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Been a member here for a while, but mostly looking around. While I am not yet in the market for a Vette (30, have a 5 month old daughter, and in grad. school), I figured I could use the time to learn as much as I can about C4s, with my ultimate goal to, over the years, own a C4 and work my way up as I can.
So, that being said, can anyone point me in the right direction for resources relating to C4 issues, buying tips, information, and material I can dig in on to learn as much as I can?
Reading the Corvette Forum has been helpful to me and I have been a Corvette owner for 29 years. If you have time and space you can work on the car yourself otherwise paying someone else is expensive and I have done both but mostly paid.
The 84 was a one of a kind year with throttle body fuel injection. 1985 began the Tuned Port Injection (TPI) and also had a special computer made only for that year. 1986 about midyear they began putting on aluminum heads and also included the VATTS theft deterrent system and antilock brakes. Later C4's had the optispark ignition ( 92 -96). The engines improved dramatically from 84 -96 also so that's a consideration. Airbags started in 90.
Do you want convertible or not? How about a ZR1? Collectors Edition?
You have time on your side so if you are picky and are willing to wait you can find the your perfect C4.
Thank you very much for the quick information. I have ordered the Corvette Black Book and it should be arriving today.
I definitely have time on my side and have kept looking around for pricing and other information.
I've definitely narrowed my 'want' list to a Red 1988 coupe (my birth year) or a 1995-1996 Polo Green coupe. Both have to be automatic, at least for my first one, as my wife will want to drive it.
You will have plenty of time to work on it but the 96 only would be my pick and one owner a must. The older ones are for people who are mechanics and have out lets for cheap parts like junk yards. You could lease a new one and join the full time wave, not a garage queen waiting for parts.
The older ones are for people who are mechanics and have out lets for cheap parts like junk yards. You could lease a new one and join the full time wave, not a garage queen waiting for parts.
He's not wrong about that. I got a silly cheap price on mine ($2800), but a lot of what I just assumed would be easy to replace that doesn't necessarily need it but could use it simply isn't that available. I like tinkering, working on stuff is at least half the fun for me, but if you don't have the time or inclination or "oh crap, that costs how much" flexibility in your budget, hold out for one in good shape with records.
I agree with the sentiment that 95 & 96 were the most refined years. However go in with your eyes open and know that 96 had a number of 1-year-only components such as the F45 adjustable suspension option also the only year C4 with OBD-2 software.
You will have plenty of time to work on it but the 96 only would be my pick and one owner a must. The older ones are for people who are mechanics and have out lets for cheap parts like junk yards. You could lease a new one and join the full time wave, not a garage queen waiting for parts.
I'm biased but I think '96 would be a smart pick too. Finding a 1-owner 23 year old car though - that narrows the field a LOT, doesn't it? I wouldn't say that's necessary if you know what you are looking at. Ours is an 8-owner car , but we got lucky because it was loved on by every one of them from what I can tell. Good luck with your search OP, you'll love it.
Please refrain from mentioning again that your birth year is 1988. That really makes us old guys feel even older!!! Good luck on your C4 hunt. Mine is an 85 and I probably looked at over 50 cars before I found it. I used this forum to learn what to look for and it was a great resource. The more cars you look at the more you will learn. There are many C4's out there, just take your time. P.S. This is not a cheap hobby, but I wouldn't give up the good times my wife and I have had with the car. Photo is of mine on the Tail of the Dragon run earlier this month.
As each generation is an upgrade from the previous, so are each year in its generation. If you're settled on the C4, consider looking at 95 and 96s.
Substantial improvements between 95 and 96 too. 96 began OBD2. 96 also had a vacuum line running to opti-spark to keep moisture to a minimum and prevent the failure of the opti-spark unit.
I wonder what the reserve is on this 96. Its kinda hard to believe the bids are not getting higher. Looks like a nice example of a low mileage 96. Is that console badge correct? TPI?
Another great read is Corvette From The Inside by Dave McLellan who was corvette chief engineer from 75 - 92.
Future Corvette Owner Looking For Resources
, but we got lucky because it was loved on by every one of them from what I can tell. Good luck with your search OP, you'll love it.
