C4 Corvette Values
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 87
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From: Aylmer Ontario
C4 Corvette Values
A Polo Green 1993 Coupe sold at the 2020 Kissimmee Florida Mecum Auction for $4400.00.
Although the mileage wasn't listed the online photos show a very clean car with new tan seat surfaces.
This made me very sad, I have to admit being a little sad for the reflection on the value of my own 1993 Coupe but as I have no plans to sell it the selling prices mean very little to me, but it made me really sad that a truly great sports car could be disrespected this way.
The headlight assembly for a Cadillac Escalade is $5K for crying out loud!
Although the mileage wasn't listed the online photos show a very clean car with new tan seat surfaces.
This made me very sad, I have to admit being a little sad for the reflection on the value of my own 1993 Coupe but as I have no plans to sell it the selling prices mean very little to me, but it made me really sad that a truly great sports car could be disrespected this way.
The headlight assembly for a Cadillac Escalade is $5K for crying out loud!
Popular Reply
Jan 26, 2020, 03:27 PM
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
On the up side, one has never been able to acquire more performance, content and technology, for less money. It's an incredible value, right now!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,275
Likes: 6,469
From: Melbourne, FL
Auction cars like that are rarely as nice as they appear. Then don't forget that there are a lot of fees on top of that, so they probably paid 50% more than that all in.
That said, if that met reserve and everything, it was probably a pile ofnrcrap actually.
That said, if that met reserve and everything, it was probably a pile ofnrcrap actually.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Also considering that the buyers at those auctions are looking for cars MUCH more valuable than a C4 I'm be surprised it even sold.
Plus what they said.
Plus what they said.
Last edited by v8vette84; Jan 26, 2020 at 11:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,021
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Auctions are as much of a barometer asCraigslist. Every car is a bit unique at this point. Buy what checks your boxes and don’t care what others “value”
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 27
From: Jefferson WI
Values are basically whatever a buyer is willing to pay.
Book prices are only guidelines and even those have tiny print statements about how overall condition and other factors can 'significantly change' the actual value of a vehicle.
My car is a torch red 1992 base convertible with white top * interior, ride control & an aftermarket stereo. Not a particularly good stereo, but good enough for me.
The most striking thing(s) are the wheels from a C7 spaced to line up the bigger tires and add a little caliper clearance.
I paid $6200 for this car & I couldn't be happier. Just over 100k miles, runs like new & everything works perfectly.
No dash cracks, interior is surprisingly clean for age & miles.
Someone on a Facebook car group gave me 100 flavors of **** for paying "twice what that car is worth".
"The seller must have laughed all the way to the bank".
"You're an idiot to pay that much for a $3000 car".
Me: "I don't care, I'm happy with it". LOL
Book prices are only guidelines and even those have tiny print statements about how overall condition and other factors can 'significantly change' the actual value of a vehicle.
My car is a torch red 1992 base convertible with white top * interior, ride control & an aftermarket stereo. Not a particularly good stereo, but good enough for me.
The most striking thing(s) are the wheels from a C7 spaced to line up the bigger tires and add a little caliper clearance.
I paid $6200 for this car & I couldn't be happier. Just over 100k miles, runs like new & everything works perfectly.
No dash cracks, interior is surprisingly clean for age & miles.
Someone on a Facebook car group gave me 100 flavors of **** for paying "twice what that car is worth".
"The seller must have laughed all the way to the bank".
"You're an idiot to pay that much for a $3000 car".
Me: "I don't care, I'm happy with it". LOL
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 171
Likes: 51
From: USA
When I first got into 'Vettes in the mid-'70s, the C2s could still be had for pretty affordable money. Could kick myself for not snagging one, LOL. IMHO the C4s are incredible cars--state of the art for their time, and still competitive today.
When I decided to find another Corvette after selling my last (a '90 auto cpe), I originally was thinking a '68-'72, but then remembered my years with the C3s and my time in the '90. I decided to go with another C4.
VERY happy with my decision. The market will catch up, no doubt.
When I decided to find another Corvette after selling my last (a '90 auto cpe), I originally was thinking a '68-'72, but then remembered my years with the C3s and my time in the '90. I decided to go with another C4.
