stabac

Have an opportunity to purchase a nice 1985 but am getting some bad news on my other forum. I have owned '63 Corvair Spyder for years and about 60% of the responses about the C4 are negative. A little feedback please
Frank

jehuds10

Welcome to the forum Frank!

Vetteman Jack

Welcome, but I'm going to move this to the C4 General section for more responses.

confab

I love my 85. I bought a totally junk one and I've loved fixing it up. I think it is a fantastic platform and if you can keep a 63 corvair on the road, you'll be THRILLED with the parts selection for the C4. The prices are right. They're cool looking and a nice, early C4 now turns heads in ways they haven't for years, and other cars seldom do.

Like your corvair though, it's a hands on hobby. I don't care how many original miles it has, you can expect to either be wrenching on it or spending a fortune to get someone else to do it for you. So, if there's a downside, it's probably that.

They aren't terribly expensive to own and not any worse than other vehicles to repair if you're the DIY type. They drive like a fighter jet.

Other than the need to be handy or to be rich, I don't see a downside with the C4.

Regards!

billschroeder5842

Frank- I have two of them. No regrets at all. This may help....

cv67

Id avoid a "fixer" C4, pay more and get a primo one. If they are maintained right they are fine-every once in awhile youll curse at though

They made tons of these so be picky and patient. More and more im liking the early ones, less electronics manual ac etc less to go wrong.

Prices sure are right to be buying;dont buy sight unseen if you can help it

FOURSPEEDVETTE

I picked the 1985 "4+3" years ago to be my Corvette purchase over all the other C4 years for many researched reasons. I've never regretted it. Owned it now for 10+ years and have been very happy with it. I've noticed negative comments usually come from people who don't have a clue what their talking about or know it alls who actually know nothing. The 85 has alot going for it. If you like it, buy it.

Fiberbundle

Love the C4s and as others have said you can get a lot of car for the money. I currently have a 1992 LT1 6-speed coupe that has every option offered including the ZO7 handling package. It has less than 21,000 miles, was stored for 8 years and owned by other "collectors" so all documentation came with it. $9,500 this spring. There is another documented 92 with the ZO7 package with 29,000 miles that has been for sale here (Seattle area) for over 3 months. Started at $14,500 and is now at $10,500.

Do not let others steer you away from C4s anymore than Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at any speed" prevented you from owning a Corvair.

Cool Runnings

Even the primo ones will cost you money. I thought mine was primo, 1,000 miles later a transaxle u-joint was toast. Two months after ownership, the solar temperature sensor just broke for no reason. One week after that, the drivers side rear Bose speaker went south. Found out how you date tires, mine are from 05, so I'm going to need new tires. Found out the lumbar support for the driver doesn't work.......... Had to do a anti-freeze flush because the car overheated once and popped the safety valve (stuff looked nasty)!


The car when purchased looked as mint as a 25 year old car can be. Interior looked like a BRAND NEW VECHICLE! 52,000 miles, family car since new. Owner was a fanatic about keeping his stuff up.


Doesn't matter, a 25 year old car is going to have issues. Like people told me here. Buy a nice one for 9 to 10 K and you still will end up sinking another 2k into it.


Oh,,,,,,,,,, I forgot, this is my 1st vette, I went into this blind. Next time around, I will be a lot more confident and knowledgeable. I may look for a LT4 Vert, but it will have to be stunning and I won't pay more than 12.5k

Windir

I love my 1993 LT1 coupe and have had zero issues with it, although I've only had it for three months. It only had 18,500 miles when I bought it and is such a beautiful car and fun to drive.

chevyman_ky

I have a 85 with 136000 miles on it its been took care of I've had it about 5 years wouldn't brother me to get in it and go anywhere with it check it out good fix whats wrong and enjoy it

kenmohr

Love mine. Any of that 60* own a C4?

Fireeagle

I have an 86 and a 15. The 86 still gets looks and brings a smile to my face when I drive it. Good power, in good shape, nice body lines, 46k miles and fires right up like it was new. Some are really beaten so if you want to find one that's not, they are out there, but you have to look. Best part of the 86 is my antique plates, so in PA, that means no registration fees, great insurance rates and no yearly inspection so no stickers on the windshield. I'm sure many of the naysayers never owned a quality C4.

73n95

Most of today's drivers are "ricers" with their 4 cylinder Honda's and Suby's. There is no comparison to a Corvette. Any Corvette. Every generation Vette has its pro's and con's. A few of the C4's pro's are that they are truly modern cars with state of the art electronics and true, world class sports car handling. Parts and service are readily available, although some may take awhile (do not take it to the local mechanic or to a dealer. You need a Corvette specialist or do like most of us and DIY). Handling is great, fuel economy will impress you. I run mid-grade with no problems. They look great and stand out. Con's; difficult to get out of, the newest one is 21 years old so no matter which one you get, its an old Chevy. They have a few characteristic problem areas but nothing serious. I agree, if you like your Corvair you'll love a C4. They have a lot in common. I'm a former 62 and 65 Corsa owner. I wish I could have that Corsa back. What a great car. Take your time and get a good one. You'll love it. And stay in touch. This forum is possibly the best "pro" of all.

VikingTrad3r

im on my third one and i've carved out a bit of a niche in the early c4's.

absolutely love them to bits.

zero issues that cannot be fixed with a simple post on this forum.

cheers and let us know what you do. i wouldn't shy away from one.

DGXR

The Corvette is like any other Chevrolet, with two exceptions:
1) Corvette is GM's flagship sports car,
and
2) new technologies are often introduced in flagships such as the Corvette (and new technologies can sometimes be unreliable)

I have had 2 Corvettes (both 1995 coupes) and never had any serious trouble with either one. There were little things like window rattles and other small details but everything always worked and they never failed in any way. I agree with the advice about spending more money to get a solid car. Don't try to "save money" on a fixer upper because in the end you probably will spend more anyway, plus you will be out the time and energy it takes to fix stuff. Give yourself the chance to spend more time driving and less time fixing.

stabac

Is the 4 + 3 a reasonably reliable tranny and is that "OD" in second and third really useful??
Thanks
Frank

stabac

Car I'm looking at, most likely will buy

FOURSPEEDVETTE

Yes the 4+3 transmission is reliable. Changing the transmission fluid and filter at 10,000 mile intervals is highly recommended. No need to really use 2nd and 3rd gear overdrive. Most of us who own them only use the overdrive after 4th gear. It's just like having a 5th gear. Your top end increases dramatically and your rpm's are greatly reduced in overdrive. You can easily acheive 150mph if desired in overdrive. If you do purchase this car and have questions about the overdrive, ask answers from only those of us who actually own one also. LOTS of bad/wrong information is spread around this forum on them.

corvette_realtor

Love that dark gray color on the C4. Those dark inserts in the wheels of the '84-85 look awesome. I love my C4, and I didn't even get the nicest one on the block.. no regrets.