Talk me out of an '84
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Talk me out of an '84
I've been wanting a black manual C4 for a long time. I know that 84's have some drawbacks and advantages (Crossfire=bad/stiff suspension=good). There's a decent looking black '84 with a manual transmission and has 70K miles. It doesn't run very good (check engine light, stalls, has flat spots), but the engine and transmission seem solid. It needs the suspension rebuilt all around and probably needs new mufflers...
The owner is asking $4500. I'm thinking of offering $2000 or trade my 1987 BMW 535is (lots of work done to it, not perfect, probably a better car than the Vette....). All the work I've done to the BMW will have to be done to the vette.
Talk me out of the Vette.
The owner is asking $4500. I'm thinking of offering $2000 or trade my 1987 BMW 535is (lots of work done to it, not perfect, probably a better car than the Vette....). All the work I've done to the BMW will have to be done to the vette.
Talk me out of the Vette.
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Riverside County Southern California
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
An 11 Year CF Member asking to be talked out of an 84. Does it come with The Renegade?
I agree with mike100
I agree with mike100
#6
Race Director
Buy it. Right now. You're going to no matter what we tell you anyway, right?
Rip out the L83 and put a nasty small block in it. A stroker would be nice. You'll wind up spending a small fortune, but it will be a fun car.
If you've learned nothing else in the last 11 years here, you should have learned two things: First, these cars are money pits. But for some reason, we all keep feeding the beast. Second, don't ask us for advice. We're spending your money here, and we will do it without hesitation.
Go for it.
Rip out the L83 and put a nasty small block in it. A stroker would be nice. You'll wind up spending a small fortune, but it will be a fun car.
If you've learned nothing else in the last 11 years here, you should have learned two things: First, these cars are money pits. But for some reason, we all keep feeding the beast. Second, don't ask us for advice. We're spending your money here, and we will do it without hesitation.
Go for it.
#7
Drifting
#8
Even though my 87 is sort of a money pit. It sure beats pissing away money on booze and drugs ! I figure my Vette is a better waste of money
And I would get a better car. Especially if you want a driving car. Now if you were going to race it, maybe yes. But get the best you can afford and you wont be sorry.
Actually about all I have had to replace on my 87 were the various sensors, ugh. Besides that it has been very fun to own..
And I would get a better car. Especially if you want a driving car. Now if you were going to race it, maybe yes. But get the best you can afford and you wont be sorry.
Actually about all I have had to replace on my 87 were the various sensors, ugh. Besides that it has been very fun to own..
#12
Race Director
#13
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
Sounds like its shot and neglected. Probably need most everything so pass on this one.
Get one thats had some attention given to it so youre not dumping 10k+ to make a 4k car reliable.
Get one thats had some attention given to it so youre not dumping 10k+ to make a 4k car reliable.
#14
Well the answer is in your question- the biggest plus of the 84 is the stiffer suspension, yet you say it needs to be rebuilt anyway... Why not get a better car and skip the headache? You can change springs on any of these C4s to make them stiffer. :-)
That said, if you can get it for $2K - buy it, fix it and drive the **** out of it. I like the idea of a stroker and either a carb or TBI and junk the L83 FI system. Would be fun...
That said, if you can get it for $2K - buy it, fix it and drive the **** out of it. I like the idea of a stroker and either a carb or TBI and junk the L83 FI system. Would be fun...
#17
Drifting
Well the answer is in your question- the biggest plus of the 84 is the stiffer suspension, yet you say it needs to be rebuilt anyway... Why not get a better car and skip the headache? You can change springs on any of these C4s to make them stiffer. :-)
That said, if you can get it for $2K - buy it, fix it and drive the **** out of it. I like the idea of a stroker and either a carb or TBI and junk the L83 FI system. Would be fun...
That said, if you can get it for $2K - buy it, fix it and drive the **** out of it. I like the idea of a stroker and either a carb or TBI and junk the L83 FI system. Would be fun...
#18
Southern Piedmont Area
Instead of buying a car that "doesn't run very good" and needs a complete suspension rebuild, you should spend some more and get a decent car.
You'll spend less money in the long run, do less work, and get an overall better value for the money spent.
Regards,
-Ward
You'll spend less money in the long run, do less work, and get an overall better value for the money spent.
Regards,
-Ward
#19
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Riverside County Southern California
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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#20
Southern Piedmont Area
Originally Posted by Big Daddy James
Any C4 with a manual transmission is super fun.
An automatic C4 is plenty fun to drive. I'd take a 4L60E any day over a stick in these cars.
You'll eventually outgrow the desire to row your car through town everywhere you go.
Regards,
-Ward