What C4 Corvette should I get as a daily driver?
05-24-2017, 08:58 PM
#1
What C4 Corvette should I get as a daily driver?
I really LOVE C4 Corvettes especially ones with manuals 
and decided i wanted one as a daily driver. 
But which one should I get?
First of all, I don't want one with crossfire injection.
I hear they have a lot of problems.
I was going to get one with an L98 and 4+3 but then decided I liked the LT1 better because the stock exhaust was growlier than the exhaust on the L98 and it has more horsepower. Also, it has the reverse-flow cooling.
And if I save my pennies I would also like it to be equipped with a manual such as the doug nash 4+3 or the ZF 6 speed
I will name it the "Chick Magnet"
and decided i wanted one as a daily driver. But which one should I get?
First of all, I don't want one with crossfire injection.
I hear they have a lot of problems.
I was going to get one with an L98 and 4+3 but then decided I liked the LT1 better because the stock exhaust was growlier than the exhaust on the L98 and it has more horsepower. Also, it has the reverse-flow cooling.
And if I save my pennies I would also like it to be equipped with a manual such as the doug nash 4+3 or the ZF 6 speed
I will name it the "Chick Magnet"
05-24-2017, 09:04 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Phoenix Arizona
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That's easy - newer is definitely better. I wouldn't personally consider getting anything earlier than a '94 and if money permits, go for a '96 which would be the LT-4. They're all cheap now.
05-24-2017, 09:25 PM
#3
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
OP HAS to good 'ol 85L98/84L83...back from banned camp. Has to be.
05-25-2017, 11:41 AM
#5
Team Owner
Get the latest model that is in the best condition for the money you have to spend. And when you think you find one, take it to a reputable repair shop and have a "Used Vehicle Inspection" done. Might cost $150 or so, but it will show you all the good and bad info on the car.
But keep in mind that even a well-maintained C4 of any year can turn out to be a nightmare to keep running. But at the same time, there are many C4's available that will provide years of fun assuming you take care of it.
But keep in mind that even a well-maintained C4 of any year can turn out to be a nightmare to keep running. But at the same time, there are many C4's available that will provide years of fun assuming you take care of it.
05-25-2017, 03:25 PM
#6
Instructor
In my less than infinite wisdom I believe the C4 to be a poor daily driver. Poor gas mileage, tires are expensive, daily driving increases the risk of an accident or other damage which is usually expensive to fix, and lots of miles reduces its value. I would get an econobox for daily commutes and enjoy the C4 on days off. Just my .02. However, I would say 92 and up would be your best choice. Good luck.
05-25-2017, 03:46 PM
#7
I daily a 96 LT4. MPG usually about 20. Not great but better than the tahoe I have. It's got just over 100k miles now and had less than 100k when I bought it. I enjoy it a lot but it's not the most comfortable thing to drive all the time, and I basically never drive when we are going places.
05-25-2017, 04:14 PM
#8
Drifting
In my less than infinite wisdom I believe the C4 to be a poor daily driver. Poor gas mileage, tires are expensive, daily driving increases the risk of an accident or other damage which is usually expensive to fix, and lots of miles reduces its value. I would get an econobox for daily commutes and enjoy the C4 on days off. Just my .02. However, I would say 92 and up would be your best choice. Good luck.
Being a C4 reduces the value of the C4. Any cheaper and they'll pay you to take 'em.
95 or 96. Vented Optispark.
My '96 is a DD and the commute is the best part of my work day.
05-25-2017, 06:21 PM
#10
Racer
Well, the 4+3 was only a 4 speed, and ZF6 was a 6 speed so there's one.
The 4+3, while cool for being a manual-auto combo, wasn't the greatest at holding up under the abuse that most vette owners will give either, so there's another.
Also, the doug only ran up to the 88's, so you're not gonna get it with a stock LT1 unless it's an 80's C4 body with a swapped LT1, though if they went to the trouble of swapping in an LT1 it probably won't be stock.
If I were you, I'd go with something about 95-96 with an LT4, which had 330 Horse as opposed to the 300 Horse of the LT1, with a ZF6 manual for those extra 2 gears. Not as "cool" as being a doug nash 4+3, but more practical and less of a headache to deal with. If you take care of it right, it should last you a good, long while
Also, Welcome to the Forum, and good luck to you!
The 4+3, while cool for being a manual-auto combo, wasn't the greatest at holding up under the abuse that most vette owners will give either, so there's another.
Also, the doug only ran up to the 88's, so you're not gonna get it with a stock LT1 unless it's an 80's C4 body with a swapped LT1, though if they went to the trouble of swapping in an LT1 it probably won't be stock.
If I were you, I'd go with something about 95-96 with an LT4, which had 330 Horse as opposed to the 300 Horse of the LT1, with a ZF6 manual for those extra 2 gears. Not as "cool" as being a doug nash 4+3, but more practical and less of a headache to deal with. If you take care of it right, it should last you a good, long while
Also, Welcome to the Forum, and good luck to you!
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LT1 Man (05-26-2017)
05-25-2017, 10:48 PM
#11
Race Director
In my less than infinite wisdom I believe the C4 to be a poor daily driver. Poor gas mileage, tires are expensive, daily driving increases the risk of an accident or other damage which is usually expensive to fix, and lots of miles reduces its value. I would get an econobox for daily commutes and enjoy the C4 on days off. Just my .02. However, I would say 92 and up would be your best choice. Good luck.
The accident repairs isntrue, as is the miles, but the miles will reduce the the value of anything.
