I have retired and I am giving myself a gift, a corvette in the C4 area.
What do I look out for when checking out a vette, are their any thing I should be aware of in this model year span? :seeya

 

The general rule is buy the latest, best maintained car you can afford. The Vette was improved during each year of production. They are all used cars so you are more at the mercy of the previous owner than any thing else.

IMHO, order to look at... ZR1, LT4 (96 Manual Trans, only model that this is available), all others.

 

I'd only look at 92 - 96. LT1's have 55 more hp, and get better mileage.
That's what I did. Look for low miles, 1 owner, and get carfax for possible
accidents. Make sure to test drive it, and don't be afraid to drive it hard.

 

- Also read this post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=418027

A Corvette buying guide for C4's!

 

welcome. and good luck. hope you find your dreamcar.

J :seeya

 

one thing thats not talked about much on here anymore is the "intake oil leak" that seems to be prevelent on LT-1s

The sealent on the intake tends to become hard after a period of time, and leaks. (I have no clue hoe GM messed this up).

It is a several hundred dollar repair if you have a mechanic do the repair.
Check with a flashlight at the rear of the intake, or if it bad enough, look from under the car to see if any oil is on the bottom of the car.

although this is not a major deal, it sure makes a good bargining chip for the final price.(private seller).
Of course, if its a dealer, INSIST that HE cover that repair for you. :D

 

get a convertable!!!!

 

First off, welcome to the Forum. A 1996 should have alll the problems worked out, the biggest problem the opti spark I believe. Plus it was the last year of the body style. Of course all this is in my owm humble opinion.

 

Since you are in Lancaster, that is only 100 miles from WestCoastCorvettes.
If you decide to go through a dealer, these guys stock only high quality cars that they check with a fine tooth comb. They sometimes are a little more money than private sellers, but they are very picky. Ask for Craig Turley he is a straight shooter.
For instance here is a nice 95 ragtop for 23K.
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/Veh...ail.cfm?id=334

 

1996 didn't really have all the problems worked out. The oil leak spoken of earlier is one of the problems. GM used a wierd 2 piece gasket that relied heavily on RTV to seel the intake. These leak on most LT1's. My 1997 Trans Am had the same leak, and would have been about 300 dollars to fix if not for the GMAC warranty I got when I bought it. The opti spark is another issue. It can be finnicky and hates water. Replacing a distributor on an L98 is the same as any other small block chevy, but an optispark can cost a couple hundred in parts alone. Replacement and performance parts are expensive for the LT1's, but you start off with more power. The newer cars are much more refined, but in turn harder to work on. Test drive and take a look at both newer and earlier C4's. Use our opinions to help decide, but see what you prefer.
Good luck finding a new car.

Chris

 

Thanks for the link, this ansewers most of my questions :seeya

 

Couldn't have said it better myself! :yesnod: :cheers:

 

1984 and maybe also 1985 Chevy used Cross-Fire injection. Fine in its day but a bit dated now, hp numbers on these cars I thinkwere about 205.

1986 through 1991 they went to Tuned Port Injection, the motor was known as an L98, which topped out in '91 at 245hp (I think).

1992 through 1996 they used the LT1 motor which is setup differently than the L98 and peeks at 300hp. Special LT4 motor wa available only on 1996 6-speed manual cars which peeked at 330hp, although rumors are GM published underrated figure of 330 so as not to steal thunder from the LS1 waiting in the wings for the '97 C5... rumors are the LT4 rates out at closer to 340 - 350hp at the crank.

Most LT1 motors had problems with the intake gasket leaking oil down the back of the block. A straight forward fix that most LT1's in service have already had done, but it is something to be on the lookout for and while not a reason to reject an otherwise clean car, it can be used as a bargaining chip in price negotiations.

The LT1 used a new design of distributor called an optispark. It is prone to damage from excess moisture getting inside it, if it gets inside. For '95, '96 they changed the optispark design and added a vacuum driven venting system to help alleviate potential moisture related problems/failures.




[Modified by Lone Ranger, 9:41 PM 11/21/2002]

 

I'm sure all of the items have been listed. I am going to start a new thread that people can add to for what to look out for when buying a used C4, and then make a big master list and submit it to the forum and see if it can be put somewhere on the site for reference when people ask this question. :cheers:

 

Just some clearifications:

1982 and 1984 were the only 2 years for the Cross Fire (L83) engine. 205 hp is correct for 1984.

the L98 started in 1985, with 230hp, and peaked in 91 with 250.

yes!

The opti venting system can be retrofitted to an earlier opti cap. It takes about 15 minutes... 30 if you count the epoxy dry time! The real killer to the opti is antifreeze... bad news. very bad news. the coolant will eat up the bearings much faster than just plain water. The problem with the opti is that it is mounted on the front of the motor... just below the waterpump - specifically, the waterpump weep hole!!!! a little RTV on the opti cap to body seal is a good idea.

Additional thoughts:

The ZR1 started in 1990.

The 6spd started in 1989 - the earlier years are better. They were made in Germany and were more solid. louder, yes, but stronger. The later ones are fine, much quieter, but not quite as strong.

I hope this helps!

 

They're good cars, depends on your budget. A high mileage driver 84 can be had for as little as 4,000 while on the high side a low mileage ZR1 could be in the 50's. Everyone knows about the LT1's intake gasket leaks and the Optispark (Come on guys when the last time a distributor on any car lasted forever?) but heres my two cents avoid the FX3 89-95, F45 96 option. You can tell if the car has it cause in the middle of the console the is a rotary switch that says tour, sport, perf, the shocks for this option run 200.00+ each and any Z51, Z52, ZO7, will out corner it. Now here is MY top 5 C4 picks in no particular order.

1995 Indy pace car. Only 527 made
1996 Grand Sport. Preferably convertible (Or blue wasp's car) :D
1995 ZR1. preferably six speed coupe (just kidding guys :crazy: )
1991 or any year 87-91 Calloway twin turbo (I'm knockin on your door 89x2)
1993 40th anniversary the Ruby red one (not all the other colors with 40th on the headrest) :nono:
The last one will be easiest to find and cheapest not counting a ZR1

 

WOW! thanks the response is great! I got alot of great advise and knowledge to getting my dream car, after all you all have lived it and done it and I really apreciate all comments and advise. :seeya

 

Latest one I could afford....stay away from early ones.....like '84...I should know.....wish I knew more then than I do now......

Never heard of "A" Corvette Forum then....


But I am happy with my '84 now that I've almost got it where I want it to be.....Lets see,,,another $5 grand and I will be there....


Anyway...take your time...and good hunting??????


tony


:cheers:

 

They can say what they want about 84's, but they are still the best cornering and handling 'Vette, if you can tolerate the rough ride. For what you can buy them for, would be reasonable to put a new motor in, such as a 400hp 383cid crate engine for instance. Leave the cross fire emblems on, and you have the ultimate sleeper 'Vette. Everyone would think they're gonna smoke an old crossfire in the stoplight derby, but they would get a big surprise. :yesnod: