Hey guys, im new to the forum and just had some small questions. Im looking to buy a C4 vette in abt 6 months as my first project and just wanted to get some more info from people who actually get their hands dirty at home just in terms of the ease of work for someone who hasnt done large projects yet and just any general advice you all may have. Thanks!

 

Budget about three times what you think it will cost in terms of money and time.
It still won't be enough, but that's the best advice I have for you.

 

My advice is to look for a great C4 in great shape that is about 5K more than you ever wanted to spend. The 5k will quickly turn into the better deal when compared to a "project". Dan

 

Totally agree!!!

 

I'd add the advice of spending the next 6 months reading threads here. Based on what you see, decide if you want to join in on the 'fun'.

It's been said many times that these C4s are all approaching 40+ years old - there will be issues with all of them. Prepare yourself for that.

 

I did this same thing about a year ago. If your goal is a long term project then a cheaper car may be in order but if you don't want to spend the next few years making a basket case an acceptable car then spend the money for one in better condition from the beginning. As was said above, all of them are prone to having issues, even one that seems to be in exceptional condition, you are going to have to spend time and money on it to correct the old parts issues.

From my own experience and my opinion only, find a car that has been used regularly instead of one that has been sitting for a decade. Rubber components that see regular use tend to old up better than ones that sit stagnant and harden. My 89 still has the original bushings on the suspension and they are still pliable and not broken or degraded. Paint and interior are where money will fly out of the budget, you can drop several thousand on just replacing interior pieces so look for one with minimal issues. A 10k C4 with bad paint is not a good buy unless you can paint it yourself. A car with body damage can be a large expense, the SMC repair isn't bad but cost to paint makes it a whole lot more expensive.

Lastly, and perhaps the most important, if you can do the work yourself and have the space and tools then you are golden, if you have pay someone to do the work, it is cost prohibitive. These cars are not hard to work on, they did cram a lot of stuff into a small space but most of it isn't too bad to deal with. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past year working on mine.

 

I think some of the fun of owning a Corvette is lost if all you ever do is look at it while you are working on it. I said 5k but, as you know, 5k ain't what it used to be. Dan

 

thanks for all the advice i will take it into consideration when deciding what listing to pull the trigger on

 

First, find a car that spent its life inside. The sun will kill the paint and interior, which are the two most important and expensive items to most folks. appearance is everything. Just go to a couple of car shows...its all in the eye of the beholder.

Second, if you can, buy it now...off season. Prices have dumped recently and fewer people are actively looking. Find the best you can and then lowball the guy that needs to unload. Its called "the hunt". Good luck.