thomasfxlt

So here’s my thought process. About a month ago I bought a 91 convertible with 48000 miles. Great car. L98, auto, plenty clean. I’ll probably put about 2-3000 miles a year on it... max. I bought it right then put tires on it, a front wheel hub, battery, detail etc. Nothing major.

Now, I’m capable of doing some light maintenance but I don’t have the setup, tools or experience to do anything major with efficiency or confidence.

I really dig the 90-96 C4’s. I want a clean, low mile car to drive, not a show car. My inclination is to buy a 96 with 15-30000 miles and enjoy it for 10 years. I know the C4 is prone to some issues but it appears the 96 is the most refined and trouble free. Looking for opinions on this and here’s a few topics: 1. Looks like the manuals are more popular and more fun to drive. 2. L1 or L4 (or does it matter)? 3. I’m not going to drive this car hard and I don’t want one that’s been driven hard... yes, I want an old guy car that’s been cruised gently on weekends (gently meaning not babied but not beaten). 4. I’m pretty stuck on a 96 CE cuz I’m not a “red car” guy. Not thrilled about silver w red interior either. Silver/black would be my choice. Blue would be my next choice, followed by Comp yellow or black.

Now, for $20-$25k, a guy can buy a pretty clean 06’-07’ C6. Is it wishful thinking to have a 96 C4 that will be fairly painless to own?

65Z01

Sounds like you just picked up a sweeet '91 Vette and now are thinking of another Vette for a DD?

In such case the usual advice is to check out your options, drive a few and get what you enjoy most.

BTW, I agree that a 6-speed is more fun to drive than an A4. Now that I have one of each I find myself a tad "bored" in the A4.

AgentEran

I have an auto and a stick and the auto is indeed not as fun to drive. Its fun, just not as fun as rowing gears. This is even more true when considering auto LT1 to manual LT4.. Even a 6sp LT1 is going to be much more fun vs A4.

As for the LT1 vs LT4, LT4 is different enough to opt for over a LT1. Not just the 30 (or so..) extra hp, but the motor is much more smooth and refined imo. LT4 is def > LT1.

thomasfxlt

The convertible is so cool and I love the steel blue metallic. I’ve found a hardtop for it and once color-matched, there’s a little wow factor.

I’d like a car that I can use with a little more flexibility though which means trunk/storage space for overnight bags. Since I’ve got an automatic, seems a 6speed is in order. The 6spd auto in the C6 would be a good compromise. Modern car, less problems but not much retro cool. I really think low mile CE coupe is ideal. Cheaper and cooler (as long as it isn’t a maintenance nightmare).

96 CE coupe, silver/black with an LT4. Any other coupe with the same specs would work in the right color.

Mr. Peabody

If you are set on a 96 I would just advise to avoid the F45 adjustable suspension. It was a 1-year-only option thus making replacement parts $$$.
I've enjoyed my 95 for many years as both a daily driver and as a weekend car.

thomasfxlt

Yes on the suspension. My 91 has the FX3. It’s working properly now but I notice in the service records from the former owner that he replaced shocks and actuators at 35000 miles. Those are the kinds of problems I really don’t want. Marginal benefit for how I’ll use the car.

Kevova

M6 is desirable while automatics are everywhere. LT4 comes in all 96 manuals. There are and will be deals out there, but it requires patience. A really good c4 m6 may cost as much as a high mileage C5 or C6. ZR1s are all m6 and canbe be found priced in the teens for a driver.

cv67

You dont need to spend 25k to buy a low mi C4, those sellers are dreaming.
The 96 is probably the best overall, no reason you cant daily drive one its a used car like a million out there. I try to budget a grand or two "just in case" for every used car to get it up to snuff.
Dont worry aobut whats best just get one that rings your bell, youll know when you drive it.

STicks are only desirable to those who like to shift, same thing with autos. I dont think anyones rushing out to start a big collection with them.

thomasfxlt

Good advice!

Patsgarage

Any 25 year old car, regardless of the mileage, is not going to be trouble free. You are going to have to fix leaking seals, dried out/rotted bushings, hoses, etc. I am not saying that you should not buy a low mi example, but do not expect to not have to work on it.
It sounds like you have a nice car already, why not just drive and enjoy the one you have ?

thomasfxlt

Need some room for some overnite bags etc. the verts are tight on travel space.

Patsgarage

Gotcha, but if you (or probably your wife) can pack lightly, there is plenty of room for a weekends worth of luggage. We have taken several weekend tripe in out 89 Vert with no problem, we even did a week long trip to VT with some very creative packing.

thomasfxlt

I’ll look closer at that.

Patsgarage

I will add that I had a glass rear window conversion done when I had the top replaced, that did cut down on storage space.

thomasfxlt

I guess it’s tough to use with the hardtop on as well.

Y-bodluvr

Whos selling a 96 CE with 30k mikes for $25k?

And you would you consider paying that much?

markKlein

If you are really looking for a DD I'd seriously consider an automatic. Not sure where you live but when I was driving my 95 to work I spent most of the time sitting at red lights. Gets real old after a while and then you find yourself not wanting to take the Vette because you spend the whole trip going first to second to neutral back to first repeat and repeat.

Patsgarage

Yeah, the biggest issue with that is squeezing everything through the opening between the bulkhead and the decklid. The latter does make a nice storage shelf, as long as you don't mind not being able to see out the rear window.

thomasfxlt

Not sure what u mean. In the first post I reference $20-25k for an 06’-07’ C6

AgentEran

For some, and in some cars, this is fun.