constant repairs?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: constant repairs? (olefam)
I hate to admit it, but I have had my share of problems w/my vette. That being said, it did have 125k on it & was 16 yrs old. I consider my vette a hobby & don't expect it to never break down. I do agree though, that older vettes seem to require a lot of attention. I have a 97 3000GT w/80k on it & have not done anything but new tires & normal maintenance. Conversely, my vette is always trying to challenge me. Coolant leaks, alternator, electrical problems, digital dash issues, hood release issues, window motors going out; the list is too long to mention. I love my vette, but it is a pain in the butt sometimes.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: Hopkinsville KY
Re: constant repairs? (olefam)
I was concerned, as you are, before I bought my first Corvette. But I've been very pleasantly surprised. I've put about 18K miles on my '94. I have done a couple of minor repairs but nothing even close to a major repair. New front tires and shocks are the only items I've had to purchase for it.
Considering everything including the fun factor, this has been the best car purchase I've ever made, my only regret is that I waited until I was 49 years old to do it. Don't make the same mistake.
Considering everything including the fun factor, this has been the best car purchase I've ever made, my only regret is that I waited until I was 49 years old to do it. Don't make the same mistake.
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: constant repairs? (xlr8nflorida)
"Was your opti solid gold for $1,100.00
It should have cost no more then $450"
Took it to a Chevy dealership and had one of the few Corvette certified mechanics in this area do the work based on the advise of a club member - the part plus service ran to 1100. This was on par with the other local Chevy dealers. Many of the club members advised having it done if I was not an experienced mechanic which I am not. Another 40th anniversary member is also replacing his. I found out it is a common problem with the 93 LT1 which Chevy later modified. My starter has also gone out and the mechanic said it was due to the oil leak from the gaskets which is another common LT1 problem. It was re-built and installed for $60. Another club member had to replace the head gaskets on a 87 because they rusted out on him and another had the catalytic converter clog up while we were at Carlisle. So in my club of 100+ members I am hearing a number of reliability problems for anyone with a C4 or older.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Re: constant repairs? (CentralCoaster)
I had a porsche 944 (non turbo) and belonged to the porsche forum. Trust me, on that forum I read more concerns/issues/complaints about reliability and drivability. Let's not even talk about the price of parts. You can get a porsche cheap, but repair costs (at least for the one I had) are high.
One other thing that was unnerving was although it was a 4 cylinder, it had a rubber timing belt that if you didn't replace it regularly and it broke, you would have to replace the bent valves and other engine damage. The price tag for that was 1100 bucks. The 944 I had was only worth 4500 bucks. Not to mention it was slower than a van full of kids on their way to soccer.....
I have had my vette for 2 years, minor maintenance things, and I have put over 50,000 miles on the car....
One other thing that was unnerving was although it was a 4 cylinder, it had a rubber timing belt that if you didn't replace it regularly and it broke, you would have to replace the bent valves and other engine damage. The price tag for that was 1100 bucks. The 944 I had was only worth 4500 bucks. Not to mention it was slower than a van full of kids on their way to soccer.....
I have had my vette for 2 years, minor maintenance things, and I have put over 50,000 miles on the car....
