Looking to buy a c4
01-21-2011, 01:06 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Looking to buy a c4
Hello all I am new to the forum I am looking to purchase a c4 in the next few moths and am looking forward to your feedback,I had a 78 and a 79 Vette about 15 years ago a they were both money pits and not reliable.
01-21-2011, 01:36 PM
#2
Racer
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Well, first thing I would ask is "Do you have a particular style of C4 that you prefer?" The reason I ask is the overall dependability of the C4's were steadily improved on from the time they started to the time they ended in 1996. So if you dont have a particular favorite style and you want a Vette that you can drive and enjoy regularly rather than a garage queen then I would go 95-95. I have not owned one of these late model C4's but I am told they are solid and the LT1 and/or the LT4engines are mean running machines 
Hope this helps 
Hope this helps
01-21-2011, 01:56 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
01-21-2011, 02:31 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Optispark problems are blown up because it's the "notorious" LT-1 problem. In the big scheme, it's not as bad as people say. You're always going to get a skewed view because forums are where people come to get help diagnosing problems.
I'm a bigger fan of the earlier C4's. I like the motor, the styling, and the interior better. That being said, if i had to DD a C4, it'd be a late model. More comfortable for sure.
I'm a bigger fan of the earlier C4's. I like the motor, the styling, and the interior better. That being said, if i had to DD a C4, it'd be a late model. More comfortable for sure.
01-21-2011, 02:31 PM
#7
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
All toys are money pits Vettes are no exception.
They are aging so they may or may not require more. depends on how well it was mainained.
They are aging so they may or may not require more. depends on how well it was mainained.
01-21-2011, 02:48 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
I don't know where you live, but if it's in a place that requires emissions testing I'd see that it passes before laying down any money.
The rest is just common sense:
Look at the condition of tires -- they can be expensive.
Sniff the trans fluid -- a rebuild can be expensive.
When you test drive it pay particular attention to the brakes (try to hit them hard enough to activate the ABS -- it should not be too difficult).
Look on the display for fault codes.
But probably the best thing to do is take it to a mechanic for a full once-over.
The newer the better, of course. If it's getting up around 100K ask the seller if he has replaced the opti (distributor) and/or water pump. If not you can expect a large outlay pretty soon.
And then sell your boat -- you'll need the cash.
The rest is just common sense:
Look at the condition of tires -- they can be expensive.
Sniff the trans fluid -- a rebuild can be expensive.
When you test drive it pay particular attention to the brakes (try to hit them hard enough to activate the ABS -- it should not be too difficult).
Look on the display for fault codes.
But probably the best thing to do is take it to a mechanic for a full once-over.
The newer the better, of course. If it's getting up around 100K ask the seller if he has replaced the opti (distributor) and/or water pump. If not you can expect a large outlay pretty soon.
And then sell your boat -- you'll need the cash.
01-21-2011, 03:51 PM
#9
Safety Car
My original plan was to buy a 85-86 for a weekend toy for $5-7K,but then after some research I thought a 94 -96 would be nice with the traction control,airbags,extra HP etc. I have would have about $13k to spend if I sold my truck but if I got a 94-96 it would have to be my daily driver.all this talk about optispark problems kinda scars me though.
Unless you are very used to having not a lot of cargo room.
IMHO if I was going to drive the crap out of it as a DD I don't think I'd spend top dollar on a low mileage C4. If you were going to use it as a 2nd fun car, then maybe. The premium you pay for a well taken care of low miles car goes away if you start to pack on the miles.
I'd look for something with about 75k or 90k on it and try to spend around 8k. That should open up a lot of options, and might let you keep your truck.
01-21-2011, 04:10 PM
#10
Max G’s
Any year C4 would be a good purchase as long as it was kept good and in good running condition. I would however not purchase a C4 or any Generation Vette for a daily driver. I think two vehicles are better than one. You always need a back up. Good Luck with your search. 
01-21-2011, 11:13 PM
#11
Pro
01-22-2011, 06:30 AM
#12
I don't know where you live, but if it's in a place that requires emissions testing I'd see that it passes before laying down any money.
The rest is just common sense:
Look at the condition of tires -- they can be expensive.
Sniff the trans fluid -- a rebuild can be expensive.
When you test drive it pay particular attention to the brakes (try to hit them hard enough to activate the ABS -- it should not be too difficult).
Look on the display for fault codes.
But probably the best thing to do is take it to a mechanic for a full once-over.
The newer the better, of course. If it's getting up around 100K ask the seller if he has replaced the opti (distributor) and/or water pump. If not you can expect a large outlay pretty soon.
And then sell your boat -- you'll need the cash.
The rest is just common sense:
Look at the condition of tires -- they can be expensive.
Sniff the trans fluid -- a rebuild can be expensive.
When you test drive it pay particular attention to the brakes (try to hit them hard enough to activate the ABS -- it should not be too difficult).
Look on the display for fault codes.
But probably the best thing to do is take it to a mechanic for a full once-over.
The newer the better, of course. If it's getting up around 100K ask the seller if he has replaced the opti (distributor) and/or water pump. If not you can expect a large outlay pretty soon.
And then sell your boat -- you'll need the cash.
01-22-2011, 10:17 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
I have would have about $13k to spend if I sold my truck but if I got a 94-96 it would have to be my daily driver.
That's WAY high (IMHO) for a C4 unless it's show-car quality. Not many are.
01-22-2011, 10:55 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
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$13K can get you a pretty good C4 ZR-1. However, as much as I love C4s, if it was going to be my only car, I'd spend the money on a C5, you can also find those for $13K.
01-22-2011, 11:11 AM
#16
Racer
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I have to agree with the last few guys on their comments concerning the C5 because if I had that kind of money to spend there would be no question that Im getting a C5 rather than a C4. 
01-22-2011, 12:17 PM
#19
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
I have to agree here. If it was a choice between my truck and the vette, the vette would have to go. The reason being as a homeowner the truck hauls my wood for the stove and is great for hauling stuff from the home improvement stores. Now if you have a truck just because......
01-22-2011, 12:21 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The truck has been my daily driver for the last 5 years but I really don't need a truck. I have a 78 Chevy silverado that I have had for 25 years if I need to haul something,It only has 6k miles on the drive train since it was restored in 2000 but it also only gets 10 mpg: ack: