Looking
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
I don't know about the left coast, but around here $4k will only get you a L98 auto with needs. I have an 89 auto, and while it will not win very many drag races it has more than enough torque to be fun. Your best bet might be to find one that needs paint but is mechanically sorted and just drive the wheels off it. Good luck in your search, keep us posted on what you find.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,324
Likes: 6,507
From: Melbourne, FL
Good luck in your search.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Old,
I watch every ad for every C4 that comes up here in the Northwest. $2500 will get you a car that needs at least $2500 in parts or repairs. $4000 will get you a driver that has some cosmetic or mechanical needs.
Sometimes you can get lucky. My 90 was one of those deals. Advertised for over three months for $5500. He had recently had a real nice motor built at a local machine shop ( with receipts) installed but it was a cosmetic mess. I offered him $2000 and we settled on $2400. I put carpets in, did the body and paint work, new tires, and it still needs to be inside because it leaks like a sieve. Plus it still needs things. But it is a hell of an engine. Plus I can drive it and park it anywhere unlike my 92.
Deals are out there but to have a reliable driver you will need all of that 4 grand either initially or to make it road worthy.
I watch every ad for every C4 that comes up here in the Northwest. $2500 will get you a car that needs at least $2500 in parts or repairs. $4000 will get you a driver that has some cosmetic or mechanical needs.
Sometimes you can get lucky. My 90 was one of those deals. Advertised for over three months for $5500. He had recently had a real nice motor built at a local machine shop ( with receipts) installed but it was a cosmetic mess. I offered him $2000 and we settled on $2400. I put carpets in, did the body and paint work, new tires, and it still needs to be inside because it leaks like a sieve. Plus it still needs things. But it is a hell of an engine. Plus I can drive it and park it anywhere unlike my 92.
Deals are out there but to have a reliable driver you will need all of that 4 grand either initially or to make it road worthy.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 39
Likes: 4
From: Auburn, WA
Old,
I watch every ad for every C4 that comes up here in the Northwest. $2500 will get you a car that needs at least $2500 in parts or repairs. $4000 will get you a driver that has some cosmetic or mechanical needs.
Sometimes you can get lucky. My 90 was one of those deals. Advertised for over three months for $5500. He had recently had a real nice motor built at a local machine shop ( with receipts) installed but it was a cosmetic mess. I offered him $2000 and we settled on $2400. I put carpets in, did the body and paint work, new tires, and it still needs to be inside because it leaks like a sieve. Plus it still needs things. But it is a hell of an engine. Plus I can drive it and park it anywhere unlike my 92.
Deals are out there but to have a reliable driver you will need all of that 4 grand either initially or to make it road worthy.
I watch every ad for every C4 that comes up here in the Northwest. $2500 will get you a car that needs at least $2500 in parts or repairs. $4000 will get you a driver that has some cosmetic or mechanical needs.
Sometimes you can get lucky. My 90 was one of those deals. Advertised for over three months for $5500. He had recently had a real nice motor built at a local machine shop ( with receipts) installed but it was a cosmetic mess. I offered him $2000 and we settled on $2400. I put carpets in, did the body and paint work, new tires, and it still needs to be inside because it leaks like a sieve. Plus it still needs things. But it is a hell of an engine. Plus I can drive it and park it anywhere unlike my 92.
Deals are out there but to have a reliable driver you will need all of that 4 grand either initially or to make it road worthy.
Thanks, all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 682
From: Park City, TN
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (stock)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 39
Likes: 4
From: Auburn, WA
All years C4's look good to me. Not concentrating on any particular years. Just ones in the best shape.
There is something I found, um, amusing though. I read a lot of hate/dislike for the '84 mostly because of the crossfire TBI.
If tuned correctly they're fine. It just takes someone that knows how to make them work.
Of course most people would just rather not get the first year of any car made.
There is something I found, um, amusing though. I read a lot of hate/dislike for the '84 mostly because of the crossfire TBI.
If tuned correctly they're fine. It just takes someone that knows how to make them work.
Of course most people would just rather not get the first year of any car made.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I've owned a 35th Anni auto for 20yrs and picked up (on cargurus) a sweet red/red '89 6-speed vert at end of winter last year and freakin' love it.
Both have the digi-dash and L98 engine, both of which are my preference.
I must say that the two cars, while both fun to drive, are night/day different. And both have no air bag so both still have the tilt/tele steering wheel.
It might be beneficial to "try on" several with different features to see if something just "grabs you" as the "feel" of the cars does vary over the generation
Good luck and enjoy the search.
Both have the digi-dash and L98 engine, both of which are my preference.
I must say that the two cars, while both fun to drive, are night/day different. And both have no air bag so both still have the tilt/tele steering wheel.
It might be beneficial to "try on" several with different features to see if something just "grabs you" as the "feel" of the cars does vary over the generation
Good luck and enjoy the search.