Newbie Advice requested
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Newbie Advice requested
Greetings - I'm hoping to finally get my first 'vette shortly. The car I'm considering is an '84, 48K, automatic. Car appears very clean and well taken care of, but what do I know. The owner feels the value is $8K +/- (there is a cycle/'vette trade involved here). The only thing that has me bugged is that he says the heat and A/C have been "disconnected" - not sure exactly what that means. Says they worked fine but he was looking for more power? Does that make even a little bit of sense?
Any genereal thoughts on the '84, the pricing, things to watch out for, and especially this heat/air thing?
Thanks
Any genereal thoughts on the '84, the pricing, things to watch out for, and especially this heat/air thing?
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
I think you are about to get hosed. 8 grand is too much and this disconnected heater/ac is highly suspect. If the AC is kaput, you are looking at a grand to fix unless you do it yourself. Also, I would recommend a 87 thru 89 model. They are some of the best years for the L98 s. I have an 86 z51 coupe and it is great but I wish I had bought an 89. Take your time and look around before you buy. Vettes are great cars but they are fairly sophisticated and expensive to repair.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
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From: Madison Mississippi
Originally Posted by dwestsr
I think you are about to get hosed. 8 grand is too much and this disconnected heater/ac is highly suspect. If the AC is kaput, you are looking at a grand to fix unless you do it yourself. Also, I would recommend a 87 thru 89 model. They are some of the best years for the L98 s. I have an 86 z51 coupe and it is great but I wish I had bought an 89. Take your time and look around before you buy. Vettes are great cars but they are fairly sophisticated and expensive to repair.
Excellent advice!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11,108
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From: Behind The Redwood Curtain, The State of Jefferson
Accesories siphon horsepower, from what I've read. That's why they sell that undersized crank shaft pulley and AIR pump removal pulley, etc. 8k seems high to me, although it is low in miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
1984 is the only C4 with the Cross Fire Injection motor (also available on the 1982). This motor is a very weak performer and difficult to modify. Also, the 84's suspension (even the base suspension) was VERY stiff. As for the heater/ A/C disconnect, the heater would have no effect on HP at all, the A/C some. Ask to have them reconnected before making any commitment to make sure they work.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Langley B.C.
Originally Posted by dwestsr
I think you are about to get hosed. 8 grand is too much and this disconnected heater/ac is highly suspect. If the AC is kaput, you are looking at a grand to fix unless you do it yourself. Also, I would recommend a 87 thru 89 model. They are some of the best years for the L98 s. I have an 86 z51 coupe and it is great but I wish I had bought an 89. Take your time and look around before you buy. Vettes are great cars but they are fairly sophisticated and expensive to repair.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
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From: Schmuckville SA
8k seems high to me too.
Everything should work perfect for that kind of money...
Make sure the disconnected heat isnt really a leaking heater core
and that the disconnected AC isnt really a blown compressor...
The Crossfire is really not that bad of a motor, it is better than
its reputation.. A few forum members have them and swear by them
and they are not as slow as poeple would have you think.
Biggest issue is a restrictive intake which can be helped fairly easily.
But for 8 grand you get into a decent 86-87... Chew him down..
Everything should work perfect for that kind of money...
Make sure the disconnected heat isnt really a leaking heater core
and that the disconnected AC isnt really a blown compressor...
The Crossfire is really not that bad of a motor, it is better than
its reputation.. A few forum members have them and swear by them
and they are not as slow as poeple would have you think.
Biggest issue is a restrictive intake which can be helped fairly easily.
But for 8 grand you get into a decent 86-87... Chew him down..
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
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From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
These days you can get a medium to high-mileage 90-94 for 8K. I think the price is way too high, especially since he doesn't seem to know what's been disconnected. I'd say go look somewhere else.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
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From: Mandeville, LA / Clemson, SC
Originally Posted by 6t9l4t6
1984 is the only C4 with the Cross Fire Injection motor (also available on the 1982). This motor is a very weak performer and difficult to modify. Also, the 84's suspension (even the base suspension) was VERY stiff. As for the heater/ A/C disconnect, the heater would have no effect on HP at all, the A/C some. Ask to have them reconnected before making any commitment to make sure they work.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I'd walk. There's way too many nice 'Vettes out there (including enthusiastically mantained ones on THIS Forum to get burned on a less-than-ideal C4.)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
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Originally Posted by onedef92
I'd walk. There's way too many nice 'Vettes out there (including enthusiastically mantained ones on THIS Forum to get burned on a less-than-ideal C4.)
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Make like a fall tree and leave. Not to say the 84 was not a fine work of art but there are too many excellent buys in the 88-89 range to consider any thing older. Keep looking,your passion is out there some where.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
The 1984 is popular enough, and seems like a solid Vette from what other owners have said. If that's the model you like you should get one, but you should not pay more the 5K for it unless its pristine.... Ebay will give you a very good idea of what the 84's are worth.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 153
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From: Boise ID
First off buying any vette is an awesome experience. Just shopping for it is a rush. Sometimes emotion will take over common sense so good for you for seeking advice. I think the price is alittle high for that car and with the environmentals OTS I would want a big drop in the price. Also, for that amount a newer model with everything working could be had. Good luck
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 18
From: Somerset PA
I'd have to agree with everyone else as well. I just bought an 89 coupe for a little over $7000. It does have higher miles, but I think it's worth it...
Either talk him down in price, or look around a little more.
Either talk him down in price, or look around a little more.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Thanks Everyone
Thanks to all for your comments and opinions. 
Given that I know pretty much nothing about 'vettes your input is very valuable.
I gues I'll see if I can get the guy to a more realistic value or else walk and keep looking. I've waited this long, a few more months are worth it to make sure I don't screw myself.
Besides, if I buy a "problem child" I'll just end up getting rid of it for "health reasons" (my wife will kill me).
Thanks again,
Bob
Given that I know pretty much nothing about 'vettes your input is very valuable. I gues I'll see if I can get the guy to a more realistic value or else walk and keep looking. I've waited this long, a few more months are worth it to make sure I don't screw myself.
Besides, if I buy a "problem child" I'll just end up getting rid of it for "health reasons" (my wife will kill me).
Thanks again,
Bob