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As we come up to 2022 what are C4s fetching these days?
KBB/NADA/Hagerty values them around the $7k mark. But we all know those book values are just benchmarks.
a friend swears that C4 are only $3500 cars and the only reason they are high is due to the chip shortage.
I beg to differ because IMO the C4 is far too old to be affected by a new car shortage. As in someone who can’t get their hands on a C8 is more likely in the market for a C7, not a C4. There is no shortage of C4s.
That being said, I’m looking to let my C4 go for something practical. I listed for $5900, car is in working order and nice shape. It is less than I paid. Highest real cash offer I got was $4000. Highest trade offer was a $4500 bmw. But then again it’s the beginning of winter here.
now I know we are all C4 enthusiasts on here so we are willing to pay a little more for something we want, but what do you think is a fair price to pay for a driver grade, sorted working 91 C4 base/auto with 107k miles?
I purchased my 1992 Convertible with a hardtop last year for $14K then put another couple grand in wheels and tires that I wanted. I also installed the missing air conditioning parts for another bunch of cash. I love the car and still just have a very little over what it would have cost to just purchase the new LS 3 that was already professionally installed. I had a 2019 C 7 but my wife thought it was "too showy" so I feel i have the best of both worlds, a great looking car with all the power I can ever use for not a lot of money. My way of saying it is hard to put a value that applies to all C 4's.
First I think there is a significant difference in pricing based on geographic location. In an area of the country where a C4 can be used most of the year a driver quality car will bring a higher price. In your area $5,000 - $6500 would be what I expect as top dollar. In my area the same car might be $2000 higher.
But then we have to look at what is meant by being driver quality with the assumption that the car runs and drives without needing major mechanical or electrical repairs otherwise it is a project car not a driver.
Next I think that means the paint can be polished to a nice shine but may have small blemishes from use. If the car needs a repaint it is a project not a driver.
If the interior has worn or torn seats, worn carpet, etc that again is a project. The same goes for safety and comfort features ac, radio, horn, defroster and heat.
Projects can be easily purchased in this area for $2,000 - $3,500 that are still drivable as is but need work to be reliable and safe transportation.
Where does your car fall in the project/driver distinction and that should tell you where your realistic selling price needs to be.
Being that I'm not that far from you its the wrong time of year to sell it. I would bet that come summer you can get a little more but then every other Corvette seller will be listing theirs as well. Then it becomes a buyer market and you have to decide to either hold out or to dump it for what you can. Me, personally, I think anything close to $4500 is going to be it....for now....
I think value based discussions are important, I never thought a regular C4 car would ever become anything close to a collector's dream car, as they had made plenty of the plastic fantastic.
However I maintain that the more value the C4 has, would make the cars more desirable, and making the car desirable, goes a long way to keep parts and pieces still available.
The car I bought was one of the more expensive of the C4 line up, but even then it was fairly inexpensive for what you get. Im not sure were the market will head with these cars, some are bringing decent money, some are not. Some say the era of cheap C4's are coming to an end, but I doubt that.
Although low mileage excellent condition cars are bringing more bucks as of late. I still see fairly decent high mileage drivers selling for cheap
Mileage, model year and location seem to be the main factors. Once a C4 is over that magical 100k mark(or any car really), they tank in value, even here in California. It makes no sense, but many people when then they see 1xx,xxx miles, it's like some sort of signal to avoid the car. The 92-96 years seem to be the selling for the most in my area, whereas the older C4s are selling for roughly what they always have, at least in the last five or so years.
First I think there is a significant difference in pricing based on geographic location. In an area of the country where a C4 can be used most of the year a driver quality car will bring a higher price. In your area $5,000 - $6500 would be what I expect as top dollar. In my area the same car might be $2000 higher.
But then we have to look at what is meant by being driver quality with the assumption that the car runs and drives without needing major mechanical or electrical repairs otherwise it is a project car not a driver.
Next I think that means the paint can be polished to a nice shine but may have small blemishes from use. If the car needs a repaint it is a project not a driver.
If the interior has worn or torn seats, worn carpet, etc that again is a project. The same goes for safety and comfort features ac, radio, horn, defroster and heat.
