MIDLIFER

Good Afternoon,
I'm shopping for my first Vette. I'm currently looking at two and I need some advice to help me decide. The one is a 94, Torch Red, 63K, loaded and in extremely nice shape. Optispark & waterpump already replaced. The other is a 93, Black, 57K, similar condition, fewer options, no repairs done. They are priced the same, could buy either one within dollars. I prefer the black, but wondering if I should buy the red because of the updates between the two years and the repairs completed on the red one. I know that from what I'm reading the injection system, air conditioner with 134a, passenger air bag, and stiffer frame. Please give me your opinions and advice.
Thank you.

SnAkeDr

I'd go for the 1994. Would ask specifically what brand opti and water pump was used. 1994 was the first year for the electronic transmission. No recent maintenance on the 1993?

Bandit's C4

Your logic is implying and leaning towards the 94 with the updated maintenance already done... unless you are interested in doing the work and getting dirty, or paying someone else to do the $1500 job. Then you'll be looking into plug and wires... etc.

Naturally the 94... a maintained C4 is always the better option.

FAUEE

The question really boils down to if the car being black is worth the cost of the fixes to you. Nothing more nothing less.

Firewalker11

+1 for the 1994 Torch Red Corvette. I have the exact year/color combo and I always get compliments on them. All things considering, the mileage, color, previous work done makes the 94 a no-brainer.

I LOVE black cars but having had many, I tired of always washing them since they look dirty as soon as you finish. Either way, enjoy the car that you choose!

JVH

I'd go with the 93 since it's the 40th year anniversary.

MIDLIFER

Both are 6 speeds. The 93 hasn't had any maintenance that the guy shared anyhow. Both are nice enough that they could be shown. The rubber might be a shade better on the 93... I've never owned black, realize about the keeping it clean. The 94 probably is the better choice, the black shined up is just the color that I prefer. Both interiors are all but perfect, except for the normal bolster wear spot on the 93's driver seat. When I talk about options, the 94 has the Bose CD, automatic AC/Heat, and both seats are power. The 93 has power driver's seat, period. Is $10,000 too much for a C4 that is this clean & nice?

MavsAK

The Blows sound system isn't anything to write home about. You're going to end up updating the sound system in either car if you drive it for more than a few miles at a time.

The autoclimate control system, is nice. My 89 has it.
Dual power seats is really slick too.

That being said, if the Opti's already been replaced in the 94... I wouldn't even think twice.

mike100

interior ergonomics are better with the 94-up interior. the interior quality is better on the older one. Generally the newer the better on C4's.

sahhas

pics? and what is the price on these?

the 2 C4s that i've driven that are in my area are:

93, white, black interior, 75K miles...the car was well maintained by this older gentleman who owned it....it was a nice driving car. dealer was asking $9998 for it (odd price, but i guess under $10K)

96, green, tan interior, 50K miles, dealer didn't know the specifics on the car too much, but the interior was very clean just like the 93, but this place offers a warranty on the motor, it drove really nice too, i actually put this one through it's paces on the highway, as it was the 2nd one i drove! fun to drive! price on this one was $14K...

i'm not too sure of prices for either car, but i guess they have low mileage for the most part. personally i think looking for an individual selling their car will get you a better deal. but i guess it's good to shop around....

btw...the dealer of the 96 called and left me a message this morning...their corvettes are still on the lot (been there all summer), i think they are wanting to move them, i'm not really ready to buy....fun to look though!!!!

i'm curious of the prices of your 2 cars, the 94 sounds like the better deal...

DinoBob

$10k is the right price for that car, if it's that nice.

65Z01

The options on the '94 would by my interest. BTW, the Bose system is pretty good, IMO. Having dual power seats allows you to swap seats when the outside bolster on the DS shows wear.

Bottom line is go with your gut and get the one that lights your fire.

MIDLIFER

Here is a picture of each.

Retxpres

Buy both, see which one you like better...lol

nicpete

they both look great

QCVette

I can see why it is a tough choice. They both look great.

My choice is for the '94 because of the improvements with the model year (and I have had two '94's).

Either car would be good.

I have had 7 cars with optispark and never a failure even though 4 of them were over 100k on the original opti, and another one ('96 Z28) had the water pump fail and dump on the opti.

Try driving both and see which one gives you the best feeling. Color can be important to a lot of people and may be to you.

It really comes down to which one you like better.

1993C4LT1

Yup, that is a tough choice. Coin toss?

Y-ME

Get the 94

CurveLover

Out of the two, which both look great- betcha the cops will pull that red one over first.

I'm partial to the black one too...

MIDLIFER

All the common sense in the world points to the red one...the day I originally looked at the black one it was raining and I couldn't drive it. I'm making arrangements to take it for a spin. I'm appreciating all of the replies, please keep them coming. I can't afford to make a mistake, my toy budget won't allow for it. This step of midlife already has my wife rolling her eyes. Funny, at 52 years old, I honestly am feeling like a teenager looking for my first car. I know I could live many years without owning one, but I sure would love to. You all are being a great source for me.