Which year C4
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: El Dorado Hills
Which year C4
Hello! I'm looking at getting a C4, but am not educated on them at all. I owned a C6 a few years ago, but I know technology is a little different in the C4 years. I was just curious if there's any years to stay away from or which years are "better" than others, major differences, etc... Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 190
From: Stoneham, MA
Years 92-96 with an LT1 or LT4 engine. The increase in factory HP from earlier C4's is well worth the few extra dollars for the car.
There are some great C4 cars available out there in this time frame. Super low mileage in excellent condition. I purchased a 17k Mile 1995 C4 as a second Vette to my C5. No, the C4 does not handle the same as my C5, nor is it as fast. But, vehicle value dollar for dollar you cannot beat a C4 right now.
If you don't mind spending a little extra for factory performance start looking for a 90's ZR1 or a 96 GS. Again, they're out there if you search enough.
There are some great C4 cars available out there in this time frame. Super low mileage in excellent condition. I purchased a 17k Mile 1995 C4 as a second Vette to my C5. No, the C4 does not handle the same as my C5, nor is it as fast. But, vehicle value dollar for dollar you cannot beat a C4 right now.
If you don't mind spending a little extra for factory performance start looking for a 90's ZR1 or a 96 GS. Again, they're out there if you search enough.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
As already stated, most say the later the better. When all is said and done I think it depends on what you plan to do with it.
Many, many years ago I had a C3 ('69) as my daily driver.
I just bought my C4. I was only looking for a cruise night type car. I wanted it to be at least 20 years old so I could put historic tags on it.
I initially set my sights on a '95 or '96. Found some great cars but then I stumbled on an '84, 4+3 car. Owned by an older lady, garage kept with 35k miles. Cleanest 32 year old car I've come across. All the power options work and everything on the Knight Rider dash works.
Could not pass it up for $4300. So far I'm enjoying the heck out of it.
There are lots of C4's out there for sale, just have to be patient and find the right deal.
I
Many, many years ago I had a C3 ('69) as my daily driver.
I just bought my C4. I was only looking for a cruise night type car. I wanted it to be at least 20 years old so I could put historic tags on it.
I initially set my sights on a '95 or '96. Found some great cars but then I stumbled on an '84, 4+3 car. Owned by an older lady, garage kept with 35k miles. Cleanest 32 year old car I've come across. All the power options work and everything on the Knight Rider dash works.
Could not pass it up for $4300. So far I'm enjoying the heck out of it.
There are lots of C4's out there for sale, just have to be patient and find the right deal.
I
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 144
From: Connecticut
Everyone will say go with the newest and most expensive you can afford 
Me personally (because of my taste and price range) went with an 84, I could of got an 85 too but I don't like anything above that, 3rd brake like and then the rear bumper change in I believe 90 or 91 and up, plus I love the cluster in the early c4's (crystal light display) but those are the reasons I like early c4's, on the downside they are the slowest of the c4's and are much harder to find in good condition vs the newer ones, plus most people that have a clean 84/85 think it's worth a million dollars for some reason when they go to sell it! Goodluck on your search, we're always happy to help !
Me personally (because of my taste and price range) went with an 84, I could of got an 85 too but I don't like anything above that, 3rd brake like and then the rear bumper change in I believe 90 or 91 and up, plus I love the cluster in the early c4's (crystal light display) but those are the reasons I like early c4's, on the downside they are the slowest of the c4's and are much harder to find in good condition vs the newer ones, plus most people that have a clean 84/85 think it's worth a million dollars for some reason when they go to sell it! Goodluck on your search, we're always happy to help !
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
96 with LT4 engine is your best bet which means a manual tranny...few problems with the year and engine was solid.
But overall, you're talking a car where the latest model year is 20 years old, so best to stay with the newest year possible.
