Advice for 1st Corvette

[Mutha]

Hello all,

Looking for some help and advice.

I've finally got myself to a position in life where I can afford and justify purchasing my dream Machine.  After doing a little research over the years I've decided a C4 vette is what I want and is in my price range.

I'm planning to research for another 12 mths before buying, but there is no doubt now that I will purchase a C4 vette.

What I really need though is to understand what to look for, what to expect for a given price, what problems to check for and what to avoid.  So far I have the following list of questions that perhaps some of you can help clear up for me.

1.  Is it cost effective to import, convert to RHD, and reg a vette or am I better buy one locally already rego'd and RHD?

2.  I see you can buy a RHD C4 1984 - 1988 locally for about $25k to $30k.  What are these vehicals generally like for condition and problems?

3.  Are there certain C4 models to avoid?

4.  What is the C4 like for resale value and in order to keep the resale value are there certain models to look for and should I be looking specifically for a very original un modified car?  Compared to some of the trophy winning show cars that are lovely, but have obviously been modified.

5.  I'm a little worried that I will be disapointed with the 205HP of the early C4.  Anyone care to comment on the general driving experiance with the early C4 with the L83?

6.  I'd like a manual transmission if poss, anyone have any comments on what to look for?  It there a particular transmission to avoid or look for?

7.  Is there anywhere in Melbourne where I could pay to get a potential vehical checked by an vette expert to be sure I'm buying a good car?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ian

[gtc]

Ian, you have a U2U message. Click on U2U at top right of page to read.

[MADLT1]

my advice is to join a local corvette car club,i  think there are more than one in your state,a club normaly will help you look over a car with you,the c4 started out with the crossfire injection,so if it is hp that you want then go a little later ,the tune port injected engines have more oportunities to gian that extra hp for less bucks,therte are many fine examples here in australia,you should not need have the hassle of importing and converting one,the beast c4 is the ZR1,if you have the money that is the model to get.

[77CVT]

;51

There is a Corvette model for eveyone!  205HP is not disappointing in a C4 as they accelerate quite nicely - there is ALWAYS room for improvement though (and that's not hard to get)!  ;46  

Resale is good as you'll most likely get your money back.  You can't go wrong buying a good model for your first one - it's like buying your first house, you don't know what you really want until you've lived in a couple.

You can get any C4 to run 13's with minor mods - not bad for a 20yr+ car!

[Vette Obsessed]

What I really need though is to understand what to look for, what to expect for a given price, what problems to check for and what to avoid.  So far I have the following list of questions that perhaps some of you can help clear up for me.

1.  Is it cost effective to import, convert to RHD, and reg a vette or am I better buy one locally already rego'd and RHD?

Self import and conversion isn't cost effective if you're looking at a post 90 model in my opinion.  Unless you manage to do it as a personal import RAWS will see to it that it isn't cost effective.

2.  I see you can buy a RHD C4 1984 - 1988 locally for about $25k to $30k.  What are these vehicals generally like for condition and problems?

Honestly, I've seen cars in this range that need alot of work and money invested and others that are perfect - it depends on each individual car.

3.  Are there certain C4 models to avoid?

Not really.  Many people bag the earlier cars but there is nothing wrong with any of them and none have major problems that you would really need to avoid.  Each year generally got quicker/faster and had more features added though.  Think about what you want from your car before you buy one.

Each year brought different features and developments, I'd buy the year that appealed to me most.

Avoid cars with questionable histories more than anything else.

4.  What is the C4 like for resale value and in order to keep the resale value are there certain models to look for and should I be looking specifically for a very original un modified car?  Compared to some of the trophy winning show cars that are lovely, but have obviously been modified.

The only thing I'd consider as an advantange resale wise was a clean car with an appropriate amount of kilometres for its age.  Some C4's sell straight away others can sit for months on end.  Buy the car that is closest to what you want in my opinion.  Pre modified cars will usually have depreciation on the modification built in when you buy them while clean original cars won't likely depreciate too much anymore as far as I can see unless you pay too much in the first place.

5.  I'm a little worried that I will be disapointed with the 205HP of the early C4.  Anyone care to comment on the general driving experiance with the early C4 with the L83?

