How dependable is your C4
10-03-2010, 11:20 AM
#85
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: NJ
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I own a 09 VW which left me stranded when the electrical gremlins showed up. After the dealer changed all sensors, injectors, ECM and then the wiring harness the problems disappeared. I now have 33K on the car and I'm now looking at a 96 CE with 35K miles. It's an auto which is fine for a DD. I'm not concerned about the general maintenance since I own a 79 C3 which I converted from auto to 4SP and rebuilt a modded short block with AFR heads, headers, well everything that got me to 430HP/430TQ. If I'm going to have a DD it might as well be a Vette. I've owned mostly Audi's for the past 15 years as DD's and they are fine, reliable cars. Kids are grown, college bills are paid in full, one wedding down and one to go, so I think it my time to have some fun on a daily basis. I probably drive about 100-120 miles a day and would like to take some weekend trips with my wife. I think a C4 is a bargain. C5 is a great car as well as a C6. But for my budget the C4 works. Thanks for all the good information and I expect to pull the trigger on the 96 sometime this week, assuming the mechanics are sound.
10-03-2010, 08:08 PM
#86
Cruising
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: ortonville mi
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C4s are under rated
Our 89 roadster has almost 137,000 and would not be afraid to take it on a trip. Getting luggage in and out is not ideal but it's fun car. I have replaced all the rubber parts, hoses, seal, belts, a few engine gaskets, shocks and reworked the rear end. The clam shell hood helps make these cars easy to work. It has never left us stranded. The L98 engine is simple, not as much electronics as the newer ones. Good luck with your decision.
me too.....but I usually fly!!!
10-04-2010, 10:59 AM
#88
Drifting
We just returned from an 1156 mile road trip from Boise to points of interest in Utah. We ran with 12 other Corvettes from our local Corvette Club. All of the other Vettes were C5's and C6's, we were the only C4 in the group. The C4 ran with the best of them and we never experienced any problems what so ever.
BTW some of the C5 and C6 guys still have their C4's, and many of them had previously owned them. I was pleasantly surprised to hear all of the positive comments they made about the C4.
So to answer your question....yes I trust my C4.
Why would anyone want to own (drive) a car they do not trust? If you don't trust your C4 perhaps you should move to a C5 of C6 or a Honda. Oh wait a second, I think they might have issues from time to time as well.
BTW some of the C5 and C6 guys still have their C4's, and many of them had previously owned them. I was pleasantly surprised to hear all of the positive comments they made about the C4.
So to answer your question....yes I trust my C4.
Why would anyone want to own (drive) a car they do not trust? If you don't trust your C4 perhaps you should move to a C5 of C6 or a Honda. Oh wait a second, I think they might have issues from time to time as well.
10-04-2010, 11:08 AM
#89
So far it's been without issues for 4 months and 2k miles of ownership. 
10-04-2010, 11:34 AM
#90
Drifting
We just drove from Orlando, Florida home to southwest Missouri. 1300+ miles straight through, in 24 hours. Only a loose wire caused a hick up once. It has since been fixed properly. I know for a cold, hard fact that the car will do it. My back on the other hand, may not make the trip again. 24 hours in any vehicle with only gas stops and one meal break will get to you. Especially with my spine problems.
...but the car? yep, she'll do it!
...but the car? yep, she'll do it!
10-04-2010, 01:29 PM
#91
Intermediate
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i had a funny thing happen on my way to maine this weekend for a golf tournament. the car starts running like crap about 80 miles into the trip but i was able to find a gas station just before it dies. the mechanic and i were just about to push it into the bay when i thought, what the hell, might as well throw another gallon of gas into it just to see if the gauge is wrong. whatdoya know, she fired right up, good to go. the gauge wasn't even on reserve yet so i was pretty surpirsed when she woke back up. has that ever happened to anyone else by any chance?
10-04-2010, 02:28 PM
#93
Burning Brakes
Mine has been back and forth to Daytona Beach like 4 times, 170 miles one way. No problems other than some oil usage and wind noise.
I just turn up the radio and don't have any worries.
I just turn up the radio and don't have any worries.
10-04-2010, 02:56 PM
#94
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Rochester NY
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
We'll give it a test - leaving Wednesday from Rochester. Going to Chattanooga - Memphis - Bowling Green - home. Should be well over 2000 miles.
10-04-2010, 05:59 PM
#95
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
I would do it in a heart beat. No worries at all.
ONLY reason I'd take the "newer family car" is if the whole family was going, so they could fit, and watch movies. If it was just me, my '92 would be my first choice.
ONLY reason I'd take the "newer family car" is if the whole family was going, so they could fit, and watch movies. If it was just me, my '92 would be my first choice.
10-04-2010, 09:06 PM
#97
Drifting
10-04-2010, 10:30 PM
#100
Navigator
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Flew down to FL bought my 96 and drove it over 900 miles back to VA with no problems thankfully. And LOVED every min of it till the state trooper pulled me over 10 min from home. So far mine has been reliable. 
