C4 value vs other 80's cars
#21
Drifting
Member Since: Nov 2015
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
"What something is worth" versus "What someone will pay"
Welcome to the stock market.
It's Want, plain and simple. Fewer want a C4 versus how many there are to sell.
We don't count because we already OWN our C4s.
Welcome to the stock market.
It's Want, plain and simple. Fewer want a C4 versus how many there are to sell.
We don't count because we already OWN our C4s.
#23
Le Mans Master
muscle car name got me smiling. Back in the mid to late 60s, my older brother had a 61 vette fuelie.. fastest optioned vette for that year. Was still plenty fast compared to the newer muscle cars (at the time). We would sometimes race it at the drags on sundays. Completely stock. It turned right at a flat 14 @ 100 mph. give or take afew for bad or good starts. My 86 does the same. Would be a damn good race between the two. Now a days, plenty of stangs, chrislers and chevys out run them both. I think a lot of folks look back on the time when they were teens and what they and their buddys drove with fondness. I think that's why there is much more demand for the other cars, plus like someone stated, all the car mags left Vettes alone
Last edited by ghoastrider1; 01-12-2018 at 10:23 AM.
#24
They made 20,000 GN's in 1987, but they continue to appreciate in value.
The IROC-Z and T/A F-body's from the 80's are also on the rise. I don't think any Vette from the 80's will get there (C3 or C4) in terms of desirability and collector status.
The IROC-Z and T/A F-body's from the 80's are also on the rise. I don't think any Vette from the 80's will get there (C3 or C4) in terms of desirability and collector status.
#26
Racer
Member Since: Sep 2007
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St. Jude Donor '09-'12
It just amazes me.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0-00005b189bd5
Used 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 Coupe
$14,990
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0-00005b189bd5
Used 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 Coupe
$14,990
#27
Melting Slicks
So C4, and C5 and C3 owners, don't despair. But don't even get me started on the 61 fuelie I sold...
Last edited by mtwoolford; 01-12-2018 at 06:56 PM.
#28
Melting Slicks
"desirability"? "collector status"? allow me to observe that in terms of either, have you checked the prices for entry level English sports cars...no not Jag's and Aston Martins, I'm talking MGs, Triumphs and Austin Healys that you could barely give away back in the day. When I saw an late 50's Austin Healy sell at auction for $80,000 I knew the world had gone nuts.
So C4, and C5 and C3 owners, don't despair. But don't even get me started on the 61 fuelie I sold...
So C4, and C5 and C3 owners, don't despair. But don't even get me started on the 61 fuelie I sold...
Nor the 429ci SCJ 4M I sold.
#29
Le Mans Master
I've had a lot of the 60's/70's/80's muscle/pony/sports cars. Most when they were only a few years old. They were much more fun to drive than the normal versions of these cars. I also did a lot of mods to them to make them better and/or personalize them how I wanted.
I still look at them and like them. Now most of them are quite expensive.
My choices have always been to have a nice car that is fun to drive while still being reasonable cost. That means that many of the cars I used to have are no longer my choices due to cost. It also means that many newer cars outperform them for less cost. So the C4's (and C5's) are some of the best bang for the buck cars out there.
Enjoy the C4 pricing and buy a few. They are cheap right now and it is a great time to get one (or more). Many are cheaper than my winter beaters, but a lot nicer and more fun to drive.
I still look at them and like them. Now most of them are quite expensive.
My choices have always been to have a nice car that is fun to drive while still being reasonable cost. That means that many of the cars I used to have are no longer my choices due to cost. It also means that many newer cars outperform them for less cost. So the C4's (and C5's) are some of the best bang for the buck cars out there.
Enjoy the C4 pricing and buy a few. They are cheap right now and it is a great time to get one (or more). Many are cheaper than my winter beaters, but a lot nicer and more fun to drive.
#30
Racer
"desirability"? "collector status"? allow me to observe that in terms of either, have you checked the prices for entry level English sports cars...no not Jag's and Aston Martins, I'm talking MGs, Triumphs and Austin Healys that you could barely give away back in the day. When I saw an late 50's Austin Healy sell at auction for $80,000 I knew the world had gone nuts.
So C4, and C5 and C3 owners, don't despair. But don't even get me started on the 61 fuelie I sold...
So C4, and C5 and C3 owners, don't despair. But don't even get me started on the 61 fuelie I sold...
#31
Yeah, it was only the 325 horse version. Blew up two power glides up while I had it (working in a gas station made the replacement easier. Sold it a year later with second gear missing in the tranny for $600 bucks, when I went to college in the snow.
Would I like to have it again, you bet. Am I gonna pay $30000+ for one, I don't think so. I am driving a 1987 C4 for fun.
#32
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2017
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St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I was living in SoCal in the late 60s after getting out of the Navy. Bought a 61 Triumph TR3, kept it for about a year and traded it in on a brand new 69 Z28. I would love to have either of those right now.
#33
Instructor
I have owned and still own a C7, C6, C5, C4, and C3's. The C7 is what I drive weather permitting. I buy fix up and sell them on my RV/Car lot. I spend my time here on the forum on C4 and C3 threads because I find them the most rewarding to "mess" with. I deal in Corvettes for the love of them. The C4 is the birth of the modern Vette and is very under appreciated. Good news is bang for the buck and that secret makes it fun and affordable for those who see the value.
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silverja (12-04-2019)
#34
I grew up as a young boy admiring all the "muscle" cars of the 60's and 70's. When I got to the age where I could buy a new car like a late 80's or early 90's IROC-Z, Trans Am or Mustang I ended up with a loaded Firebird with T-tops and the honeycomb gold alloy wheels. Really wanted a Corvette but they were twice as much as the Firebird so could not justify it at the time.
To be honest I was not real impressed with the 80's cars in general as I found them to be cheap looking and feeling on the interior and rather under powered and problematic mechanically. I suspect that there are very few well kept examples any more of the above listed examples and others that the few that are left are bound to be worth more as the vast majority were driven hard and unloved.
Corvettes by comparison were usually owned by older customers and many were well kept and loved. I am just happy that when I went to find a nice C4 I had plenty or great choices at incredible prices. If others are willing to spend the same amount on what I consider to be much less of a vehicle so be it, I wish them well and hope they are happy with there decision. I could not be happier with my decision to purchase my 1995 Corvette convertible 6 spd. as it is twice the car of my 1992 Firebird.
To be honest I was not real impressed with the 80's cars in general as I found them to be cheap looking and feeling on the interior and rather under powered and problematic mechanically. I suspect that there are very few well kept examples any more of the above listed examples and others that the few that are left are bound to be worth more as the vast majority were driven hard and unloved.
Corvettes by comparison were usually owned by older customers and many were well kept and loved. I am just happy that when I went to find a nice C4 I had plenty or great choices at incredible prices. If others are willing to spend the same amount on what I consider to be much less of a vehicle so be it, I wish them well and hope they are happy with there decision. I could not be happier with my decision to purchase my 1995 Corvette convertible 6 spd. as it is twice the car of my 1992 Firebird.
#35
Melting Slicks
I grew up as a young boy admiring all the "muscle" cars of the 60's and 70's. When I got to the age where I could buy a new car like a late 80's or early 90's IROC-Z, Trans Am or Mustang I ended up with a loaded Firebird with T-tops and the honeycomb gold alloy wheels. Really wanted a Corvette but they were twice as much as the Firebird so could not justify it at the time.
To be honest I was not real impressed with the 80's cars in general as I found them to be cheap looking and feeling on the interior and rather under powered and problematic mechanically. I suspect that there are very few well kept examples any more of the above listed examples and others that the few that are left are bound to be worth more as the vast majority were driven hard and unloved.
Corvettes by comparison were usually owned by older customers and many were well kept and loved. I am just happy that when I went to find a nice C4 I had plenty or great choices at incredible prices. If others are willing to spend the same amount on what I consider to be much less of a vehicle so be it, I wish them well and hope they are happy with there decision. I could not be happier with my decision to purchase my 1995 Corvette convertible 6 spd. as it is twice the car of my 1992 Firebird.
To be honest I was not real impressed with the 80's cars in general as I found them to be cheap looking and feeling on the interior and rather under powered and problematic mechanically. I suspect that there are very few well kept examples any more of the above listed examples and others that the few that are left are bound to be worth more as the vast majority were driven hard and unloved.
Corvettes by comparison were usually owned by older customers and many were well kept and loved. I am just happy that when I went to find a nice C4 I had plenty or great choices at incredible prices. If others are willing to spend the same amount on what I consider to be much less of a vehicle so be it, I wish them well and hope they are happy with there decision. I could not be happier with my decision to purchase my 1995 Corvette convertible 6 spd. as it is twice the car of my 1992 Firebird.
Drove one of those 1980's Firebird's with T-tops and the honeycomb gold alloy wheels, it had the 455ci. Hate to say it, but it was a dog compared to the late 60's/ 70 muscle cars.
#36
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
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St. Jude Donor '05
Good for a buyer, bad for a seller.
If you sold yours for 5k could you replace it with a similar one in a year for 5k? Probably
Have an old schooler that appraises for 65k....values have dropped big time. Couldnt get 30 if my life depended on it, maybe 20. Could I replace it for that, never.
Be happy with what you got or dump it nobody is going to retire off selling their toy. Its a lot of wasted energy
These simply arent collector cars. Its a good thing.
Once my old pos sells I can pick up a primo C4 for under 10, build a motor beat the hell out of it and Im not in it much
Cheap hobbies are the best!
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95tealconvert (01-16-2018)
#37
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Where Woke Goes to Die
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Said it before, and Ill say it again..... everyone said the same thing about second generation F Bodys.... Look at the prices now.... C4 is not currently a collector car, but it will be. One day all the 3,4 5 thousand dollar cars will be spent up and in salvage yards.... That will be when C4 values are realized.... Just like the second gen F body, and third gen F body even...EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY
Last edited by 81c3; 01-16-2018 at 09:34 PM.
#38
Instructor
It just amazes me.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0-00005b189bd5
Used 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 Coupe
$14,990
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0-00005b189bd5
Used 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 Coupe
$14,990
Mate, that car is butt ugly! I wouldn't have it as a gift.
#40
Pro
I bought a 89 C4 6 months ago for $2,500
I now have $3,500 into it replacing the convertible top and some sensors and 2 new front tires
117,000 miles but I was very lucky because mechanically it runs just fine.
When I look up values I get a headache
I now have $3,500 into it replacing the convertible top and some sensors and 2 new front tires
117,000 miles but I was very lucky because mechanically it runs just fine.
When I look up values I get a headache