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Salutations to all on the corvette forum! My name is Steve, and today, at 51 years old, picked up my first corvette. It is a 1990, maroon in color, with 90,000 on the clock. BUT I DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP! While I'm pretty good at mechanics, there's just a few things wrong with this car I don't quite get (one of them might be something you've never even heard of). I do have a video of the car and all of it's quirky glory. This not only is my first corvette, but my first ever sports car. How lucky can a guy get? A couple of people told me that $7500 for this car was a little too much, but the same year Trans Am that I wanted was twice as much (and in need of as much TLC I will have to throw in to this one). But I'm willing to do the work and spend the money, no matter how hard I cry lol.
Hi Steve, I'm only a couple years younger than you and just bought my first one too recently but I'd worked on and been around a few when I was a kid.
Tell us what the ole girl is doing and we'll see if we can help. Welcome aboard.
Salutations to all on the corvette forum! My name is Steve, and today, at 51 years old, picked up my first corvette. It is a 1990, maroon in color, with 90,000 on the clock. BUT I DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP! While I'm pretty good at mechanics, there's just a few things wrong with this car I don't quite get (one of them might be something you've never even heard of). I do have a video of the car and all of it's quirky glory. This not only is my first corvette, but my first ever sports car. How lucky can a guy get? A couple of people told me that $7500 for this car was a little too much, but the same year Trans Am that I wanted was twice as much (and in need of as much TLC I will have to throw in to this one). But I'm willing to do the work and spend the money, no matter how hard I cry lol.
Cool. I've a '90 myself, though it's an automatic, but I still enjoy taking it out for that evening cruise on the winding back roads now that the weather is back.
If you have some sparre time to blow, here's the 1990 owner orientation video featuring the designers of the model year that new owners could acquire when the car was introduced. It's the basics, but contains good information, especially for new owners. Good to have or just to watch in your spare time. It's a smidge over 45 minutes...
I suppose I could add some pics. Bought it for $7500. Worth it?? I'll make sure it is, even if I have to throw everything including the kitchen sink at it. It runs, just not as good as I'd like it to.
Looks rather well kept. Very clean all the way around. Always did like the saddle interiors on these.
Appears as though the plenum, runners, valve covers and the alternator bracket have been powder coated, too.
I think, judging by what I'm looking at, that the price you paid for it was fair and actually good on it. Looks like whomever you bought if from took care of it.
Last edited by Natty C; Apr 5, 2026 at 09:07 AM.
Reason: Typos...
I know. But I just picked this up the other day. Owner died nearly 3 years ago from a brain aneurism, so I never got to find out any real details about what was customized and why it was done. I actually like these wheels just as much IMO of course. I know I'll get beat down by the hardcore purists, but like I said, I bought it this way.
Well...I bought my first Vette at the over ripe age of 70. Had a number of other classics and wasn't even looking for a Vette when I found mine, So, better late than never I suppose . And yes, you will probably drop a tear, or two, and possible blast a few unsavory words / phrases along the way. But with all the information and good people on this site...you are not alone. Enjoy and stay safe.
Looks good from the pictures, don't know about mechanics.
I bought mine for 10k with 96k miles on it back in 2004 (1986)
Yours is a newer year then mine and you paid less.
Yeah, people may say you paid too much because it's a C4 and they made a Ton of them.
As long as you like it, all that matters. I wouldn't pay 80k for a base New C8 or 80k for a new Ford Truck, so it's all Relative.
A much more gooder older dude...
. And yes, you will probably drop a tear, or two, and possible blast a few unsavory words / phrases along the way. But with all the information and good people on this site...you are not alone. Enjoy and stay safe.
