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Hey all,
I'm searching for my first Corvette and I love the C4's. I found a 1992 ZR1 and a 1994 Coupe that I have reduced my search to. The 1994 has 73k miles and is in magnificent condition. It's an automatic that I feel I man buy for $8500. I was ready to pull the trigger and along comes this Zr1 with 18k miles for sale from a collector that is moving and wanting to purge his collection. It can be bought for $22k. The car is all original. It needs tires and a battery right off the bat. There's obviously a wide gap in price but also a wide gap in cars. I need advice on which to buy. I am a cash buyer for either one so that is not an issue.
Thanks,
Personally, I wouldn't buy an A4 corvette. So the zr1 for sure.
That said, the zr1 is a lot of car without a lot of driver assistants. If you don't have a lot of experience with powerful rwd cars, it might be a bit much to handle.
My take, it's only money, buy the zr1, respect the car and get some performance driver education sessions under your belt.
I would encourage you to drive them both before buying either one. In fact if you are set on a late model C4 I would suggest that you go to a few used car lots and drive as many of them as you can before you decide which one to buy. There are a lot of them for sale (just see the cars for sale here in the C4 section) so don't fall in love with the very first one.
Also it would be a wise investment to spend $20.00 and get yourself a copy of Mike Antonick's "The Corvette Black Book" It lists all of the various options that were available for each year of production.
You can't go wrong with the 92 ZR1 or the 94 coup. In these days with electric cars taking front stage and COVID rules locking us down,, the C4 is just the remedy for a man's mental sanity!
I waited 20 years to replace my 93 convertible. I had it 97-00 and loved it. I was just casually viewing cars ads, and found mine in York, PA , same year, same trans, same color and same convertible. The only difference was the tires and wheels were ZR1 style. To me, this made a huge difference in the handling. When punching it on turns, I would fishtail a bit. With the ASR, that takes care of itself. The 315s in the back provide a solid feel on the highway, so if you don't need the extra width and HP of the LT5, I would save the money and get the base or convertible. The t tops are nice on the ZR1 and the extra storage in the back is great, but for a price.. The LT1 is 300 hp and a ton of torque. with my 6 speed, it sure is fun to drive. You only have red I think for the ZR1 the Polo Green II variant is sure nice at sunset. It gives a great reflection after a wash and wax. Take a look at my pics, and tell me what you think.
I wish you well in your enjoyment of your new/old C4 corvette!
Rick
QUOTE=Glideman;1602709149]Hey all,
I'm searching for my first Corvette and I love the C4's. I found a 1992 ZR1 and a 1994 Coupe that I have reduced my search to. The 1994 has 73k miles and is in magnificent condition. It's an automatic that I feel I man buy for $8500. I was ready to pull the trigger and along comes this Zr1 with 18k miles for sale from a collector that is moving and wanting to purge his collection. It can be bought for $22k. The car is all original. It needs tires and a battery right off the bat. There's obviously a wide gap in price but also a wide gap in cars. I need advice on which to buy. I am a cash buyer for either one so that is not an issue.
Thanks,[/QUOTE]
Last edited by rick Silverman; Dec 23, 2020 at 05:52 AM.
My first C4 was a '95 - was (still IS, I'm told) a wonderful car, and I loved it - especially on long trips. But, I was intrigued by the ZR-1 from DAY-ONE of their introduction to the Corvette lineup, and I ended up trading the'95 to afford the (1990) ZR-1 - a whole different experience!
After a year of ownership I ported the top end (plenum, injector housing, and (cone) taper matched the heads. Holy cow!
The LT5 in stock form was starving for air! I am a DIY hot rodder of SBCs since the late 60s, (dating myself, huh?), so I did my own porting - with the guidance of those going before me. Without giving up any drivability, including gas mileage I ended up initially at 432 hp at the wheels on stock cams.
Talk about a sleeper! At idle one wouldn't suspect a thing - completely stock idle. But, stand on it and it just doesn't quit until you hit the rev limiter!!! First time I sauntered up to 45-50 mph in 5th gear and then shifted into 2nd gear and stood on it, I was at 90 mph (still in 2nd gear) before I could grasp what just happened! I was a little shocked, and it wasn't missed by that ricer in the other lane either!
I recommend the ZR-1! AND! If you do, I also recommend joining the ZR1 NetRegistry too , in addition to this fantastic FORUM, as a key source of parts and expertise you won't find at any Chevy dealer!!
