Low end buyer advice

Most of the things you think are good features only go to show that the
current owner has trashed the car with after market crap ... like the
radio,,,??? Best buy special..?? K& N filter etc..all items used to increase
HP..none of witch really do much good..wheels...not original..knock off a
few hundred bucks..antenna..another hundred or so..scratched paint..sever
hundred to blend and match..and now you don't have the original paint. Car
still for sale..ask yourself why...??? Clean title..flood damage...do a
title check..if still interested offer $5000 or dealer trade whichever is
less ....leave your phone # and walk away.Remember aftermarket items on a
Vette often tend to decrease its value..
Also..don't you have a clue what to look for before you run all over the
place looking for a Vette.

Avoid all dealers
Avoid all young drivers
Avoid all second /third/fourth owners
Avoid all Borla /K&N /chip updated cars.
Avoid any car owned by females.

Dale DeRemer wrote:
> I am looking to buy my first Corvette. It's a toy, I'm in Ohio, so I can
> only drive it about 1/2 of the year. I feel guilty spending money on a toy,
> so I'm limiting myself to cars under $10k. I located a good candidate. A
> 1986. The owner wants $8500. It has some minor issues, but it's very strong.
> The interior is almost perfect for a 20 year old car. On to my questions:
>
> Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
> Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch for?
> Is this car reasonably realiable?
> I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at early
> 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?
>
> Thanks in advance for any input / advice.
>
>
Hello Dale,

Never give up on having a toy or two. Dad's general advice on 'vettes
holds particularly true for the C4s -- as the years went on they got
better. Auto transmission was pretty mature from the start. For a
stick, avoid the earlier 4+3--most of these have been expensive to keep
going. Also worth avoiding opti-spark ignition as most of these cars
will need some cooling system maintenance (new water pump etc.)

The comments on the C4's immature electronics are worth noting.
Generally those problems are less frequently seen in the later C4s.
Electronic climate control problems seem to affect all years.

You would probably be better off carrying out a thorough search for a
later '94, '95 or '96 C4. Suggest <www.autotrader.com>, anydistance.
Be patient. You'll see the good, the bad and the ugly -- enjoy.

When I got my C5, I put my '89 up for sale. Clean, auto '89, 55K miles.
No takers at $ 9K and none at $ 8500. I disposed of my leased sedan
and put the C4 into regular service on the freeway. Maintenance will
run more than on the leased car but the low depreciation and fun makes
it worthwhile.

--
PJ
'89 auto coupe, '02 6-spd coupe

The one 'nice' thing about buying a used older 'vette is, you'll learn all
about them.
Restoring, can be a fun and gratifying hobby. Since this is a 'toy', I think
you're making
a good choice, you'll have plenty of things to 'play' with.


"Dale DeRemer" > wrote in message
...
> I am looking to buy my first Corvette. It's a toy, I'm in Ohio, so I can
> only drive it about 1/2 of the year. I feel guilty spending money on a
toy,
> so I'm limiting myself to cars under $10k. I located a good candidate. A
> 1986. The owner wants $8500. It has some minor issues, but it's very
strong.
> The interior is almost perfect for a 20 year old car. On to my questions:
>
> Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
> Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch for?
> Is this car reasonably realiable?
> I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at
early
> 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?
>
> Thanks in advance for any input / advice.
>
>

I guess it comes down to what each buyer wants. I'm not looking for a show
car, or a car to turn into a show car. What I want is a car that is fun.
I've wanted a Corvette since I was about 15. I understand that collectors
care about keeping a car factory. I personally think the 84-87? wheels are
ugly. A CD player is an advantage, I like CDs. The intake/exhaust change, it
really does add HP. The chip... that doesn't excite me.
What I want is a Corvette that is fun to drive, that I can occassionally
take to a track and open it up, (club sponsored events). I would like it to
be as reliable as I can reasonably expect.

I appriciate the advice. My biggest challenge at this point is to remain
patient.

