Need Advice from you
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Need Advice from you
Hi:
I'm a Trans Am Third Gen owner. I'm looking to buy a Corvette and have one available. but I really don't know much about corvette's.
The add is in Spanish so I'll try my best to translate.
1986 Convertible Black Corvette
Selling Price 9K
TPI Engine (I guest is the same that my GTA have)
Selling because he doesn't use it anymore
Engine recently rebuild
Upholstery recently redone
manual Tranny
This is what I don't get:
4X3 Model Overdrive Special Edition
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
your new Friend David
I'm a Trans Am Third Gen owner. I'm looking to buy a Corvette and have one available. but I really don't know much about corvette's.
The add is in Spanish so I'll try my best to translate.
1986 Convertible Black Corvette
Selling Price 9K
TPI Engine (I guest is the same that my GTA have)
Selling because he doesn't use it anymore
Engine recently rebuild
Upholstery recently redone
manual Tranny
This is what I don't get:
4X3 Model Overdrive Special Edition
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
your new Friend David
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 402
Likes: 6
From: Bonney Lake WA
The 4+3 Manual Transmission was a 4 speed manual with an overdrive on the top 3 gears - It's not a special edition, as there were 6835 of them produced for the 86' model year.
Last edited by HeavyLifter; Mar 9, 2015 at 03:40 PM. Reason: Corrected statement on overdrive of the 4+3
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
You can find a well maintained LT1 (92-96) for that amount of money.
The person who wrote the ad is trying to get his money back out of the upgrades.
If the ad is accurate - might be worth about $6-7K.
No mention of miles, paint, weatherstripping, or condition of body... all points of concern (red flags).
Last edited by Bandit's C4; Mar 9, 2015 at 04:12 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Wow you guys have help me a lot Thanks for all the info so I probably pass on this one.
The thing is that I'm in Puerto Rico and cars here are more expensive, and few are in good shape. the only way to get a very good car is to import it from USA like I did with my GTA but that add like 3K to the price so if the corvette is good for 6 to 7K I would end up Paying about 9 to 10K when put in PR.
Again Thanks for the help.
The thing is that I'm in Puerto Rico and cars here are more expensive, and few are in good shape. the only way to get a very good car is to import it from USA like I did with my GTA but that add like 3K to the price so if the corvette is good for 6 to 7K I would end up Paying about 9 to 10K when put in PR.
Again Thanks for the help.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
O.K. the price makes more sense with the import duty, but another thing to think of is spare parts/repairs. They have to be harder to get down there, and if the trans would go finding someone with the knowledge to rebuild it might be hard.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
If you have some pictures or a link if there's an online ad, we can take a look and maybe help you critique it. Keep very firmly in mind though, that the C4 Corvettes are plentiful and many have low mileage in VERY good condition.
I paid $8500 for my '94 with 94,000 miles on her just last fall. She's near perfect so far as paint, interior and so on. I had to buy tires for her not long after I bought her, but even with brand new tires, I'm still sitting at just over 9k.
I paid $8500 for my '94 with 94,000 miles on her just last fall. She's near perfect so far as paint, interior and so on. I had to buy tires for her not long after I bought her, but even with brand new tires, I'm still sitting at just over 9k.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Dave
I have an 86 convertible. It seems fair $$ if it's the car for you. It's a L98 engine with 9.5 CR, it will drive all day on 87 octane gas, which means it can get out of it's own way but if you plan to race it you'll need some cash. For drag racing, a LT1 would be a better choice. Tire Rack has tires yet, but some day it will be 17" or bigger and that means new rims. Rims have different backspacing than later models. Some parts like the abs pump are gone and no one repairs them any more.
Don't take what I'm saying as negative, just things you need to know about an 86. Mine had a Tremec tranny upgrade along with a brake upgrade before I bought it. I've been doing some of those little fixes on it. I also have been stockpiling some parts if I see something non-perishable and available.
I love my 86 and it's a cruiser and for that it's a great ride. I've gotten over 30 mpg out of it at 75 mph. I did have to get the instrument cluster fixed otherwise it has been things like u-joints, bulbs, little stuff. It's fun to drive and still gets a lot of waves. If the car matches your wants, go for it.
I have an 86 convertible. It seems fair $$ if it's the car for you. It's a L98 engine with 9.5 CR, it will drive all day on 87 octane gas, which means it can get out of it's own way but if you plan to race it you'll need some cash. For drag racing, a LT1 would be a better choice. Tire Rack has tires yet, but some day it will be 17" or bigger and that means new rims. Rims have different backspacing than later models. Some parts like the abs pump are gone and no one repairs them any more.
Don't take what I'm saying as negative, just things you need to know about an 86. Mine had a Tremec tranny upgrade along with a brake upgrade before I bought it. I've been doing some of those little fixes on it. I also have been stockpiling some parts if I see something non-perishable and available.
I love my 86 and it's a cruiser and for that it's a great ride. I've gotten over 30 mpg out of it at 75 mph. I did have to get the instrument cluster fixed otherwise it has been things like u-joints, bulbs, little stuff. It's fun to drive and still gets a lot of waves. If the car matches your wants, go for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
Carattini, welcome to the site. I have an 86 and love it. Offer the guy less and try to not show how much you want the car. You will love it to. Hope you know how to work on your own cars.. that helps keep the price of the "corvette tax" down.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks
You are all so awesome Thanks very much for all your advice. I ended up not Buying that Corvette but I keep My hope for the future. In the meantime I'll play with My GTA I'll be able to make a switch if and when my son take that GTA from Me and I had no choice but to upgrade. 