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No real regrets- I bought mine new in March 1994 with a 20% discount that GM offered on specific Corvettes.
The only other near finalist was a new Toyota Supra Turbo- which was around $12K more.
And the Vette has superior cockpit ergonomics (and also did not have that stupid wing).
And I just liked it a lot better.
However, I do like the resale value of the Supras...
Note: the real regret was not getting serious about buying a Dino Ferrari 246 GTS in the later 80's when they were still affordable. At that time you could find some in Hemmings in the low 20's.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Nope, never. I love the car. Coming up on 11 years this summer. I'm having a ball working on a project C-2, but have no intention of getting rid of the '92. Yes, there have been a couple rough spots (1500 miles from home, dead alongside I-40 east of Amarillo in 102 degree heat! ) but I never regret the purchase.
other than waiting too long! but then im an entrepreneur and my business wasn’t purring until my late 30’s so i wouldn’t have been wise buying a toy before then.
im 42 now and im on my third. for me its an option if i tinker or not. i wouldnt want to have a c4 as an only car. even a newer one.
the L98’s have turned out to be quite learnable for a newby like me into the mechanics hobby. excellent car to learn on.
blessed am i in having a detached shop that is heated and fully services with internet blah blah but i had to work my tail off to get it. i started saving a little piggy bank for a max jax (by the time i bought it it had changed its name to the danmar m6) and within a couple years of bday and xmas money and selling odds and sods on kijiji i had the money and wasnt imposing on the family finances to buy one and ship it to canada.
i absolutely love this hobby and this community. no regrets!
First ‘vette was “94 admiral blue over tan 6M coupe back in 1996. Only regret was it was a lease and I gave it back. A few years ago traded in my bike for my C4. Found exactly what I wanted. 1989 ‘vert 6M dark blue with tan interior and top. I wanted the digital dash and the 6 speed, and I preferred the earlier Kamm tail. Maybe I could have found a nicer/lower mileage, but this one is fun and gives me some tinkering to do.
I looked at 911’s, boxsters, 308’s, etc. With the repairs any old car needs, I’m super happy I chose a Chevy. I’m also happy I held out for a stick. I took it out today; I got waves from two C7’s. It’s ‘vette season again in NY.
I love the looks and the tightness and low ride better than the other vettes besides early 60s models, I just wished I would have waited and got a 6 speed instead, that would solve a second problem of having a better gear ratio instead of the 3.07. The other thing is the high cost for performance parts because they have little competition and can charge it. Ive been putting a lot of work into and money so I do love it, I just wish i made a better choice on which features i needed. Also I was thinking that i woul be able to hack my 91 ECM and monitor and reprogram it.
Never once. Would I love to add other types of cars to my collection? Of course, Im a self proclaimed car guy.... but never want to replace my C4 other than maybe with another C4.
the L98’s have turned out to be quite learnable for a newby like me into the mechanics hobby. excellent car to learn on.
This...figured the L98 was simple enough to cut teeth on. There are days I almost wish I had kept my 89 continued on a smog legal 400 build and not bought the Z
Not that the Z was bad but the 89 would still be here. Something about that pos I really liked. lol
At some point I am hoping to pick up a mint low mi 89 or 90 ZF as a daily if I can keep from going back to a C3.
Anyone ever regretted buying your C4 after you get in to the C4 world and learn more about them and all the differences/ models and wish you waited to buy the "right" one?
No. I knew what I wanted. I searched. I waited. I bought the right one and never looked back.
I currently own one of each C1-C6 (need to add a C7, then I told the wife I would stop). All of them feel different, but I do have to say my 96 CE with LT4 and 140k + on the odometer is probably my favorite to “Fun” drive. It’s the balance between modern performance and comfort that just feels right. The C6 is definitely more comfortable, and will probably be the one the wife and I take on our annual trip to the Blue Ridge this year, unless it’s cooler temperature wise, then it’ll be the C1. The C5 is the easiest when going to work at 0500 with a cup of coffee. It being an automatic helps in that regards. The C4, however just has that visceral feel, the raw power (mine has been upped to about 400), and the tight steering. It’s the last generation that YOU actually have to drive and manhandle instead of it being overly easy with only two fingers on the wheel, yet it still has some modern comforts that are nice.
The C4 will wear you out more on a multi hour drive then the C5 or C6, but nowhere as bad as the C1-C3. It also won’t make you tone deaf like my C2 with sidepipes.
My wife has ridden in each one but the C6 because I just picked it up a few weeks ago and timing hasn’t worked out with us having smaller kids. After sitting in the C6 though, she stated she would probably drive it more. I have actually only gotten her to drive the C5, but she loves the looks on the 54 C1 so much I think I can convince her to drive that too. It’s not stock at all, with a 400 HP 350, T-10 4-speed with Hurst shifter, and 57 rear end with flow master mufflers, but it still looks good. My dad picked it up in a junkyard decades ago and we bought my brother out after he died.
My only gripe with my C4 is it’s not a convertible. I am a convertible fan through and through. My 77 C3 will eventually be replaced by a C3 convertible, but my C4 won’t because of the LT4. In that regard I am currently looking for an 80s C4 convertible with automatic as an addition. That will give me the pac-man dash that just looks great, the convertible feel I love, and the easier drive with coffee in the early morning hours, while still having the tight analog driving feel for the afternoon drive home.
No regrets (I have owned two, an 88 and a 94, both automatics with base suspensions and relatively few options... and both very well cared for by previous owners with relatively low miles—69k and 54k respectively when purchased).
I tend to regret selling cars more than buying them. LOL! Sooner or later it seems I miss what I sold and wish I had a back. When it comes to the C4s I’ve bought, I placed a higher priority on the overall condition and low miles of the car than on specific options. I’m not hung up on having a manual trans and prefer cars with fewer options (less to go wrong). I prefer cars with the base suspension because they ride nicer in my opinion (while still being very sporty) and because I don’t race or track them. My recipe (which is hardly unique or novel) is to buy the one with the fewest miles and in the best possible condition (mechanically and cosmetically) that is within my predetermined budget. Both of the C4s I have owned have met these criteria... thus no regrets.
Now that’s not to say I don’t see other cars for sale every now and then and think “Oh, I’d like to have that one.” But that’s just par for the course of the human condition... grass is always greener mentality. But regrets for what I have? Nope.
Only when I had Opti issues. C5s have their issues, couldn't afford C1, C2, C3 or C6, don't like C7, C8 looks. Like the looks, and I'm learning new trades doing my own maintenance/upgrades. Brings back the days of my '67 MGB, except waaaaayyy faster
In my case I had a poster of the C4 on my wall and have always lusted for one. This spring I acquired a 1993 Anniversary after passing up on quite a few good cars, . This 93 Ruby Red in particular , a low mileage, but neglected car, seemed to me as a waste to leave in such bad condition. Slowly, but surely , the journey back is taking place. I do regret the crappy weatherstripping, the cracked leather seats and subpar , but expensive door panels, but I don't regret buying the car as it brings a smile to my face every time the engine fires up
04-10-2019, 09:16 PM
) but I never regret the purchase.
But regrets for what I have? Nope.
And that's all I have to say about that.
