C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Help !!!!!!!!

Old Dec 11, 2015 | 09:31 PM
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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"] I am probably being a dummy but I have always found if you want to know something then ask the experts soooooooo here goes:
I have wanted a Corvette fo years and my previous posts have explained my predicament lately. Have had to scale back from a desired C5 to a C4.......
I saw one in the early spring sitting beside a house, no for sale signs but it wasn't ever moved.... finally stopped today (12/2015) and found a for sale sign blown under the car, no one around but the neighbor was. He said the owner was in his late 50's had a heart attack last spring, couldn't do any maintenance or drive the car, so it has sat ...... ***** It is a 1996, base model I assume HT, power drivers seat only, 69K miles, needs the rubber around both door windows replaced, the passenger interior door piece is unattached and needs to be reattached, original owners manual, inspections stickers, it is dark green paint with faded paint on the section in middle of roof and a small section of rear fender....there is a small worn place on drivers back section, bottoms seem ok, carpet is in need of cleaning, dark tinted one piece top needs cleaning and shows milky because of it, owner not around so couldn't start it, battery dead anyway can't open rear hatch, rear carpet appears ok but in need of cleaning, no interior plastic appears to be missing, engine compartment is dirty from sitting, no visible leaks, can't tell anymore until it can be started.....vacuum lines aren't cracks BUT front tires are dry rotting/cracked even though there is plenty of wear left.................now when I can get with the owner and start the vehicle JUST WHAT DO I LOOK FOR--- LISTEN FOR -- FEEL WHEN DRIVEN............ NEED YOU QUESTIONS TO ASK AND THINGS TO LOOK FOR........THANKS EVERYONE ......
Thank a Vet!!!
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 12:56 AM
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Sounds rough. Based on your description, worth 6-7.5K.
Gonna need rubber, carpet (probably leaks), door gaskets, battery, and general maintenance items.
Add 1-2K for repairs, not including grief.

You can find better examples for around 10K with good paint too.
Unless your short on change and can do your own work, I'd walk away.

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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 12:58 AM
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My first question would be, how long has the car been sitting ?
Has it been sitting outside ?

Do you have reasonable mechanical skills ? coz if you dont this car sounds like a money pit, low mileage cars that havent been driven are usually more trouble than higher mileage cars that have had some regular use.
C4's are probably not the best cars to learn on !

Not sure what your budget is, but I would suggest looking for a C4 that has been loved and maintained before some basket case.
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 01:00 PM
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Considering the cost of paint, seat covers, carpet, door panels, etc, you'd be underwater fast on this car by the time you got it looking anywhere near decent. I'd strongly recommend you punt on this dogged-out car. There are plenty of good specimens out there for fair money. Go find one that hasn't been neglected like this one has.

Live well,

SJW
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 01:21 PM
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Look for one in better shape there's a lot of them out there at this time of year.
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