Corvette Info?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Corvette Info?
I may have an interest in buying a C-4 era 'Vette for my grandson...he is 20 months old. 
It seems this is the most affordable 'vette series and for long term may be a pretty good investment. Not sure of the do's and don't or what were the good years / bad years to buy.
Any 'Vette vets...out there? Any info appreciated.
Thanks
It seems this is the most affordable 'vette series and for long term may be a pretty good investment. Not sure of the do's and don't or what were the good years / bad years to buy.
Any 'Vette vets...out there? Any info appreciated.
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Western, NY
Go to this place and do some reading, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeromain
If you are looking for an investment, I don't think a C-4 Corvette is going to make you rich, better of investing in the stock market in my opinion.
C-3 are just starting to go up in value especially 1968 - 1972 big block engines, 4 speed and ragtops....
1973 - 1982 are still cheap, GM made so many of them I don't think they are ever going to be valuable.
If you are looking for an investment, I don't think a C-4 Corvette is going to make you rich, better of investing in the stock market in my opinion.
C-3 are just starting to go up in value especially 1968 - 1972 big block engines, 4 speed and ragtops....
1973 - 1982 are still cheap, GM made so many of them I don't think they are ever going to be valuable.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Originally Posted by Ulf
Go to this place and do some reading, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeromain
If you are looking for an investment, I don't think a C-4 Corvette is going to make you rich, better of investing in the stock market in my opinion.
C-3 are just starting to go up in value especially 1968 - 1972 big block engines, 4 speed and ragtops....
1973 - 1982 are still cheap, GM made so many of them I don't think they are ever going to be valuable.
If you are looking for an investment, I don't think a C-4 Corvette is going to make you rich, better of investing in the stock market in my opinion.
C-3 are just starting to go up in value especially 1968 - 1972 big block engines, 4 speed and ragtops....
1973 - 1982 are still cheap, GM made so many of them I don't think they are ever going to be valuable.
Thanks for the link and info
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
If you could find an original Pace car (78?) edition with the silver leather interior and decals in good shape, that might be worth more down the road if you are looking to sell it.
I saw one on CL for $12k recently.
I saw one on CL for $12k recently.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 94
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From: Western, NY
I would agree the 78 Pace Car Vette was made in a limited production run it should bring more money if it is kept original.
In the C-4 Corvette you might look for the ZR-1 I think it was called can't remember the year it was built but it had a motor built by Mercury Marine which also was a limited production run, if kept original might also be worth a few bucks in the future.
In the C-4 Corvette you might look for the ZR-1 I think it was called can't remember the year it was built but it had a motor built by Mercury Marine which also was a limited production run, if kept original might also be worth a few bucks in the future.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Stay away from the Cease Fire injection models, and if someone tells you they have an 83 model for sale,, walk away,, walk slowly away.
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Elder User
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Avoid the '84-85 as they don't have anti-lock brakes and the suspension was stiff. '86 had a revised suspension and a much better ride. Mid 86 had some important changes that revised mount points on the removable roof and revised valve covers, both to stop leaks. Automatics were fine but avoid the manual 4+3 on '88 and earlier as they are a pain to shift. '89 received the 6-spd manual ZF tranny and adjustable suspension FX3, available on Z51 models. It was also the only year with locking hubcaps and one of the nicest wheels imho. '90 had a revised dash and it was hard to read in the sun. In '92 they revised it again. ‘90 was also the last year of the round taillights and the first year for the ZR-1. '91 copied the ZR-1’s tail and saw minor changes till ’96. Stronger motors with more HP came in several years. Torque didn’t changes as much. Several years had special packages like the '93 40th anniv. and the '96 grand sport.
Last edited by Netfly; Apr 7, 2007 at 12:27 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
This is great info...
...There is a '78 Indy Pace Car around here for sale as I recall (I was at the time trials that year
) didn't pay close attention to it because I was focused on C-4...need to broaden my horizons.
Thanks again guys. Keep it comin'
...There is a '78 Indy Pace Car around here for sale as I recall (I was at the time trials that year
) didn't pay close attention to it because I was focused on C-4...need to broaden my horizons.Thanks again guys.
Keep it comin'
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Western, NY
Be very careful if you are buying a C-3 Vette 1968 - 1982, they are notorious for frame rot, there are a few places to look for rust, look around the windshield, posts (sides) and header (top of windshield), also water would leak down around the door posts where the hinges are on the inside, this wole section is called the bird cage, gets very expensive to fix.
Another important area is to check the frame right in front of the rear wheels and where it kicks up over the rear axle.
1976 and newer Vettes have steel floor boards which will rust through.
I have no experience with the C-4 Vettes, so I can't tell you where to look for rust but they all rust especially if the were driven in the winter, which many people did.
Do your home work before you hand over the cash....
Best of luck !
Ulf
Another important area is to check the frame right in front of the rear wheels and where it kicks up over the rear axle.
1976 and newer Vettes have steel floor boards which will rust through.
I have no experience with the C-4 Vettes, so I can't tell you where to look for rust but they all rust especially if the were driven in the winter, which many people did.
Do your home work before you hand over the cash....
Best of luck !
Ulf
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Good point Ulf. Along with the frame rot the C3 bodies are fiberglass and tend to crack. Often they had stress cracks over the wheel wells. The C4 uses SMC which looks like fiberglass, but is much more durable. The C4 clamshell-opening hood was a big improvement too, making it easier to work on the engine. The 82 collector series (some had opening rear glass) and 78 pace cars are both collectable, but not great drivers. Stick to the C4 if you intend to drive it much. The C4 didn't have rust problems. The exhaust went stainless and the chassis were coated. Of course one great thing about any Vette is the bodies never rust, but I recall some 84-85 colors had paint peeling problems. I drove an 86 as a daily driver. Through rain and snow never had a problem if it wasn't too deep. It was tuff to keep traction in the snow, but it would stick to the ground very well in the rain. Traction control started around '92.
Last edited by Netfly; Apr 7, 2007 at 11:44 AM.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
It seems that currently, they are the most affordable. Following advice here, I will likely look for later generation C-4. Still gotta get the real boss over the speed bump of non-compliance though....may be a slow process. If the right deal comes along I can push it. Will likely be a slow journey...if you know what I mean.
She didn't buy into the "get it now for our 20 month old grandson"
gotta come up with another angle.
She didn't buy into the "get it now for our 20 month old grandson"
gotta come up with another angle.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 1
From: Milky Way Galaxy
This is some great info on Vette's. Oddly enough, it was my wife and not me that just recently bought a high-performance sports car, so I'm just now learning about them. I've always just driven trucks or SUV's. It's a whole different world when you're driving a car that can go from 0-60 in 5 seconds, whip through mountain curves so fast you either get smashed against the door or thrown to the passenger seat, and is able to hit 155 mph (it's got a limiter that prevents it from going over 155) before you can blink.
Turns-out these sports car things are kind of fun.
Turns-out these sports car things are kind of fun.