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My 91 ZR1 may need a stable mate so I'm thinking of a 89 Z51 that caught my eye.
The car seems in really good condition with 68k. It has all the paperwork since day 1 and appears to be well maintained- I have only seen pictures and spoken with the owner. He want 9.4.
So, how big a deal (rare? desirable? elusive?) is the Z51 package with the FX3 suspension?
I admit my ignorance so I need some help. Is it worth a premium price and are there any down sides?
Yes. But not to the extent a zr-1 or GS would be. Most buyers won't even know what it is though. I had a C4 with a base suspension, and now my Z07 suspension C4. It definitely handles better than the base. If my Ruby was a 6 speed, I'd keep it. Z51 and z07 is pretty much the same. And some base suspension cars also have the selective ride/fx3.
Just about any 89 Corvette in really good condition is pretty rare, and frankly most people (even Corvette people) could care less about a Z51 suspension option. It does make for lively discussions on the forum though . Bottom line, what is the car worth to you. $9.4k is high for a 89 Corvette, but not so much for a toy you want. Biggest down sides are its OLD, and not a high demand car (poor resale potential).
I think that z51 is definitely worth it. There are people like me who are only interested in z51 cars, and then other who don't care at all.
Imo, all Corvettes should be z51. With the more modest performance of a c4, I think it becomes of even greater inportance.
That said... it sounds like a nice car, fairly priced. Are you asking if the z51 is worth it, or if the z51 is worth more, or something else? The answers to those questions are yes and yes to me, but as you can see others don't feel the same way I do.
Performance Handling Package (coupe) (Z51)
•Heavy Duty Steering and Suspension Upgrade for improved handling.
•The Z51 option included RPO B4P Radiator Boost Fan, RPO KC4 Engine Oil Cooler, RPO V01 Heavy Duty Radiator, heavy duty suspension and a fast steering ratio.
•The option continued in the 1989 Corvette, and remained available only in coupes equipped with a manual transmission.
•Leather sports seats were only available as part of the Z51 option in 1989.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Not many C4s floating around in the "premium" category especially 89s but that definition is subjective....9k cash would and could buy you a nice C4 in the private party crowd
Car sounds great but the price is high. If you are going to keep it "forever" what does it matter? If you are planning on flipping it in a few years I'd keep looking. Its the price of fun. There are a lot of 92 to 96's under 10k. C4 priciing is all over the map. Forget about NADA. The old addage "its worth what someone will pay" holds true for vintage Corvettes as well. If you like it and like the option list, go for it! (but offer less)
Well, an 89 M6 Z51/FX3 is probably one of the best non-ZR1/GS C4s you can get. I'd ask about the rear gear ratio that it came with, to determine whether its early or late. Ask about that.
9400 is a bit high, but if its perfectly maintained and he has all records of maintenance, I wouldn't walk away from that.
the 89' was the first year for the fx-3 suspension package and when you checked the box for it, Chevrolet removed the z51 springs and sway bars and replaced them with the base (z52) springs and sway bars. then in 91' the z07 package was offered which left the z51 springs and sway bars in place.
I'm left slight confused but grateful. The owner is hanging a lot on the fact that it has a Z51 and a FX3 suspension. I like the fact that it has all the documentation.
Just about any 89 Corvette in really good condition is pretty rare, and frankly most people (even Corvette people) could care less about a Z51 suspension option. It does make for lively discussions on the forum though . Bottom line, what is the car worth to you. $9.4k is high for a 89 Corvette, but not so much for a toy you want. Biggest down sides are its OLD, and not a high demand car (poor resale potential).
The 89 Z51 was the car to be had for autocrossers. The 3.45 rear diff was the most common gear set and the 3.54 was the option that few people had.
If you like the car and want a garage mate, the 89 Z51 would be my pick. I also have an 89 Z51 with the 3.54 gear set that share garage space with my Ruby ZO7, 03 ZO6, and my 13 Grand Sport Manual tranny.
1989 had two axle ratios available, Early 3.54 GHO RPO code and later 3.33 GT7 RPO code. The rpo's the car is equipped with is under the center console Lid on a printed sticker. The seller should let you know which one it has. The reason the fx3 cars received base suspension springs was Chevrolet at that time had only validated its use for on highway use with the base/Non high rate springs. The zr1 was supposed to go into mass production that year and Fx3 was one of the technological Highlights for the ZR1. All Zr1's have Non High rate springs. Gm had made the decision to offer the option of fx3 on regular z51 c4's in 89. Chevrolet did not validate the high rate springs with fx3 until 91 on regular production cars. Some 89 and 90 model cars did receive the high rate springs and fx3 but they were purpose built cars for the corvette challenge(89) and Escort World challenge(90). RPO code for these cars is R9G. (you had to be connected to even know to order one of these or how) They are very rare! There are some out there in street trim as not all of the cars were converted for race use.
Last edited by milsurpman; 05-27-2017 at 01:02 PM.
Oops, I made another second mistake in my life, I stated that the 89 had 3.54 and 3.45 gear sets and I was wrong. The 3.45s came later. As stated after my post, the 89 Z51 gear sets were 3.33 and 3.54. In this case, the Z51 that the original poster is considering has the 3.33 gear set.
If he passes on this car he will regret it later. Buy the car and if it isn't the right buy for him he can always sell it. I think if he buys it he'll be glad that he did.
The asking price is a starting point. Negotiate and see if you can buy it for 7,500.00.
[QUOTE=VikingTrad3r;1594830706]here is the rpo sticker from the one im considering. it is in rough shape but certainly salvageable. op wants 3700 usd. QUOTE]
Cheap price?(have to price repairs) Bright red paint, Bronze tint clear roof, bright red interior, Highly optioned car with sport seats. These seats are not very common on 89's. A very expensive option and z51 only in 89. It Looks like the only things that were not ordered were the tire pressure warning system(a real pain) and the dual roof package. If any 89 is worth saving this one would make sense.
Last edited by milsurpman; 05-28-2017 at 11:41 AM.
the 89 with 68k will arrive in about a week from Orlando-ish being shipped to Ft Worth. The owner was real easy to work with and was fanatical about records maintenance etc. as I am!
Thank you all for your help and opinions on this purchase!
Congrats on the purchase. It looks to be in fantastic shape considering the age. If you are on Facebook and haven't done so join DFW Corvettes. There are monthly meets and there is one today in Bedford. I'll be in my yellow Z.
05-25-2017, 08:30 PM
Is a 89 with the Z51 worth a premuim
. Bottom line, what is the car worth to you. $9.4k is high for a 89 Corvette, but not so much for a toy you want. Biggest down sides are its OLD, and not a high demand car (poor resale potential).
