Sunder62

Hi, new to the Forum and looking for advice. Thanks for having me. I've wanted a Corvette for 35 plus years, so here goes.
A local Ford dealership has a 1985 base model Corvette coupe for sale at 4900. It has only 39 K miles and has a perfect history/carfax. Interior is 90% nice but the paint is GONE (60%) for the most part. No body damage; engine, tranny, suspension, electronics all good.
Is the fiberglass compromised and how should I refinish it, by paint or by body wrap? And how much should I pay for this car? I know pictures would be worth a million words. It's not a bad looking car just really faded! Any ideas, advice or anything else? Thanks for reading!

AgentEran

what about this car makes you want to finally make the leap?

to paint these cars correctly it can cost a pretty penny thinking 4 to 6 k for a quality job that won't give you issues in a couple years.

low mile cars such as an 85, which at this point is over 30 years old, this car sat for long periods of time.. probably outside from the condition of the paint.. that can be worse than a car that has been driven and has "high" mileage.

do yourself a favor if you really want a vette.. list out what you're really looking for in the car.. think Auto vs manual.. late vs early c4.. etc etc. Then find the car that best matches what you really want.. not some lot/auction car that sat for some unknown reason.

confab

You will get a million different answers and I own an 85, so here's mine..

1) Mileage matters less than you think because it is so old. There will be cash involved. You need cash flow and if a $500 repair puts you off? Don't buy the car. If several $500 repairs will bankrupt you? Don't buy the car.

2) This is a car that has almost reached advanced user status. You either have to have some kind of basic ability repairing cars, or an extreme desire to learn.

3) Painting Corvettes is very expensive. (Which is why I do my own paint)

If that doesn't put you off, you're in luck. This place is the single largest concentration of corvette knowledge anywhere on the internet. If you want to jump in, this is your support crew and they are a very, very good one. There is nothing they do not know. The limits are your financial wherewithal and your willingness to learn and to try.

Good luck.. I jumped in on mine and I love it.

ElisTwoCents

I would go for it if you want into an unmolested C4...4.9k aint much, they'd probably take 4.5 without flinching. Always can repaint it if you really enjoy her or get a quick wrap to hold you over while you decide

Bckmstr

Cruisinfanatic

If you need a paint job, that $4900 becomes $11k and 85 vettes (even with 35K miles) aren't worth $11K

billschroeder5842

That make me crack up. I never thought of it that way but it is true!

In addition to myt C4, I have a C5 (great car- very different) so I spend some time on the C5 forum. It is interesting to note that as those cars age, the maintenance and repair issues are begining to pop up. IMO, the "typical" C5 owner is not as mechanically inclined as a C4 owner is- they don't have to be....yet.

So that makes me an "advanced user (C4) and an "avid waxer" (C5).

PatternDayTrader

Buy it and don't paint it. Just bash around for a few months and make sure you like it. Once you know for sure, then sell it, and buy a nice one.

confab

lol.. Sounds silly at first.

But I know a lot of people who couldn't properly repair any OBD1 car, let alone a C4.

The advanced diagnostics have kind of spoiled some folks. You turn those guys loose with a TPI, or worse.. A Crossfire.. I dunno if they would ever get it right?

RetroGuy

Drive by the dealer again and take a few photos to post here...

Blue Bucket List

Here's one just south of you that doesn't look to need paint and it's a stick also. Not that much more money and looks to be in good cosmetic condition.

https://medford.craigslist.org/cto/7563646469.html

'78CorvetteS.A.

Hey Blue Bucket,
Very considerate of you to post this option for OP, but you got sucked into the "related thread" time warp!!! The OP wanted opinions almost 5 years ago and couldn't even post pictures....no biggie, I've accidentally posted to old threads plenty of times and still occasionally get ahead of myself and do it again! On a side note, the '86 you linked looks pretty damn nice for the mileage/age! Merry Christmas and a happy new year👍

Blue Bucket List

Boy you sure got that right! I usually look to see when the OP was 1st posted but I guess I spaced it. Must be the old brain fog creeping in. Same to you and may 2023 be a banner year for all your endeavors.