DougandBeth

I have always dreamed of owning a Corvette and for some reason fell in love with the C4. I would prefer a 1996 as it's the last year and a little more powerful. However, I did find a 1995 with 109,000 miles. It's red and has obvious rock chips on the hood and a star looking crackle in a few small places.

Drove the car the other day and it actually ran smooth. However, the owner does say it has a small oil leak but not sure where. We drove it for about 10 minutes and when you stop or get out of the car it smells like oil. I know it's hard to say exactly what it is but anyone have any thoughts? In addition, he said the gas gauge stopped working this spring so the tank stops allowing fuel to get in once it hits the half way mark.

Anyway he is down to $5,500, any thoughts? Thanks so much for your input

cv67

Depends on how bad the paint bugs you. Doesnt sound bad but know for 2k more you can get an awfully nice one;wouldnt sweat mileage that much its already hit 100k condition and maintenance would be the biggie
unless its the front or rear main seal probably something simple like a valve cover or intake.
Do the electronics all work, windows, AC etc? cant expect much for 5k but dont want to sink 5k into it either

FAUEE

Stick or automatic?

All LT engines tend to leak a little tiny bit supposedly. Unfortunately there's a lot of potential places to leak, and no way to know exactly where, you kinda just have to look around.

On the gad part, I'm a bit confused by what you're saying the issue is, but that whole assembly comes out and is super easy to replace.

DougandBeth

It's manual. In terms of the gas gauge here is what he said. He said "the gas gauge starting acting up this spring. You can't tell if the tank is full or not because the gauge doesn't work. In addition, it only holds a 5-6 gallons because the gauge issue isn't allowing more gas. He said underneath the cap there is something that can be replaced to fix it.

Nowhere Man

if your smelling burnt oil that means its dripping on the exhaust. the intakes china wall seals are notorious for failing and leaking. and you can never fix it permanently as with the smog check valve behind it it will always leak after time. or the valve covers could be leaking. both can be fixed in a afternoon. the intake is a little more to it then the valve covers though I just sold a 94 with 160,xxx miles with a major oil leak and some of the clear coat failing for for 4K

scuba717

I'd keep shopping and as said you can do better for not much more $$'s. Also, if you've been watching the forum.....don't by the car as an investment. Just buy it to enjoy. It's not a collector car and you will sink in some additional money to keep it running. Drive it, enjoy it and have some fun with it. I love my 94 vert. One of the best buys out there for power, styling and comfort......JMHO!!

JrRifleCoach

Maybe start by looking at the spot where he parks it?

DougandBeth

Thanks so far for all the replies. I have been looking for the last 3-4 days nationwide on autotrader, corvette trader, car gurus and craigslist. I would think there would be a ton of these 96's available but it doesn't appear that way.

FAUEE

If it's a stick, buy it. That sort of price for a stick is fantastic, even if it has some problems. Seriously, go now, stop reading and give him money before someone else does.

Space387

A 96 with a MT is in higher demand than about any other year due to the LT4 engine. As a result you will pay a premium for maybe 30hp. Looking for a few days won't find you the ideal corvette. Take a few weeks set your maximum budget and start picking options you want to see in the car. Also come to a decision early how much are you willing to put into the car once you buy it? If you are like me and willing to put 2-3k into the car once its home you can get these cars for a steal, but be sure you are willing to bust a few knuckles.

FAUEE

I suspect the difference between an LT1 and LT4 is more than the 30hp they claim. The LT1 with just the cam, not even the heads, tends to pick up at least the 30hp.

But that begs the question - is the car a 95 or 96? It's well priced if its a 95. It's insanely priced and I will probably try to figure out where it is and steal it out from under you if its a 96.

Patsgarage

Properly repainting one of these cars is very expensive, so if you can overlook that it might not be a bad deal. The "only holds 5-6 gallons" makes no sense, I would want more clarity on that. The oil leak could just be failing valve cover gaskets leaking onto the exhaust manifolds (cheap fix) or something more involved like a rear main seal. You do not say where you live, but some states are no longer requiring inspections for 1995 and older cars, something to consider.

aklim

Fair enough.

Utter BS. The gauge has no effect on the capacity. It will hold 20 gallons because the tank is designed to hold 20 gallons. If it can be fixed, let him fix it.

Find out what the car IN THAT CONDITION for bodywork goes for in your area. IDK of much besides KBB that gives sold prices or eBay. I don't care what the asking price is since you can ask 50K for the car but it doesn't mean I will be stupid enough to let myself get carried away. Offer $1000 less.

aklim

This owner has shown 2 qualities. One, he don't know crap. Two, he is probably making up crap as he goes along and even not, is willing to spew crap like that at the victim. So, trust but verify. Before anything goes any further and he suckers you into getting carried away and falling in love with this thing, get a Pre Delivery Inspection. Make sure that the mechanic isn't his buddy or whatever. Ask the mechanic what it will cost to fix the leaks and to allow you to fill up more than 6 gallons of fuel. I'd also find out what the car costs in that condition at a retail shop and private party and trade in. Trade in means that is what he can expect at worst case scenario and I would subtract the fixing cost from PP value.

I kinda suspect, if it is the valve covers and the fuel gauge, it should cost about $1000 for someone to fix so whatever that condition goes for PP, offer him $1000 less.

L.V. Vette

So what would prevent the tank from holding more than 5 or 6 gallons?

ChumpVette

Inner bladder is separating from the tank and not allowing full capacity. Depending upon how bad it is, it can disrupt the fuel level float.

mickey5

Hey Aklim, you are one #@$%&. If I was selling a 20 odd year old 6M Vette that "ran smooth", I'd meet you at the front door, point to it, and say; "there it is, thats the price, let me know if you want it" and go back inside. I'd know what's wrong with it so listening to you pick it apart and how much it would cost to fix would be a waste of my time, which has value.

Now don't get your Knickers all twisted, its a joke,son.

aklim

That requires a new tank. Easy to check. Pull fuel pump. Assembly out and look inside.

aklim

Works for me. The PO has always told me a pack of lies about the car condition anyway. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt, the information is usually inaccurate or at times deceitful.