Hey i'm a little new to vettes but in general i know a lot about cars mostly imports like 300zx turbo and others like that. I have always loved the favorable curves of the corvette and they seem to be more available to me and more affordable then other cars around this area (washington D.C. Area).

I'm 17 and a half and this car will be my daily driver for a few years. I plan to keep the car pretty much stock and save up for any expensive repairs.

First question i have about 10-13 thousand to spend. From what i researched that should get me like a 90-95 in good conditon with under 70k.

Are these cars reliable? Is the L98 easier to work on then the LT1? Are the 93+ generally more reliable? How is insurance? (I'm guessing its similar to 300zx turbo $2500+ a year) Also how much room is in the hatch because i need to be able to carry 1 or 2 sets of golf clubs because i am an avid golfer. Finnaly what are the most expensive repairs and most costly part about maintence? Since i live in the East i do get a lot of snow but this won't be bad because i can borrow my mom's SUV for inclement weather or even if the corvette isn' up. Also if i don't have enough money to fix the car immeaditatly it wont be so bad ^^. If i think of any more questrions all hit this forum please give as much feedback as possible.

Thank you :chill:

 

If that's the case then I wouldn't worry so much about the reapirs since you'll be doing them yourself.

Welcome to the forum :seeya

Buy the newest low milage car you can find. For 10-13 grand you can probably find an early Lt1 with 70K miles :yesnod:

 

I have a 93. The most expensive repairs on the LT1 are:
Water pump & Optispark (leaking wp will wipe out the opti)
Intake manifold gasket (part is cheap, labor is another story)
I bought mine with 55,000 mile on it in 99 for $18.5k. I have since put on over 100,000 miles, replaced 2 optisparks, 2 water pumps (second one didn't wipe out opti, had it done before the opti got hurt), 1 intake manifold gasket, a/c compressor, etc. They are reliable cars. Go with as new as possible. Good luck!!
:cheers:

 

Yes i would like to restate that i do know a lot of general things abut car's but i don't have the tool's, hands on experience or enough info to do them as of right now. Hopefully in the near future i will have the access and information to do this. Now that i have edited this do local mechanics squeeze as much money out of you just cause there servicing a corvette.

also i found a white 93 49k auto $12.9
and a metalic blue 90 59k for $10.9
and a 85 69k $6.9 (are the 80's ones a lot more prone to problems even with low mileage)

 

Stay as new as you can afford. the 93 is the best of the bunch but I think you can do better. Take your time. If your not sure what to look for ask here if any one is around the area to help you look at it, I'm sure they would help. Yes two bags will fit in a coupe (tight) but a vert........for get about it.

 

If you want an LT1, then you'll need a 92 or later. The 90 and 85 you listed have the L98, which is still a great engine. The 85 isn't as refined, but it still hauls azz.

And there's NOTHING wrong with an 80's model with low mileage :D

Go 85! :flag


[Modified by JSA 007, 8:27 AM 12/10/2003]

 

I got my 85 a year and a half ago, I paid 8K for it, and it had 108K miles on it. Since then, not including fast parts, and mods..this is what Ive had t ofix.

1. Air Injection Reaction Pump - like 75 bucks, 45 minutes to replace

2. Tires--it may be 18 years old, but it'll fry the rubber with the best of em!
1 set of Kumhos (4) P255-55-ZR16 $490 including mounting

3. Weather stripping-expensive, but if you get the good stuff, youll never have to worry about it again. Rear hatch, and front window and front targa peice ($250) had a pro do it, but the stripping will need replacing on most any year of vette, people just dont take care of it.

4. Fog light bulb ($15)

5. Speedo LCD panel (if you keep a coaver over it, your fine, I didnt and paid for it.) 400 bucks

Thats about it, and not bad if Isay so myself.

Ive blew 10 alternators in 9 months, and 7 fuel pump in 2 months.
I jumped a friend off, he cranked his car over b4 I could take off the cables. the next day the alt died, killing the batt. I had them both replaced. They put in a 108 amp alt, it needed a 120. They replaced the alt about every month, until I left them, and had a 140 custom made. The fuel pumps died due to the low voltage output of the incoorect alternators.

The L98 is a very Torquey engine, itll snap your head back with no problem. Its alot of fun to drive o nthe streets. The top end is around 150 stock.
The LT1 has the same torque, ut higher o nthe RPM band, so to get the same snap you have to be able to get higher RPMs faster. Not as fun on the street, but has a higher top end. The L98 doesnt have alot of covers to hid the bold muscle 350. ITs easy to work on. ITs all right there. No opti-spark to fail, just a tried and trued electronic igntion tucked behind the plenum.

Id suggest the 85, get the automatic trany of possible, the stick was crap...

 

Here's a link I had completely forgotten about but saw again in a recent CF thread. It's got a lot of good info and sound advice so check it out:
http://www.c4vettes.com/prepurchase.htm

 

Is this good

http://autotrader.com/findacar/vdeta...lor=&cardist=8

or http://autotrader.com/findacar/vdeta...lor=&cardist=8

also this one is out of my price range but its slick
http://autotrader.com/findacar/vdeta...or=&cardist=68

 

Well, that last one's an LT4 CE. Very :cool:

I think you need to be more specific in what you want. Like what options, such as engine, trans, z51, and even color. You've presented many various options with not much in common. What are you really looking for??

 

Let's see ... when did I quit saying 46 and 1/2 yrs old ...
Anyway, here's my $0.02,
Considering your situation, I'd go with an '85 because of
it's strength, simlplicity, and price. Giving you left over jack for
improvements :D . Once you buy the vette of your choice (check
the vettes for sale here on the forum) the very next thing you do,
no questions asked, is get a helms manual for your vette. Sit down
with a drink of your choice (considering your age that would be iced tea,
my personal favorite, kool-aid,or orange juice) and look thru the manual.
I wish I was in your spot right now! :reddevil