Projects can be easily purchased in this area for $2,000 - $3,500 that are still drivable as is but need work to be reliable and safe transportation.
Where does your car fall in the project/driver distinction and that should tell you where your realistic selling price needs to be.
I brought mine intending it to be a semi-project so almost everything has been gone through and sorted out. I mean everything works minus the washer fluid pump and the AC needing a recharge. Paint is fresh with a 3” scrape on the front bumper. I only say driver grade because it’s not a concours, low mileage car.
considering that when I brought my C4 last May there was no C4 listed for under $7500. This is where I get thrown off.
People listing them for 8700, 9100 etc. So that realistically would make a $6000 car enticing just based off local market. But then, you have to think what is a reasonable amount to pay for one?
There are more torn up, project C4s around for $3500. Sometimes less, but very rare. I sold my 94 project for $3200 in a day.
id like to think that for what I paid(6500) wasn’t too bad of a deal. But it also needed a water pump and heater core, which was the two most expensive things I did on the car. Not looking to make my money back on it, but I wouldn’t want the buyer to flip it on my dime. Atleast if I don’t get what I’m asking for it.
Avacado11, I think you are correct in your pricing after you elaborated on it’s condition. As mentioned it may just be a question of time of the year in your area suppressing the market. If you can afford to hold on to it, sell it in the spring when the market and weather heats up a bit in the Northeast.
I purchased my 1992 Convertible with a hardtop last year for $14K then put another couple grand in wheels and tires that I wanted. I also installed the missing air conditioning parts for another bunch of cash. I love the car and still just have a very little over what it would have cost to just purchase the new LS 3 that was already professionally installed. I had a 2019 C 7 but my wife thought it was "too showy" so I feel i have the best of both worlds, a great looking car with all the power I can ever use for not a lot of money. My way of saying it is hard to put a value that applies to all C 4's.
Avacado11, I think you are correct in your pricing after you elaborated on it’s condition. As mentioned it may just be a question of time of the year in your area suppressing the market. If you can afford to hold on to it, sell it in the spring when the market and weather heats up a bit in the Northeast.
That’s the plan now. Just want to make sure I’m not being the unreasonable one here asking too much for my car.
my only worry is that come spring time I won’t have the time to sell it. But that’s a problem for another day.
Pricing/values are closely related to the area the car is located in. C4s are not rare and there are a ton for sale all over the country. Even ZR1's, CE's, GS's, 35th's can be found any day of the week. Now, if you want something in good shape, reasonable miles, popular color combo, 6spd, etc. prepare to pay up. As everyone knows the collector & enthusiast car market is hot right. For C4s, the later body style 6spd cars tend to bring a premium. Regular nice condition automatic coupes will run $3K - $7K for all years. Add a little more for a convertible. Regular early C4 manuals will run $4K - $7K. Regular later C4 manuals will run $7K - $12K. Add more convertibles and add more if you seeking out one of the specials editions above. ZR1's are in a C4 class all their own.
Here in MA you can't touch a decent C4 for less than $7K. Anything less is a project or a parts car. Nice ones, even nothing special autos are $10K+.
Same here in NY. That was the case when I brought my C4. First one was a paper weight for $3000. Sold for $3200 after putting $200 worth of parts into it to no avail. Torn seats, didn’t start, peeling clear coat. Sold it within a day.
Second C4, this one I have now, listed $7500. Paid $6500. Supposedly “needs nothing” but indeed needed water pump, heater core, and the seats needed reupholstering. Ended up doing a ton of more stuff to sort it out and make it a reliable daily - with no intention to sell it anytime soon.
I’m hoping the market picks back up noticeably during the spring time. My only worry is that just because these cars are listed at X amount, what do they actually sell for. By that point I may be very motivated to sell. I barley have time now, I definitely won’t have time in the spring.
As we come up to 2022 what are C4s fetching these days?
KBB/NADA/Hagerty values them around the $7k mark. But we all know those book values are just benchmarks.
a friend swears that C4 are only $3500 cars and the only reason they are high is due to the chip shortage.
I beg to differ because IMO the C4 is far too old to be affected by a new car shortage. As in someone who can’t get their hands on a C8 is more likely in the market for a C7, not a C4. There is no shortage of C4s.
