Mikewantsc4

Wanting my first Corvette finding C4's for about three to four thousand dollars run and drive am I crazy am I asking for a bunch of headaches if I buy one like this any advice is appreciated

confab

Regardless of mileage, some of these cars are 34 years old now. You can expect some headaches.

To be successful, you need at least one of the following.

1) A good deal of mechanical aptitude.

2) Less mechanical aptitude, but a strong desire to learn.

3) A stack of cash.

It's still a great hobby. I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything.

This forum is an excellent resource for a new owner. They know EVERYTHING!

Good luck!

Mr. Peabody

Just by the way that you have asked the question you suspect what the answer is ... you are most likely going to get pretty much what you pay for. $3 - $4K is going to get you a car that needs a lot of work if you plan on driving it every week. If this is going to be a weekend car or a project car and you enjoy diagnosing and working on the car it can be a fun project.

To get a well sorted out late model C4 you are going to need to spend $8 - $12K. The more maintenance records that come with the car the better.

RetroGuy

I TOTALLY agree with this statement, but also get one with less than 75,000 miles on it too. ^

v8vette84

Lower mileage is good for resale but BAD for avoiding issues. The more they sit, the more issues it will have. Sitting is bad for cars.

belairbrian

I bought mine for 5200 with low 70K miles. Had some issues. I've but between 2 and 3K in it. All work done by me. So I'm still about 8K into it. But now I've gone through bringing all the systems up to date.

BillDurant

I bought my first Vette one year ago
Have always wanted one but new out of my reach and family etc etc.
so older now and finally got one I paid $2,500 it ran but I knew it needed work and $
I now have $6,000 into it but it runs great Don't go into it thinking it's an investment It's plain fun to drive
St Pete Florida

RetroGuy

Therefore, find out if the car has been garaged or used at least a couple times a week (weekend driver). I agree you don't want a Vette that was sitting around undriven for a long period of time. You also don't want a C4 if you currently have no money for repairs, such as a part-time worker and/or college student. Good luck finding your deal on a decent Vette

confab

You can look at it two ways depending on your skill level.

I bought a junk one and for about 6500 bucks it has a new engine, transmission, injectors, radiator, heater core, interior, paint is almost done, etc.

All the things people here are having trouble with now are things I replaced, and I priced that into the purchase. But I do all my own work.

However, if you have to pay other people to do these things, you really want a nice example to help minimize costs.

JrRifleCoach

Yes

Mr. Peabody

What an excellent way to sum it up!

confab

ty

aklim

Looking at the MSRP and accounting for the value of money at the time vs today, it is a little more to buy a C7 brand new than a C4 when it was brand new. So think about this when you figure $3000 and decide if you want that headache.

FOURSPEEDVETTE

Wait until you have at least twice your $3k to $4k spending limit. Otherwise you're buying someone else's problems and you'll soon be complaining that you bought a real piece of junk.

cv67

x2
A nice one in that range only comes around once in a great while, really need to know what to look for. Wrong car to buy as a "fixer"....unless you dont mind some $

A low miler driven regularly is fine, as said one thats sad I wouldnt touch. My own which has sat 2 yrs is going to need a fair amount thrown at it $$ to be right again. Even "stored properly" chit goes bad.

aklim

Just saw this a couple of days ago. Guy came to an auto part store to get oil and trans fluid Why? He is selling it and wants it to look good. When asked about the filter he declined. Why? Fluid looks fresh and the sucker won't check the filter. I wonder why I get suspicious when he fluid in the car looks like new.

aklim

I'd save and get a newer version .Less, not none, less times you hear "no longer available" or have to hope and pray for a part from the boneyard that is in better condition than the current one you have.

revival1

I just got this 94 for 5,000. I did buy the new wheels and had to paint the front bumper so I'm in for 6,300. I took it on a 200 mile trip this weekend with no problems. I love them. Lori.

confab

That's a beautiful example. The white is so clean it just glows.

Nice car!

Paul Workman