Hey all,
On and off lurker here whose about to 'finally' get a Corvette. I've been a huge fan for years, but never really wanted to go for it until now.
I know a bit of the issues that can arise with these vehicles, maintenance wise, but I wanted to get some other opinions. I'm coming from a 2011 BMW 328i that has just eclipsed 151k miles and while I love driving it, I just want something different at this point.
Maintenance doesn't scare me that much, I did a good bit of work on my 328i (which was a pain in the *** and expensive, but that's what I signed up for lol). So I think if I can handle that, I should be able to handle this.
While I do enjoy manual transmissions, I'm a little lazy at this point and am solely looking at automatics. I might change my mind on it, but I've just become so accustomed to them.

I have four options that I'm considering and would like some feedback on what you all think. The one in the frontrunner spot for me is this 1990 C4 at roughly 88k miles. He's asking 10k for it, which I think is a quite bit overpriced, but I wanted some second opinions. While he has done some work on the vehicle, I'm not sure it warrants the upcharge.
The other three are all C5's, so I wasn't sure if I could post those in comparison or just leave them to their specific subforum. If it's not frowned upon here, I'll edit them in.

The stickies and all the information I've gathered on here have been super helpful getting me to this point, but I'd kinda like some more personal opinions on this if y'all don't mind!

 

What’s your budget?

 

I'd like to stay around 10-13kk. I probably have around 16k I can dedicate to this, but I like leaving a decent amount for maintenance/mods I want to do.

 

If you've been reading stickies then you know that C5's have a LOT of stickies regarding problems...the C4's have very little stickies dedicated to problems. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the 90' C4 would be "better built" (i didn't say faster, smoother, more modern/refined...i said better built) than any C5 you'll find. You'd also probably like the "raw" sports car feel of the C4 more.
With your budget you can get a very nice C4.

here's a link to my CL ad https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/a...118727559.html
my VERY NICE 1994 automatic with performance axle is for sale for only $7700 obo
whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to the forums!!!

 

Jesus Christ. I really wish you hadn't shown me that. Nothing within 300 miles even compares to that. Why are the best deals always so far away

 

people buy cars all the time that are far away!!!

anyways good luck. i just posted this car in the forum's For Sale section.

 

That's usually the case. Offer the same for the 90. All he can say is no and it's not like anyone is beating down the door to buy right now.

 

I bought a 90 vert with 62k miles for $5250. Only thing it needed was tires due to age. Don’t over pay for a c4. There are plenty of deals out there just be patient for a realistic seller.

 

Because those cars are way under market value. You might buy a car like Mark's, but more than likely you will buy a ratty pos if you search out the lowest price car.

Don't concern yourself with the outliers. Your budget allows for a nice c4, I'd be more focused on what your desired colors and transmissions are, and then find that car. If it costs a little more, we'll who cares you got the car you wanted?

 

 

I don't want to scare you OP but I do maintain two 150k+ miles BMWs (05 Z4, 04 325xi) in parallel of bringing my 100 k miles 88 C4 almost back to it's former glory.
In comparison to the Vette, working on the BMWs is a breeze: original or OEM quality parts are available albeit expensive, where in some cases parts are impossible to find for the C4, or if they are it's only on fleebay or some overpriced specialized Corvette outlets. Some other parts (engine parts typically) are much cheaper on the Vette.
I also found that repair jobs take 2 to 3 times more time on the Vette on average.
At least the C4 is more simply built with less complexity but also much lower quality than the recent Germans.

 

That is the one nice thing about Porsche, BMW and Mercedes you can go to the dealership and buy pretty much everything. I roll into GM, "Sorry, discontinued since 1997". MF'er!!!

 

On that particular 90, I'm not wild about the changes he has done. I think it looks better in the photo where it is pretty close to stock.

But don't be afraid to expand your search to a radius that is a days drive if not more. You will find your selection and opportunity to find a good car will increase. And you might have a pretty cool trip out of it. I've done two cross country drives and shipped a couple of others.

 

Do not be in a rush. Most likely many owners are not listing their cars for sale at this time due to the flu issue.

In the Northwest for example Craigslist listings are only 60 % of where they would normally be at this time. This is true for both vehicles and parts. I look every day and this has been true since we entered this mess.

Decide exactly what you are looking for and hold out for it. Also as Chumpvette said, expand your search to a wider area. I always put 200 miles from the zip code when searching CL and it opens up a lot more cars and parts.

 

OP,
Not sure where you are but guessing your somewhere near that 90. I bought my 92 3 years ago near Anniston. it had ~72K on it and cost $6200. I just don't see a 10K car in those pics. Don't really understand some of the write up, like new fuel system, what does that mean. If you do look at it ask to see documentation on the transmission. Impossible to verify claims like a rebuilt transmission without documents. And I'm always suspicious when not a single picture shows the interior.
Here's mine the day it came home.

 

A few things:

don't get Corvette fever....take your time to search, don't settle

the '90 with 88K miles is way too much

I suggest getting a newer C4...

don't get Corvette fever

 

I found a 90 with 75k miles for $7500. Took a little extra digging and it can use a little TLC but for that price, I think it's doable.
I hear you about the Vette fever though, it's certainly getting to me!

 

I test drove it (well, he drove. Wouldn't let me drive it unless I had cash in hand). He had all the supporting documentation but not being able to test drive it and him not bugging on the price I've given up on that one.
There's another '90 that I had to search for $7500. It's in really good shape and just needs a little TLC. Drove well, but had some obvious whirring sounds that the dealer just chose to ignore. Not really sure what those sounds were, could be from the car's rotors sitting for a bit. Not too sure.

 

Still too much, I have a '96 that had 90k miles and I paid $7500.. paint 9 of 10, interior 5 of 10...light gray is a tough color...hindsight I should've paid $6500, but he wouldn't take it. After joining this board I would've walked (learned a great deal here).

......and yes, I had Corvette fever

 

just a little note...i don't mind buying automatics but i wont buy one that doesn't have a performance axle ratio. usually there is a G92 code (performance axle) on the rpo sticker usually with another code that then gives the axle ratio. what you don't want (if this matters to you) is code GM1 (base 2.59 ratio). The performance axle ratio for a 1990 coupe would "normally" be G44 which is 3.07 (and GU2 for a convertible which is 2.73)

Convertibles usually always have 2.73 (code GU2) with or without G92 (My 1992' vert had G92 GU2 and my 87' vert just has GU2)

if performance doesn't matter to you then you probably wont care about this but i can tell you that it's very noticeable. Then having a shift kit (or a programmer to change the shift firmness) makes it feel like a whole different car. Not sure 1990 was re-programmable or not, I know LT1 cars were.

I'm not positive for 1990, but I believe the sticker should be located inside the center console, attached to the underside of the lid. This sticker will also tell you which suspension and brakes you have. most other options are noticeable be simply glancing at the interior (seats, power, climate control, bose)