At Long Last I Found EXACTLY What I Wanted! My CL 1986 Z51 Score -
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
At Long Last I Found EXACTLY What I Wanted! My CL 1986 Z51 Score -
It sure feels good to be back behind the wheel of an early C4 again!! My last C4 was an '87, and I have missed it sorely for the last 5 years. That one had almost 168K miles when I sold it...and it was a great car, but it was just time. Since then, I've have been casually watching for the "right" car to come along with the options I wanted, and after a long search it finally happened yesterday. I found a 1986 with just under 63K, one owner, well maintained, with newer tires, new fluids, Z51, power / sport seats, red interior, Bose system, and all for just $4000! I have to admit, I think I did pretty good, and I'm pretty darned happy!
Here's what followed me home:
Here's what followed me home:
Last edited by Red86Z51; 05-01-2019 at 08:40 AM.
#2
4 grand for just about any decent used car with that kind of mileage is a good deal, so well done if it runs as good as she looks. But you are going to let the wind out of the sails of those on this board who think their cars should be worth more than they actually are.
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#3
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Thank you! I does run just as good as it looks. On the 1-1/2 hour ride home it averaged 22.5mpg and hummed right down the highway beautifully. This is my first clear (blue) targa to top C4 (my last was a solid top) and it made the drive a little more of a pleasure. I forgot to mention there are no cracks, warpage, scratches, or anything else wrong with the top. It fits tight. All of the weather seals look like new EXCEPT for the outer sweeps...and those are an easy replacement.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
#4
nice!!!
#5
Race Director
Congrats! You got one heck of a deal. Enjoy!
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Thanks all!
Heck yeah, I smile when I look at it and the smile grows into an ear to ear smile when I drive! These cars are SUCH a joy to own and drive...how can you not smile?
Red is cool...red over red is even cooler!
Heck yeah, I smile when I look at it and the smile grows into an ear to ear smile when I drive! These cars are SUCH a joy to own and drive...how can you not smile?
Red is cool...red over red is even cooler!
#9
Thank you! I does run just as good as it looks. On the 1-1/2 hour ride home it averaged 22.5mpg and hummed right down the highway beautifully. This is my first clear (blue) targa to top C4 (my last was a solid top) and it made the drive a little more of a pleasure. I forgot to mention there are no cracks, warpage, scratches, or anything else wrong with the top. It fits tight. All of the weather seals look like new EXCEPT for the outer sweeps...and those are an easy replacement.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
You are not doing that. You got a nice car for 4k. You got a car that YOU were looking for. Not many LOOK for c4's, that is where the price debate comes in to play. These things are all over the map and people tend to find a few numbers and get a "feeling" about it.
Sooo many variable involved in the sales and purchases of a c4 that determine price. Certainly not the market other than not too many want them FOR them being a c4.
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
You are not doing that. You got a nice car for 4k. You got a car that YOU were looking for. Not many LOOK for c4's, that is where the price debate comes in to play. These things are all over the map and people tend to find a few numbers and get a "feeling" about it.
Sooo many variable involved in the sales and purchases of a c4 that determine price. Certainly not the market other than not too many want them FOR them being a c4.
Thanks Polo! That's kind of a shame too as these truly are genuine performance cars, that can be had for a fair price, with technology that is pretty easy to understand compared to what's rolling out today. I do all of my own work, and there isn't anything I can't fix on these early C4's with my Tech1, the service manual, and a few tools...but as for these new ones? E-Gads, they're way more advanced than I care for...and are technologically way out of my league. Even highly trained techs at my local Chevy dealership have run into problems on the newer 'vettes they weren't able to figure out....and if THEY can't figure them out with all of the tools and resources at their fingertips, how am I supposed to??
C4's: Those of us that love 'em know why!
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#12
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: Park City, TN
Posts: 1,082
Received 519 Likes
on
290 Posts
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (stock)
My 96 I bought Christmas is also the first with a top like this (mine is bronze). I've found that I now have to worry about getting too much sun on my face. That's kinda weird considering that I also have a convertible car that I play around in. What's even worse I have hit that age where the hair on top of my head is a little thin so I have to think about sunburning it. Ha!
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#14
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
First, congrats on getting the car that YOU want! Excellent!
My 96 I bought Christmas is also the first with a top like this (mine is bronze). I've found that I now have to worry about getting too much sun on my face. That's kinda weird considering that I also have a convertible car that I play around in. What's even worse I have hit that age where the hair on top of my head is a little thin so I have to think about sunburning it. Ha!
My 96 I bought Christmas is also the first with a top like this (mine is bronze). I've found that I now have to worry about getting too much sun on my face. That's kinda weird considering that I also have a convertible car that I play around in. What's even worse I have hit that age where the hair on top of my head is a little thin so I have to think about sunburning it. Ha!
The following users liked this post:
puterami (05-01-2019)
#15
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I remember your car from the time I came to your house to get an antenna for my white '87...wow that must have been about 6 years ago! I have always been a fan of the gold 'vettes....you just don't see that many of them. Glad to see you still have it!
The following users liked this post:
puterami (05-01-2019)
#16
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Where Woke Goes to Die
Posts: 8,194
Received 615 Likes
on
431 Posts
Looks like a great find to me! Congratulations on getting back into the C4 Vette realm... I went from a C5 Z06, back to a C4 ZR-1 because I WANTED one!!! I love the C4 body style and the overall experience! 4 large is a good price to pay especially since thats what you were seeking out!
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#17
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Thanks 81! Yes, it is terrific to be back! In digging through some old picture files I found the library of pics of my '87.
Here's a couple of shots of the '87 that started it all for me...and got me hooked on these cars!
...and so it will continue with my '86!
Here's a couple of shots of the '87 that started it all for me...and got me hooked on these cars!
...and so it will continue with my '86!
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#19
Thank you! I does run just as good as it looks. On the 1-1/2 hour ride home it averaged 22.5mpg and hummed right down the highway beautifully. This is my first clear (blue) targa to top C4 (my last was a solid top) and it made the drive a little more of a pleasure. I forgot to mention there are no cracks, warpage, scratches, or anything else wrong with the top. It fits tight. All of the weather seals look like new EXCEPT for the outer sweeps...and those are an easy replacement.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
I by no means wish to diminish fellow owners thoughts on values...In fact, in my opinion, and for what I got, I believe bought this car way UNDER value.
The following users liked this post:
Red86Z51 (05-01-2019)
#20
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 3,472
Received 444 Likes
on
322 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Thanks for the kind words!!
Now all I need is for the monsoon season to end and the sun to come back out so we can put some pavement behind us!
Now all I need is for the monsoon season to end and the sun to come back out so we can put some pavement behind us!