I currently own a '91 VR4. The thing is too hard to work on, which is frustrating to me. I am mainly a Ford guy and swapped 5.0s in a couple of Rangers and have had plenty of Mustangs. I bought the VR4 to try something different.

I was thinking of selling it and getting a Vette. I will feel better getting back to my American roots, and feel it may be the only American sport car I would be happy with at this point. I am wanting a car that handles as well as it launches.

I would get a C5 but can't afford it. I am looking to spend around $10,000 but not over at this time. I was told anything after '87??? I like the square dash up to '89 but am more interested in a solid car.

You can send me to a FAQ site if this can be found there. I would like to get some opinions. It would be great if someone here knew the VR4 cars to give me a comparison.

I don't know much about the Corvette and stumbled on this site via Yahoo. This board looks like the Mustang and 3si forums I check out though, so I thought I might find some good people here, like I have in those places.

Thank you.

 

Check out the following site for info.
http://www.idavette.net/facts.htm

If you want a manual, Id say start your search in 89 as the ZF6-speed is a better choice than the 4+3. If I were doing it again I would hold out for a 89 Z51 instead of my 88 Z51.

 

P.S. As far as differneces, you can probably launch the all-wheel drive VR4 better, but from there the C4 is lighter, faster, and handles better. If you buy a beat on vette or have a modded VR4, that may not be the case.

 

Well you got luckey, this is THE Corvette forum site.

First off go to a Chevy dealer or MAD at http://www.midamericadesign.com
and order the Corvette Black Book. It has option list and changer from '53 through '91.

I think that a '88 or '89 would be in your range; the '89 is preferable. Look for the Z52 option for some handling enhancements or the Z51 for best road handling but harsher ride. Do you want a roadster or a hard top?

Once you decide on what you want option wise, you can start to shop for THE Corvette for you. I think it is vital to drive and "experience" the Vette of interest.

I have a repring from Corvette Fever on how to get an L98 into mid 12s on the motor when you're ready.

 

I've rebuilt a couple of trannys in 3000GT's and Stealths...let me tell you, the Vette IS easier to work on. Easier by far.

I think the handling is good on both cars, the all wheel drive traction is OK, but due to the fact they never put posi units in the Stealth/3000GT, traction is really not all that different. They both spinn tires in the wet and in dry they both hook up and go.

All I can say is drive a vette, see if you like it. Whatever you do, do not expect the same handling characteristics.

 

'87 is preferably the earliest you want to go, due to the hydraulic roller cam being introduced that year, as well as alluminum heads and ABS.

Make sure you get a Z51, Z07, or Z52 option, and depending if you want a sports car or just a cool car, look into either the 2.59 rear, or 3.07.

Good luck in your search.

 

I traded off my `92 3000GT SL for my vette and I love it Of course I didn't have a VR-4 so as far as performance I took a big step up. I know what you mean about being hard to work on. That's the a big reason I got American. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with a vette.

 

I wanted a roadster to replace a 68 that I sold many years ago when I needed a family car. I was able to find a well cared for 87 and have been very pleased with both the power and mpg. I have been doing my own maintence, and, with the help of the GREAT people on this forum haven't run into anything that was a problem. Get the best
latest model one you can with no evidence of Bubba's work. regards, jim

 

89 6 speed with Z51 suspension!

 

This is an interesting topic for me since I had to make a similar decision back in '92 when I was shopping for a vette based on a limited budget. Ditto the advice on the Corvette Black Book. I found it to be a valuable resource for doing my research. I initially focused on the 88 since it was the first year with the 17 inch wheels. However, what I soon discovered was that one of the subtle changes from 88 to 89 was the leather seat material. The 88's had a perforated leather which on many of the used vettes I looked at was worn. The 89's have a (seemingly) tougher non-perforated leather seat cover. This really swung my final decision. The 89 also has an improved fuel injector design and eliminated the cold start injector.

 

Hello TTBIT,

I used to own a 92 VR-4, and now i have
a corvette 94. You'll be happy when you buy a corvette, just do your homework, like with anycar, and this is one of the best places to get information. You'll love having a Corvette, someday i'll buy another one. I'm selling my 94 Vette because i'm loosing my job and moving out of my current house. Good luck!
Fernando

 

I own an 89 vert that is totally a waxer, good looking and plenty of grunt, I also own a third gen twin turbo rx7, complicated, expensive parts but awsom on the open highway
I personally perfer over all the 89 vert, the people on this forum have made it simple to work on and find what little parts I need very inexpensively, your 3000 gt is a fun car but you will get more bang for the buck in a corvette.
traxx1

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies on this. I will probably start looking for an '89 6 speed.

