I am going to look at a 1996 LT4 with 38K miles on it after work today. What things should I look for in terms of problems, leaks, tell tale signs?

What problems are inhearient in the C4 (Assume I know nothing of C4 since I really don't)

Here is a dealer picture of it. I'll take more tonight

Price $18495
Mileage 38985
Exterior Color White
Interior Color Black
Body Style Coupe
Doors Two Door
Engine 8 Cylinder Gasoline
Trans. 6 Speed Manual
Stereo AM/FM Compact Disc Playr
Fuel Type Gasoline
Drive Type 2 wheel drive
Stock No. P0059
VIN 1G1YY2257T5106574
It's a 1996
It's only 6 miles away from my house

Options Installed: Driver Air Bag; Anti-Lock Brakes; Air Conditioning; Alloy Wheels; Cruise Control; Passenger Air Bag; Rear Window Defroster; Leather Seats; Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors; Power Windows; Power Steering; Tinted Glass; Tilt Wheel;
Comments
This is a one owner off lease vehical with a rare 6-speed trans,glass tops, upgraded factory v-8...,This vehical is "CAR FAX CERTIFIED",Comes with a 6month/7500 mile powertrain coverage.Get up and go!Power to spare! Great handling. Very powerful. AM/FM stereo Cassette player Paint looks new. Shows great! Actual miles. Low Mileage. One owner. Well maintained. A/C is ice cold! Fully loaded interior. Very clean interior. Factory rims!

All Qualified Vehicals Comes With A 6 month/7,500 Mile Power Train Warranty


I'm going to try and test drive it, talk the price down a bit, hopefully around $16k

 

Upgraded factory V8? I assume that's typicaly dealer puffing about the LT4. And I don't know about a 6sp being rare, the LT4 isn't that "rare", something like 1 out of 5 Vettes in 96 were LT4s/6sp. Theres the Collector's Editions, Grand Sports and regular Coupes/Convertibles... My Black Book doesn't give the breakdown numbers....

I think the LT4s had problems keeping tread on the rear tires :lol:

Sounds like a great car if everything checks out.


[Modified by TrueBlue ChevyDude, 12:46 PM 9/23/2003]

 

A lot of this sounds like "dealer speak". If I'm not mistaken, all of the "options installed" were standard in 96. "upgraded factory v-8"? "Fully loaded interior"?

Use this guide http://www.c4vettes.com/prepurchase.htm to evaluate the vehicle.

Good luck.

 

I bought one about three months ago. If you can get it down to 18000$ I would be happy. I have not had any problems except normal wear and tear. Mine has seat wear, carpet wear, and wear on the console due to the cheap rubber/plastic lining. Sounds like a good deal. I spent 17750$ with ttl but it had 59,000 miles. I like the color, it's a sharp looking car. Good luck and have fun. :thumbs: :cheers:

 

Car should start quick and run smooth. There should be no miss or hesitation. Check all the fluids, including the brake and clutch fluid. The trans should shift smooth and not grind or be difficult to get into any gear. Check all lights and guages. Brakes should stop the car in a straight line. CHeck weatherstiping, $1000 to replace if bad.

C4's have a lot to offer, but you go to keep up on the maintenance. Repairs will be costly.

 

Make your self a good checklist from the guys here and see if the dealer will put it up on a lift for your inspection. There is a lot to look for under the vehicle. Oil drips, bent frames (welds indicating a crunch), rust, and a host of other things. $18495 seems a little high, but if you like it and it's all you want in a Vette, go for it. $16 to $17 seems more like the average range, but it may not be an average Vette.

 

LT4s are fantastic & about the best value within the C4 ranks - JMHO :D

I'm prejediced, so I will write a book:

First - it should be quick - really noticeable coming on like gangbusters from 4.5K RPMs up to around 6-6.3K when the rev limiter will kick in. It should pull VERY, VERY strong. And, if you run it up and then get into the brakes HARD, the anti-lock should pulse while you slow in a straight line with no side-to-side pull. Keep both hands on the wheel while doing this check. That's your basic performance checks.