But overall, you're talking a car where the latest model year is 20 years old, so best to stay with the newest year possible.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 144
Likes: 9
I have a 91 6 speed, 78,000 miles. I like the L-98 engine, looks really good and I can get to everything to work on it. It goes as fast as need to drive these days. Can set the cruise control at 95 and still get over 25 mpg. Also I like the late body style and the 90 and up dash and steering wheel. Take your time there are still plenty of nice original low mile cars out there.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 59
From: Trieste Italy
I have a 95 lt1 manual zf 6-40 and she runs pretty hard 
I think all corvettes c4 are good, just could be a good idea to stay away from cross-fire??? Don't know i've heard isn't a good engine.
Also an importamt thing IMO is that 4l60 is best coupled with l98, for lt1 think zf6-40 is the better trans for that "high rpm engine" high rpm for that years.
Personally i've driven lt1 auto and manual, and think that manual is more more aggressive on high rpm area, plus you have 6 short gear, respect to the 4 auto gear. I've got a better feedback from zf6-40.
Never driven an l98 auto, (yes an l98 manual) so think that 4l60 is better coupled with l98 that has low end torque IMO.
I think all corvettes c4 are good, just could be a good idea to stay away from cross-fire??? Don't know i've heard isn't a good engine.
Also an importamt thing IMO is that 4l60 is best coupled with l98, for lt1 think zf6-40 is the better trans for that "high rpm engine" high rpm for that years.
Personally i've driven lt1 auto and manual, and think that manual is more more aggressive on high rpm area, plus you have 6 short gear, respect to the 4 auto gear. I've got a better feedback from zf6-40.
Never driven an l98 auto, (yes an l98 manual) so think that 4l60 is better coupled with l98 that has low end torque IMO.
Last edited by Christi@n; Apr 29, 2016 at 04:44 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 89
All C4's have something to offer the right owner. Very important to get to know the C4 and what each year and options have to offer so you can find the best fit for you. Do not buy a C4 simply based on price-do your homework and get the right one that fits you best.
Since I work in the automotive repair industry I keep trying to remind all potential buyers not to under estimate the cost now days to repaint a car, redo a tired interior etc. Many times a vette for say $ 5K looks like a really great deal even though the paint is faded, interior is sun faded or worn but in reality the vette for $ 8K that does not need this work is by far the best value.
Some can live with a faded paint job or leather seats that are coming apart etc. and be very happy, but for me I want a car that is not perfect but at least a 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10. Lower mileage cars are typically in better shape overall but not always especially if they have been left outside for years.
Not unusual to see well informed vette buyers looking and 15 to 30 cars before finding the right car for them so take your time and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Since I work in the automotive repair industry I keep trying to remind all potential buyers not to under estimate the cost now days to repaint a car, redo a tired interior etc. Many times a vette for say $ 5K looks like a really great deal even though the paint is faded, interior is sun faded or worn but in reality the vette for $ 8K that does not need this work is by far the best value.
Some can live with a faded paint job or leather seats that are coming apart etc. and be very happy, but for me I want a car that is not perfect but at least a 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10. Lower mileage cars are typically in better shape overall but not always especially if they have been left outside for years.
Not unusual to see well informed vette buyers looking and 15 to 30 cars before finding the right car for them so take your time and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 224
Likes: 14
From: Tijuana Drunken
Just be careful which rear gears a corvette has. Some have really crappy highway gears and even makes an LT1 slow. I think some have 2.59. Get a manual with 3.45 or install 4.09 gears with a 6 speed.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 45
From: Baltimore County MD
c4s
hello! I'm looking at getting a c4, but am not educated on them at all. I owned a c6 a few years ago, but i know technology is a little different in the c4 years. I was just curious if there's any years to stay away from or which years are "better" than others, major differences, etc... Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 456
Likes: 113
From: Hill Country TX
All C4's have something to offer the right owner. Very important to get to know the C4 and what each year and options have to offer so you can find the best fit for you. Do not buy a C4 simply based on price-do your homework and get the right one that fits you best.
