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Recently picked up a 2 owner, 85' with 22k miles. Car is all original, ( except for Viper alarm that I already removed, and a newer sound system. ) I have original wheels that came with it.
She runs perfectly, only issue is the clear coat starting to go on the hood in a couple areas.
Its my first Vette, I stole it IMHO at $2k. Car is clean, 1st owner kept all records up to 19k miles 3 years ago. Was originally looking at Mustangs but this was too good to pass up. ( I mean its a freaking Vette....a C4... but still.... ) the idea of flipping it went out the window after a few recent rides in it.
Any value in keeping it original, with low miles? Or are they a dime a dozen since its a C4? Hate to ruin it with cam work, headers, NOS and so on. My kids are into imports and I was looking for an American car to get under their skin 😊 I am having a hard time deciding. Been doing a lot of reading for 2 months now. Figured I would just ask finally. Paint it? Or build some HP? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Forgot to mention it's a manual 4+3 OD seems to be fine.
Last edited by JJC4; Dec 16, 2019 at 10:34 PM.
Reason: Add trans info
That car for 2k doesnt even qualify as a steal. That's INSANELY CHEAP. Like, I dont even believe you cheap. With that low miles, it not being a shitbox, etc... theres more to the story.
That car for 2k doesnt even qualify as a steal. That's INSANELY CHEAP. Like, I dont even believe you cheap. With that low miles, it not being a shitbox, etc... theres more to the story.
Guy was ready to sell to a wholesaler due to personal reasons. He misplaced NY title which takes 30-90 days to get new copy. Was a friend's neighbor, I jumped into the deal since no title was present, I paid for car, took it home and rolled dice that I would get the title. 40 days later it was registered to me.
my buddy watched car sit for few years under a ripped cover. It was driven occasionally.
I was so hesitant, I brought the wife with me to kill the deal but luckily she encouraged me to buy it, ( instead of a mustang) last few months I been looking for something wrong but aside from basics like plugs, wires, valve cover gaskets and the crack on air intake under that red tape in photo.... there's nothing else to do.
Which is why I'm torn about adding HP or a good repaint and leave it alone.
I agree. You got a smoking deal. That said, change ALL the fluids, especially the transmission overdrive fluid. Use "the right stuff" if you can't get a gasket. I'd leave it original because it's a 6-8 thousand dollar car at least. If you start modding it, you will never get that money back, and unmolested C4 vettes are getting harder to find.
Do what you want with it, its no collector car. Stock ones sell quicker but do you even care bout that right now?
I dont give a flip what the next guy wants cause who knows? Theres a buyer for every one of these out there.
Other than a free flow performance exhaust (just loud enough to not be annoying after driving a couple hours) and a custom air intake (or "opening up" your stock one), I'd leave it alone. If engine is running fine, why mess with it and create problems. That way you'll not reduce your resale market if you want to sell in a few years.
Warning, the hood prop on the '84-'85 are not solid, don't trust it. Either support it with a broom handle, etc. or you can upgrade to an '86-'89 (-'96??) prop.
Thank you for all of the info. Never owned a Vette.... it has impressed me and is fun to drive. Has enough to keep you interested.
Going to change all of the fluids and do other things suggested here and not kill her by trying to squeeze more out of her. Looking into new paint, because I know rest of it will start to fail.
thanks again. Any other suggestions....I am listening.
That car for 2k doesnt even qualify as a steal. That's INSANELY CHEAP. Like, I dont even believe you cheap. With that low miles, it not being a shitbox, etc... theres more to the story.
Guy was ready to sell to a wholesaler due to personal reasons. He misplaced NY title which takes 30-90 days to get new copy. Was a friend's neighbor, I jumped into the deal since no title was present, I paid for car, took it home and rolled dice that I would get the title. 40 days later it was registered to me.
my buddy watched car sit for few years under a ripped cover. It was driven occasionally.
I was so hesitant, I brought the wife with me to kill the deal but luckily she encouraged me to buy it, ( instead of a mustang) last few months I been looking for something wrong but aside from basics like plugs, wires, valve cover gaskets and the crack on air intake under that red tape in photo.... there's nothing else to do.
