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I had to replace my clutch and flywheel about 7 years ago on my 1996 LT4 convertible after I purchased it from the previous owner. For those of you that have done the SMF replacement you have the noted gear rattle after the replacement. How much do you think it affects the resale value? I looked at trading it for a new C7 (base 1LT with manual) this week but decided against it because of the dealer offers for my trade. Only $8,000. Two Chevrolet dealers indicated that the gear rattle affected the value of my car (however they would not put a price on the reduced value). One was even dumb enough to tell me that a 1984 Corvette is more valuable than a 96 LT4 convertible. He said because the 84 was older and the first year it was more valuable (and these guys say this with a straight face). My car has 57k miles, red, mint condition, new tires, shocks, radiator, hoses, belts, and I even have a set (not on it) of original Goodyear tires with 50% tread. While I've decided to not sell it, what would a mint (say 2+ rating) 96 LT4 convertible bring on average at the Mecum Corvette auction in Florida?
If i were buying one, I would prefer the dual mass flywheel, but if all else was good would not stop me. Possibly because I have a dual mass sitting in a box sways my opinion, but i guess it would depend on how it drives.
did you get the extra lightweight 13 lb unit or a steel 20 lb one?
the ZF rattle is from excessive front bearing clearance. Hence GM installed the Dual FW.
if the front bearing is shimmed. you will Eliminate the ZF rattle. And could install a traditional Steel or Aluminum FW. I love the action of the lighter aluminum FW. Your dealer is right on target. for the 50k - 80k LT1/LT4.. Unfortunately the C4 is a Buyer's car. Sellers are just typically NOT getting above 8K unless it's a elite ZR1. making a C4 a Fantastic Performance to price ratio. even The GS is tough to sell in the 9 -10k bracket. unless of course. someone REALLY want's that car. Or just simply like art. has no spending limitation.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Mar 16, 2016 at 03:31 PM.
It affects nothing
Considering a dealerr offered you 8k you could probably get more IF youre willing to go through the hassle of selling. If they take afew k off the other side of the C7 or say extrended warranty go for it.
Come trade in time Ill take a small hit for covnenience of the swap.
the ZF rattle is from excessive front bearing clearance. Hence GM installed the Dual FW.
if the front bearing is shimmed. you will Eliminate the ZF rattle. And could install a traditional Steel or Aluminum FW. I love the action of the lighter aluminum FW. Your dealer is right on target. for the 50k - 80k LT1/LT4.. Unfortunately the C4 is a Buyer's car. Sellers are just typically NOT getting above 8K unless it's a elite ZR1. making a C4 a Fantastic Performance to price ratio. even The GS is tough to sell in the 9 -10k bracket. unless of course. someone REALLY want's that car. Or just simply like art. has no spending limitation.
Just want to make sure I am clear on what you are saying about value. Are you saying his LT4 convertible with 6spd and 57K miles is on target for the dealer to pay $ 8K on trade in value? From what I have been seeing that car would easily bring at least $12-14K.
Then are you saying a GS ( Grand Sport ) is tough to sell in the 9-10K bracket? Man if that is what you are saying let me know where I can get a GS for $ 9-10K.
My insurance company asked how much I wanted to cover my '95 convertible 6spd with 58K for and I said $12K. They corrected me and said their minimum value on my car which is a LT1 showed $14K so I have it insured for $14K.
Ouch. If the car is rattling its going to make a HUGE difference. Would you buy a car that sounds like that? Unless you know what it is, and why, you might assume it was a rod knock. And good luck trying to tell someone it isn't.
Maybe Carmax would offer you a little more outright if youre in a hurry
No dealer will pay top buck though they gotta pay their bills and make a profit, too. Just a thought
Just want to make sure I am clear on what you are saying about value. Are you saying his LT4 convertible with 6spd and 57K miles is on target for the dealer to pay $ 8K on trade in value? From what I have been seeing that car would easily bring at least $12-14K.
Then are you saying a GS ( Grand Sport ) is tough to sell in the 9-10K bracket? Man if that is what you are saying let me know where I can get a GS for $ 9-10K.
My insurance company asked how much I wanted to cover my '95 convertible 6spd with 58K for and I said $12K. They corrected me and said their minimum value on my car which is a LT1 showed $14K so I have it insured for $14K.
