87 C4 Purchase?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2026
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87 C4 Purchase?
Hi All, I'm looking for some help on this. I am considering purchasing an 87 C4 convertible. Seller says all mechanics work perfectly and it has 108k miles on it. It has been garaged its whole life by all 3 past owners. The price is VERY reasonable- asking $5K. But I'm being told to walk away by several telling me to focus on a C5. Saying that C4's had many problems. I am totally new to the ''Corvette World'' but am hooked on this car. Are C4's susceptible to any machinal issues I should worry about?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,315
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From: Brandon Fl
No more than any other 40 year old car. I've owned my car since 1997 and while I'm a modifier and the car hasn't been stock since 2007 I've never experienced any issues other than normal car issues. My dad bought his in 1998 and again, other than normal old car stuff. No problems
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 6,510
From: Melbourne, FL
C4 vs C5 is a totally different car IMO. The C5 has way more ability to make power, and is way more performance all around stock vs stock. A decent one is also at least $15-20k
It depends on what you want. A C4 isn't going to set you on fire performance wise. It's not as comfortable or as easy to live with day to day. It has more electronic issues, but probably less mechanical.
IMO, it's a question of budget, and goals. Either car you better be willing to invest in learning to work on cars or they're gonna be very expensive for you. Just the nature of cars that are 20+ years old, or in the case of this C4, 40.
It depends on what you want. A C4 isn't going to set you on fire performance wise. It's not as comfortable or as easy to live with day to day. It has more electronic issues, but probably less mechanical.
IMO, it's a question of budget, and goals. Either car you better be willing to invest in learning to work on cars or they're gonna be very expensive for you. Just the nature of cars that are 20+ years old, or in the case of this C4, 40.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
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You will be happy, I had C4 for 23 years, and was very happy with it, wish I still had it, put C6 was calling my name.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 13
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
1987 doesn't have any particular problems with the exception of a few things that are out of production, like the ABS pump, but there are plenty of used parts available if you can't find new. The L98 is reliable... cars with maintenance histories available are best.
I bought my 87 convertible (automatic) in August, and have driven it 11,000 miles so far, with no roadside issues or stranding incidents. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, shocks, instrument cluster,and EGR before I started driving it regularly.
This generation of C4 is my favorite. Later Corvettes are better performers, as is each new successive Corvette generation, but from an exterior and interior design perspective, this is my favorite of all Corvettes, specifically the 84-89 interior and 84-90 exterior.
Plastic pieces on the dash and console do break and rattle, but new replacements are available. My car rattled most from the dry rotted bushings in the original shocks. Once I replaced them with Bilstein B6s, it quested it down and really helped make it drive better.
If you work on your own car, C4s are great.
I bought my 87 convertible (automatic) in August, and have driven it 11,000 miles so far, with no roadside issues or stranding incidents. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, shocks, instrument cluster,and EGR before I started driving it regularly.
This generation of C4 is my favorite. Later Corvettes are better performers, as is each new successive Corvette generation, but from an exterior and interior design perspective, this is my favorite of all Corvettes, specifically the 84-89 interior and 84-90 exterior.
Plastic pieces on the dash and console do break and rattle, but new replacements are available. My car rattled most from the dry rotted bushings in the original shocks. Once I replaced them with Bilstein B6s, it quested it down and really helped make it drive better.
If you work on your own car, C4s are great.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 492
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I have an 88, so pretty close to 87. Honestly, most people get these cars because they like them, not because they need them! Which car do you like better? For me it was about a specific time and place and era, so late 80's C4 for me. If I prioritized performance or modernity, it would be C6/C7. If I just needed a car, I'd get a Honda/Toyota and ride anonymously (but reliably) into the sunset.. 
I've done all my repairs myself and there have been quite a few things I've done but I was looking for a project and paid a project car price. Lots of things you can do yourself on this car and it's great to learn.
Which one do you like Sharky?
I've done all my repairs myself and there have been quite a few things I've done but I was looking for a project and paid a project car price. Lots of things you can do yourself on this car and it's great to learn.
Which one do you like Sharky?
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
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Sounds good to this C3 guy....
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Melting Slicks
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ANY and ALL vehicles that are 40 years old are way beyond their design life and will have issues. A 87 convertible for $5k sounds like a good deal.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Melbourne, FL
That all said, for $5k you're not gonna get something as cool (frankly period) and more reliable. $5k doesn't get you much these days.
