I hate my vette
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 48,767
Likes: 50
St. Jude Donor '03, '17
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by rickthejetman
i'm done i cant take it anymore i've had my 86 for a year now and it has been in my garage broken more than i have driven it.if its not electrical problems its leaking something or vibrating something.everytime i fix one thing something else breaks. and yes i am a good mech. have been an airplane mech for years. i can make 20 million dollar airplanes fly but i cant keep my pos vette on the road. i have loved vettes since i was a little kid this is my first one.my dad had a 78 i thought it was the coolest car ever.but this c4 is the biggest piece of junk i have ever owned.so if anyone wants a 86 coupe with brand new everything and gremlins. let me know i'm going to buy something that eats rice and lasts forever.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
I must be blessed 
my 87 with 102,000 miles on it has been realitively
problem free, of course I'm at an age where I don't beat it-been there done that. And with the new paint job looks great. Once vetttes get in your blood-it's there to stay! This is my third. Make the list of things that NEED to be done and a list of things you'd like to do-take the needs first-but throw in a few likes now and then. My 62 was a complete body off-ground up project, a little on the wild side too, my 64 was quite a project also-but you know what? nothing is more rewarding when you're done-take the breath.
my 87 with 102,000 miles on it has been realitivelyproblem free, of course I'm at an age where I don't beat it-been there done that. And with the new paint job looks great. Once vetttes get in your blood-it's there to stay! This is my third. Make the list of things that NEED to be done and a list of things you'd like to do-take the needs first-but throw in a few likes now and then. My 62 was a complete body off-ground up project, a little on the wild side too, my 64 was quite a project also-but you know what? nothing is more rewarding when you're done-take the breath.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
Hang in their pal.
I've owned several Vettes.They all leaked,rattled and were not the best built.
Fast Fwd 20 years and I own an 85.Yep,leaks & rattles and the electrical short in the dash drives me crazy( The lights are now back after 8 weeks!!).
But,at the end of the day,it's a VETTE and anyone who doesn't have one,wants one.
Once a Vette owner,always a Vette owner.
But if you really HATE IT >>sell it dirt cheap or give it away and make someone happy.
On the RICE comment,as a former racer( see bio) I helped Honda in 98/99 with the development of the S2000( S2K) roadster.Great car.I test drove it many,many miles.I drive an '03 daily.It runs great and turns a lot of heads,BUT not like a Vette!!
S2k during the week and C4 on the weekend.Best of Both worlds....
\db2
Carolina
I've owned several Vettes.They all leaked,rattled and were not the best built.
Fast Fwd 20 years and I own an 85.Yep,leaks & rattles and the electrical short in the dash drives me crazy( The lights are now back after 8 weeks!!).
But,at the end of the day,it's a VETTE and anyone who doesn't have one,wants one.
Once a Vette owner,always a Vette owner.
But if you really HATE IT >>sell it dirt cheap or give it away and make someone happy.
On the RICE comment,as a former racer( see bio) I helped Honda in 98/99 with the development of the S2000( S2K) roadster.Great car.I test drove it many,many miles.I drive an '03 daily.It runs great and turns a lot of heads,BUT not like a Vette!!
S2k during the week and C4 on the weekend.Best of Both worlds....
\db2
Carolina
Last edited by dbaker; Feb 25, 2006 at 04:27 PM. Reason: add text
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
From: Westfield MA
Originally Posted by CT54531
Luck of the draw.
I've got an '87 that I've owned since new and it's been the most trouble free vehicle I've ever owned. In the almost twenty years, if memory serves, I've replaced the alternator (and after the fact am not sure it was necessary) and replaced the MAF sensor (also unnecessary as it was a relay problem.) Other than my hood cable breaking recently, it's been a pleasure to own. And, yes, it was a daily driver for many years though not so much now.
Of course, I also have a '65 Triumph TR4A so maybe I'm spolied.
Jim
I've got an '87 that I've owned since new and it's been the most trouble free vehicle I've ever owned. In the almost twenty years, if memory serves, I've replaced the alternator (and after the fact am not sure it was necessary) and replaced the MAF sensor (also unnecessary as it was a relay problem.) Other than my hood cable breaking recently, it's been a pleasure to own. And, yes, it was a daily driver for many years though not so much now.
Of course, I also have a '65 Triumph TR4A so maybe I'm spolied.
Jim
I also turn wrenches on aircraft for a living. I got my A & P mech license in 1968. I spent the first ten years working on large fixed wing aircraft and switched to large, multi-engine helicopters back in '78. If there ever was a machine invented that will constantly try to destroy itself, its a large helicopter. Most helicopters are VERY high maintenance machines, so the minor gremlins I encounter on my cars are miniscule compared with the stuff I deal with every day at work. I actually look forward to solving problems on my cars. Don't give up on your Corvette. Its a much simpler machine than the aircraft you work on. Its simply a matter of diagnosing the problem, studying the maintenance manuals, and then taking your time to fix it correctly. Sooner or later you will have fixed all the problems and will be enjoying your car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
One of the MAIN reasons I started this hobby was the problems I would encounter. I enjoy solving them and you are correct: sometimes they never seem to stop.
