C4 Corvette Evaluation
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 395
From: Liberty, SC
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta Georgia
QUOTE=DanielGT3 Hey, I'm looking to get a c4 corvette but I don't want to dump a bunch of money into this thing.
t's a 40 year old car. You WILL "dump a bunch of money" into any "$3,800" 40 year old car just to get it to where you can get it to run reliably enough to drive it. Even more if you want to enjoy it.
I can get it for $3,800.
$3,800 is only the opening ante to play with a 40 year old "C4". I'd guess you'll spend at least another 2k just to get it to run right. Then the safety and reliability stuff like tires, battery, who knows what else. Suspension? Shocks? U-joints and wheel bearings? Brake system? Automatic transmission health? Do you do your own work? Are you experienced with "old cars"?
Looking at the dash bezel, straight-out exhaust tips, no 3rd brake light, and cluster graphics it is a 1985. $3,800 is a lot for a 1985 automatic that doesn't run right and needs a steering rack, "and has other quirks".
Is there anything I should watch out for?
I take it that because you're asking, you don't know much about the C4. Do your research. Look at them, drive them, learn about them. Read the forums. Joe K's admonishment is valid: Buy the best, most complete car you can. The 'better' the car you begin with, the less you spend on it to get it to where you can enjoy it.
t's a 40 year old car. You WILL "dump a bunch of money" into any "$3,800" 40 year old car just to get it to where you can get it to run reliably enough to drive it. Even more if you want to enjoy it.
I can get it for $3,800.
$3,800 is only the opening ante to play with a 40 year old "C4". I'd guess you'll spend at least another 2k just to get it to run right. Then the safety and reliability stuff like tires, battery, who knows what else. Suspension? Shocks? U-joints and wheel bearings? Brake system? Automatic transmission health? Do you do your own work? Are you experienced with "old cars"?
Looking at the dash bezel, straight-out exhaust tips, no 3rd brake light, and cluster graphics it is a 1985. $3,800 is a lot for a 1985 automatic that doesn't run right and needs a steering rack, "and has other quirks".
Is there anything I should watch out for?
I take it that because you're asking, you don't know much about the C4. Do your research. Look at them, drive them, learn about them. Read the forums. Joe K's admonishment is valid: Buy the best, most complete car you can. The 'better' the car you begin with, the less you spend on it to get it to where you can enjoy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