Personally, it's silly NOT to buy a c4 as a daily right now. They're INSANELY cheap. You can buy a decent automatic car for 4 or 5k or less, if you tried to buy a decent civic or corolla or other econobox you couldn't get near the miles and condition in that price range. Plus then you would be driving an econobox and not a vette!
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LT1 Man (06-14-2017)
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LT1 Man (06-14-2017)
05-26-2017, 10:54 AM
#14
Pro
Member Since: Aug 2015
Location: Jackson Wisconsin
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C4 You're on the right track, if you are mechanically inclined. Any 20 years old and will need some sort of upkeep on an ongoing basis. Don't get into this and then bitch because it always needs something. Typical GM, any model gets better as the model years pile on. Each year has improvements over the previous year's model even though they appear to be identical. The final years are usually the best as they may actually have parts from the next generation which are usually significant upgrades. 95 and 96 are very similar except that the 05 was OBD II, different diagnostics with the same end result. 96 M6 were all LT4/s where the 95 M6 is the LT 1. Not much different unless you have a use for the power. For me 300 HP is fine, but then, more is always better, right? You'll probably pay a premium for the 96 where the 95 is pretty so-so price wise. That said, if the deal is right there is nothing wrong with a nice 92-94, and they tend to be pretty cheap. I prefer the wide body and interior of the later models too. Mileage is not that important in that a well maintained 100k car is way better than a 10k car that has been sitting in the barn after being "ridden hard and put away wet". Many of the low mileage cars are given a once over, a cheater update to look pristine and get the long dollar. Indeed, have someone with C4 experience check your purchase over and you'll be fine. Good luck.
05-26-2017, 04:10 PM
#16
Pro
I really LOVE C4 Corvettes especially ones with manuals and decided i wanted one as a daily driver.
But which one should I get?
First of all, I don't want one with crossfire injection.
I hear they have a lot of problems.
I was going to get one with an L98 and 4+3 but then decided I liked the LT1 better because the stock exhaust was growlier than the exhaust on the L98 and it has more horsepower. Also, it has the reverse-flow cooling.
And if I save my pennies I would also like it to be equipped with a manual such as the doug nash 4+3 or the ZF 6 speed
I will name it the "Chick Magnet"
and decided i wanted one as a daily driver. But which one should I get?
First of all, I don't want one with crossfire injection.
I hear they have a lot of problems.
I was going to get one with an L98 and 4+3 but then decided I liked the LT1 better because the stock exhaust was growlier than the exhaust on the L98 and it has more horsepower. Also, it has the reverse-flow cooling.
And if I save my pennies I would also like it to be equipped with a manual such as the doug nash 4+3 or the ZF 6 speed
I will name it the "Chick Magnet"
05-26-2017, 10:38 PM
#17
Navigator
LT4 is fun but Auto is easier if traffic is a factor
I have been daily driving a LT4 since about mid-March. I was daily driving my Dad's LT1 Automatic before that for a couple months (also a 1996). I will say, don't overlook the auto if there is a lot of traffic in your route. The LT4 is crazy fun but the shifting does get old when you have 18 stoplights on the way to work. I would say, in traffic the auto is actually significantly more enjoyable and it still feels very performance oriented. The 6 spd blows it away in all other driving situations though!
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LT1 Man (06-14-2017)
05-27-2017, 04:55 AM
#18
Drifting
Any of them can be a daily driver if it has and will be maintained.
I was fine driving my 92 6 speed in traffic, and I am now fine driving my 94 automatic in traffic. the 92 and the 94 feel the same comfortable wise, nice.
And as far as I am concerned, do not worry too much about mileage, especially if its been maintained. I see more posts on here with real low mileage, with problems than I do with high mileage. (over 100,000 ).
I was fine driving my 92 6 speed in traffic, and I am now fine driving my 94 automatic in traffic. the 92 and the 94 feel the same comfortable wise, nice.
And as far as I am concerned, do not worry too much about mileage, especially if its been maintained. I see more posts on here with real low mileage, with problems than I do with high mileage. (over 100,000 ).
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LT1 Man (06-14-2017)
05-27-2017, 07:51 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
C4 You're on the right track, if you are mechanically inclined. Any 20 years old and will need some sort of upkeep on an ongoing basis. Don't get into this and then bitch because it always needs something. Typical GM, any model gets better as the model years pile on. Each year has improvements over the previous year's model even though they appear to be identical. The final years are usually the best as they may actually have parts from the next generation which are usually significant upgrades. 95 and 96 are very similar except that the 05 was OBD II, different diagnostics with the same end result. 96 M6 were all LT4/s where the 95 M6 is the LT 1. Not much different unless you have a use for the power. For me 300 HP is fine, but then, more is always better, right? You'll probably pay a premium for the 96 where the 95 is pretty so-so price wise. That said, if the deal is right there is nothing wrong with a nice 92-94, and they tend to be pretty cheap. I prefer the wide body and interior of the later models too. Mileage is not that important in that a well maintained 100k car is way better than a 10k car that has been sitting in the barn after being "ridden hard and put away wet". Many of the low mileage cars are given a once over, a cheater update to look pristine and get the long dollar. Indeed, have someone with C4 experience check your purchase over and you'll be fine. Good luck.
I have been daily driving a LT4 since about mid-March. I was daily driving my Dad's LT1 Automatic before that for a couple months (also a 1996). I will say, don't overlook the auto if there is a lot of traffic in your route. The LT4 is crazy fun but the shifting does get old when you have 18 stoplights on the way to work. I would say, in traffic the auto is actually significantly more enjoyable and it still feels very performance oriented. The 6 spd blows it away in all other driving situations though!
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LT1 Man (06-14-2017)
