C4 Purchase Decision
04-18-2018, 12:02 AM
#1
1st Gear
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C4 Purchase Decision
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
04-18-2018, 06:08 AM
#3
Safety Car
It can be done but I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think of Corvettes as practical daily drivers, especially one that’s 31 years old. JMO
04-18-2018, 07:14 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
04-18-2018, 07:40 AM
#5
Safety Car
Nothing to do with age. I don’t think a 31 year old Corvette will be the most reliable car under the conditions the OP described. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. 
04-18-2018, 07:52 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
For weekend fun cars I would say yes, but nothing worst then breaking down in bumper to bumper traffic! It might be in great shape now, but a DD with bumper to bumper traffic will age the car extremely fast. Personally I wouldn't do it, but to each their own.
Last edited by bac22; 04-18-2018 at 07:52 AM.
04-18-2018, 08:43 PM
#7
Racer
If it were a regular commute, maybe some moderate traffic in between and then some stretches of road on either end, then yea - I wouldn't get one for bumper to bumper though. Something like that, I'd use it for cruising, long drives and the occasional day you have to have your DD down for maint - but not for constant bumper to bumper traffic.
04-18-2018, 08:50 PM
#8
Team Owner
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
buy something a tad newer
04-18-2018, 08:51 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
The car will it is more like will you? Good roads no problem ...pothole heaven maybe not. The c4 overall is a reliable car. 31 years old heh if it been taken care of should be ok.
Last edited by Kevova; 04-18-2018 at 08:52 PM.
04-18-2018, 10:45 PM
#10
Race Director
It can, but as others said, it' an old car. It will take some love and new parts now and then. Don't expect to buy it and only give it gas and oil. It will need lots install things, but the underlying powertrain is good for 200k easy.
04-19-2018, 09:16 AM
#13
Team Owner
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04-19-2018, 09:29 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
I daily drove a few C4's and loved it.
The age doesn't really bother me, but there are some things that age and don't expect everything to last. Mostly soft parts like bushings, a lot of plastic trim like interiors, weatherstrips, etc. The Chevy small block and automatic transmission are pretty reliable and unlikely to leave you stranded any more than any other Chevy.
However, your choice of cars may not be the best. If you are going to daily drive, it will get damaged. Mostly little things like rock chips, paint fade/damage, etc plus it has a higher chance of an accident. If you are planning to daily drive one and causing it to deteriorate, then you may want to start off with one that is not super clean (and probably costs less).
Good luck with your choice.
The age doesn't really bother me, but there are some things that age and don't expect everything to last. Mostly soft parts like bushings, a lot of plastic trim like interiors, weatherstrips, etc. The Chevy small block and automatic transmission are pretty reliable and unlikely to leave you stranded any more than any other Chevy.
However, your choice of cars may not be the best. If you are going to daily drive, it will get damaged. Mostly little things like rock chips, paint fade/damage, etc plus it has a higher chance of an accident. If you are planning to daily drive one and causing it to deteriorate, then you may want to start off with one that is not super clean (and probably costs less).
Good luck with your choice.
04-19-2018, 09:57 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
04-19-2018, 03:51 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
04-19-2018, 07:52 PM
#17
Pro
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
'
04-20-2018, 12:16 AM
#18
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
04-20-2018, 06:10 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
I have a big decision to make. An 87 C4 with around 70,000 miles for $7800 as a daily commuter? Can it be done?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
It was meticulously maintained from one owner. Flawless body work. Not a scratch on the interior. All guages and buttons work. A/C is ice cold. All hoses are in fantastic condition and no leaks. Weather stripping has seen better days. The automatic shifts a little hard.
I won't lie I use my daily a lot because I drive for work. Bumper to bumper traffic, lots of stopping and getting out during the day. I'm at a point now though where I want something fun for my daily, as I already have a fun weekend car. My question from the experts is, can it hold up to that type of driving?
04-20-2018, 08:59 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
I drove mine to work for several years and I paid the price for it. I would not do it again if I could help it.
Last edited by ETM; 04-20-2018 at 08:59 AM.