VERY happy with my decision. The market will catch up, no doubt.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: FH AZ
I have an empty garage space and a few grand to burn. I have been cruising CL for a few months now and I swear I'm gonna end up with another C4. There lowish mile clean C4s for 6-8 grand all day long. I have a 93 auto now and am waiting on a 91 with a manual to pop up locally. I want another play car but something with a stick. Just can't beat the C4 right now. The Mustangs, Camaros, ect. that you get for that money are generally either ragged out and/or have a billion miles and won't handle anywhere close to a C4 without bucketload of cash put into it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 1,364
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
I only paid 4500 for my 90 all said and done shipped from Florida.
I've put more than that into it so far. I didn't really have to, I chose to. Redoing the interior got pricey because I basically restored everything, seats, carpet, all the trim, bought a Factory Bose Gold radio which I haven't put in yet, etc. New tires, shocks, brakes and rotors, rack, master cylinder, water pump, power steering pump, battery, headlight assemblies, fog light assmblies, headlight module, new coolant system hoses, emblems, a lot of relays and sensors, distributor, coil, plugs ,plug wires, new injectors, brake booster, ignition module, and probably a lot of other stuff I really didn't need to replace, but like I said, I chose to replace all of that stuff arbitrarily.
But I was shopping for a specific year in a specific color that still had the factory cuisinarts and that spent its whole life in a specific state with fair mileage on it for its age.
At some point I'll start rebuilding the motor and the trans, but it runs real strong for an L98, so.
I'll never sell it, so I figure make it my own and pass it down to junior, he seems to like it.
End of the day, it comes down to what the car is worth to you. It's not always defined by dollars and cents. The mid to late 80s and very early 90s were a great time to be alive. I bought the car for pure nostalgia.
I've put more than that into it so far. I didn't really have to, I chose to. Redoing the interior got pricey because I basically restored everything, seats, carpet, all the trim, bought a Factory Bose Gold radio which I haven't put in yet, etc. New tires, shocks, brakes and rotors, rack, master cylinder, water pump, power steering pump, battery, headlight assemblies, fog light assmblies, headlight module, new coolant system hoses, emblems, a lot of relays and sensors, distributor, coil, plugs ,plug wires, new injectors, brake booster, ignition module, and probably a lot of other stuff I really didn't need to replace, but like I said, I chose to replace all of that stuff arbitrarily.
But I was shopping for a specific year in a specific color that still had the factory cuisinarts and that spent its whole life in a specific state with fair mileage on it for its age.
At some point I'll start rebuilding the motor and the trans, but it runs real strong for an L98, so.
I'll never sell it, so I figure make it my own and pass it down to junior, he seems to like it.
End of the day, it comes down to what the car is worth to you. It's not always defined by dollars and cents. The mid to late 80s and very early 90s were a great time to be alive. I bought the car for pure nostalgia.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 1,364
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
And another thing. A lot of people say C4 Corvettes are ugly or whatever. I can't count how many compliments the car has got. People stop me all the time in parking lots and ask about it. Then you get little nods at red lights or whatever. The L98 motor may not have all of the power of newer Corvettes, but it's no slacker for what it is and looks a heck of a lot more like a motor if you ask me. Especially if you keep it clean.
Of course, there's been more than a few times I've started cussing. Like having to drop a bumper to replace fog light assemblies or having to take an entire steering wheel column apart to replace a clock spring or whatever, but it passes when it's all said and done.
Of course, there's been more than a few times I've started cussing. Like having to drop a bumper to replace fog light assemblies or having to take an entire steering wheel column apart to replace a clock spring or whatever, but it passes when it's all said and done.
Last edited by Natty C; Feb 1, 2020 at 09:13 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,275
Likes: 6,469
From: Melbourne, FL
There are plenty of inexpensive autos, but the reality is that those cars represented like 80% of the production numbers. Manuals are far rarer and go for far more money. You can't look at one area of the market and consider it a reflection of the rest of it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: SC
A Polo Green 1993 Coupe sold at the 2020 Kissimmee Florida Mecum Auction for $4400.00.
Although the mileage wasn't listed the online photos show a very clean car with new tan seat surfaces.
