C4 corvette guidance?

[danielhv]

My soon-to-be father-in-law has always wanted a C4 vette, and called me today saying that he thinks he may have found one. I don't know a whole lot about them, but it's an 86 model and I was curious if anybody knows of any known issues with that year? I know there was something said about the injection on them. Any other items to look for on these cars? They are asking 4500.

[UserX]

Buy a LT1 (92-96), you can find them in that price range. And check all interior electronics for functionality.

[crapstang]

C4 vette

And that's where it all went wrong

[danielhv]

And that's where it all went wrong

?

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[Scott Mc]

Just drive one and your question will be answered.

[Rick Modena]

Buy a LT1 (92-96), you can find them in that price range. And check all interior electronics for functionality.

This right here. You can get these year models at a good price. Though with any Corvette, the lower the miles and condition will set the price. If he wants something in those years at a low price he will have to buy aftermaret stuff to get it back to par.

?

Hes trollin.

[crapstang]

?

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It's just a personal thing. I hate C4 corvettes for many reasons. Talk him out of it! They only have 205-230hp, look ugly, and they have a lot of little issues and low quality parts. Anyone I have known with one just wants to unload it after throwing endless amounts of money at it

[Karson]

The 86's were tpi so theres no crossfire injection crap to deal with. The car itself is pretty reliable. L98 with a 700r4, but its not going to be very quick. They were around 230hp but had about 330ish torque. Headlight motors, gauge clusters, interior rattles, and bose issues are really the only issues prone to those cars. If its clean, relatively low miles, thats not a bad buy, but I agree, 92-96 would be much more desirable. You can find 92-96 lt1 cars for around the same money.

If he is serious about that 86, look at the weatherstrip and the seats/carpet. That stuff gets expensive real quick.

[SSMAN]

Only thing worth owning from the 80'-90's is the Buick Grand National.

[MattB]

Does it have the goofy 4+3 manual tranny?

[MattB]

Only thing worth owning from the 80'-90's is the Buick Grand National.

What research have you done to come-up with that statement?

[Rick Modena]

Does it have the goofy 4+3 manual tranny?

I had a Callaway TT C-4 vert with that crazy tranny, it didn't matter though it would break the tires loose in any of the "7" gears, lmao!

[Cobraman]

My 96 lt1 was a cool car. Just wasn't for me. It had been wrecked and had some issues. Might have stuck with it had it been a six speed.

[46Tbird]

Man, I didn't realize there was so much C4 hatred! I kinda like them. Sure the styling is a little dated, especially the '84-90 models, or whatever year it was when they went to the bubble butt. But they are very inexpensive, very capable performers. Fast? Eh, maybe not by today's standards, but I was impressed when my dad took his totally stock '87 L98/auto convertible and ran a couple of 8.8 passes with it. Plenty quick to be fun and get you in trouble, but with enough brakes and suspension to keep you out.

Plus it has a REAL small block Chevy. A friend bought an '86 with a busted piston for $1000. Then ported the heads himself, put in a set of .030 over flat top TRW forged pistons, a really mild cam, and gutted the cats. With a 150-shot, it went 10.80s, and this was 15 years ago when that was warp speed. He was working that weird 4+3 trans!

Look for broken/torn/leaky weatherstrip. These cars suffer from that BAD so half the cars you look at smell like an old swamp. Check to make sure all the gauges and electrical components are working because they're a PITA to fix. Especially the flip-up headlights! At that point, just the normal stuff like leaky engine/trans/diff, coolant leaks, engine codes, wheels/tires, suspension noises, overall condition, etc. Stay away from the '84s with Cross Fire Injection. Good luck.

[mustang_revival]

Save and buy a C5.