Sorry if this is out there already but I could not find another post like it.

Don't tell anyone, but I am thinking of defecting from my current Porsche 928 to a C4. I was hoping I could get some insights from the board with regards to model recommendations. Yes, I know it all depends so here are some thoughts:

-I am going to spend a max of 15k, and I probably should set some aside (2-3k) for those inevitable new ownership gotchas
-I like to do some of the easy (and sometimes not so easy) tasks myself...are any particular years easier or harder to work on? Any years to avoid?
-Raw performance is not an issue. I won't quibble over more HP here or there, but I do not want a dog.
-My 928 right now is a '79 and I am getting kind of tired of age related issues. Some good reliability would be nice for a change.
-Durability is important. I have no idea what consitutes 'high mileage' or not. 928 engines can go over 250k+ if maintained...Any idea when you will be looking at engine/transmission etc...swaps based on mileage?
-I really don't care about collectability and all that. I have always liked Corvettes...


Many thanks to all.


Brian Gaffney
bgaffney@us.ibm.com

 

You can easily find a nice late model c4 for 15k in great shape...check the for -sale section on the forum....If you want my real honest opinion.....I would step up to a c5...if your looking to get into mods eventually...its getting harder and harder to get shops to work on C4 corvettes...they just don't want the business....and the LS1 is more popular then ever.....I'm thinking the LT1 Vette is the most pain in the *** car to work on accroding to shops....funny though cameros and firebirds seem to have to problems getting mods for their LT1 engines.......Anyways....to get back on track....You can also check out Vettfinders.com....they have a great selection you can look at....I know some people here posted that their vettes are running strong 200k + miles....Any car can run that way if you take care of it....My 4 Runner has 227k+ miles on the original engine and 5spd tranny and clutch has been replaced once....

Get a carfax before any purchase

As far as things to watch out for....which i am sure people will add in..

Assuming its a higher mileage Vette 60k+ Check for

1). Leaky weatherstripping
2). Replacing the Optispark
3). CD player
4). Shocks
5). Plugs/Wires
6). Make sure the rear hatch buttons work(drivers door, center console buttons)

Good luck on your decision...you won't be disappointed.....

 

I woulda suggest getting a 94-96 car but if you can get a 95 or 96. If you want a manual the manual cars in 96 had 30 more hp (it was called the lt4 motor not the lt1) but if you want a auto a 95 or 96 either one is fine it's the same car.

However, for 15k even if you are just wanting a coupe that pretty much rules out a lt4 car or a low mile late lt1 convertible/coupe. For 15k a 92-94 lt1 coupe should be the ticket I think 15k should get you a nice one in that range!

GL on the search

 

Congratulations! Another Porsche owner sees the light. Twice the horsepower for half the price!!

For that investment you should be able to get a nice Vette from 92-96. Above posts contain a lot of important info. I think the 94-96 had the passenger air bag. 92-96 have driver air bags, of course.
Forthe safety conscious. (sp)

Bob

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I will post back in here when I make the change.

A couple of follow ons...

1) I am especially interested in that comment about the LT1 being a PITA to work on. One of my reasons for liking the C4 so much is that with the clam shell design, doing routine maintenance has got to be a joy relative to working on just about any other car where you just don't have that sort of access. Is there something I should know?

2) I do think the styling is better on the C5, for my taste. It is just that it seems a 97/98 is going to be at least 20K...Do you think when the C6 is out that the C5's will take a little drop?

Thanks folks. I do love my 928 but I have to admit is a love/hate thing! 25 year old wiring is just not fun...

Brian

 

I think that for $15k and pulling back $1k-$2k, you are looking at a nice '88-'89 Vette. Both years have the improved L98, improved steering and 17" wheels (with the Z51 & Z52 options in '88 and stock in '89). A 6-speed tranny was available in '89 and the 4+3 in '88. A targa top and a convertable were available in both years. The L98 came with 240 or 245 chp in these years and can be easily bumped to close to 300chp with simple bolt on mods, including exhaust mods. Both years came with form fitting seats, had a tilt & tele wheel (no air bag till '90) and '89 was the last year of the digi-dash.

I suggest you get a copy of the "Corvette Black Book" to see what options were available across the years. You might find a "gotta have" in there.

The May, 2004 issue of Vette magazine (www.vetteweb.com/) has a pricing guide.

To help you decide, try on several to see what "fits". My personal preference would be an '89 roadster with 6-speed, though I now own an '88 35th anna with an A4 tranny. Whichever you decide on, it will be a great driving experience.

BTW, I now have 145k miles on my '88 (I've put 50k of those on in the 4+yrs I've owned it), with quite a few 1/4 mile at a time, and the engine is still pulling strong. I had the A4 rebuilt with performance parts a few years ago when some performance mods were being done to it; total cost was $1,400. I expect the engine to go over 200k miles before a rebuild is required to maintain acceptable performance.

Good luck and enjoy your hunt for your new Vette.

 

I have sold a few Vettes to Porsche enthusiasts before. They were really interested in two options.
First is the 6-speed manual transmission (available `89-`96, designed and produced by Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen of West Germany).
Second, are the optional off road racing suspension packages. `84-`90 has the Z-51 package and `91-`95 has the Z-07 package.
Z-51 is a heavy duty suspension with heavy duty brakes (`88 and newer), thicker sway bars, stiffer springs, ect... Basiclly ment for off road racing or more aggressive driving.
The Z-07 is basiclly the same but with adjustible shock absorbers.
The C4 was initally designed to be a better track (suspension) car than previous Corvettes and used the Porsche as a milestone to pass. This is why most people prefer the C5s over the C4s, because the C4s are "too stiff".

 

Good info so far. Let me chip in here to say "buy a convertible". Dang they are fun! You just can't beat top-down cruizin. Here is a nice place to look too
www.corvettetrader.com
Looking forward to some pics of that new Vette. As they say, "Wrap your azz in fiberglazz!"

 

I'd look for a 90 zr1. I've seen them with ~20k miles going for around 20k, so you may be able to find a higher milage car for 15. Second choice would be a 96 lt4. You should be able to find one with 80k or more miles for under 15k.

Whatever you decide on, I suggest you drive several cars to get a feel for how good of shape they are in.

Here's a good search site:

www.cars.com

 

theres nothing like cruising in a vette with the top down!

 

Accessability is not the problem on the C4, packaging is. As with any modern car, they are densely packed in the engine bay,and as one other current thread has said, "removing any component requires the removal of three other components first..."
There aren't many 8-15year old cars that won't need some work, and the Corvette has it's foibles. The good news is that the basic mechanicals are very robust and MAJOR items are very reliable. With reasonable care, the drivetrain should go 200K miles.
Welcome to the family.

Larry