This made me very sad, I have to admit being a little sad for the reflection on the value of my own 1993 Coupe but as I have no plans to sell it the selling prices mean very little to me, but it made me really sad that a truly great sports car could be disrespected this way.
The headlight assembly for a Cadillac Escalade is $5K for crying out loud!
Although the mileage wasn't listed the online photos show a very clean car with new tan seat surfaces.
This made me very sad, I have to admit being a little sad for the reflection on the value of my own 1993 Coupe but as I have no plans to sell it the selling prices mean very little to me, but it made me really sad that a truly great sports car could be disrespected this way.
The headlight assembly for a Cadillac Escalade is $5K for crying out loud!
Yes, Road & Track's 1975 used C2 article, you could pick up a real nice 4 speed 327ci car for 5 grand back then, about 20k in today's money. Can't do that now. However, from a driving, engineering standpoint a 1985 Corvette is way ahead of a 1965 example, in every way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
FOX BODY FOR $132K
Integra for $65K
'97 INTEGRA FOR $82K
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: SC
Fear not...because that is not true. To wit (and as absurd as this is), here are a few links that prove that point to be folly....
FOX BODY FOR $132K
Integra for $65K
'97 INTEGRA FOR $82K
FOX BODY FOR $132K
Integra for $65K
'97 INTEGRA FOR $82K
That kinda proves my point because the e28 BMW had its boxy origins in a car that started in 1972, and was just the final version of that.
Fox people, don't mention Fox people, they would buy Foxstang underwear if it existed, and wear it on their heads to show everyone they are Fox fans. These are not normal people.
Last edited by LU8; Feb 2, 2020 at 11:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Values are basically whatever a buyer is willing to pay.
Book prices are only guidelines and even those have tiny print statements about how overall condition and other factors can 'significantly change' the actual value of a vehicle.
My car is a torch red 1992 base convertible with white top * interior, ride control & an aftermarket stereo. Not a particularly good stereo, but good enough for me.
The most striking thing(s) are the wheels from a C7 spaced to line up the bigger tires and add a little caliper clearance.
I paid $6200 for this car & I couldn't be happier. Just over 100k miles, runs like new & everything works perfectly.
No dash cracks, interior is surprisingly clean for age & miles.
Someone on a Facebook car group gave me 100 flavors of **** for paying "twice what that car is worth".
"The seller must have laughed all the way to the bank".
"You're an idiot to pay that much for a $3000 car".
Me: "I don't care, I'm happy with it". LOL
Book prices are only guidelines and even those have tiny print statements about how overall condition and other factors can 'significantly change' the actual value of a vehicle.
My car is a torch red 1992 base convertible with white top * interior, ride control & an aftermarket stereo. Not a particularly good stereo, but good enough for me.
The most striking thing(s) are the wheels from a C7 spaced to line up the bigger tires and add a little caliper clearance.
I paid $6200 for this car & I couldn't be happier. Just over 100k miles, runs like new & everything works perfectly.
No dash cracks, interior is surprisingly clean for age & miles.
Someone on a Facebook car group gave me 100 flavors of **** for paying "twice what that car is worth".
"The seller must have laughed all the way to the bank".
"You're an idiot to pay that much for a $3000 car".
Me: "I don't care, I'm happy with it". LOL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Ha,ha, I was thinking Fox when I wrote what I did. I am afraid Ford Fox people, and Honda Type R people, and there are some other particular types, are rabid dog fanboys so I wouldn't go reading too much into such examples. There was also a 1988 BMW 535iS e28 that sold for over 50k. Yeah, but still for the most part Glenn Campbell rules over that fellow with a hat I can't remember, lol.
That kinda proves my point because the e28 BMW had its boxy origins in a car that started in 1972, and was just the final version of that.
Fox people, don't mention Fox people, they would buy Foxstang underwear if it existed, and wear it on their heads to show everyone they are Fox fans. These are not normal people.
That kinda proves my point because the e28 BMW had its boxy origins in a car that started in 1972, and was just the final version of that.
Fox people, don't mention Fox people, they would buy Foxstang underwear if it existed, and wear it on their heads to show everyone they are Fox fans. These are not normal people.