That being said, I’m looking to let my C4 go for something practical. I listed for $5900, car is in working order and nice shape. It is less than I paid. Highest real cash offer I got was $4000. Highest trade offer was a $4500 bmw. But then again it’s the beginning of winter here.
now I know we are all C4 enthusiasts on here so we are willing to pay a little more for something we want, but what do you think is a fair price to pay for a driver grade, sorted working 91 C4 base/auto with 107k miles?
I paid $3500 for my base '90 automatic.
At the end of the day a car is only worth what it's worth to a buyer.
Most 4 sale ads disagree, pick a yr. They are all rare dont miss your opportunity! LOL
Theres always someone who found the right buyer who paid a ton but so many ads are bsers flippers casting bait.
Doesnt mean the values are increasing a bit. Nobody wants to post what they bought or sold thiers for not sure what the mystery is there.
I'm in the same boat as you, OP - confused about the market and pricing.
I'm in CT and most listings I see for nice C4s seem to run in the $7K-$10K range - more for immaculate cars, of course. Anything lower then that is either an early stripper car, or needs work. Much as I dearly love mine, I don't really have as much time for it as I'd like and I'd rather have all of our cars garaged - one currently lives outside, and there's been a lengthy rash of car break-ins in our area. And my kids might appreciate a couple grand in their college funds more than watching me drive it.
Anyway, I impulse listed it back in October for $7500 - a smidge less than I paid in 2018. Yes, it's the wrong time to try to sell, but I thought it was a reasonable starting price. It's a high mileage '96, but well-sorted and in very clean condition (minor paint flaws, could use floor mats, no major mechanical issues). There's a minor oil leak of some kind and the heater doesn't work, but it's a summer car here - who cares about the heater, I thought. I probably would have taken $6750 or something if that was on the table.
Yet the only real interest I got was from a guy who wanted to talk down into the $5k range because he'd read the heater repair could run $1200-$1500, and wanted to fully deduct that cost. Only two other BS inquiries. So maybe all those other C4s I'm seeing listed aren't selling at those prices, or maybe it's just not gonna move in the fall. I dunno. I'm going to reevaluate in the spring and see if I can even convince myself that I still want to let her go in the first place...
I'm in the same boat as you, OP - confused about the market and pricing.
I'm in CT and most listings I see for nice C4s seem to run in the $7K-$10K range - more for immaculate cars, of course. Anything lower then that is either an early stripper car, or needs work. Much as I dearly love mine, I don't really have as much time for it as I'd like and I'd rather have all of our cars garaged - one currently lives outside, and there's been a lengthy rash of car break-ins in our area. And my kids might appreciate a couple grand in their college funds more than watching me drive it.
Anyway, I impulse listed it back in October for $7500 - a smidge less than I paid in 2018. Yes, it's the wrong time to try to sell, but I thought it was a reasonable starting price. It's a high mileage '96, but well-sorted and in very clean condition (minor paint flaws, could use floor mats, no major mechanical issues). There's a minor oil leak of some kind and the heater doesn't work, but it's a summer car here - who cares about the heater, I thought. I probably would have taken $6750 or something if that was on the table.
Yet the only real interest I got was from a guy who wanted to talk down into the $5k range because he'd read the heater repair could run $1200-$1500, and wanted to fully deduct that cost. Only two other BS inquiries. So maybe all those other C4s I'm seeing listed aren't selling at those prices, or maybe it's just not gonna move in the fall. I dunno. I'm going to reevaluate in the spring and see if I can even convince myself that I still want to let her go in the first place...
Honestly mileage can be a big factor, also anything that doesn't work, heater, or air conditioning, minor blemishes all detract from value. plus, the amount of time the car can be driven in the northeast is not a great selling point.
If you add up the price you would pay to get the car back in driver condition, "everything works as it should" then 7500.00 is not out of the question, unless your mileage is over the magical 100k mark, in which its usually a tough sell.
Right now Grand Sports, ZR1 cars, some special edition type cars, LT4 cars, convertible cars with manual gear boxes, are bringing the most at auction.
C4 values in 2022