You are right: these cars are not for everyone.......
You are right: these cars are not for everyone.......
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Glen Rock PA.
Been there done that
I know where your comeing from, my first vette was a 67 i bought in 69 it was a 427 390 HP with 15K blew engine at 25K put in a L88 short blk and sold at a loss in 71, yow i know should have kept it,2nd was a 74 with with leakinfg t-tops and low comp engine, my 3rd was a new 01 Z06, it ran nice, but started useing a quart of oil every 700 miles, went to arbitration with the chevy local region manager and they overhauled the bottom end, i wanted a different car it only had 1800 miles when it was overhauled, got it back and took a vac. to fl. while i was there i traded it off on a 98 viper with 4K on it the vette at the time had 3500K and used 1 quart so far, my last vette is a 85 that turned into a money pit i just put 3K into it for a miss nobody could find they replaced every thing that you can bolt on ecm,aic,ocy,sensor, alt, starter,every sensor it had to no advail had it at 3 shops finally a friend took it home and found out it was a bad harmonic bal. $45,00 part,runs fine , then the rad. started leaking replaced it then wouldt you know the frigging heater core went bad pissed on my carpet fixed it my self, boy is it tight under the dash, well i guess i vented long enough, VIPERS RULE
Last edited by 46snake; Feb 26, 2006 at 11:30 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by VetNutJim
Working on my Vette is entertainment for me and great therapy.
There is no other car I would spend this much time with. THese things are so beautuful. I just love to look at and admire mine. Even when they act up a little and are sick. I ALWAYS look back at mine when I walk away from it and admire its sleek lines and agressive look and its graceful design and . . . . .
Engine accessories, water pump, bearings, brakes, battery, universal joints, tires. That's about it. Same as any other car.
Some people just never fix things as they break. If you got one of these cars then it's an uphill climb for about 6 months. Then you start going downhill fixing the small stuff. It takes awhile repairing all the things that were ignored in the cars life.
My '84 was an abused 'child'. Never got any TLC. Until I got it.
Spent about THREE times as much on it as it's worth. But it's not for sale and won't be in my lifetime.
Now it's perfect, looks brandy new, everything works and I drive it and park it. It needs very little attention now and it is GREAT at 149,000 miles, original engine & tranny.
Most effort it takes now is washing and detailing and change oil every 3k.
Ditto on my '91.
I bought a new one (Z06) but it certainly has been boring.
Just drive it and clean it. Not much time is spent with it.
Corvettes are a HOBBY, NOT transportation.
There is no other car I would spend this much time with. THese things are so beautuful. I just love to look at and admire mine. Even when they act up a little and are sick. I ALWAYS look back at mine when I walk away from it and admire its sleek lines and agressive look and its graceful design and . . . . .
Engine accessories, water pump, bearings, brakes, battery, universal joints, tires. That's about it. Same as any other car.
Some people just never fix things as they break. If you got one of these cars then it's an uphill climb for about 6 months. Then you start going downhill fixing the small stuff. It takes awhile repairing all the things that were ignored in the cars life.
My '84 was an abused 'child'. Never got any TLC. Until I got it.
Spent about THREE times as much on it as it's worth. But it's not for sale and won't be in my lifetime.
Now it's perfect, looks brandy new, everything works and I drive it and park it. It needs very little attention now and it is GREAT at 149,000 miles, original engine & tranny.
Most effort it takes now is washing and detailing and change oil every 3k.
Ditto on my '91.
I bought a new one (Z06) but it certainly has been boring.
Just drive it and clean it. Not much time is spent with it.
Corvettes are a HOBBY, NOT transportation.
I am starting to get a little depressed as I know it is getting near the end of what I need to fix.It has been frustrating and fun to get it running like it should but I won't know what to do when it is as good as it can be.Hmmm mabey I will buy one in worse condition just to have something to get me out of the house but I do not look forward to spending the money
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Originally Posted by rickthejetman
i'm done i cant take it anymore i've had my 86 for a year now and it has been in my garage broken more than i have driven it.
Rick, you'd really hate C3 ownership. I owned an '81 (four-speed manual) for 11 years. I'd fix one thing and something else would go wrong. When I moved to an '86 convertible last year, my problems went away. C4's are so much better in terms of fit, finish and construction. Perhaps I got lucky and found a well maintained car. The only work I'm planning this spring is weatherstripping, new tires and a rag top replacement.