Buying a C4 How do I know?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Buying a C4 How do I know?
I'm in St. Louis and don't want to spend over 10 grand for a Corvette.
I'm a newbie as I've driven mostly automatics over the years.
I want a 4+3 or a 6 speed and am concerned I won't know how to tell if a 4+3 transmission is shifting normally and if the overdrive is working properly. I just spoke with a seller that has a 1988 4+3 with 45,000 miles and he says sometimes his overdrive engages in 1st but mostly not. And sometimes it works erratically once in a while with the stock chip in it. Is this normal? He says he put an after market chip in and overdrive only works when you engage it, is that good or bad for the overdrive unit? I don't have a clue. Let alone if I test drive it what to look for.
I hoping to get one that is super, super excellent. This one sounds like it with a few minor problems he indicated.
Secondly if I have it transported from Florida to St. Louis, then I have to trust that I'll actually get what goes on the truck as I would have to pay ahead of time.
Any general guidelines on any of the above please let me know.
Thanks!
I'm a newbie as I've driven mostly automatics over the years.
I want a 4+3 or a 6 speed and am concerned I won't know how to tell if a 4+3 transmission is shifting normally and if the overdrive is working properly. I just spoke with a seller that has a 1988 4+3 with 45,000 miles and he says sometimes his overdrive engages in 1st but mostly not. And sometimes it works erratically once in a while with the stock chip in it. Is this normal? He says he put an after market chip in and overdrive only works when you engage it, is that good or bad for the overdrive unit? I don't have a clue. Let alone if I test drive it what to look for.
I hoping to get one that is super, super excellent. This one sounds like it with a few minor problems he indicated.
Secondly if I have it transported from Florida to St. Louis, then I have to trust that I'll actually get what goes on the truck as I would have to pay ahead of time.
Any general guidelines on any of the above please let me know.
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
If you are spending up to $10,000 buying a C4 Corvette, you can get a really nice car without any issues to speak of. If you're very attracted to this 4+3 car, ask the owner to fix the issue before you talk about prices. Or, consider the potential cost of diagnosis/repair and factor that into the final price. Transmission problems can be a real pain, and if they are very troublesome, they can potentially kill your passion for the car. I've seen it happen. Don't let that happen.
You said you are open to a 6-speed, which is an excellent transmission and very tough. Plus, no OD to fuss with. My 1995 LT1 6-speed is a pure joy to drive.
The short version: for that kind of money, find a car that runs right, the right one for you. It will be well worth the wait.
You said you are open to a 6-speed, which is an excellent transmission and very tough. Plus, no OD to fuss with. My 1995 LT1 6-speed is a pure joy to drive.
The short version: for that kind of money, find a car that runs right, the right one for you. It will be well worth the wait.
Last edited by DGXR; Feb 24, 2017 at 06:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 47
From: Minneapolis MN
I wouldn't consider anything older than a 1992 for $10k. I had my little heart set on a 6m too, but we all must compromise. They are harder to find and sellers want more money for them.Think about this one, not only is the C5 auto a 4 speed, so is the C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,712
Likes: 174
From: Chatham NY
St. Jude Donor '13, '15-'16,'18 thru '25
There are a few things you have not said, do you prefer the older or newer body style, the LT1 or L98, how do you plan on using it? I personally would not buy a car sight unseen that has a chip in it and god knows what else. Take your time and drive enough so you find the right one and make sure it is right for you. For a little more than 10 grand you can be a decent C5 if you look long enough, I test drove 2 and that was enough for me to know I didn't like them, just picked up and 09 and absolutely love that car. Remember there are two kinds of money to spend on a car after you get it, have to money- fixing the motor, tranny, replacing bad tires or the fun money- upgrading the exhaust or adding new rims and so on. As others have said there are really nice C4's out there for that kind of money do the right thing up front and you will be much happier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,084
From: Lehigh Valley PA
92 or up is the way to go. If $8k to $10k is your budget, you can pick up a sweet mid-90s C4...Just some food for thought - I owned a 92 auto, and I now own a 94 6-speed...they each have their advantages. I loved the simplicity and ease of the auto and love the "feeling" and "control" of the 6-spd.
If I were you, I would find the C4 of your dreams that fits nicely in that budget - at that point, you may not even care what transmission it has...cause at the end of the day...she's still a Vette.
Best of Luck with your search!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,974
Likes: 3,362
From: NYC NY
I had an almost new '86 (had 3K miles on it when I bought it) back in '87 and I could engage the O/D in 1st gear at full throttle by hitting the button on he shift ****. I doubt it was "right" but I know the current owner and the trans and overdrive still work perfect. Of course I never told him about the 1st gear O/D.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Here's what like. To drive on the weekends. No racing. Convertible. I think manual but not sure. I am just crazy about Magnaflow stainless exhaust protruding out the rear. I found automatics with colors I like more but so many say why have a corvette without a stick.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Have someone who has owned a C4 look at these with you. Both look pretty good.:
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Have someone who has owned a C4 look at these with you. Both look pretty good.:
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Have someone who has owned a C4 look at these with you. Both look pretty good.:
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5969543786.html
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5971624468.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you're willing to spend $10K on a C4 then I suggest that you first spend $20.00 and get yourself a copy of Mike Antonick's Corvette Black Book. For each year of C4 there are 2 - 3 pages of details on all the options and changes for that particular year. This way it's easy to see how things improved and more and more options became standard equipment in the later years.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
If you're willing to spend $10K on a C4 then I suggest that you first spend $20.00 and get yourself a copy of Mike Antonick's Corvette Black Book. For each year of C4 there are 2 - 3 pages of details on all the options and changes for that particular year. This way it's easy to see how things improved and more and more options became standard equipment in the later years.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
It's a 1998 Pace car with everything imagineable. 186,000 miles always dealer maintained. Nothing major replaced. He tells me not to buy it if I'm going to drive it.
He says it's a collectors car not a driver. 100% feedback.
Kept in a AC garage. It's going for about 9,000 current bid. It looks terrific but it has so many miles which scares me. But it's a 98.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you want this to just keep in your garage to look at well ok but it you're looking for a driver then you want to buy one of the later years of a corvette generation not one of the early years .... their parts are the ones that go obsolete first and all of the improvements are made in the later years of each generation. Read about corvette design, development and manufacturing history and you will see that this is true.
That's why I own the next to the last year C4 and the last year of C5.
That's why I own the next to the last year C4 and the last year of C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 47
From: Minneapolis MN
If you're willing to spend $10K on a C4 then I suggest that you first spend $20.00 and get yourself a copy of Mike Antonick's Corvette Black Book. For each year of C4 there are 2 - 3 pages of details on all the options and changes for that particular year. This way it's easy to see how things improved and more and more options became standard equipment in the later years.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
My opinion is to go for a 95 or 96. They were by far the best sorted of all the C4's. Look for a car that's owned by someone who can show you receipts for maintenance work done over the years. Thus you have a better chance of getting a well maintained car from a long time owner rather than a used car dealer.
I'm biased ... I've put over 100K on my 95.
Any problems with it?