jsmcol

HI guys, I'm picking up a new to me 40th anniversary coupe tomorrow.
While I've had several Corvettes in the past, never had anything this new. Is there anything I need to be aware of with these cars? It has 95k on it and I'm planning on it just being a nice driver for when I can't drive my '55.


Also, I'm paying for it tomorrow, but can back out if anything doesn't add up, anyone know of something in particular I should look for that can be a big problem that I maybe able to detect upon inspection?


Thanks for your help, and wish it were a ZR1 like so many of you have...


Jim

c4cruiser

I would suggest taking the car to a reputable auto repair shop and have them do a Used Vehicle Inspection (UVI) on the car. For around $120 to $150, the shop will do a fairly intensive inspection of the entire vehicle and give you a written report that shows what things may need work and when and a estimated price to do any repairs.

Then you can use that to negotiate a final price with the seller.

don hall

C4cruiser offers a valid suggestion.

If your county requires a smog certificate prior to change of ownership,
that is a plus. If not, check for trouble codes before buying.

Tire age is always a concern. This link will help you determine the age of the tires on the vette:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...170127142142:s

Passing inspection now does not guarantee against failure tomorrow.

We wish you good fortune with your new purchase. I drove a 40th for 12 years, and enjoyed every mile. The ruby color is wonderful to polish.

(Very few of us own a ZR1)

Kmcoldcars

If you clean the engine do not get the optispark wet, or you will be replacing it.

jsmcol

I have been doing some reading about the Optispark, seems like a pain, but I will certainly be careful during cleaning.


Anyone know about any other "gotchas" to watch out for with these cars, like the dash cluster craps out when exposed to heat, or anything like that? Just made it up, these cars seem to get good marks for reliability if cared for. I'm going to try to contact the first two owners and get the history of what all has been done to the cars.

Pa'svette

Hi Jim
You might call Vic at Vic's vett works there in Columbus. He has worked on Corvettes for 40 years. I had him do some work on my C-3 a while back. He is a great guy and can probably give you some things to look for.
Bob

jsmcol

Thanks Bob, that place is about 10 minutes from where I work!
Good to know.


Jim

Nokones

They are great cars and probably will be worth something in a few years. The Opti-Spark is a concern. I took my Bilsteins off because I hated the ride. I installed Koni Yellows Single Adjustable and I love the ride.

I bought mine brand new. LT1, 6 Speed, ZO7

jsmcol

Kenny, that looks great. I really wanted the 6 speed, but this will be easier for traffic, as I plan on driving it more than the other vette. Does the Z07 really help, or is more of a "when I go to the track, switch it over" type of thing?


What parts have failed over the years that I should watch for?


Thanks for the info.
Jim

ON 8TH

Congrats
Got my 93 a month back,keep a eye on the temp gauge & be sure the fan kicks on,at idle mine does around 230 deg or so,switch to the digital read out the cluster.Check the over flow tank for the anti freeze condition,it should be the Green,you'll see some rust,if it's excessive a flush should be in order.Im gona do mine in the spring since it only has 42k miles showing.Acording to the records I received it was done once already.

billschroeder5842

Optispark as said earlier. If it has been changed, you are good to go. If not, you need to have that on your early cycle of PM.

Great year and package

zr1fred

Looks like a great find The optispark problems are over blown, keep it dry, and it will last a long time. Check the waterpump periodically for leaking/seeping, after car washes its the number one cause of opti failure.

Nokones

The ZO7 will not do anything for grocery getting other than you will have 17X9 1/2" wheels with 275 on all corners. The ZO7 option is for autocrossing. The FX3 adjustable electric shocks will give you a harsh ride and I wouldn't use them on any track. You may have a handful of a car with those shocks.

My only parts failure in the last 24 years are the Opti-Spark and the clutch slave cylinder. Other than replacing the cooling system hoses, becsuse the age, and other routine maintenance items, everything else is still original. The only thing that I need to do to the car is replace the headliner and the driver's side visor, and maybe service the A/C. Even all the lightbulbs are original.

The car has been good to me and I will keep it forever along with the other Corvettes I have.

1993C4LT1

My advice is when you have a problem, do some diagnosing. Not "throwing parts". Don't be one of those who guys who replaces the opti as preventative maintenance. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Enjoy the ride!

1993C4LT1

Beautiful Z07. Here's my Automatic Z07.

Nokones

Neat! Very Purdy! They are all cool. This will be the only Corvette I will own that the interior color is not Black.

The Ruby Red is a great color and shows very well especially when taken care of. I have seen several that were not and that was a shame. There should be a law that if a Corvette owner does not take care of their car, the Corvette Protection Service (CPS) should step in and take the car away and give it to a Corvette Adoption person.

1993C4LT1

Thanks! I wasn't a fan of the interior until I saw it in person. Yes, when clean Ruby Red looks great.

jayinnh

Check the roof for cracks...

Enderlin

The ruby color is wonderful to polish.

jsmcol

So, I bought the car, drove it home and about 20 miles into the 150 mile trip, the "service engine soon" light came on. I checked all the gauges and everything seemed fine, so kept driving. Filled up the gas tank and after putting it in reverse, the light went out and never came back on. Would that set a code??


The horn doesn't work, but the fuse and all connections seem fine.
Any suggestions?


Weatherstrip is crappy, as many of you said to check. I need someone to take a pic of their weatherstrip around the hatch, as what is on my car isn't glued in, and need to get that fixed, it just is laying there.


For 95k miles, it's in really good shape, engine compartment is real clean, and I got over 26mpg on the way home! Now the fun begins to fix the things needing work.


The dealer said I need some type of switch for the driver's door buzzer. Apparently, the buzzer sounds when open, mine isn't. The passenger door does work. Any idea where to get these?


Also, are there supposed to be lights that come on when the doors open? I can only get lights if I turn the rheostat on, but then they would stay on all the time.


Any help would be appreciated. I'm going to try to find some of this in the owner's manual, if possible. Car is cool, I love the color.


Jim