Rick, looks great!! Is that a feulie emblem on your hood?
Id grab the Z...not a bad price. However is it one of those cars that sits for years?
I would insist you have to see a running car so you know hes not covering up any running gear issues.
Lots of "ran when parked" cars that are junk.
As the past owner of L-98's, LT-1s and an LT-5... then another LT-5. Id say buy the LT-5 and never look back. Skip the progression and save yourself a ton of money. Plus, automatic cars and no where near the fun of a 6 speed.
I would say pay no attention to the doomsayers who claim that you need special skills to drive a ZR1. That car came rated at 375hp, and did in fact include "driver aids" in the form of ABS and traction control. Do I really need to go down the list of plebian cars that are sold these days with that much power or more?!
If you don't plan to do tons of mods and money isn't an issue, the ZR1 looks mighty tempting here. It will hold its value better and be more fun to drive. It will also be more fun to show, if you're into that sort of thing. The one thing that is probably less fun on a ZR1 is working on it. Others can chime in, but things like replacing a starter are not simple jobs like they are on an LT1/4. If you don't plan to do repairs yourself, then you need to identify a mechanic who is actually competent to work on it for you. As with any 29-year-old car, you will need work done sooner or later. As Paul Workman described above, there is actually plenty of potential for improving a ZR1's performance through mods. They just cost more than on a L98 or LT1/4. But there are some badass ZR1s out there! You mentioned that the ZR1 needs tires. That's actually a tough situation for a ZR1 these days: there are almost no options for street-oriented 315/35/17 tires out there. If you get this car, start a new thread here and we can discuss your options, including possibly storing your stock wheels and getting a set of 18s that offer more possibilities.
OTOH, if you don't care about speed or bragging rights at all, and you just want to cruise around in a C4, then maybe the 92 LT1 with the automatic is the better bet. It will still be somewhat fun to drive, still kind of fast, and if bad things happen to it you won't be as depressed. It's also much cheaper to modify. If not shopping for a ZR1, then the 94/95 cars have the better PCMs but aren't subject to emissions laws and don't require expensive software suites to tune. But the 95 will have the vented opti that is a useful upgrade. To me, a 95 is the sweet spot of LT-equipped C4s, but a 94 is right behind it. I think $8500 is on the high side unless this car is in showroom condition.
Thank you all for your responses. I will have no trouble driving this car. I have owned many high horsepower cars through my life. Just no Corvettes. The 94 is very very clean and I was ready to pull the trigger on it until the ZR1 came along. It is part of a 100 Corvette collection. That scares me because it probably hasn't been driven and the worst thing you can do to a car is let it sit. The 94 is local and the ZR1 is 3 hours away which makes it a little more difficult to judge mechanical condition than a local car. Haven't really decided what I'm going to do until I can lay eyes and hands on the ZR1. Please continue to add advice to this post as knowledge is power.
^^^^ Any housewife can drive a ZR-1 theres 4 door Mommy cars out today that are faster.
The zr1 also has very limited driver bandaid compared to a new car. It has ABS, and very basic traction control. That's "if the tires spin slam the throttle shut" traction control. Compared to the stability control systems you find on a modern car, it may as well not exist. Overcook it into a corner and a c4 zr1 won't save you like a modern car with 400hp will.
They're not undrivable, but they're also powerful rwd cars with a stick shift. That's a trifecta a lot of people aren't ready for. They should be, but alas most people are more interested in a tik tok car challenge than actually driving.
Hey all,
I'm searching for my first Corvette and I love the C4's. I found a 1992 ZR1 and a 1994 Coupe that I have reduced my search to. The 1994 has 73k miles and is in magnificent condition. It's an automatic that I feel I man buy for $8500. I was ready to pull the trigger and along comes this Zr1 with 18k miles for sale from a collector that is moving and wanting to purge his collection. It can be bought for $22k. The car is all original. It needs tires and a battery right off the bat. There's obviously a wide gap in price but also a wide gap in cars. I need advice on which to buy. I am a cash buyer for either one so that is not an issue.
Thanks,
To do what? Location? If I wanted to autocross, I'd definitely get a manual. It would be hard to justify the ZR1 since the wife doesn't drive stick and it would be only me using it. Right now, all my cars are auto so we can all hop into it and not be stuck. I have cut down our fleet to 3 vehicles and 1 trike, 2 jetskis and 1 SXS. Having 5 cars and that bunch of toys and not to mention the yard machines becomes a Royal PITA to maintain. So other than the trike, I have to have year round abilities for both of us.