Sorry, not many are listed as of yet. But here is a Current Sample. sure you will find owners listing 10K and above. that car will Typically not sell.
the ZF rattle is from excessive front bearing clearance. Hence GM installed the Dual FW.
if the front bearing is shimmed. you will Eliminate the ZF rattle. And could install a traditional Steel or Aluminum FW. I love the action of the lighter aluminum FW. Your dealer is right on target. for the 50k - 80k LT1/LT4.. Unfortunately the C4 is a Buyer's car. Sellers are just typically NOT getting above 8K unless it's a elite ZR1. making a C4 a Fantastic Performance to price ratio. even The GS is tough to sell in the 9 -10k bracket. unless of course. someone REALLY want's that car. Or just simply like art. has no spending limitation.
The only way Id want a SMF is if this procedure was done and I didn't have the rattle. Otherwise, yes, to ME it would lower the value.
OP, I say it would lower the interest of any potential buyer. If I was interested, right away I would offer you $2,000 less than your price.
I'd like to see a GS in that bracket. A 96 GS in excellent condition would bring at least $15-$17K
Typically your CORRECT... I have found a few from 10 - 13K
that's like saying this one listed for 54K is NOT delusional & priced just RIGHT??? Awesome car. But just not going to happen. UNLESS you have so much money it just would not matter!!!
One of the things that is so hard to nail down on the C4 Corvette is pricing. Overall they are a great value for what you are getting but there can be a wide variance over say what a Corvette specialty sales company would ask for a vehicle and what a private party will ask.
Now you have the C3 climbing up in value and the C5 coming down so the C4 is in the middle and this can reflect in some pretty wide pricing variances. Just seems like there are alot of choices in the mid teens to twenty thousand range from some nice chrome bumper C3's to very nice C5Z's. This has really put pricing pressure IMO on the C4 ZR1 and Grand Sports.
Last edited by 95tealconvert; Mar 17, 2016 at 11:38 PM.
Honestly 8k from a dealer is decent. They must have gotten a steal on the other car.
I just watched the stupid gas monkey show and they laughed at buying a car like yours for 5k and sold for more. Dealers know the market and C4 is a market for "generally" people who want a vette and can afford it, it's the best and newest AFFORDABLE corvette available. Either keep the LT4 you prize or take the decent 8-9k and run. With c5's coming down and c6's more an more people will want those. C4's seem to be a special generation for now.
Have to say agree. Sold my Z a number of yrs ago had more than 1 buyer go buy a C5...not thats what they were really looking for but the lure of a newer modern car swayed them.
Over the next yr or so it continued to go further down. Today they are STILL going down lol,Sometimes holdigng out will lose you money other times not its a gamble
At a point if you get a halfway decent offere grab it and run. There are SO many toys being fire saled its hard not to continue to cherry pick and wait a few days as more will be up on cl. Doesnt matter what we feel or "know" its worth its what the market will bear. Guess thats why I have a negative view on "worth/investment" threads we never know whats going to happen tomorrow enjoy your new ride
There is a countershaft shim that can be put in the blue tag that will help to eliminate the rattle, as I understand it.
Value is going to depend on the buyer. A dealer will diminish it because their potential market is going think something is wrong with the car.
However, someone familiar with these cars will know that A) the dual mass flywheel is extremely hard to find, and this is going to be par the course as time goes on. B) that the lighter weight flywheel does wonders for acceleration, at least did in mine when I put the 22lb wheel in it.
While it will reduce the market, there will be potential buyers that understand what it is.
the ZF rattle is from excessive front bearing clearance. Hence GM installed the Dual FW.
if the front bearing is shimmed. you will Eliminate the ZF rattle. And could install a traditional Steel or Aluminum FW. I love the action of the lighter aluminum FW. Your dealer is right on target. for the 50k - 80k LT1/LT4.. Unfortunately the C4 is a Buyer's car. Sellers are just typically NOT getting above 8K unless it's a elite ZR1. making a C4 a Fantastic Performance to price ratio. even The GS is tough to sell in the 9 -10k bracket. unless of course. someone REALLY want's that car. Or just simply like art. has no spending limitation.