I've finally started looking for a vette to buy. Main focus is on a convertible. I'm still torn between C5 (01-04 due to the EBCM issues) or C4 (92-96 LT1 or LT4 engine). I like the styling of C4, and the lower price would let me buy one as an extra vehicle. The wife thinks the C4s look old and has nothing good to say about them. If I go C5 I'd end up getting rid of my DD to provide part of the $.

I'm also trying to figure out how to resolve the manual vs auto dilemma. The wife has never driven a manual, doesn't want to learn, and I really don't want to teach her and have her tear up a vette clutch. Buying a car that she wants to drive, but can't isn't an option, she's stubborn enough to try figuring it out on her own.

Anyway, There's an 01 at a dealer that looks nice. It's in one of the colors I like, has around 30K miles, isn't priced too high, and most important, doesn't have a black interior (not a good thing for summer driving in the south). According to Carfax, not long after the original purchase, 841 miles, the flywheel/flexplate, transaxle, and clutch release bearing were replaced. Is this something I should be concerned about?

 

I can't tell you to be concerned or not. Sounds like the first owner beat the krap out of it early on and broke it. It was properly repaired under warranty and is still working fine. I wouldn't be concerned but it is your choice.

I have a 2000 convertible and have no issues, 106,000 miles later, with the EBCM module. I don't have active handling and if the ABS fails I will have to rely on non ABS brakes that I drove for 50 years before I purchased this vehicle used, with 89,000 miles on it, three years ago. Not the end of the world.

BTW I am in South Florida with a triple black convertible. If the other than black interior fits your fancy with an exterior you like I would say go for it.

I owned a C4 convertible and would NEVER elect it over a C5. Was a good car but ingress/egress SUCKS major league. My wife HATED getting in and out of that car. The ride and handling on the street is so much better in the C5 over the C4 you won't believe it until you drive it. You run six hours in the C4 and your body aches. You run 14 hours in the C5 and you don't know the time has passed. Your wife is right that the C4 looks dated. That's because it is. It isn't a C1 or a C2 with timeless, classic lines. I's just there. Doesn't make it a bad car but no comparison to a C5 or later car that can be had for a reasonable price.

 

Six months after my '01 was new they replaced PCM, battery, HVAC panel and a couple of other things. According to records that was it until I bought it. Your car may have been bought by someone learning to drive a stick. Or the parts could have been defective. I find it hard to believe someone would be that hard on a brand new car unless it was a dealer demo, salesmans car or something like that.

 

You may be on to something. Dealer gets paid by GM under warranty so they may have replaced everything to make sure customer was satisfied or at least they billed GM and put the parts on the shelf. My Dad was parts manager at a Ford dealer up until 85 and there was always a lot of shenanagans going on when it came to warranty work.

 

If the car now has 30,000 miles and the repairs were done so many miles ago, I would not worry about it. Also, in most states, dealers must warranty used cars, sometimes, 30, 60 or 90 days depending on where you live.
Good luck!

 

If the car has been trouble free since those parts were replaced, I'd say give it a good look over and if all is OK, make them an offer.

 

Many years and miles have gone by. I would not worry about it, assuming it drives good!

 

Don't get a C4 over a C5 everrrrrr.
I had an 84 and 87 and there is no comparison..
Especially for a daily driver.
Get the Auto..
And keep looking for cars..
You can find one without the prior issues

 

Hmmm, lots of information to digest. Thanks everyone.

Seems to be a consensus to not consider the C4s. Got it, I'll take them out of consideration.

I'm starting to think an auto would be ok. It'll mean I won't be able to have fun shifting, but it will make longer trips a bit easier. My older daughter plays club soccer and we make trips that are 1.5-3 hours each way a couple times a month. If I do choose auto, the car in question is off the short list.

I think I'm going to give it a look and test drive before I decide. I've got a list of 3-4 that are all in the same direction about an hour from home. A Saturday road trip to look them over and take a couple test drives would help narrow things down.

 

It's only had two owners and the first one kept it for quite a while, a good sign supporting what you said.

I've seen this thought expressed quite often. If I ignored this issue a bunch more cars would be available to look at. I'll give it some more thought...

I think if I could be sure it was always garaged, or at least in the shade, before getting in it a black interior would be ok. I just can't get past the fear of getting in it on a hot summer day and scorching my legs.
Got it. If I could find an earlier C5 with low miles I might be able to stay below the threshold where I would sell my current DD.

 

Another one saying forget the C4, the ride sucks.......... The C5 is far superior, and yes, it will cost you more.

 

I was recently looking at a 2003 convertible that had the windshield wiper motor replaced a 3 miles, according to Carfax.

