I'm in my late 40s. That means the C4 was current when my car lust was forming.
They are cheap now.
I find myself searching CL and FB a little too often.
I'm in my late 40s. That means the C4 was current when my car lust was forming.
They are cheap now.
I find myself searching CL and FB a little too often.
Just my opinion, move up to the C5. It's a lot more car than the C4
I would only get one if I could afford a ZR1, just because its so bonkers for GM.
Especially if it was pearl white with a red stripe like Face's C4 from A-Team.
Otherwise, I'm considering one as a donor for underpinnings for my 924. Sort of a poor man's C5 at Challenge prices thanks to sweat equity and perseverance.
89, 91, 96 are best years in my opinion depending on what you're looking for, give it a good test drive first before you decide you need it because while I love C4's there is a lot about them that can be challenging to live with day in and day out.
I spent Saturday at a Corvette Club autocross. The performance difference between the C4 and C5 can't be overstated. With one exception, all of the C4 corvettes looked to be struggling to negotiate the course.
Buy a C4 if, like you say, you specifically want a C4, or if you're trying to buy the cheapest corvette you can find. No other reason comes to mind for me.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:I spent Saturday at a Corvette Club autocross. The performance difference between the C4 and C5 can't be overstated. With one exception, all of the C4 corvettes looked to be struggling to negotiate the course.
Buy a C4 if, like you say, you specifically want a C4, or if you're trying to buy the cheapest corvette you can find. No other reason comes to mind for me.
I've had them both, completely difference driving experiences
Doooo it
I bought an 84 a few years ago. The auto ruined the experience. A manual valve body would have fixed it I think but I sold it instead. I did the corvette thing and moved on. But, I'd be lying if I said I never looked at them and thought, "maybe I'll get another someday."
The nice thing is it's pretty hard to lose money on a c4. They're at the bottom of depreciation, which should mean that you can buy cheap, enjoy for a while, then break even or better in a couple years. One could do a lot worse.
Placemotorsports said:Just my opinion, move up to the C5. It's a lot more car than the C4
As a former C4 owner I cant agree more. The C4 is... is.... trying. Ingress/Egress sucks for us 40-ish guys. The elctronics are wonky. The interior is terrible, both from an aesthetics/build quality and functionality. If you have feet, don't purchase a manual. If you like manuals, don't purchase a manual. The L98 is a great tractor engine or motorhome powerplant. All torque, no rpms. The LT1/LT4 are just a nightmare in theirold age.
Just Shoot yourelf in the foot now. You'll thank me for it because it'll be cheaper and cost less heart ache.
I had a 92 ZR-1 for little while recently and it was a very odd car for sure. The 6 speed was great, but you had to wring the engine out to make it fun, and my size 11s had absolutely no issue in the pedal box. Mine only had 28k miles and the interior plastics were definitely showing age, though it really didn't rattle too much. You couldn't tighten anything down too much or it would crack. The car felt extremely solid and heavy compared to more modern machinery, which explains why it was so heavy while being so small. It had surpringly good visibility and was pretty quiet on the road, making it an easy cruiser. When you wanted to push a bit you started feeling the flex and overall softness but it did what you wanted it to do. It wasn't extraordinarily well put together or engineered, but it did feel special in a "wtf was GM thinking" type of way. Compared to a friend's C5, it's not nearly as good a car and has less speed potential, but I would choose a C4 over a C5 all day long to have to play with.
I loved my 91, I don't think I would buy another unless ZR1.
They make for an inexpensive "kart".
I 100% endorse this purchase! If you've ever wanted one, now's the time, since they have hit rock bottom. Sure, they aren't as fast as a later one, but there's still fun to be had.
Some friends and I have been loosely talking about having a "Cheap Corvette Challenge", as we are approaching 40. The premise is buy the best Corvette $2500 can buy, dress like "Corvette owners" (jorts, hawaiian shirts, gold chains, etc), and do a cruise/road trip and maybe hit up a car show and pretend it's the greatest car at the show. COVID and other life-changing events (kids, job stuff, etc) may throw a wrench into this and bump it up a year or two, but I am pretty sure it's a good idea. I mentioned this to my C4-owning neighbor (he has a red '94 6-speed, and he's 100% a "Corvette owner") and he got a kick out of it. 
I liked my '88 with the 4+3. Don't waste your time with a "project", buy a nice one.
False alarm. All this talk about running and driving c4's for 3-4 grand don't seem to actually exist.
In reply to DrBoost :
$6700-$11K for the 13 that are for sale locally to me.
I DD'd a 95 for awhile back in the early 00's. Great car, forget the haters. Plenty of power, loads of fun. Sure its a bit challenging to get in and out of...so are most performance oriented cars. You should seem my 50 something fat ass trying to enter and exit the Beat. Its why the H2 is my DD and not the Beat or its predecessor CTS-V. But for a fun car, you make some exceptions and roll with it.
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
I hate misinformation. 1986 is the year all convertibles were considered pace cars regardless if they're yellow or not. Not all cars. I know the term "buyers are liars" is big in sales, but sellers are way bigger liars.
Had a 92 LT1/6 speed. It was fun, though I found it needed a brake updrade for track work. I'm not sure the LT1 was worth the premium over an SBC . . .
dclafleur said:89, 91, 96 are best years in my opinion depending on what you're looking for, give it a good test drive first before you decide you need it because while I love C4's there is a lot about them that can be challenging to live with day in and day out.
It's funny that you consider the 96 one of the best years. That's what mine was and I agree with you. The Z51 package really made an improvement over previous.
If your going to buy one get the best one you can afford. The early electronic dash is around $350. to replace. A dozen or so screws, a couple connectors, move the odometer over and just a little finagleing to get one in. Ditch the 16 in wheels cause the tires in the stock sizes are no longer available. If your on the fence try to find one to borrow and drive for awhile to see how you like it. I am warming up to mine if I could just keep it on the road. I am dealing with several years of neglect.
I used to have a 1986 Corvette, and it's probably the car I miss the most of all the cars I've sold. The TPI doesn't really feel like an appropriate motor for the chassis; it seems like you could buy an early 2000s Silverado with the 4.8, swap the engines between the two, and improve both vehicles. But I would have wanted more practice autocrossing it before I threw more power - or really any upgrades besides new shocks and tires - at it. The handling was excellent with the Z51, and while entry and exit weren't the easiest, it was quite comfortable for long trips.
My advice - make sure it's in good shape and has the Z51 suspension. Now's the time to get one, while they're at the bottom of the depreciation curve.
I'm almost 35 years old and I feel like most c4's have been at the bottom of their curve my entire driving life. At any point since high school to now I could have purchased some semi decent C4 for $4k. I honestly don't see them worth much ever besides a zr1 or a Callaway TT.
I'm almost 40. I was a total c4 fanboy when I was a kid. I still think the later ones are head turners. That being said, I hate driving them. I hate getting in and out. I hate the visibility. I hate the ergonomics. So drive a few, see what you think. If you still like them, get one. You only live once.
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