C4 Advice

[David L.]

I'm a C1 guy and am looking to purchase a C4 driver quality car. What are the pit falls to look for in , say a 1985.
I don't want this to be a money pit ... just a decent car to drive on nice days.

Thanks, David

[Joe C.]

Re: C4 Advice

Stay away from the Doug Nash transmission.

Z51 is nice to have (I loooooooove mine), so long as you are prepared to have your teeth rattled. If you enjoy spirited driving then you should have it on your list.

Bose radios have had their share of problems with the individually amplified speakers.

Early C4s have issues with instrument clusters, in some cases.

Sport seats are problematic. Avoid them.

If the ECM has its original PROM chip, it should be upgraded to the service replacement which appeared in 1986.

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Advice

I'm a C1 guy and am looking to purchase a C4 driver quality car. What are the pit falls to look for in , say a 1985.
I don't want this to be a money pit ... just a decent car to drive on nice days.

Thanks, David

David------

As with most used cars, your best bet will be a car that's lived all of it's life on the west coast and with low mileage. Low mileage is important because you don't want to have the possibility of a lot of worn-out parts that may be difficult to find replacements for in the NEW PARTS market.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C4 Advice

buy a C-5 as they are reasonable in price and IMHO they are a much better car for every day driving.

[Jack P.]

Re: C4 Advice

I'm a C1 guy and am looking to purchase a C4 driver quality car. What are the pit falls to look for in , say a 1985.
I don't want this to be a money pit ... just a decent car to drive on nice days.

Thanks, David

Hi David , does this mean you will be coming south to my part of Maine. Still waiting to get car back from painter. Saw it last night, front is all primed and block sanded, he is now working on rear. Lots of glassing of 44 year old rear panels, and he wants it to look nice for my trip.

Hope you find a nice , easy to drive car, hope your feeling better

Jack

[Tom H.]

Re: C4 Advice

Buy a good, solid, complete car that needs no parts. Parts are getting hard to get for the C4's. I know you have probably set a budget, but the newer you go in a C4, the better. A good C4 is a pleasure to drive.

[David L.]

Re: C4 Advice

Jack,

Thanks for the information and inquiry. My '58 was sold to a gentleman in Florida and I'm looking for a nice, reasonably priced car. My health is holding it's own and I look forward to your launch date and reports back from all parts of this great country.

David

[David L.]

Re: C4 Advice

Closing in on a '85 here on the east coast. Car has never been driven in snow and has all the bells and whistles. Price is right. Only 35,000 miles. Plan to inspect the car this coming week and if it's as described with pictures and a telphone call, I'll most likely purchase it. Thanks to all who responded and assisted.

David

[Wayne W.]

Re: C4 Advice

I personally would stay away from an 85. Has a lot of costly one year things to deal with. Later cars are less expensive in the long run.

[David L.]

Re: C4 Advice

Wayne,

Thanks for the advice!

[Patrick N.]

Re: C4 Advice

David,

my 88 Z52 is a blast!

Issues:
There was a TSB on the fuel injectors but once replaced it ran like a top. The car is a hard ride at slow speeds-hard on your joints. Personally, I found that at 70mph + the car really comes together nicely and smoothes out.

If you look at TPI- Throttle bodies need periodic de-gunking with some throttle body cleaner. They can get sticky.

Most have a hard start issue when hot but there are some fixes.

My car always ran hot at first -upwards of 215 degrees!!! It wants to run around 175 - 180.

C4's are great fun- great value!!!

Good luck
Pat
68 427 / 400
88

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Advice

David,


C4's are great fun- great value!!!

Good luck
Pat
68 427 / 400
88

Patrick------


I also think they're the "cleanest" bodied Corvette ever built. In fact, that has worked to their detriment to many since many folks like "dramatic" styling. Most Corvettes have "dramatic" styling. C4 Corvettes are "understated" and "clean".

[Pat M.]

Re: C4 Advice

Patrick------


I also think they're the "cleanest" bodied Corvette ever built. In fact, that has worked to their detriment to many since many folks like "dramatic" styling. Most Corvettes have "dramatic" styling. C4 Corvettes are "understated" and "clean".

I agree Joe. And while I love my C3's looks, I also love the understated, clean look of my C4.

I would also argue, ironically, that the C4's subtlety was dramatic in the sense that it looked so different from late C3s. It's a design that I think was appropriate then and still looks great today.

[Joe C.]

Re: C4 Advice

I personally would stay away from an 85. Has a lot of costly one year things to deal with. Later cars are less expensive in the long run.

Yes, I agree.
Stay away from the POS '85 Corvette. Especially red ones.

[Joe C.]

Re: C4 Advice

I agree Joe. And while I love my C3's looks, I also love the understated, clean look of my C4.

I would also argue, ironically, that the C4's subtlety was dramatic in the sense that it looked so different from late C3s. It's a design that I think was appropriate then and still looks great today.

I agree, too.
The clam shell hood reminds me of the old cab-over-tilt diesel rigs from the 50's - 70-s. White, Diamond T, Autocar, Dodge, Mack, International, Brockway, GMC, Reo.