The $500 Corvette
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The $500 Corvette
Hey folks,
I have recently purchased this 1996 Corvette for $500. It has a clean title, it runs, drives, and works perfectly all for, that's right, five hundred US dollars.
It unfortunately is an automatic, and thus has the LT1 motor, but it hauls and is a good time. Over the next few weeks I will completely fix it and attempt drive it regularly.
The issues include:
A minor coolant leak
Intermittent, infrequent airbag light
Climate control doors malfunctioning
Horns malfunctioning
Windows disoriented
Left front headlight misaligned
Worn wheels
Worn windshield wipers
So far we have fixed the:
Coolant leak -- loose bolt on water pump housing
Horns -- $47 horn buttons
Climate control doors -- replaced crushed vacuum hoses
Headlight -- Adjusted bolt
I will continue to chronicle the work done on the car, and hopefully it won't be a disaster. The only other "problems" are the C5 Z06 seats and wheels. I have to return the wheels to the previous owner, and eventually I will replace the seats, but for the time being I will leave the seats be.
I am thinking about purchasing these wheels: https://www.oewheelsllc.com/17-Fits-...e-Black-17x9-5 Thoughts?
Eventually I will get stock wheels for it but I prefer these.
Thanks folks!
I have recently purchased this 1996 Corvette for $500. It has a clean title, it runs, drives, and works perfectly all for, that's right, five hundred US dollars.
It unfortunately is an automatic, and thus has the LT1 motor, but it hauls and is a good time. Over the next few weeks I will completely fix it and attempt drive it regularly.
The issues include:
A minor coolant leak
Intermittent, infrequent airbag light
Climate control doors malfunctioning
Horns malfunctioning
Windows disoriented
Left front headlight misaligned
Worn wheels
Worn windshield wipers
So far we have fixed the:
Coolant leak -- loose bolt on water pump housing
Horns -- $47 horn buttons
Climate control doors -- replaced crushed vacuum hoses
Headlight -- Adjusted bolt
I will continue to chronicle the work done on the car, and hopefully it won't be a disaster. The only other "problems" are the C5 Z06 seats and wheels. I have to return the wheels to the previous owner, and eventually I will replace the seats, but for the time being I will leave the seats be.
I am thinking about purchasing these wheels: https://www.oewheelsllc.com/17-Fits-...e-Black-17x9-5 Thoughts?
Eventually I will get stock wheels for it but I prefer these.
Thanks folks!
#3
Race Director
500 bucks for any corvette, running or not is crazy cheap. You got an amazing deal!
#5
Race Director
On wheels... i dont love the c6 zr1 wheels in 17s. C6 z06 wheels look better on the c4, but i like the a molds most of all on a c4.
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks guys! Super excited about it. Indeed a crazy deal. It has about 145,000 miles, and the engine was rebuilt at about 45,000 by Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Last edited by Pygmy_116; 12-17-2018 at 11:16 PM.
#8
Race Director
Appreciate the feedback! Are these what yourey talking about? ZR1 wheels https://www.oewheelsllc.com/Corvette-ZR1-Wheel-black
Eventually i will go to big giant brakes and have to run 18s. Until then i will enjoy my cheap tires.
The following users liked this post:
rocco16 (12-20-2018)
#10
Safety Car
This is what those wheels look like installed. The red rings are "Rim Blades". They protect the rims and add a bit of contrast.
I also run it "square" on all 4 corners. If you don't buy a uni-directional tire, you can do traditional tire rotations (ie: lt frt to rt rr etc.).
If you get rims like these, make sure they use stick on weights to balance them. If you notify them ahead of time (them being the folks going to do the mounting and balancing) they can order black skinned weights. Otherwise, get a big black permanent marker and color them black.
The black lug nut covers I have came from Napa. They were ridiculously inexpensive. (considering what Corvette places want for the silver ones)
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NDP6413271
Check your local Napa, I did not pay what the online price says. There are also sets on eBay.
I also run it "square" on all 4 corners. If you don't buy a uni-directional tire, you can do traditional tire rotations (ie: lt frt to rt rr etc.).
If you get rims like these, make sure they use stick on weights to balance them. If you notify them ahead of time (them being the folks going to do the mounting and balancing) they can order black skinned weights. Otherwise, get a big black permanent marker and color them black.
The black lug nut covers I have came from Napa. They were ridiculously inexpensive. (considering what Corvette places want for the silver ones)
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NDP6413271
Check your local Napa, I did not pay what the online price says. There are also sets on eBay.
#12
Safety Car
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
.Thanks! I will probably stick with some generic, cheap tires.
. Thanks! Pictures are super helpful. Hard to visualize the wheels are the car. I'll be sure to check those out
. Looks good! I have been using oewheels so far as well. They have a good selection
. Thanks! Pictures are super helpful. Hard to visualize the wheels are the car. I'll be sure to check those out
#14
Race Director
On the subject of generic cheap tires...
I installed federal 595ss tires on my c4 recently. They came at the staunch recommendation of a friend of mine, who might be an idiot. He claimed they were the greatest thing ever, super grippy, last forever, and cheap.
Let me tell you, they are definitely cheap, I got a set of 4 for under 400 bucks. Grippy is not how I would describe them though, they flat out suck as a performance tire. They squeal like crazy at low speeds, and can be lit up into a cloud of smoke easily. If you want a tire that will make the car feel like a beast, they are not the tire to buy. But if you want a set of tires for doing ******* stuff and generally being a miscreant, they're cheap and look cool. So I like them for my purposes, haha.
I installed federal 595ss tires on my c4 recently. They came at the staunch recommendation of a friend of mine, who might be an idiot. He claimed they were the greatest thing ever, super grippy, last forever, and cheap.
Let me tell you, they are definitely cheap, I got a set of 4 for under 400 bucks. Grippy is not how I would describe them though, they flat out suck as a performance tire. They squeal like crazy at low speeds, and can be lit up into a cloud of smoke easily. If you want a tire that will make the car feel like a beast, they are not the tire to buy. But if you want a set of tires for doing ******* stuff and generally being a miscreant, they're cheap and look cool. So I like them for my purposes, haha.
#16
Drifting
From the picture of the interior it actually looks well preserved. Is the carpeting in good shape? I think many here would have jumped on one that was only $500, it is almost a no lose situation. Congrats on buy. I look forward to reading about updates on it.
#19
Instructor
On the subject of generic cheap tires...
I installed federal 595ss tires on my c4 recently. They came at the staunch recommendation of a friend of mine, who might be an idiot. He claimed they were the greatest thing ever, super grippy, last forever, and cheap.
Let me tell you, they are definitely cheap, I got a set of 4 for under 400 bucks. Grippy is not how I would describe them though, they flat out suck as a performance tire. They squeal like crazy at low speeds, and can be lit up into a cloud of smoke easily. If you want a tire that will make the car feel like a beast, they are not the tire to buy. But if you want a set of tires for doing ******* stuff and generally being a miscreant, they're cheap and look cool. So I like them for my purposes, haha.
I installed federal 595ss tires on my c4 recently. They came at the staunch recommendation of a friend of mine, who might be an idiot. He claimed they were the greatest thing ever, super grippy, last forever, and cheap.
Let me tell you, they are definitely cheap, I got a set of 4 for under 400 bucks. Grippy is not how I would describe them though, they flat out suck as a performance tire. They squeal like crazy at low speeds, and can be lit up into a cloud of smoke easily. If you want a tire that will make the car feel like a beast, they are not the tire to buy. But if you want a set of tires for doing ******* stuff and generally being a miscreant, they're cheap and look cool. So I like them for my purposes, haha.