I have a buyer for my VR4, but I want to make sure I have everything "up to snuff" before I sell it to him.

Great information. You guys didn't disappoint!

 

sure would like that reprint from corvette fever about the 12.5 L98 pumiliak@aol.com

 

American has always been easier for me to work on than foreign. I can't stand working on foreign cars.

 

I actually did the move 2 years ago...and never looked back...I had a 91 VR-4 with plenty of mods. I raced the car on the track and autocrossed it. Now I own an 89 L98 Six speed. Two big differences 1) Torque
2) Fun Factor!!!!

The VR-4 is very fast and handles well stock. However the car is not a true race car since it weighs ohh 2 Tons!! I actually tried to lighten the Mitsu but there was no real difference in the sluggish ways around an autocross. As for speed of a VR-4 it's truly amazing once you get into the power band. The car does most of the driving for you, it's a great touring car.

I love the vette because it's fun to drive, it has much more potential than a VR-4. It's a rush on acceleration, you actually feel the car move from 1500 RPM up to 5000 RPM. If you don't mind clearing hurdles when you enter and exit the car and the loud noise of a V8 especially in 6th gear, then go with a Vette...you won't regret it!!

Happy hunting

Ben

 

I would look for a 92 Corvette. You get a lot more horsepower, traction control and in general a better car. You may be able to find one for $11,000 or so.

I have beat every VR-4 so far easily but the older Corvettes may not be able to do as well.

Working on a Corvette is really hard too as far as I am concered.

Welcome back. I have a strong preference for American too.

 

Hi ttbit:
First off before your start doing any major research, go to a few local dealers and test drive some used C4's. If you like, which I think you will, then your safari has just begun. $10K, well good luck finding an LT1 in any kind of decent shape, your in L98 territory son, which isn't so bad!
Try not to get to caught up with the Hp difference, because 80% of the time a slightly mod'ed L98 will keep up with a OE LT1 on the streets!

As others have said, start looking at the 89's and up. Stay away from the dreaded 4+3's, the 89-96' ZF Six Speed is a strong Trans & will hold up to a 450Hp 383! The other bonuses are the 3.33:1/3.45:1 ratio DANA44 rear ends, J55 13" rotors/PBR calipers, 9th injector deletion, FX3 if you want it and ABS. The 91' is the last year for the L98, which that year had a Speed Density system (MAP Sensor). It had (I think) a Half analog /digital dash, which some prefer to the older all-digital, Atari dash.

I bought an 89 6-sp myself due to economics, but hindsight is 20/20, and newer is almost always better! I would suggest saving a little more money (>$15K), and finding a low mile, clean LT1. In the long run you'll save money on replacement parts, and when the "Must Go Faster" bug bits you, the intake system doesn't need to be changed out like an L98's TPI!

FYI: since you're new, the 1985-91 TPI (Tuned Port Injection) system is fantastic at low/mid range torque. But you'll find that it's just sucking air for the hell of it after 4800RPM's. The 1992-96 LT1 & LT4 (non-tuned) intake system was optimized for a flatter torque curve, which significantly extends past the operational range of the L98's TPI system. Happy Shopping!

Chris

 

I sold my '95 Rustang GT convertible to get my '87 Corvette Convertible (both automatics BTW). It was the BEST thing I ever did. The L98 feels a WHOLE lot torquier off the line. The handling feels much more predictable and solid than the Rustang. In the vette you get more of the road feel through the steering and suspension. The mustang had more of a layer of mush feedback inbetween the road and the driver. Wet handling of the '87 seems to be superior to the '95 GT also. That really surprised the HECK out of me considering they're almost a decade apart. The GT did have more oomph on the high end than the '87 does though. At 85 / 90 MPH I could floor it in the pony car and it had more boogie than the '87 does. But not nearly as much as my '70 Vette with the TH-400 trans does at high speeds. As for working on them, I didn't do much to the Mustang. Didn't need to. Bought it new, sold it at 100k miles. The '87 I bought with 100k miles. I'm just now doing the tuneup. Got new exhaust / starter / radiator etc... No matter what you need to do to the car, the folks here will help you through it. It's an incredible place!

BTW, I have a list of online for sale places and pricing guides on my web site if you want to go hunting onine for comp prices.

http://www.annapolis.net/members/jul...Buy&Price.html

Good Luck. You won't be disappointed with a Corvette.

 

...................YES, YOU SHOULD!......................


Check out Ebay or Traderonline, if you haven't already. Get the newest you can afford. Sometimes you can find a decent LT1 for around $12,000(or less) if you are patient enough. Good luck and welcome to the Forum.