Which is why I'm torn about adding HP or a good repaint and leave it alone.
Sounds like you got a great car. Make it how YOU want.
If you do a repaint , then youre in it deep enough to where youre all in on value. Meaning, if you sold it after the repaint, you most likely wont make money, but break even.
OTOH, if you forget the paint and dump money into the engine for hp increase, it will be about the same situation for you. L98s are somewhat limited for big hp gains if you stay with the TPI system. Building alot of hp will cost you alot of $$
In the end, its your decision. Flipping could be a good idea..... you could double your money easily selling at $4500.
Come on now....... You only paid $2000.00?? I've never seen anyone get one like this one is described for such little money unless it's got serious, maybe hidden issues. As ZHammer stated earlier, there is more to this story. As it's described here, it could have pulled $5500.00 plus. Even on this forum! Good luck with it and keeping it stock will be your best bet for future value. But if it only cost you $2k, you don't have anything to lose.
You got a GREAT deal, but frankly this is not a collectors car. It might start climbing in value in another 10 years, it might not. But it's definitely not an investment. I will state the obvious: this car will probably be worth a lot to someone who is looking for this exact year and options, with low miles. There just aren't a lot of people with wads of cash looking for a very nice 1985.
Since it runs good, I say have some fun as it is. Drive it a lot, these cars don't like to sit and frankly they run better when driven often. Then after you've had it for a while, decide if you want to bother with power mods or just sell it and get something newer/sportier. I'm not a fan of major modifications, I think it's better to buy the car you wanted in the first place. Either way, have fun with your car!
Speaking of hood props . . . the center joint of yours needs some lubrication. It should slide to lock it into position. The rust in yours isn't allowing it to lock (dangerous). To unlock it, you should lift the hood slightly, then fold the prop while you're holding the hood. If the hood latches are properly aligned and lubricated, you shouldn't need to slam the hood closed.
The factory hood prop works fine as long as it's not abused. That's the same hood prop I have in my '84. ( I've had the later model hood props collapse on me while working on friends cars.)
Keep your eyes open for a Factory Shop Manual (FSM) for your year. It is a two book set. You will certainly learn to appreciate it! Welcome to the Corvette family!
with finding a FSM especially if you will be doing your own work.!! They are year-specific so make sure you get the right versions. They show up occasionally in the C4 Parts For Sale section or on eBay. Get the ones with the red covers.
Certainly change all of the fluids!! For the OD unit, get a few quarts of non-synthetic ATF. A new filter should be installed too. Use an AC Delco TR184, FRAM FT1024, or a NAPA ATP14717. These filters are the same ones used in Ford FMX transmissions found in mid-70's Fords and Mercs.
It would be a good idea to get new brake lines. You can use either a OEM-sytle line or stainless lines. Flush and refill the brake fluid with some good quality fluid. I have used ATE TYO200 fluid with good results. Amazon will have it in metal cans. Change the clutch fluid too. Do a search on the "Ranger Method"
How old are the tires?? A lot of folks say to replace the tires if they are more than 5-6 years old. Check the date codes on the sidewalls.
Thank you for all of this info. All info is truly appreciated. After driving her, I truly fell for the car.
Tires are dated 44/ 2016 so I'm still good for a year or 2 there.
I did not notice the hood prop and yes I see now it needs to be adressed. Been looking for the manual, I see different ones but I did read here on other pists to go with FSM.
Thanks again guys.
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Low miles C4 advice
. You only paid $2000.00?? I've never seen anyone get one like this one is described for such little money unless it's got serious, maybe hidden issues. As ZHammer stated earlier, there is more to this story. As it's described here, it could have pulled $5500.00 plus. Even on this forum! 
Good luck with it and keeping it stock will be your best bet for future value. But if it only cost you $2k, you don't have anything to lose.
with finding a FSM especially if you will be doing your own work.!! They are year-specific so make sure you get the right versions. They show up occasionally in the C4 Parts For Sale section or on eBay. Get the ones with the red covers.