Future Collectible?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
This subject has come up on this forum in different variations over the past several months. I tend to think that a lot of nice condition C4s are undervalued right now because of the number produced and the typical depreciation cycle.
I once cited an example from my own experience with a 20 something guy. As treasurer, I was paying a car club bill at a local convenience store gas station. The young attendant asked what cars I had. I mentioned that I had a '57, '61 and a '86 Corvette. He stated that he wasn't interested in the old ones but he sure liked the C4 Corvettes.
I believe the future bodes well for our C4s. Not that I'm planning to sell my '86 anytime soon, but its nice to know there is interest among the younger set.
I once cited an example from my own experience with a 20 something guy. As treasurer, I was paying a car club bill at a local convenience store gas station. The young attendant asked what cars I had. I mentioned that I had a '57, '61 and a '86 Corvette. He stated that he wasn't interested in the old ones but he sure liked the C4 Corvettes.
I believe the future bodes well for our C4s. Not that I'm planning to sell my '86 anytime soon, but its nice to know there is interest among the younger set.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
I think it all comes down to how much it's worth to the buyer. The old saying one mans trash is another mans treasure. Take me for example , I "overpaid big time" for the exact car , color , tranny and year I wanted , so I may have paid a little more than the average guy would have. Same goes with anything. It's worth as much as the people willing to pay for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,218
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
The complexity of cars increases with every year model. With the decreasing parts availability to repair or replace those parts, I wonder if future restorers will think it it's worth the trouble or expense to try to restore C4 and newer cars. The C4's kind of started the "Computer age" cars, and from then on, cars are full of disintegrating plastic pieces and computer hardware that eventually dies of component age failure. Unless somebody starts manufacturing aftermarket C4 replacement pieces, a NOS (new old stock) piece of plastic probably won't be in much better shape than the crumbling piece you need to replace.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,618
Likes: 1,055
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
I personally could care less about what my C4's will be worth down the road. Sure I like owning the harder to find ones based on color and options, but I never bought them as an investment in the first place I bought them for my enjoyment. And I will maintain them to the best of my ability and drive the wheels off of them.
IFat some point in the future they do gain any substantial value I'm sure I will be long gone and the gain will be for the new owner to enjoy.
IFat some point in the future they do gain any substantial value I'm sure I will be long gone and the gain will be for the new owner to enjoy.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,375
Likes: 2,736
3dprinters is the answer
The complexity of cars increases with every year model. With the decreasing parts availability to repair or replace those parts, I wonder if future restorers will think it it's worth the trouble or expense to try to restore C4 and newer cars. The C4's kind of started the "Computer age" cars, and from then on, cars are full of disintegrating plastic pieces and computer hardware that eventually dies of component age failure. Unless somebody starts manufacturing aftermarket C4 replacement pieces, a NOS (new old stock) piece of plastic probably won't be in much better shape than the crumbling piece you need to replace.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
What a cool idea - 3D print any plastic Corvette interior piece you want from a library of parts on some website that would allow you to buy the "description file" of the part for maybe $5 and have Shapeways or someone print it for you.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,375
Likes: 2,736
yup im working on it, among other classic cars from the 80's and 90's.
i am a serial businessman....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Are C4 owners asking because they wonder if they might make money on a future resale or is there a chance they might not lose a lot of money due to new or rekindled interest?
The C4 is probably the earliest Corvette which is still practical to own and drive daily today (with a possible exception for the 82)
The C4 is probably the earliest Corvette which is still practical to own and drive daily today (with a possible exception for the 82)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Are C4 owners asking because they wonder if they might make money on a future resale or is there a chance they might not lose a lot of money due to new or rekindled interest?
The C4 is probably the earliest Corvette which is still practical to own and drive daily today (with a possible exception for the 82)
The C4 is probably the earliest Corvette which is still practical to own and drive daily today (with a possible exception for the 82)
If its going to become something to resell later based on the value going up or it increases in value and would be hurt value wise by mods and miles then you don't want to daily drive it or mod it any.
If it has no real hope of value increase then you change things to suit your personal likes.
So I could see people wanting to know where its going value wise.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Not unless it's one of the last few on earth. That said I agree with others that I bought my C4 for its unique look, reasonable price and to have fun. It does turn a lot of heads when I have it out and when you open that wrap around hood well that is the icing on the cake. There is no other vette like it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
I personally could care less about what my C4's will be worth down the road. Sure I like owning the harder to find ones based on color and options, but I never bought them as an investment in the first place I bought them for my enjoyment. And I will maintain them to the best of my ability and drive the wheels off of them.
IFat some point in the future they do gain any substantial value I'm sure I will be long gone and the gain will be for the new owner to enjoy.
IFat some point in the future they do gain any substantial value I'm sure I will be long gone and the gain will be for the new owner to enjoy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
I think it all comes down to how much it's worth to the buyer. The old saying one mans trash is another mans treasure. Take me for example , I "overpaid big time" for the exact car , color , tranny and year I wanted , so I may have paid a little more than the average guy would have. Same goes with anything. It's worth as much as the people willing to pay for it.
About being collectible, I would collect toothpicks if I thought they were interesting enough. I used to collect of barf bags just because I thought they were funny and interesting... obviously a completely worthless collection. I don't think C4s will be rare for another 20 years, and even then they might not be considered collectible in the automotive world.
I'm mostly interested in this topic just because I don't want to lose a bunch of money on this car. I do expect to lose *some* money simply by depreciation, age/mileage/wear & tear, but I really don't expect to make any money. My car has a bunch of extra stuff (including targa brace) so I can be a little hopeful... we will see!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
All I can say is that right now they are one of the best bang for your buck, I have seen some nice ones here in Phoenix going for $5-7k, if I had the space I would definitely add another one to the collection
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
I do think they bottom out price wise. In my area ones in good condition are going between $7,000 to $10,000. I paid $8,000 for my 90 last Fall with 59,000 on the clock. My grandson works at the dealership so I got it for a little over their cost. The car was in great shape and very clean.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 237
Likes: 11
From: Houston Texas
I think the zr1 and gs are collectible, and I think the regular models are currently under valued. I think now would be the time to collect nice base models for good prices before they grow in value. I think soon people will realize the value in the chassis and start scooping them up and start swapping in better powertrains like a lsx.
Last edited by TurbineSurgine; Apr 1, 2015 at 05:00 AM.