C4 price?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 3
From: Northeast NE
I did not take from the responses that anyone is worried about the paint but rather they are trying to get you to realize that $2-3K is too much for the car you are describing. The reason why is you are talking about buying a car that does not run, has bad paint, bad leather, doors do not open etc. etc.
We are just trying to help you make a educated decision since you are asking. Just does not make sense to pay up to $2K for this car when there are running examples in much better shape for not much more. It is much better to save up and buy a better example in the long run. You are right that the C4 represents a great bang for the buck in today's market but buying a good example is your best move.
We are just trying to help you make a educated decision since you are asking. Just does not make sense to pay up to $2K for this car when there are running examples in much better shape for not much more. It is much better to save up and buy a better example in the long run. You are right that the C4 represents a great bang for the buck in today's market but buying a good example is your best move.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
a high mi C5 recently sold here for 5k. Visually cherry hes a member here but traveled everywhere it was a true hwy mi car. So keep an open mind and a leery eye lots of cheap vettes that arent projects.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
I have looked on multiple websites to see what is out there. There are not that many, within 200 miles or so, that are for sale. I have seen prices for decently nice ones for 5k to 10k. I can't tell a difference between one that is 5k and one that is 10k. Because of this, I was not sure of the price c4s are going for now a days. Thats why I asked. It seems some people say it's a ridiculous idea and some say less money.
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Any project on a car these days is more money than you'll ever expect.
It's an old parked car. That generally happens for a reason.
Now throw in age, being parked, half covered, etc...
You'll find out to make the car feel right you need NEW
-z51 suspension parts
-tires
-possibly exhaust unless stainless already
Then you can fix the cracks in seats, or buy different.
Is the paint peeling or the clear coat?
If it is stick and he can get it running and moving enough for you to see the brakes are not stick, it will move etc... Consider it at 1500. BUT KNOW you will be in for a couple thousand to make it right, and more to make it decent.
The prices are all over because sellers know someone uneducated will buy a "vette" for 10k.
Drive a 10K c5 then a 10K c4. C4 is more fun to some, but c5 is a better baseline. Just depends what you want.
You can get a decent c4 for less than 10k for sure. I have seen them for sale here.
Make sure you want a C4 before you buy one. Especially this one.
It's an old parked car. That generally happens for a reason.
Now throw in age, being parked, half covered, etc...
You'll find out to make the car feel right you need NEW
-z51 suspension parts
-tires
-possibly exhaust unless stainless already
Then you can fix the cracks in seats, or buy different.
Is the paint peeling or the clear coat?
If it is stick and he can get it running and moving enough for you to see the brakes are not stick, it will move etc... Consider it at 1500. BUT KNOW you will be in for a couple thousand to make it right, and more to make it decent.
The prices are all over because sellers know someone uneducated will buy a "vette" for 10k.
Drive a 10K c5 then a 10K c4. C4 is more fun to some, but c5 is a better baseline. Just depends what you want.
You can get a decent c4 for less than 10k for sure. I have seen them for sale here.
Make sure you want a C4 before you buy one. Especially this one.
Last edited by pologreen1; Feb 22, 2018 at 01:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I have looked on multiple websites to see what is out there. There are not that many, within 200 miles or so, that are for sale. I have seen prices for decently nice ones for 5k to 10k. I can't tell a difference between one that is 5k and one that is 10k. Because of this, I was not sure of the price c4s are going for now a days. Thats why I asked. It seems some people say it's a ridiculous idea and some say less money.
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
Wouldn't take it for free unless I had time to part it.
Lots to pick from on craigslist when driving season starts
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
Any project on a car these days is more money than you'll ever expect.
It's an old parked car. That generally happens for a reason.
Now throw in age, being parked, half covered, etc...
You'll find out to make the car feel right you need NEW
-z51 suspension parts
-tires
-possibly exhaust unless stainless already
Then you can fix the cracks in seats, or buy different.
Is the paint peeling or the clear coat?
If it is stick and he can get it running and moving enough for you to see the brakes are not stick, it will move etc... Consider it at 1500. BUT KNOW you will be in for a couple thousand to make it right, and more to make it decent.
The prices are all over because sellers know someone uneducated will buy a "vette" for 10k.
Drive a 10K c5 then a 10K c4. C4 is more fun to some, but c5 is a better baseline. Just depends what you want.
You can get a decent c4 for less than 10k for sure. I have seen them for sale here.
Make sure you want a C4 before you buy one. Especially this one.
It's an old parked car. That generally happens for a reason.
Now throw in age, being parked, half covered, etc...
You'll find out to make the car feel right you need NEW
-z51 suspension parts
-tires
-possibly exhaust unless stainless already
Then you can fix the cracks in seats, or buy different.
