Is the C4 a gem or a dud?
02-03-2022, 10:05 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Is the C4 a gem or a dud?
I have a C5 and know almost nothing about the C4. I am selling motorcycle and have been offered a trade for an 85 corvette. I haven’t inspected it yet but the pics look good. Good paint, good interior etc. since I haven’t had many bites for the motorcycle that I’m selling for only 5 grand, would a trade for the C4 be a good one assuming the inspection shows it’s mechanically sound?
Last edited by Crosis; 02-03-2022 at 10:10 AM.
02-03-2022, 10:45 AM
#3
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Could it be something in between? Most here love them. I do and I started with a C6. I don't have the C6 anymore; I like the C4 better.
BUT....it's totally a personal thing, so what you really need to do, is GO DRIVE ONE....then you'll know. We can't tell you. I mean, we CAN...but our opinion of the car isn't likely aligned with yours, Go drive one or a few, then you'll know.
BUT....it's totally a personal thing, so what you really need to do, is GO DRIVE ONE....then you'll know. We can't tell you. I mean, we CAN...but our opinion of the car isn't likely aligned with yours, Go drive one or a few, then you'll know.
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02-03-2022, 11:10 AM
#4
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St. Jude Donor '05
^^^You gotta drive it. Youll know if its a gem or a dud just remember its an old car.
Some drive nice and solid, others sound like they are gonna split in 2 when you run over a dime.
For 5k if it runs/drives decent Id say grab it. Gets good mpg, fun to drive and you probably wont see another in your travels.
Basic 350 which is easy/cheap to fix, etc. For what they do its hard to say no. If its been neglected and hacked up stay away from it. They are not cheap to "fix up"
They ride super stiff so be prepared. They get hated on cause the hp is low and they are old tech. Thats what I love about them..obd 1 EFi. Just enough tech to be reliable yet uncomplicated. Modern Vettes can be electronic nightmares.
Been looking myself...at C4s and Bikes. Shocked at how cheap bikes are really. Only reason I didnt get one this week is distracted drivers, worries me.
most car wrecks you walk away from. Bikes....only takes once.
Some drive nice and solid, others sound like they are gonna split in 2 when you run over a dime.
For 5k if it runs/drives decent Id say grab it. Gets good mpg, fun to drive and you probably wont see another in your travels.
Basic 350 which is easy/cheap to fix, etc. For what they do its hard to say no. If its been neglected and hacked up stay away from it. They are not cheap to "fix up"
They ride super stiff so be prepared. They get hated on cause the hp is low and they are old tech. Thats what I love about them..obd 1 EFi. Just enough tech to be reliable yet uncomplicated. Modern Vettes can be electronic nightmares.
Been looking myself...at C4s and Bikes. Shocked at how cheap bikes are really. Only reason I didnt get one this week is distracted drivers, worries me.
most car wrecks you walk away from. Bikes....only takes once.
Last edited by cv67; 02-03-2022 at 12:33 PM.
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1985 Vette (02-08-2022),
vette196 (02-03-2022)
02-03-2022, 11:12 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
A well maintained C4 that has not been driven to death can absolutely be a gem. You should definitely have the car inspected and take it for a drive. As with any 37 year old car you may find that it has some "isms"...but they are not necessarily a show stopper. They can be little things that need to be repaired that previous owners neglected to take care of. Most of those can be remedied inexpensively...if there are any at all.
Both of my C4's (current 1986 and previous 1987) were gems.
Let us know what you ultimately decide.
Both of my C4's (current 1986 and previous 1987) were gems.
Let us know what you ultimately decide.
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1985 Vette (02-08-2022)
02-03-2022, 12:24 PM
#6
Drifting
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A quick rundown on the early C4s:
85 is the first year of the TPI and 350 L98 engine. The L98 had cast iron block and heads. Half way through 86 they upgraded the heads to aluminum and they got a slight HP increase. In 88 they upgraded the aluminum heads again. So the 88+ got another HP increase. The interior is nearly identical until 1990.
85 is the first year of the TPI and 350 L98 engine. The L98 had cast iron block and heads. Half way through 86 they upgraded the heads to aluminum and they got a slight HP increase. In 88 they upgraded the aluminum heads again. So the 88+ got another HP increase. The interior is nearly identical until 1990.
02-03-2022, 12:26 PM
#7
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Don't forget about the brakes, suspension and frame upgrades! ('88^)
02-03-2022, 01:45 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
It will come down to personal preference and resell value of the particular car you're looking at.
Asking a C4 section if the C4 is a gem is like asking a asking a fat kid if he loves cake.
Asking a C4 section if the C4 is a gem is like asking a asking a fat kid if he loves cake.
02-03-2022, 01:57 PM
#9
Drifting
I would also add (as others alluded to) that the C4 had such a long run that there are significant differences in feel, performance, comfort and looks from 85 through 96...not to mention how a particular car was maintained (or upgraded)...
Personally I only considered 89+ 6 speeds (started with 89), 90 was the body redesign... 92+ LT1 engine change (upped horsepower to 300), 94+ seats change again... among other delineations... I have a 93 and am very happy with it.
Personally I only considered 89+ 6 speeds (started with 89), 90 was the body redesign... 92+ LT1 engine change (upped horsepower to 300), 94+ seats change again... among other delineations... I have a 93 and am very happy with it.