Safety Car
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From: Indianapolis IN
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I've owned an 87 and currently own an 86. As far as I'm concerned, these cars are the bomb! Very few problems and easy to fix IF you have to work on it. Nab that 87 and post back here once it's in your garage!!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 521
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From: CenTex
Hi All, I'm looking for some help on this. I am considering purchasing an 87 C4 convertible. Seller says all mechanics work perfectly and it has 108k miles on it. It has been garaged its whole life by all 3 past owners. The price is VERY reasonable- asking $5K. But I'm being told to walk away by several telling me to focus on a C5. Saying that C4's had many problems. I am totally new to the ''Corvette World'' but am hooked on this car. Are C4's susceptible to any machinal issues I should worry about?
I would grab it, but, if you plan on paying a mechanic to work on it instead of you working on then it is probably a poor choice of car. Things will need attention, things will break, this is no big deal if you do all of the work yourself but if you cannot do all of the work yourself a C4 will eat your lunch. If you can find a mechanic who will work on an 80's car that will be a great find, most won't touch them. When you do find someone to work on it, the monetary hits will make you hate the car. If you can do the repairs and maintenance yourself, and enjoy wrenching, these cars are fantastic. I am not sure you can buy an 80's car that is a better driver and a more fun car for $5k.
Early C5's have their own issues that have to be dealt with and a C5 for under $10k (in my area) is a car to avoid unless you like projects because it will be beat to death. The C5 is superior in most ways but it is not the same when it comes to driving experience. A C4 is still fairly easy to work on, and there aren't really that many issues with them, and what issues that do arise can be fixed and most parts are still available, mostly.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 310
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From: VT
i'd highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the driver information display. various displays will come on at the key on/no start condition, and then will go out
when the car is started. for instance, the abs light should illuminate at key on and then go out when the car starts. if It doesn't come on, there may be no reset on the abs system. to hide that fact, the fuse can be pulled to stop the light from illuminating at key on.
also, check every electrical function: power locks, power windows, seats, mirrors, etc. including the muti-function display. this is where you can read oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp, system voltage, etc, etc. there are 2 functions per display, toggle between each. look inside the overflow reservoir looking for oily sludge (head gasket), pull the dipstick before the car is started, looking for coolant. all these things. good luck.
when the car is started. for instance, the abs light should illuminate at key on and then go out when the car starts. if It doesn't come on, there may be no reset on the abs system. to hide that fact, the fuse can be pulled to stop the light from illuminating at key on.
also, check every electrical function: power locks, power windows, seats, mirrors, etc. including the muti-function display. this is where you can read oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp, system voltage, etc, etc. there are 2 functions per display, toggle between each. look inside the overflow reservoir looking for oily sludge (head gasket), pull the dipstick before the car is started, looking for coolant. all these things. good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
I would grab it, but, if you plan on paying a mechanic to work on it instead of you working on then it is probably a poor choice of car. Things will need attention, things will break, this is no big deal if you do all of the work yourself but if you cannot do all of the work yourself a C4 will eat your lunch. If you can find a mechanic who will work on an 80's car that will be a great find, most won't touch them. When you do find someone to work on it, the monetary hits will make you hate the car. If you can do the repairs and maintenance yourself, and enjoy wrenching, these cars are fantastic. I am not sure you can buy an 80's car that is a better driver and a more fun car for $5k.
Early C5's have their own issues that have to be dealt with and a C5 for under $10k (in my area) is a car to avoid unless you like projects because it will be beat to death. The C5 is superior in most ways but it is not the same when it comes to driving experience. A C4 is still fairly easy to work on, and there aren't really that many issues with them, and what issues that do arise can be fixed and most parts are still available, mostly.
Early C5's have their own issues that have to be dealt with and a C5 for under $10k (in my area) is a car to avoid unless you like projects because it will be beat to death. The C5 is superior in most ways but it is not the same when it comes to driving experience. A C4 is still fairly easy to work on, and there aren't really that many issues with them, and what issues that do arise can be fixed and most parts are still available, mostly.
I am hoping that this car is an automatic, the 4+3 is something to stay away from, i had one and while it was troube free, I was very relieved when I sold it.