As said, check the weatherstripping - doors, rear hatch, and targa top. It's all very expensive to replace and lots of people don't take the time to keep the rubber conditioned.

Check for clutch engagement and slippage - should be smooth and slip free. There should be little-to-no differential whine when decelerating.

The ZF6's all had the 1-4 skip shift feature stock. It will prevent shifting from 1-2 at low RPMs. It is easily disabled later - or, if you just drive it a little briskly you will bypass it anyway.

As said, the dealer's list of "stuff" is all standard. Check under the console lid and/or the lid to the storage cubby behind passenger seat for the actual lsit of factory options - "RPO Codes." It would be nice if it said Z51 which is the "Performance Suspension." Another way to tell is that base suspension had 8.5 wide front rims with 255/45x17 front tires and 285/40x17 rear tires. The Z51 cars had 275/40x17s front & rear.

Listen closely for any clunks or clicks while you move slowly from a start. Try forward and reverse. These noises will usually indicate a worn wheel bearing and/or u-joints.

Look at the brake rotors for smooth wear. Check brake pedal for firmness.

While driving with it warmed up, listen for any mild moaning while turning the front wheels and feel through the steering wheel for anything that is like a faint abrasion while turning the wheel. This will be steering pump and/or steering rack. These are a wear item if the power steering fluid is not changed once in a while.

Note, after you buy it flush the brake, clutch, and power steerring fluids & replace. Also drain the transmission & differential & replace. My guess is that with 38K miles they're original. Remember the differential additive for the positraction too.

When inspecting from underneath look for any breakage in the floor pan (it's fiberglass) where someone jacked it with the jack in the wrong place. I've seen many where a kid in a tire shop did this. Also from underneath, check the shocks for seepage. BTW, does it have adjustable shocks - control on the console? If so, make sure you drive it a while in each setting and that no warning "check ride control" appears on the indicator panel above the radio & heater controls.

Check heater & A/C. Watch for any "mysterious oily fogging" on the inside of the windshield when driving - it will usually be on the passenger side first. This is a tell-tale sign that the heater core is leaking. Cheap part - pain in the rear job :D

I also like to look at things like the carpet under the mats, under the seats, behind the seats, then look inside the center console and the rear storage cubbies, and examine the air filter element. If these are filthy, someone most likely didn't keep up with preventive maintenance. Also, are there any cracks or splits in the leather seat covers? They need regular conditioning.

Cold check - pull radiator cap and make sure fluid is orange & clean. Check hoses. Any signs of broken or worn wires under the hood? Any sign of spliced wires? Inside & outside - do all lights work?

Check the spare underneath in the rear. Also look to make sure the jack is in the cubby behind the passenger seat - under a lift-out tray. And, that the lug wrench is clamped in place behind the tracks of the driver's seat.

Now that I've tried to cover way too much, you practically can't go wrong with a 38K mile LT4. It will get great mileage, outrun the vast majority of cars out there including the new ones, look great, and give you a lot of enjoyment. Ask the dealer for an extended warranty. I got one with my LT4 when I bought it. I paid $900 to extend it 36K miles/36 months and mine had 56K on it when I bought it. Mine paid for itself many times over. Don't interpret this as something to turn away from. Just remember it is a 8-8.5 year old car and it's about time to replace some normal things. BTW, with the market like it is, the others are right that you should be able to get them to come down a bit. Maybe offer $17K and they cover an extended warranty?

Good luck & let us know when you get it. Paul :flag

 

Make sure all the lights come on in the drivers instrument panel when you turn the key on without starting. Ive seen many a car that had a warning bulb removed, incuding my vette.

 

Son93--

I just purchased a rebuilt 90. Here is the site I used to to help me with my inspection before I gave my down payment. Hope this helps.
http://www.c4vettes.com/prepurchase.htm :flag