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scorpiofox69 (02-03-2022)
02-03-2022, 03:31 PM
#10
Safety Car
It might be a good trade but I would definitely check the car out first and test drive it if possible. I bought a '86 about six years ago with 29 K miles on it, solely for its condition and the nostalgia. I like it because it is a fun sunny day cruiser. For facts on each model year Corvette to the present, I can't recommend The Corvette Black Book enough. Good luck on whatever you decide.
02-03-2022, 03:54 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
If it’s a well maintained C 4 you will live it. The L98 is a torque monster from idle on up. Like others say drive it. If all checks out well you can’t really go wrong. Ask for service records and remember the car is 37 years old and may need some work
02-03-2022, 05:27 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
https://www.corvsport.com/c4-corvett...l-future-king/
this might help
also heed ihatebarkingdogs advice......if it needs a good deal of work (ie: interior) it could be very costly $5k turns into $10k quickly
this might help
also heed ihatebarkingdogs advice......if it needs a good deal of work (ie: interior) it could be very costly $5k turns into $10k quickly
02-03-2022, 06:59 PM
#15
Drifting
Thread Starter
I have another observation: Look at that pic again. How old is that pic? It looks like a photograph, it's all scratched up. That doesn't happen to current digital pics. So that pic is 15-ish years old.
And: Look at the floor under and around the car. That is the same color as the car, and looks like over-spray. Did this guy paint his own car in his garage?
This car is a dud. He's interested in a trade because he thinks your bike is worth more than his car, and will be a trade-up for HIM. You have a C5. I wouldn't waste my time with this guy. 15 year old pics of a do-it-yourself paint job? Keep trying to sell the bike.
And: Look at the floor under and around the car. That is the same color as the car, and looks like over-spray. Did this guy paint his own car in his garage?
This car is a dud. He's interested in a trade because he thinks your bike is worth more than his car, and will be a trade-up for HIM. You have a C5. I wouldn't waste my time with this guy. 15 year old pics of a do-it-yourself paint job? Keep trying to sell the bike.
02-03-2022, 07:02 PM
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
Why are you selling the bike? If it is because you don't ride it, and you want the garage space, a C4 will take more room to store it.
If the car in that pic is an 85, it is a repaint, because that was not an available 1985 factory color. My experience has been that a repainted, non-standard color 85 is not going to be a "gem". It's very possibly a low-quality change of color; note the body-color door handle. Over-spray on weatherstrip, poor door jamb coverage, etc. IMO, an 85 with this paint situation is pushing the $5,000 valuation. There are going to be a myriad of issues with this quality of car. It could well be over-valued at $5,000 when comp'd to other 85s of the same content and condition. There were 39,500 85s built. The highest year for the L98. Even the gems don't command the prices other years of C4 do. Be cautious. Sure, the C4 section is biased towards C4s. But not all of them are gems. That 85 with a change of color, tire-pencil'd letters, stored with the roof off (Is there one? The security shade is pulled out, which isn't possible with the roof in its storage brackets.) is likely a DUD.
(I'm an Original Owner of an 85. It has been well cared for, it may be a gem to prospective buyers or observers, but I have no idea. I've never tried to sell it or asked. To me, it is just a car I've owned for a really long time.)
If the car in that pic is an 85, it is a repaint, because that was not an available 1985 factory color. My experience has been that a repainted, non-standard color 85 is not going to be a "gem". It's very possibly a low-quality change of color; note the body-color door handle. Over-spray on weatherstrip, poor door jamb coverage, etc. IMO, an 85 with this paint situation is pushing the $5,000 valuation. There are going to be a myriad of issues with this quality of car. It could well be over-valued at $5,000 when comp'd to other 85s of the same content and condition. There were 39,500 85s built. The highest year for the L98. Even the gems don't command the prices other years of C4 do. Be cautious. Sure, the C4 section is biased towards C4s. But not all of them are gems. That 85 with a change of color, tire-pencil'd letters, stored with the roof off (Is there one? The security shade is pulled out, which isn't possible with the roof in its storage brackets.) is likely a DUD.
(I'm an Original Owner of an 85. It has been well cared for, it may be a gem to prospective buyers or observers, but I have no idea. I've never tried to sell it or asked. To me, it is just a car I've owned for a really long time.)
02-03-2022, 09:46 PM
#17
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St. Jude Donor '05
Look it over real well, getting it up on a rack and seeing underneath will tell a lot about its true condition
You own a vette so youre hip to making sure all the electronics work ,ac, make sure it doesnt overheat etc.
Not gonna ride like your C5 they are pretty stiff in comparison
You own a vette so youre hip to making sure all the electronics work ,ac, make sure it doesnt overheat etc.
Not gonna ride like your C5 they are pretty stiff in comparison
02-04-2022, 07:30 AM
#18
Pro
ihatebarkingdogs is right about the color, I would consider his advice. What transmission does it have? The 4+3 can be a liability if not properly maintained in the past. How old are the tires? They don't look like BFGoodrich sport comp 2s, which were the only street tire still made in the stock size for some time now (sadly, probably not any longer) so I'd guess those tires are aged out and will need to be replaced.
02-04-2022, 12:19 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
You will be surprised at the poor ride quality as compared to your c5. I know I was shocked at the harsh ride of the c4 I had. But like others said, try it before you buy it.