Since I work in the automotive repair industry I keep trying to remind all potential buyers not to under estimate the cost now days to repaint a car, redo a tired interior etc. Many times a vette for say $ 5K looks like a really great deal even though the paint is faded, interior is sun faded or worn but in reality the vette for $ 8K that does not need this work is by far the best value.
Some can live with a faded paint job or leather seats that are coming apart etc. and be very happy, but for me I want a car that is not perfect but at least a 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10. Lower mileage cars are typically in better shape overall but not always especially if they have been left outside for years.
Not unusual to see well informed vette buyers looking and 15 to 30 cars before finding the right car for them so take your time and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Since I work in the automotive repair industry I keep trying to remind all potential buyers not to under estimate the cost now days to repaint a car, redo a tired interior etc. Many times a vette for say $ 5K looks like a really great deal even though the paint is faded, interior is sun faded or worn but in reality the vette for $ 8K that does not need this work is by far the best value.
Some can live with a faded paint job or leather seats that are coming apart etc. and be very happy, but for me I want a car that is not perfect but at least a 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10. Lower mileage cars are typically in better shape overall but not always especially if they have been left outside for years.
Not unusual to see well informed vette buyers looking and 15 to 30 cars before finding the right car for them so take your time and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Some solid advice here. C4 was a loooong run and there was significant tech changes along the way. Sit and think what you will be doing with the car. You can have a weekend blast with any year C4 and hit the DD on Monday. Early C4's are typically cheaper and in some ways easier to work on, ant thankfully the after market is slowly starting to make replacement parts for them. The later C4's are, of course, the best of the run, but cost more and in some ways more difficult to work on. In comparison to a C7 they are all slugs in stock form.
95tealconvert gave the best advice: whatever you choose remember interiors and paint can run into high $, so take your time. My C4?, its an 86 and I love it. I like the L98 and its old, like me, and has a drop top to boot.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: El Dorado Hills
Yes.. I'm in Folsom/el do hills area.... Bunch for sale in the area. Just trying to do my research before I buy something
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: El Dorado Hills
I like the way the C4 looks and it'll (hopefully) fill the space on the weekend until I can get a C7
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: El Dorado Hills
Thanks everyone for All the info... I appreciate it. Keep it coming..
What do you guys think of this...
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5506284583.html
What do you guys think of this...
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5506284583.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 85
From: socal
Its all right. Like everyone has been saying, newer is better unless you're looking to work on it yourself (like a project). But even newer C4s will require work and even if you have $$ to get a shop to work on everything, its still good to know certain things about C4s
Go on Wikepedia to get a general breakdown of each model year from 84 to 96. Go to the Production Notes section--it will tell you major changes each MY (model year). Bookmark the page, you'll want to reference it several times as you look at C4s for sale. Keep in mind wiki general info, Google specific model years you like for more info.
- Opti stuff - distributor problems. Simply put you'll probably have to get this worked on/replaced (less likely problem 95 & 95)
- 6 speeds (ZF tranny, used from 90 or 91 to 96) - awesome to drive but if clutch is worn, work is expensive and the Dual Mass Flywheel that it might need is no longer made so u gotta go w/ a single mass which can cause gear rattle Many threads on this
- Tires - expensive of course but tirerack.com has some well-reviewed Continentals (cant remember the brand) right now for like $600 (500 less than OEM set)
- OBDII - newer diagnostic system - one way the C4 tells you what problems there are and even problems there have been (codes).
- Shop work - for some work, cant take a C4 to just any shop, even a good shop. Gotta take it to shops w/ experience working on your C4's specific issues (clutch work is an example). I'm actually going to post a thread soon on this to see what should never be worked on by a reg shop
The guys on here are very very helpful. Visit the forum often and read as many threads as you can. Its a lot of time but the car is awesome to drive so worth it!
Also the forum search function is not very good but if you google the topic/problem and add "corvetteforum" to the search you will probably find a thread from here in the results
Last edited by jay23ls; Apr 29, 2016 at 08:18 PM.