courtjcooper

Does anyone have experience with high mileage C4’s? I’m looking at one that appears to be in great shape but has over 270k miles. Seriously, this looks like a well taken care of 70k mile Corvette. I’m tempted to buy it because it’s a great deal but in the back of my mind, I can’t recall seeing any C4 with that many miles.

Tom400CFI

Mines got 183k. Great car, I love it.

As for the ENGINE, I had a '96 Silverado that I sold with 296k still running like new...and a guarantee you that motor got beat way, WAY harder than any 'Vette motor ever will. I would be afraid of it if it looks good, drives right and the price is commensurate.

turbobuick33

How much for the c4?

courtjcooper

If I'm serious, I can pick it up for $4,000

courtjcooper

If I'm serious, I can pick it up for $4,000

billschroeder5842

I dunno. Is this car a target of opportunity or is $4k your budget max? Almost 300k is a LOT of miles and I worry about all the things that go wrong. Most will focus on the engine, but please consider all the other wear items; suspension, brakes, any rotating accessory, heater cores.... the list goes on.

One decent sized repair and your sunk cost can go from 4 to 6 instantly. My suggestion is to keep looking as there is a lot in the 8-9k range that you can get another 100k miles.

Tom400CFI

I bought mine with 130k for $5000. I think you could do better.

Mr. Peabody

Are you buying it from a previous owner who has maintenance records on the car or is this off a used car lot?

courtjcooper

It's a 4 owner car, the last owner is semi-local and had it for a majority of it's life and I'm guessing used it for commuting. It was sold to an auction and now for sale from a small dealer in the Bay Area. In other words, no records come with the car other than what's found on Carfax.

courtjcooper

I think you're right. I'm going to pass and wait for something with a lot more life left in it. Thanks!

65Z01

My prior '88 had over 200k on the clock when the number 8 hole cam lobe failed. That said it came to me with 94k and a weak engine (low oil pressure and well under the advertised 240chp). Plus it saw MANY passes down the 1/4 mile.

Recently I got a bit of a nip from the "bug" and looked for an '89, 6-speed rag-top. The one that seemed sort of appealing (~1hr away) had ~40k miles with the owner asking $10k, which I thought was a reasonable price to begin negotiations.

fake

Had a motor go at 117,000 would not touch any car with more than 50,000 . That would only be the 92-96 vettes.

fparkin

got my 84 corvette with 70 k for 5500 runs well, no regrets at all put almost 900 miles on it

cv67

Sorry but 270k that thing is headed towards its grave lol.
Dealer probably doesnt know if anythings ever been rebuilt or not. 4k can get you a nice MUCH lower mile car.
Condition trumps all...it may be a looker but would you feel comfortable romping on something with that many miles? I wouldnt.

Its tough selling a very hi mi car, tried myself for a long time have to practically give them away.

courtjcooper

I agree 100%. I'm going to wait and find something much better.

bac22

Good choice, but in all my years on the forum, I would have to say that is the highest mileage C4 I've heard of.

Dt86

C4's are still a bargain. Keep looking and you will find the right one. Try to find one from a private sale. One that someone has owned for a while and may have maintenance records. Stay away from small dealers and definitely steer clear of auction cars. They are at those places for a reason.

CVG323

keep looking. you can get a better one for less.

94 with 171K $3,750
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...637964722.html
93 with 130K $4,000
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...633858011.html
95 with 137K $5,700 OBO
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...636519103.html

keep searching

courtjcooper

Awesome! Thanks for the CL posts. THe black 9 for $3750 looks pretty tempting.

kevakasper

I have 184xxx on my 94, oil pressure was great. I just tore it down due to a leaking fuel injector that hydro locked and popped a head gasket. Upon inspection there was zero ridge on any of the cylinder bores, The cam and pistons were like new. There was only 1/100000 taper in one cylinder! Needless to say it is going back together as it was taken apart on standard bearings. It is one of the cleanest high mileage engines I have ever experienced. The rebuild should cure the couple of annoying oil leaks this had. Check compression and carry on is what I say.