C4 Purchase
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Seneca SC
C4 Purchase
I am looking to purchase a 1984 - 1990 Vette (Its what I can afford). I am looking for a low mileage car that can be used as a daily driver (about 7,000 miles per year). Is there one year(s) C4 that had more problems than others, or one year(s) that is more reliable than others? Also anything specific I should look for or stay away from? I'm not in a real hurry, but would like to be in one by Spring. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,180
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: C4 Purchase (wmrobert)
Get the newest you can afford, mileage isnt important as long as its been taken care of.
84 was Xfire engine, low power, some reliability problems, but still good.
85-86 was iron headed L98, 230hp 330tq
86 verts and models after 18,000 had aluminum heads, 5 more hp
87 got the roller cam, 240-245hp
88 got the Dport heads, very good heads for future modifications
89 was the 6speed tranny
84 was Xfire engine, low power, some reliability problems, but still good.
85-86 was iron headed L98, 230hp 330tq
86 verts and models after 18,000 had aluminum heads, 5 more hp
87 got the roller cam, 240-245hp
88 got the Dport heads, very good heads for future modifications
89 was the 6speed tranny
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 3
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: C4 Purchase (wmrobert)
As Vader and most everyone else will say, get the newest one you can afford...one slight modification to that...also get the newest one that fits your dreams. My dream was a blue C4 with a stick....
[Modified by DarkHalo, 9:11 PM 9/17/2002]
[Modified by DarkHalo, 9:11 PM 9/17/2002]
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo
Re: C4 Purchase (DarkHalo)
As Vader and most everyone else will say, get the newest one you can afford...one slight modification to that...also get the newest one that fits your dreams. My dream was a blue C4 with a stick....
[Modified by DarkHalo, 9:11 PM 9/17/2002]
[Modified by DarkHalo, 9:11 PM 9/17/2002]
I test drove quite a few but my heart wasn't in it till I found my dream yellow 6 speed. I even took the higher mileage with a few blemishes but am very excited to fix it up right.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,625
Likes: 1,064
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
Re: C4 Purchase (wmrobert)
:cheers: First Welcome to the forum...good luck finding your Vette :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 66,973
Likes: 86
From: Santa Cruz CA
St. Jude Donor '15
Re: C4 Purchase (wmrobert)
I'd suggest getting the Corvette Black Book and look through all years to see changes and improvements, the later the better. And most 88's, all 89's & 90's come stock with 17" wheels which look and ride better than the 16". And the 1990 is the first year of the newer style dash. 89's and 90's also had 6 speeds available.
But probably most important, get the cleanest, lowest mile color combo you like. And if you don't think you can evaluate it yourself, bring along someone you trust to look it over.
Take your time. Getting the right car is worth it. :yesnod:
'91 ZR-1 Blk/Blk #2027
But probably most important, get the cleanest, lowest mile color combo you like. And if you don't think you can evaluate it yourself, bring along someone you trust to look it over.
Take your time. Getting the right car is worth it. :yesnod:
'91 ZR-1 Blk/Blk #2027
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: C4 Purchase (wmrobert)
I just bought an 89 convertible with removable hard top, charcoal in color with a black interior anmd it has only 39,000 miles on it. I spent two months following ads and ebay looking for an 87 or newer that was within my budget and with the options I was looking for. Color was also a factor, I DID NOT WANT AN ARREST ME RED ONE. It also had to have less than 40000 miles on the car and be very well optioned. I paid a little more and got what I was looking for. I am the third owner and the car has never been driven in the winter and for the last four years it was stored in a heated garage in the winter months. It will continue to be driven only in the Summer and stored in a heated garage during the winter. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Re: C4 Purchase (vader86)
Get the newest you can afford, mileage isnt important as long as its been taken care of.
Only, lower miles is relatively better than higher miles. It's not all about the drivetrain and engine. What about wear and tear items? I'm sure a 160,000 mile car that was EXCELLENTLY taken care of still has problems in other areas, perhaps not mechanical. Best advice is newest and lowest mileage one you can find in your price range. Good luck, keep us posted. If you want, I can keep an eye out down in this neck of the woods for one.