The zr1 also has very limited driver bandaid compared to a new car. It has ABS, and very basic traction control. That's "if the tires spin slam the throttle shut" traction control. Compared to the stability control systems you find on a modern car, it may as well not exist. Overcook it into a corner and a c4 zr1 won't save you like a modern car with 400hp will.
They're not undrivable, but they're also powerful rwd cars with a stick shift. That's a trifecta a lot of people aren't ready for. They should be, but alas most people are more interested in a tik tok car challenge than actually driving.
No car can save you if you overcook it into a corner: you're going off the the outside of the corner no matter what. The TCS in a later C4 works just fine to keep you from wrecking the car due to an overeager right foot. The newer ones just allow TC to be used as a tool to get better launches or exit a corner hard without going too over the limit. IOW, they won't destroy your lap times like the C4's TC will, but all of them will keep you from power slides. Stability control is a different thing, and that is improved on modern cars. But that has little to do with power levels and more to do with bad steering and braking inputs. IOW, an LT1 C4 and a ZR1 are equally unsafe compared to a modern car in that respect.
No car can save you if you overcook it into a corner: you're going off the the outside of the corner no matter what. The TCS in a later C4 works just fine to keep you from wrecking the car due to an overeager right foot. The newer ones just allow TC to be used as a tool to get better launches or exit a corner hard without going too over the limit. IOW, they won't destroy your lap times like the C4's TC will, but all of them will keep you from power slides. Stability control is a different thing, and that is improved on modern cars. But that has little to do with power levels and more to do with bad steering and braking inputs. IOW, an LT1 C4 and a ZR1 are equally unsafe compared to a modern car in that respect.
I don't disagree - any 90s 300+hp RWD sports car can be a lot for a driver without the experience. An extra 100hp just makes it easier to get past your skill limits. A newer vette will apply brakes in some overcooked situations to keep you out of (as much) trouble. Btdt, forgot to brake for one of the esses at road atlanta and the asc hand of God helped out a lot. Didn't save me like a gtr woikd have, but helped me avoid most unpleasantness.
The ZR1 is quicker and performs superior to a normal C4 in many ways, however it is a 6 year limited run vehicle.
I have had a variety of older cars. From Oldsmobile's to Cadillac's and Camaro's Firebird's to now my first Corvette.
Import and yes even a Ford and a Mopar here and there.
When buying ANY older vehicle, ask yourself 3 simple questions: 1. When it breaks (not if) - are you going to fix it yourself or do you have a shop to bring it to?
If you are going to fix it - what is your expertise level.
The LT5 is a very nice specialized Corvette. Is there a shop that knows how to work on it in your area? 2. How available are the parts for the car?
I have had some beautiful older cars that you just can't buy parts for anymore.
Some of the plastics and electronic items on the "newer older" cars (cars with ECM's and such) just are not available anymore.
The aftermarket community, as of the last few years, quality can sometimes be disappointing. 3. Are you buying a car for an investment, or are you concerned about its value?
I differ from many on this subject. If you break even on any car, consider yourself lucky.
Buy something that you will enjoy to drive. Something that you are not afraid to put mileage on.
I have had cars that I bought on purpose to resell, you can not enjoy these because you will obsess about will it hurt its value.
Unless you have an Auto museum or a dealership - enjoy what have to drive
I do most of my own work, but sometimes you have to have a shop diagnose/fix it
There are mechanics that never had to work on a carburetor, only fuel injected. They are just not that old!!
A GM dealership once told me that they could not work on my 93 Trans Am because they had no manual for it.
I then brought to the aftermarket performance shop that many people recommended - it was a pre-OBDII vehicle
and he could not work on it either. I borrowed a factory manual from a friend and lent it to the dealer and it was fixed.
I was not even close to what was wrong. Throwing parts at a car to repair it can be costly.
I have had friends that would not drive their car if there was a chance of rain.
I have sold cars because I was paranoid of it getting damaged.
I have had cars that I could not wait to get rid of - due to frustration.
I have had cars that I wish I still had today and kick myself for selling.
Test drive several. Make sure everything works - flip every switch.
Put it on a lift and check everything, regardless of mileage.
Have an expert/ mechanic look at it for you, if necessary.
The C4 is an enjoyable vehicle to drive, whatever version you choose
Wanting a C4