Is the paint peeling or the clear coat?
If it is stick and he can get it running and moving enough for you to see the brakes are not stick, it will move etc... Consider it at 1500. BUT KNOW you will be in for a couple thousand to make it right, and more to make it decent.
The prices are all over because sellers know someone uneducated will buy a "vette" for 10k.
Drive a 10K c5 then a 10K c4. C4 is more fun to some, but c5 is a better baseline. Just depends what you want.
You can get a decent c4 for less than 10k for sure. I have seen them for sale here.
Make sure you want a C4 before you buy one. Especially this one.
Only the door an roof have paint problems, the rest is fine. It so much a complete car, that I it would be a waste to use it as a parts car. There's a good chance that I could make it run in a day, but I may never know.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,677
I completely agree! It will need loads of new parts to make it run and drive like it did in 1985. My 1949 Chevy pick up sat for 6 years before I got it running and driving. I know the time, money, and patience it takes to make it right. Working on stuff like this is what I like to do in my free time. Spending the the money is no fun, but part of it.
Only the door an roof have paint problems, the rest is fine. It so much a complete car, that I it would be a waste to use it as a parts car. There's a good chance that I could make it run in a day, but I may never know.
Only the door an roof have paint problems, the rest is fine. It so much a complete car, that I it would be a waste to use it as a parts car. There's a good chance that I could make it run in a day, but I may never know.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
I have looked on multiple websites to see what is out there. There are not that many, within 200 miles or so, that are for sale. I have seen prices for decently nice ones for 5k to 10k. I can't tell a difference between one that is 5k and one that is 10k. Because of this, I was not sure of the price c4s are going for now a days. Thats why I asked. It seems some people say it's a ridiculous idea and some say less money.
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
If I were to get one, then I want it to be the older body style and a manual transmission. This one not only has what I want, but has the added bonus of being a couple miles from my house. I guess I'll just see what the owner will do. If he wants to be ridiulous on price then yeah he can keep it!
As described it would be worth $1000-1500 to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Add a $5k (conservative) paint job
$2k (conservative) to fix interior and mechanical issues
And you are at least $2K over what it's worth
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
watch the for sale section here youll see some well maintained ones pop up. Doesnt cost that much to have one transported....if you can find the right member to inspect it in the long run its worth it. Be patient if you are buying local there will always be more....just have to sort through them to find one thats "right". A long term owner is usually a good sign
Lots of guys pick these up cheap hoping to save em on the cheap. They get a taste of what it really takes, and the car changes hands over and over.
Lots of guys pick these up cheap hoping to save em on the cheap. They get a taste of what it really takes, and the car changes hands over and over.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,408
Likes: 6,537
From: Melbourne, FL
Everyone telling you that's too much hasn't priced out a manual trans car. 2-3k is a lot for a risky buy (he could be lying about the engine and trans being good), but it' a reasonable price for a stick shift Bette. Autos are worth several thousand less than sticks.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Everyone telling you that's too much hasn't priced out a manual trans car. 2-3k is a lot for a risky buy (he could be lying about the engine and trans being good), but it' a reasonable price for a stick shift Bette. Autos are worth several thousand less than sticks.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
I stated the interior is perfectly fine, other than the cracked leather seats, but that can come later. It really just needs to be cleaned.
I'm not buying the car to restore it and stick it in the garage. I want it to drive a sports car and enjoy the speed and performance that comes with it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 11
Everyone telling you that's too much hasn't priced out a manual trans car. 2-3k is a lot for a risky buy (he could be lying about the engine and trans being good), but it' a reasonable price for a stick shift Bette. Autos are worth several thousand less than sticks.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
If you should buy it all depends on what your appetite for risk is. If it does need a new engine, are you ok with that? It's just as likely to be a blown fuse as it is a grenaded engine at this point.
90% of the corvettes for sale are automatic, which I will not buy.
If the engine were to be dead, that is not a problem because I was soon to start a new 383 for my 93 Blazer, but if the funds have to go to a corvette engine, no big deal.
The day it did not start the owner went to my boss to ask for ideas, but he never followed through with it. My guess it because has other things to drive, the corvette just being an extra car for fun. He does run his own business, so I assume that he can get busy.
Last edited by BowerPower; Feb 22, 2018 at 07:04 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
I also would not be buying it with the expectations of flipping it. I would be buying it because I like tinkering with project cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
It would have helped if you had said you only wanted responses that agreed with you.
I don't believe the 4+3 adds much if any over a auto trans. There getting hard to find parts for too.
IF you must have the earlier body with a manual find an 89.
I don't believe the 4+3 adds much if any over a auto trans. There getting hard to find parts for too.
IF you must have the earlier body with a manual find an 89.