My Poor '86
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville fl
My Poor '86
I am looking to up grade my 86, for a 92-96 vette. My car seems to be to much of a maintence hog, and I would like to trade for a newer car. I found a 94 with a 130000, but I am leary of buying a car with that many miles. My car has 140000 and that really isn't much of an upgrade. The 94 has a great exterior, worn interior, yet has a strong motor. The guy wants 10900 clams which I think is a good deal, but I don't know about the longevity of the LT1. I don't won't to trade my maintence hog for another one. I was wondering would it be in my best interest to pay more for a lower milage car? :confused: :flag
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 843
Likes: 2
From: Nashua New Hampshire
Re: My Poor '86 (Marcum_Marley)
I believe mileage is a bigger contributor to parts failing than age. Just because there isn't anything currently failing with the '94 you're looking at, I'd expect it to really be no different than the '86, since they both have almost the same mileage.
I bought a worn out '86 with 99k. I got a little carried away, and spent about $8,000 in parts (and interior restoration) so far. I've replaced nearly everything that is likely to fail (ball joints, bearings, U-joints, tie rods, water pump, timing chain/gears, valve springs, steering rack, ......). The past 6k miles have been rock solid, and I see no reason not to expect it to continue for quite a while. So I'd suggest you either take a one-time hit and replace many of the likely-to-fail parts on your '86, and ride it for another 100,000 miles, or find a younger car with a lot less mileage. You car may have many parts that have been showing their age. But you know the car. You don't know what you're buying. He might be selling it because the transmission acted funny a couple times, and is trying to get rid of it before it fails obviously.
I bought a worn out '86 with 99k. I got a little carried away, and spent about $8,000 in parts (and interior restoration) so far. I've replaced nearly everything that is likely to fail (ball joints, bearings, U-joints, tie rods, water pump, timing chain/gears, valve springs, steering rack, ......). The past 6k miles have been rock solid, and I see no reason not to expect it to continue for quite a while. So I'd suggest you either take a one-time hit and replace many of the likely-to-fail parts on your '86, and ride it for another 100,000 miles, or find a younger car with a lot less mileage. You car may have many parts that have been showing their age. But you know the car. You don't know what you're buying. He might be selling it because the transmission acted funny a couple times, and is trying to get rid of it before it fails obviously.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: My Poor '86 (gh86E)
Looks like you and I are attempting the same thing. I also have an early 86 which I have done all the things you listed with one one exception. I pulled the engine and installed a long block. I will at some point in time rebuild the original engine and re-install it. I'm almost to the point of painting. I changed the interior color from saddle to graphite. Looks muh better. I think if I had to do it all again, I would have purchased a later model car with less miles. Cheaper in the long run.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 843
Likes: 2
From: Nashua New Hampshire
Re: My Poor '86 (fiddleplayer)
Well I blame this damn CorvetteForum. I originally bought the car on a whim for cheap, and was just going to run it into the ground. Get my $7,000 use out of it, then sell it for a few grand. But within a month or so, I discovered cf.com, and got inspired to fix up the interior (and I always get carried away in what I do), improve the suspension (and I always get carried away), increase the horsepower (haven't gotten carried away yet, but I'm sure that's coming),...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Re: My Poor '86 (gh86E)
Its looking nice though, keep it going.
In the end you will have something you will want to keep forever probably. There is really no need to ever sell your C-4.
Of course unless you get in my situation where you are retiring and thinking that it would just sit in the garage forever without being driven.
Again nice car..
Rich
In the end you will have something you will want to keep forever probably. There is really no need to ever sell your C-4.
Of course unless you get in my situation where you are retiring and thinking that it would just sit in the garage forever without being driven.
Again nice car..
Rich
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: My Poor '86 (MarkU)
Rich, when you retire you can park your car in my garage and I'll make sure it is driven daily!!! Must be nice, I don't think I'll ever get to retire after the stockmarket and Ex-wife are through with my retirement funds!!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Re: My Poor '86 (fiddleplayer)
lol
I didnt say I was going to retire a millionare! hehe
I will be able to get by and have a peace of mind. But I guess thats good to..
Yeah, I took it out yesterday and its going to be hard to sell it, every time I goose it a little or get into WOT at all heads everywhere turn to see the Daytona 500 car on the street... :D
I didnt say I was going to retire a millionare! hehe
I will be able to get by and have a peace of mind. But I guess thats good to..
Yeah, I took it out yesterday and its going to be hard to sell it, every time I goose it a little or get into WOT at all heads everywhere turn to see the Daytona 500 car on the street... :D
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