
10/05/2000 83,392 California
Inspection Station
Los Angeles, CA Passed emissions inspection
12/20/2002 94,993 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
10/07/2004 99,963 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
10/10/2006 106,140 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
01/28/2009 121,997 California
Inspection Station
Pico Rivera, CA Passed emissions inspection
09/25/2009 124,666 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Battery replaced
06/25/2010 127,085 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Fuel pressure regulator replaced
Drivability/performance checked
11/01/2010 128,416 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Recommended maintenance performed
Wiper(s) replaced
Serpentine belt replaced
Wipers/washers checked
Engine electrical system checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
Front brakes replaced
Interior trim checked
Engine checked
Oil and filter changed
01/31/2011 128,846 California
Inspection Station
Pico Rivera, CA Passed emissions inspection
08/11/2011 129,804 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Recommended maintenance performed
Maintenance inspection completed
Interior trim checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Tire condition and pressure checked
Brakes checked
09/23/2011 130,069 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Interior trim checked
08/27/2012 131,930 California
Inspection Station
Burbank, CA Passed emissions inspection
11/23/2012 133,227 Community Chevrolet
Burbank, CA
818-843-2200
yourchevy.com Fuel pump replaced
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Drivability/performance checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
07/21/2014 California
Inspection Station
Burbank, CA Failed emissions inspection
11/10/2014 133,625 Auto Auction
Pacific Region Listed as a dealer vehicle
Sold at auction


Millions of used vehicles are bought and sold at auction every year.
11/16/2014 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale
01/05/2015 133,626 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

 

carfax means nothing to me. as its only as good as the dealer or shop who enters the info into the data base

 

Carfax does mean something. It shows at least some sort of service/documentation or other things that have been done. I would of never known anything about this car at all. At least it tells me it's a one owner car and a few other things.

It's seems that you think this car is a piece of **** and I should pass. I already know the car is over 20 years old and will probably need a few things. That's fine. I've worked on cars since I was 14 and have been a hardcore chevy guy since then. I've built engines, fixed and raced cars for quite a while. I've never owned a Vette, hence my questions and other opinions I seek. I also don't know the common quirks with C4's.

I got more info just now. The car sat under a carport for about 6 months. The original owner is the one who's selling the car. He owns the dealership and is also one of the main commanders for the Sheriff's Department close to his town.

The vette also had new injectors installed, fuel filter, optispark, plugs, wires and waterpump. They recently re-smogged the car and it passed with flying colors.

 

I daily drive a 94 auto with 165k miles. You wanted opinions not a pat on the back if the car meets your approval and needs then buy it. Second have you ever drove one Or how tall are you and your shoe size. Some things to think about

 

Hard to say without actually seeing the car. Seems like a good price if you can buy it directly from him and not go through the dealer (and pay BS doc fees, etc).

I bet there are some local C4 guys that would be willing to take a look at it for you too. I would offer that as well if you can't find anyone local (I'm just north of Temecula).

That said, you may want to look for a lower mile car for a little more money. My '96 CE LT4 had under 85K miles and was meticulously cared for with complete service records. I got a really good deal on it and couldn't be happier with the car (now that I converted to HID headlights and fog lights and put in a ZF Doc shifter, exhaust is next).

I looked at a ton of C4's before buying this one, most for less money but they were not in the same condition as mine. I felt it was worth paying a little more to get a much nicer car.

 

The only Corvette I've ever test drove was an 03' C5 Z06. It was a very nice car. But decided I didn't want to finance another vehicle. So I'm opting for a C4 instead. I'm 5'9" and have a 11.5 shoe. I fit fine in the C5. I've never sat in a C4.

I have $6000 saved for a Vette. The price of this C4, it being black and a 6 speed is what attracted me. As well as it being a one owner car.

Finding someone in the area to go look at it would be great!!!!

I'll post the info up. One of the sales guys on the lot told me he's going to have it detailed as it's currently dirty. he is also going to send me a bunch of pictures that are higher quality and closer up.

Here is the link to the C4.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...86969114&Log=0

 

I know me being 6'4" with 11.5 shoe I thought a manual C4 was tight and uncomfortable. Your results may vary. I suggest your drive one before going any further. These cars are not for everyone even though they are cheap.

 

 

Buy it, love it, give it a good home and take care of any woes it may have. It deserves it, they aren't making C-4s anymore and they're a valuable piece of American history.

Rick

 

GAWSH DAYUM!! Yeah I'm a shrimp compared to you, but I do have pretty long legs. Not like you of course. I did notice the C5 was a pain getting out of, compared to a few prior f-bodies and 05/06 gto's I've owned.

 

My wife drives a 95 auto with over 200k miles, original Opti & injectors were just replaced last year. It still passes Ga emissions. As long as you like it and can do the work that may come up I say go for it.

 

If you thought a C5 was a pain then a C4 is definitely not for you. Haven driven both I will say a C5 is very easy to get in and out of. C4 you fall in and climb out. You will have to train your self how to do it without harming you and the car. Trust me I can look at a C4 and see where owners damaged there cars getting in and out.

Overall in those pictures the car just needed cleaned and detailed. And seems to be loaded. Make sure everything works. And if it doesn't you will spend a bunch making the adjustable suspension work correctly. The shocks and other hardware for it can be rebuilt but it's not cheap.

Not trying to scare you but giving you heads up

 

Wait and save a little more and get the C5....

 

 

Thank you for the advice. You said it was loaded. I'll have to see what these cars come with. Definitely will make sure everything works. I plan to drive it and try it out. This car is a trek from where I live. About 130 miles away. I plan on having my first vette experience in this c4 if I buy it. Then I may sell it and get a c5 later. Or I may just keep it.

Not sure why people talk crap about c4's. I've always like the look of them. The LT1 is a bulletproof engine. I've seen these cars rock over 300k when i worked at Chevy.

 

I would start at $4500 and deduct what it will take to get it past emissions. I would also get someone to evaluate the condition of the suspension. That can be a very expensive repair. Like already said, get someone who knows C4's to check it out for you. At that price, it is going to be a long way from perfect. But, it doesn't seem that there are many manual transmission C4's out there. If it checks out, and you are willing to spend the money/time to keep it running right, I'd say go for it.

In the end, it is all up to you. Don't go into this thinking you can flip the car in spite of the NADA listing. You'll never get out of it what you put into it. Good luck.

 

Looks like some pluses and minuses on that particular car. You can turn your own wrench, but this is your first rodeo with a C4. The thing is with these cars is that you can go in the hole fixing extraneous stuff beyond just the engine and transmission. Having the wrong/bad targa top and a malfunctioning radio is automatically -$1000 bux. Bad weatherstripping because it sat outside for more than 10 years...at least $800 more. I notice the power antenna is ****-up..$200 there... oh? you say the tires are worn and dry-rotted? How about $800 to $1000 more?

If these items are handled, then this car is probably worth it even if you have to turn it because it's a lemon. If it needs absolutely everything, I'd try for the 3000's. If the ZF grinds- I would buy it for parts.