Handling
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 15
Handling
So my son & I took my ‘89 C4 to Deals Gap for the first time earlier today. There were a couple of tight curves that “snuck up” on me & I went in a little hot (or so it seemed to me) but the car went around them like it was on rails. Is the C4 known for its handling abilities?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 231
From: Hawthorne CA
So my son & I took my ‘89 C4 to Deals Gap for the first time earlier today. There were a couple of tight curves that “snuck up” on me & I went in a little hot (or so it seemed to me) but the car went around them like it was on rails. Is the C4 known for its handling abilities?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,156
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Compared to he 63-82 suspension and tires the C4 is light years ahead. But compared to newer Vettes there’s a little left on the table. But compared to other 80’s early 90’s cars it’s one of the best
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Is the question for real? "Is the C4 known for handling?"
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,156
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Is the question for real? "Is the C4 known for handling?"
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
after I bought my 94 one of the first things I did was find off and on ramps or long sweeping turns to find the limits of the car/driver.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 15
Is the question for real? "Is the C4 known for handling?"
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
IDK how someone could own one -someone who's old enough to have a son who owns one with him....and not know this.
Yes....the handling was legendary in the 80's, class dominating in racing, and record setting for street cars when it was introduced.
Last edited by Hammerhead69; Oct 6, 2018 at 08:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,156
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
O.K. I got you. You're younger then....too young to be around or "paying attention to cars" when the C4 was out. Yes, the handling for the time was ground breaking.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
I get your point, but my question is why did you buy a vette, especially that one? If I don't know the back ground of a car it makes it hard for me to buy something if I know nothing about.
Wait until you find out out how good the new ones are... You are F'D!!
On a serious note, it seems you are very naive to the car. Be ready for car shops to rip you off, and be totally screwed when it breaks. I would say start researching.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 15
LOL, he had a valid question.
I get your point, but my question is why did you buy a vette, especially that one? If I don't know the back ground of a car it makes it hard for me to buy something if I know nothing about.
Wait until you find out out how good the new ones are... You are F'D!!
On a serious note, it seems you are very naive to the car. Be ready for car shops to rip you off, and be totally screwed when it breaks. I would say start researching.
I get your point, but my question is why did you buy a vette, especially that one? If I don't know the back ground of a car it makes it hard for me to buy something if I know nothing about.
Wait until you find out out how good the new ones are... You are F'D!!
On a serious note, it seems you are very naive to the car. Be ready for car shops to rip you off, and be totally screwed when it breaks. I would say start researching.
I bought “that one” because I was initially looking for a C3 but I found the C4 to give better bang for the buck. Most C3s in my price range were in marginal to poor condition while the C4s in the same price range were much nicer.
I do most maintenance on all my cars & motorcycles myself so I don’t look to be ripped off too often.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 294
Likes: 40
From: Massachusetts
I bought a Corvette because I’ve always wanted one.
I bought “that one” because I was initially looking for a C3 but I found the C4 to give better bang for the buck. Most C3s in my price range were in marginal to poor condition while the C4s in the same price range were much nicer.
I do most maintenance on all my cars & motorcycles myself so I don’t look to be ripped off too often.
Also this:
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...being-too-good
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
And in the northeast I have to seriously worry about frame rust that the C3s are really prone to.
BUT
the car was still drivable. He said he got a gap behind the doors, but that was OK. I remember this from the mid 80's and I still shake my head.
If buying a 2 or 3, you should always take an awl and press it into the frame there as a quick check before an inspection up on a rack.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 396
Likes: 58
From: Katy Texas
That was the cornering target on the car when released and they did indeed reach it. But it made the 84 hard to live with. You will see various suspension changes throughout the model years that attempt to keep the 1g target but have the car ride more comfortably. This aspect of the C4 makes interesting reading from an engineering perspective if you are curious.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 53
From: PA
So my son & I took my ‘89 C4 to Deals Gap for the first time earlier today. There were a couple of tight curves that “snuck up” on me & I went in a little hot (or so it seemed to me) but the car went around them like it was on rails. Is the C4 known for its handling abilities?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
So yes it is a great handling car and was dominant in racing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
the damn things handle like they are go- carts or on tracks. I love it. Back in the 60s, my brother had a 61. Talk about handleing like a boat. We (he) even turned it up on its side one day when we were riding around and he wanted to show off for some cheerleader.,
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 4
From: Farmville Virginia
My 90 is the first Vette I have owned and I have been AMAZED at the handling capabilities! Full circle off ramps are the best. it almost feels like you have to hold the car out of the curve instead of into it. Having said that, a man has to know his driving limitations (and the cars) or that could be so damn messy! lol
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 32
From: Cumming Georgia