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Well I know, most would wave their finger no at me as a parent.
she is also a straight A student, dads younger female version of me, (loves riding with dad in my 01 Z06 ) and a perfect student that wants to be a doctor and has the funds through many programs to to it. She wants purple C4
I remember seeing purple Coup C4's from the early 90s like 1994 ish with a real LT1 that puts 300HP out and has shiny C4 wheels.
I'm a c5 guy so what things are things to look for on this car and what are some good upgrades?
Pictures would be awesome if you have any to share.
I have a 94 and it's sketchy in cold weather. The tires turn to plastic and it skates all over the place. It's actually fun though as long as you are expecting it. Snowy/icy conditions....forget it. I wouldn't put my kid in it living here, much less in Michigan. Corvettes and inexperienced drivers are not a good idea, IMHO. If I absolutely had to put my daughter in a Vette it would be a 75-77 with a wimpy L48 350 and BFG radial TAs.
For a 16yr old I would first enroll her into a performance driving course so she quickly develops "feel" for handling performance sports car.
The C4s come in a variety of "packages" over their 15yr life span. The L98 has 245chp with loads of low end torque for stop-light fun, whereas the 300chp LT1 has the power on the upper end. My preference would be the '89 L98 powered Vette with GY Eagle all-weathers.
Does she like the "star-wars" earlier dash or prefer the more conventional gauges of the later L98 & all LT1s?
Have her drive some varieties to see what is her preferences and have fun with the "project".
Get one in the best shape you can, maintenance/condition is everything.
C4s esp autos are easy to drive...any car can be dangerous, its usually up to the driver.
Trans and engine are real basic
For a 16yr old I would first enroll her into a performance driving course so she quickly develops "feel" for handling performance sports car.
I think this is reall good advice here. My teenage daughter isn't 16 yet, but has great interest in driving and cars in general and just loves my C4. I would have no issue with her using that car to really learn to "drive" at some local autocross events or attend some performance driving schools, etc.
If she wants a true factory purple, your choice is '95-'96 Deep Purple Metallic. These are pretty hard to find in nice condition. There was black rose in '92-'94, looks purplish but not "really" purple.
I've had this thought many times as my daughter will be driving in 10 years. However, she can't decide what she wants. One day it's a Beetle, one day it's a truck... who knows
Good luck and reinforce the value of patience, control of the vehicle, and thought behind every action while driving.
I would give her access to a C4 any day but to have it as a primary DD is too much. I've got 2 girls and got both them both "performance" cars for their first-- little BMW that were a few years old and in great shape- to start with. My kids are good but the toll that school parking lots, friends with drinks inside the car, rain soaked roads, friends dads F150....etc. Best to get them something bigger, disposable with full on safety equipment.
This is my daughter a few years back after her friends dad backed into her car in his own driveway. Sh*ts GOING to happen.
Not a fan of high performance cars for beginner drivers. Safe and slow , v6 pony car maybe, until they some experience. You have figure they will bump in to somethings as they learn. Graduation present can a sports car. As a teenager older muscle cars were the cars many kids learned to drive. We sent alot of them to the salvage yards. Just my opinion.
I got my C4 when I was 16... although I bought it myself. I still have it an never to this day had an accident/crash with it. Probably because I respected it and wanted to take care of it from day one. I'm a father also and when my son reaches 16 (if he is responsible enough) I wouldn't have wouldn't have an issue with him driving a corvette.
Sounds like your daughter is the responsible type.
I drove my C4 daily for a couple years, it was fine in the rain. BUT if you live in an area with a lot of snow your daughter may find it a bit difficult to drive if there is a few inches of snow/ice on the road.
As a weekend car, or a "hobby" car? Maybe...
Not as a daily. I bought both my kids old Volvo's as first cars. Paid less than $1,000. Both cars had their share dents and scrapes, as they learned to drive.
My daughter sent me this short video clip last week!?! Fortunately I can get a pair of color matching doors at the pic'n'pull for $100.
The key thing is your kids will want something with enough room to fool around in. Trying that in a c4 ia just going to lead to twisted joints and sprains. Get them something with a bit more room, preferably with a fold flat rear seat and a litigate, that gives much more room.
In all seriousness, I recommend getting them something that has some issues, and work with them to fix the issues. Giving them the ability to fix their own cars is a major benefit that most kids now do not get, and so they are constantly getting ripped off. A friend at work has spent 1000 bucks on headlight bulb changes at the dealer on her Hyundai in the past 2 years because she cant fo anything.
Depending on how mechanical the person is and how mechanical they are willing to be. If you have no interest in learning these things, teaching is meaningless and a waste of time. The best art instructors for me would be a waste of time and money since I can't appreciate art, for example. My wife likes to pistol shoot and archery. Maintaining either toy isn't her thing.
I side with those that say think carefully about getting a Corvette for a new driver. The GO PEDAL on the Corvette, any Corvette (even the L48 early smog cars) can get you in trouble. Don't even have to be doing anything stupid. Just trying to merge, wanting to get out of the way or avoid something. The rear comes around fairly easily and add some wet, or sandy or icy roads and whoa Nelly, even for experienced drivers. Your daughter, your decision, but I say no, net yet. Graduation, preferably college. JMO, ymmv
I'm not against getting her a fast car but I question whether she is going want to spend the time to get the learning curve required to do maintenance on this car.
We are moving back down to our other house on the Gulf Coast in the very near future where it can be driven year round.
94-96 is what I had in mind for the purple color and air bags. I've never driven 1. I have no idea what the 300 hp motor feels like compared to my 01 Z
My son got his 1992 C4 when he was 14, and I helped him fix all the issues. He learned a lot about working on cars, and uses it to drive to high school and for his after school and weekend job. He knows the car is in my name until he turns 18, and has not got any tickets or acidents. We live in California, so winters in our area are snow free. He really loves his car and takes very good care of it.
11-03-2018, 09:27 PM
Buying your 16 yo girl a C4?
) and a perfect student that wants to be a doctor and has the funds through many programs to to it. She wants purple C4
