liquidtree

Hi all,

I am clueless. I tried looking through the threads for an answer to my question, but I am just not finding the answer.

I have come across a 1984 C4 Series with 147,145 miles for $3,500. (Wanting for sentimental reasons, not wanting "a project.")

I don't know very much about the car. I'll tell you what I know.

52 new bushings
All fluids changed
2 dry-rotted tires. Other 2 look okay
Clear coat(?) coming off in several areas (Blue with black bottom)
No body damage
Unsure of interior components as seller is rewiring everything and all coverings are off (He says the display works fine)
All hoses replaced
California top
Dry-rotted weather stripping (He said he'd replace all weather stripping)
Changed out steering wheel (because original was cracking)
After-market speakers, Pioneer stereo
All windows look good

What else should I ask this person about the car..unless from what y'all know already he's asking too much?

Thanks!

BrandensBeast

Honestly I think 3500 is a decent deal (without seeing the seats dash pieces etc) and not knowing what's wrong with the car, the rims look good on the car. I'd ask the guy where the car's originally from unless you already know. The badges on the car look new to me (a car with that many miles and a faded dash don't have badges that look THAT good in my opinion) If the guy does all the weatherstripping and does it WELL then you're getting a pretty good deal (from what I can tell) I'm sure more people will chime in and help. Another thing I noticed is the exhaust... out of the factory i'm pretty sure they come with 4 exhaust tips (may be wrong) but i'd ask him what's up with that, because it just doesn't look right. Don't know why the guy's doing all the work and selling it at that price, rather then do all the work and sell it for more when done.

1994DelawareCoup

Looks like a project car to me. Something special about an 84? Paint even just clear coat will run some $. Look at it when it's finished. Check my post. Ten years newer, half the miles for $1,500 more. Of course I'm on the east coast which is not practical for you, just saying there's better deals and it's a buyers market this time of year.

liquidtree

Thank you so much for your speedy reply. Well, he kept repeating California a lot. California engine type? The dashboard has several cracks in it; he has a carpet cover over it.

Yep, I'm sure I'll get lectured for this detail, but the seller is my daughter's fiance. They are in a financial hole. He swears that he paid $5,400 for it and then has been doing work on it. Most all of the work that he has done on it was before the financial situation. I think he was originally going to keep it.

He is a pilfer pot (sorry, I'm Southern) and a perfectionist, so, I can imagine him wanting to be thorough.

I will ask about the exhaust tips. I found that to be a little odd myself.

The passenger seat looks great. The driver's seat has a small wear spot on the seat. Covering of seats is also blue, a 2-tone if I remember correctly.

He said that before he decided to rewire everything that it ran great after the bushing replacement, hugging the curves with no body shifting.

Again, thank you very much for your reply. I have received about 50% "it's a good deal" and 50% "price is too high" from people who know a bit about cars that I know, but none of them have seen it.

I really want to help them out and get the car that was promised to me as a high school graduation present (yep, back in 1983! And I still feel jipped!) (dad gave me a matchbox car instead!!!!), BUT...I don't want a $3,500 yard weight....

1994DelawareCoup

I really want to help them out and get the car that was promised to me as a high school graduation present (yep, back in 1983! And I still feel jipped!) (dad gave me a matchbox car instead!!!!), BUT...I don't want a $3,500 yard weight....

Offer half down and half when he gets it together. Give the money to your daughter. C 4's are going to require maintenance and will always be something of a project. Who knows I'n time you may sell it back to him since it's a family affair. As a future son I'n law, he gets my vote. Given up a dream car to provide for his future wife, doesn't get better than that. Good luck.

Frank43

Late C4 rear end. Check for damage from rear impact. Check frame. Front is original but rear is later. Somethings up. Then again it is cheap, so go with your gut....

liquidtree

Frank, I appreciate your sharp eye regarding the back end. With you all chipping in with your knowledge, my new questions may get him to come down on the price, if it turns out from you all that the price is too high.

So, you kind of left the value of the car up in the air. With the given info, $3500 is cheap?

That you very much for your knowledge! Good eye. BrandensBeast thought something was up with the rear end (exhaust) too.

liquidtree

UPDATE
Carfax reported:
Accident reported
Involving rear impact with another motor vehicle

Explain why the exhaust tips are not factory?
Secondly, will the pipes effect performance? Should I have the muffler/exhaust system checked by a mechanic?

Thank you to all who post helping me out regarding this car!

liquidtree

More than just words on a forum; I am a person...

More than words in a forum; help a gal out

liquidtree

Holy crap!!! That pic is huge!!!!
Sorry....I didn't know.

JrRifleCoach

Too much for a project in work. (Especially electrical)
You'll end up investing much more money soon.
Walk away and keep looking. You'll find one the gets better reviews here.

liquidtree

He is doing the electrical work. It is something that he started before deciding to sell.

I do understand what you are saying though.

Thank you!

SurfnSun

Don't walk...run from that car.

liquidtree

LOL, okay!

88BlackZ-51

c4cruiser

Sorry, but this car has "money pit" written all over it. For example, replacing all of the weatherstripping can cost anywhere from $600 to over one thousand. Paint repair done at a reputable body shop can easily run upwards of $5000 for a decent paint job. But MAACO will run around $300 for simply driving the car into a booth, wipe off the dirt and shoot.

If he doesn't have a lot of experience with electrical wiring on a C4, that will be a nightmare to do and to get right. As far as the exhaust tips, that could be nothing more than replacement mufflers. Not a biggie. But the exhaust should be inspected for condition! Do you have to go thru emissions testing where you live? Getting the car to pass can be expensive especially if somebody has removed the catalytic converter.

As far as anything "California". the only thing on the '84 that dealt with anything "California" was a CA Emissions package. That cost $75 and was a requirement for registering the car in that state.

In spite of the connection you have, I would suggest you pass on the car. It will cost thousands to get the car to look nice, be safe, and be reliable transportation.

BrandensBeast

I reccomend you take a look at the thread I have (1800 dollar corvette build) to really get a sense of how much that car can need, not to mention mine doesnt have a cracked dash out of everything broken on the car (i'm sure that runs a couple hundred dollars). If you're smart you'd run away from the car like people suggest and not do what I did! But my situation was different so I went for it, if you do buy it you will NEVER get your money back on it, so be prepared to keep it for many years haha.

Edit: rear trim on bumper left side is short? something about the trim on the whole car looks off, does the trim by the hood say "crossfire injection" on both sides of the car? Trim looks to small or something (shot in the dark)

DinoBob

Too much for that car. Really.

pologreen1

ghoastrider1

I too, think its priced high. Look around on craigs list to get some sort of idea, or even in here for that matter. AND, if you cant work on the car yourself... big money