Things do happen, and you probably never know why the clutch needed to be replaced, but it appears to have been trouble free since then.

While I agree that the C5 is light years ahead of the C4, I would not immediately dismiss the C4 out of hand.

There are some really nice C4s out there, and some really good deals on them. It is probably the least expensive way to get into a nice Corvette without breaking the bank. And it would apparently give you the option of not using your Corvette as a daily driver. Being able to classify your Corvette as a pleasure car for insurance purposes might get you a break on rates.

If you do decide on a C4, I recommend looking at 93-96 cars. The seats are much more comfortable for long trips that the earlier C4s. The bugs have been worked out on the later C4s.

And lets be realistic, are you really going to push the car to the limits?

I used to own a low mileage 1990 coupe. Best handling Corvette I have ever owned, and worst looking Corvette I have ever owned. All of my previous Corvettes were C1s or C3s.

I am in the process of purchasing a C5, and I am not a big fan of C4s, but as an entry level Corvette, it is hard to beat when everything is factored in.

And last but not least, your wife's opinion counts for something. Happy wife, happy life.

 

Good idea on insurance. Other reasons for wanting to keep the DD include it's a 4 door and will be a good car for older daughter when she starts driving 4-5 years from now.
Hadn't thought of the seats, but that is in the range I've been looking at.
At this point in life? Probably not. I've had other cars that I've done that with. I'll push this some, but nowhere near the limit.
That's part of why I've been looking at them. Less $, but still fun.
Does it have to count?

 

From what everyone is saying it sounds like trying a C4 out will convince me to go C5. I hear what everyone is saying about the C5 being superior, I just wonder if the C4 would be good enough? A test drive should help answer the question.

 

Although I am a M6 fan, I suggest getting the A4. They are great to drive and your wife would be able to drive it too. As previously stated, "happy wife, happy life".

There are 2 axle ratios for the A4. See if you can find one with the 3.xx over the 2.xx. I think it came with the Z51 option. Others can confirm this.

 

I doubt your wife will be happy having to learn to drive a stick...............there is absolutely nothing wrong with an A4, and it will make both of you happy.

Definitely try and buy the 3:15 axle ratio (G92 RPO code on the glovebox lid). The 2:73 may be slightly better for gas mileage, but you are not buying a Prius, go for the performance axle ratio.

Yes, your wife will not be happy...........get the auto.


.

 

They changed the seats and dash slightly in 94. C4's get a bad rap because the styling didn't change that much but the cars DID so they pretty much get grouped the same, a base C5 is almost exactly the same car from 97-04, comparing an 84 to a 96 base is like comparing a 97 to an 08. I've had 7 of them(2 85's, 87, 88, 90, 94, 95) and the 94 and 95 honestly weren't that much less of a car and just about as fun as my 99 and 01 and they were autos, my C5's sticks.I definitely liked the "cockpit" dash of the late C4's better then the C5's. If the about double the price difference is worth the easier entry/exit slightly better reliability, ride and mpg go with the C5. The TOP END power difference can be made up easily and not too expensive with a CAI, exhaust and tune(if not already modded) Styling is subjective and I happen to think both cars look equally as nice. Drive both and see if it's worth the price difference.

 

having owned both along the way. if you really want to proof, just ask your wife to come along for the test ride of a C4 while wearing a skirt. my wife absolutely hated my 93 C4 convertible because (as your wife will also discover) there is no way to get in or more importantly, get out of it in a comfortable manner, lol that said, there is no comparison between the two generations with the C4 being worlds apart from the overall improvements of the C5. even though i find the C7 very intriguing i know that if i eventually do pull the trigger on one i will keep my 04 CE 6spd convert it's that special to me. obviously all that (other than the entry and exit of a C4, lol) is opinion, but having owned them both i agree with the others who (regardless of the cost differences) have said the same. yo won't be sorry you chose the C5 over the C4.

 

I'll make a note of the code for the axle ratio and do some research on the differences. As with many other things related to this search, I need to figure out what is a must have versus a nice to have. It's possible the slower ratio will still be more than adequate if I found a great deal.

I'm working on getting over the desire to go back to driving a manual. I've had several in the past and always enjoyed shifting. I moved away from them due to the type of cars I've had. It seems like sports cars are more fun with a manual, but I suspect I can still have plenty of fun while letting the car do the shifting for me...

 

Against the auto crowd here, my girlfriend didn't want to learn to drive a stick, but after teaching her she loves it. Nowadays she dislikes automatics more than I do. Brought us closer, gave us something in common, and we're both happy. Long trips are easy in a manual, you'll be in 6th on the interstate anyways.