The HP may be low but they're still a decent all round drive.  You won't win traffic lights derbies with new SS's or turbo fours though if stock.  If you ask this question I'd try work out how quickly you want to go before I decided on a car.  If you don't do that, as mentioned it shouldnt be a drama to work out an effective combo to get good performance if you do your homework from the start.

6.  I'd like a manual transmission if poss, anyone have any comments on what to look for?  It there a particular transmission to avoid or look for?

There are two factory manual gearboxes:

4+3 Doug nash - this is the four speed T10 gearbox in 84-88 Corvettes with an overdrive unit attached.  These had overdrive in the top three gears.

6 speed ZF S-640 - this is the six speed manual in 89=96 Corvettes.  there are minor difference between certain model year but this is a six speed with overdrive fifth and sixth gears.  These boxes are pretty much bulletproof.

Manual cars come with a larger differential housing which is stronger than that in auto cars, although strength of either wont be an issue unless you are using race tyres at the dragstrip.

7.  Is there anywhere in Melbourne where I could pay to get a potential vehical checked by an vette expert to be sure I'm buying a good car?

Most clubs could put you in touch with a local person who can do this.  You can get your local motorists association or mechanic to do this but they can miss Corvette specific things due to non-familiarity - if nobody else here can help, talk with one of your local clubs.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Take your time, don't rush into it, or fall in love with the first car you see/drive, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Also, if you don't have a copy already, the "Corvette Black Book" by Michael Antonick is a great resource for working out the most basic differences between each year of car.


Hope this helps.

[2 short]

Or you could go to the Corvettes for sale on this forum, near the bottom of the page "85 Corvette" and find out more about it?
Not a show quality car but the price reflects that!

[jolinari]

hey how about that one 95 no reserve and rhd

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-95-LT1-UPGRADED-PACKAGE_W0QQitemZ320218541397QQihZ011QQcategoryZ35227QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[87Z51]

Originally posted by jolinari
hey how about that one 95 no reserve and rhd

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-95-LT1-UPGRADED-PACKAGE_W0QQitemZ320218541397QQihZ011QQcategoryZ35227QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wanted $50 ,000 two weeks ago

[gtc]

Now up to $23,600 with just under 48 hours left.

[gtc]

Bidding ended at $33,433.33.

[87Z51]

C4's are currently at their lowest cost locally as reflected by the  price in the USA.They will only increase over time as the C3 have done .notwithstanding that C4's are not the favourite Vette model with purists.
It is currently a buyers market as despite the resale comments above ,in order to sell a car you must have a buyer.
Have a look at the cars on ebay that don't sell in the $20 -25K range.
Many people here have far more $$ invested in  their car than what the market will currently pay so they can't afford to sell.
Corvette are specialist cars,they only appeal to a select market.
Buy one and enjoy it; just don't expect to sell it the first time you put it up for sale.

If you have any mechanical ability ,personally I would buy the cheapest sound ( not POS ) car that appeals to you and  rebuild what ever is need.
These are 20 year old cars; a nice paint job and good interior  may not be a true reflection of the true state unless the seller can prove work done.Check for a RHD conversion done by a quality workshop

[69 DIRTY RAT]

$33k is a good/cheap price for a 95!

[77CVT]

Originally posted by 69 DIRTY RAT
$33k is a good/cheap price for a 95!

A bargain if you ask me!

[ozvette]

Everything that Vette Obsessed has said is right on.

In Melbourne you have two choices for clubs.

Corvettes of Melbourne

or

Vic Vettes


They share a lot of members and are friendly to new people, every people not yet with a Vette (I was a CoM member for maybe 4 or so years before buying my 87)



Also, simple statement.

Buy as new as you can afford.

Buy the best you can afford.

And it's a long drive, but get GoTech down in Frankston to do you check over any cars you like, or Corvette Factory in Blackburn.


Or you could just buy my 87 :24

[Panther]

Originally posted by 69 DIRTY RAT
$33k is a good/cheap price for a 95!

at this price it would be a sh#t box, put money on it ;29