The first thing you should notice, or be aware of, is that the clear coat is peeling badly. I purchased it from pictures, and the finish looked very good. I noted it had been repainted, as the front parking lense housings were not black. Still looked good, though. Having owned it for some time, I'm now convinced the repaint was done by a discount shop - the clear coat is just coming off. The worst spot is on the rear deck, near the fuel door. One of the pictures is of that area. The next worst is the area of the gills. The pictures show the peeling pretty good. The front bumper is pockmarked where rocks have chipped the clear coat.The base coat appears fairly good. However, I can't swear that the color is the original Ruby. Please look at the pictures closely.
The front passengers side corner is scraped pretty bad in an area about 4 square inches. The scrape is through the base coat, to the primer (?) - also shown in the pictures.
Frankly, I didn't get a carfax prior to purchase (I still don't have one). My curiosity almost had me buy one recently due to a growing suspicion: the lenses on the front of the car are very clear, almost new looking. I have another '93 that has "normal" wear, and the lenses are very cloudy. My suspicion is that Ruby doesn't have her original bumper - wreck? Adding to my suspicion is that there appears to be some paint under the base coat that is not a Ruby color. Hence, from another car.
For those new to C-4's, there are a few points you should be aware of:
1. The distributor - notorious "optispark" - is prone to failure when the waterpump goes. To the best of my knowledge, the opti on my car has not been replaced; nor has the waterpump.
2. The tops of the door panels fail, causing a floppy door panel. I have repaired the driver's side door; the passenger side has not been repaired, but needs to be.
3. My car is equipped with the FX-3 system, also prone to failure. The original shocks, as well as the actuators, have been replaced by conventional shocks - these are good, but not the originals. I have the originals as well as the actuators, but I do not know if they work. I've never had them on the car.
4. The VATs system can be a bug. In the time I've owned Ruby, on three occasions, I've gone into a convenience store, and come out to leave, only to have the car not start. On all three occasions, I waited five minutes, turned the key and the car started.
5. The '93 model convertible had a plastic rear window. Mine is good, but be aware it is a little cloudy. No problem seeing, but it isn't crystal clear. The prior owner had made up a binder with receipts for various parts. The convertible top is an item that had been replaced. There are no tears in the top; it is in pretty good shape.
6. Ruby has sport seats. Again, an item that can cause problems. The driver's seat lumbar support does not function. The reason is a three-connection plastic thingy that broke when I had the seat out for cleaning. Too, when I adjust the seats (both) up or down, and go too far, there is a ratcheting noise that results.
7. The sound system is Bose; I have no problems with mine, all speakers and the CD player work fine, but another "prone to failure" issue with C4's.
Alll that being said, I will say that she runs very well. In June I took a 1,600 mile ride on Route 66, and she did wonderfully. Of course, my top was down, and it was nice and sunny. Heckuva trip. In July, I took another trip of aproximately 1,500 miles. Again, no issues whatsoever.
I put new tires on Ruby just prior to the two trips. As you will see in the pictures, the tires are in pretty good shape. They're matched Cooper brand tires.
I have done nothing but preventive maintenance on Ruby since I bought her - oil changes on schedule, replaced the plugs, replaced brake pads and front rotors. I have kept a log of all such maintenance.
One of the pictures is of the driver's side seat. Please note the small tear (2 inches or so) on the side next to the transmission tunnel. There is another tear in the same seat (on the "door side") where the metal internal seat support touches the cover.
Another picture is of the door sill. You should be able to see that they show a worn spot.
I am missing one of the rubber inserts for the cup holder. I also have no ashtray. Speaking of which, I was a smoker. There is probably (?) a lingering smoke odor, I just don't detect it.
Overall, I'd give her about a six on a scale of 10. The only reason I'm going so low is the paint. I will also say that with all her faults, I still get admiring comments, and greatly enjoy taking her out with the top down.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen
Plano, Texas
Last edited by StephensblackL98; 10-20-2009 at 10:15 AM.
Reason: Price change
Man, I would like to have this Ruby even with all the things needing fixed. I have liked them ever since I saw a ZR-1 in this color. Can't do it right now but maybe if you have it later....just maybe...
Dkimmons, thanks very much for asking. I have decided not to sell it. When I received no interest in it at $5,800, I began to ask myself why I was giving it away. It's really a very nice example - just has a few items that need attention.
Instead, I'm in the process of restoring it to the condition it was in when it came off the assembly line. Everything is to be re-done - paint, shocks, interior, motor, suspension, etc. Then I'm going to experience what driving a new '93 was like.
Again, thanks for asking.
Stephen
Plano Texas
Last edited by StephensblackL98; 04-12-2010 at 09:15 PM.
Stephen
Thanks for getting back to me, wish we had seen the add earlier. Since I didn"t hear back from you sooner I assumed the car had been sold. We did find a nice (not show by any means but in very good shape) 1980 locally in Fort Worth. My wife wants it for a daily driver and we only gave $4900 for it which I consider a steal, they are going for 6500 up to 23K so I think I stole this one. Had to put a Batt and Alternater on it and will have to do some carb work but even as it is it runs good. The paint could stand to be redone (yellow) but for a driver it looks pretty good and the wife is happy. Hope Ruby turns out as you want her to look, I thought she looked pretty good as she was.
Good luck with her
Doyle
Corvette Store
F/S '93 Ruby convertible - $5,800- North Texas
Bobby