"Lone Wolf" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Most of the things you think are good features only go to show that the
> current owner has trashed the car with after market crap ... like the
> radio,,,??? Best buy special..?? K& N filter etc..all items used to
> increase HP..none of witch really do much good..wheels...not
> original..knock off a few hundred bucks..antenna..another hundred or
> so..scratched paint..sever hundred to blend and match..and now you don't
> have the original paint. Car still for sale..ask yourself why...??? Clean
> title..flood damage...do a title check..if still interested offer $5000 or
> dealer trade whichever is less ....leave your phone # and walk
> away.Remember aftermarket items on a Vette often tend to decrease its
> value..
> Also..don't you have a clue what to look for before you run all over the
> place looking for a Vette.
>
> Avoid all dealers
> Avoid all young drivers
> Avoid all second /third/fourth owners
> Avoid all Borla /K&N /chip updated cars.
> Avoid any car owned by females.
>
>
>

"Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> I think you will like the '90s better. However, that could be a year away
> and some of them have just as much expense associated with fixing/keeping
as
> the '80s cars do.
>
> The same rules apply to these as most Corvettes. Little problems can be
very
> expensive. So the sales pitch of "minor issues" can cost you big dollars,
> making what seems like a deal to be a hole you throw money in.
>
> Paint - clear coats often peel. Don't let the pitch "just needs paint" or
> "just needs buffed or cleared" make you think it is a deal. You are into
> several thousand dollars to fix. $4000 is the average Corvette paint job,
> and depending on the mess you may have, it could be more.
>
> Electronics - the C4 began the flirtation with electronics everywhere.
> Fortunately, there is a cottage industry to support these 25 year old
> electronic designs and components. However, it comes with a cost. Check
> these prices for anything you can find wrong before. The LCD I believe is
a
> $300 issue for almost anything wrong.
>
> I missed out on an '87 a month ago that looked great in pictures. It was
> supposed to run good with an occasional miss. The guy had to sell, and it
> was down to $4500. I didn't get to check it out, so all I have is what he
> said. How does yours compare?
>
> Oops, the pictures are gone for that one.
>
> Try this '89 for $8900. How does it compare?
> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1558081
>
> This '86 for $5000
> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1495778
>
> This '88 for $5500
> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1576860
>
> There is no reason not to buy one from several hundred miles away if you
can
> save enough money. A C4 should be able to make a 500 or 1000 mile drive
with
> no problems, or else you don't want it. And it is the thing memories are
> made of, a long road trip in a Corvette. Ask Dad, he crisscrosses the
> country all the time in one.
>
> With the overdrive, the gas expense will be less than you think, as you
> should be cruising along at over 20 mpg easily with 25 mpg probable. So 20
> or so gallons of gas for 500 miles is really a bargain if you can save
$1000
> or more.
>
> Go check out this link and other places first. Don't buy the first you
see,
> because it is kind of like marrying the first girl that takes you to bed.
> Some time later, you may discover all you had in common was that one wild
> passion, and the rest is terrible.
>
> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54
>
> Try to stay under 100,000 miles, however, if you find one well-cared for
at
> 110,000 or such, don't immediately dismiss it.
>

Great advice! I would add to that the need for a decent shop for the fixes
and a few thou available -- unless the prospective owner is
mechanically/electroncally adept. In the early C-3 days I know I was able to
cope with routine repairs that today I don't think I would or could handle.
And. electrical problems are the worst when you consider aging electronics.
I, too have thought about a mid 90s C-4 as a possible weekender, but
remember all too well the frustrations of something that you cannot get
fixed anywhere.


>
> "Dale DeRemer" > wrote in message
> ...
> >I am looking to buy my first Corvette. It's a toy, I'm in Ohio, so I can
> >only drive it about 1/2 of the year. I feel guilty spending money on a
toy,
> >so I'm limiting myself to cars under $10k. I located a good candidate. A
> >1986. The owner wants $8500. It has some minor issues, but it's very
> >strong. The interior is almost perfect for a 20 year old car. On to my
> >questions:
> >
> > Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
> > Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch
for?
> > Is this car reasonably realiable?
> > I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at
> > early 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any input / advice.
> >
>
>
>

Dale DeRemer wrote:
> I am looking to buy my first Corvette. It's a toy, I'm in Ohio, so I can
> only drive it about 1/2 of the year. I feel guilty spending money on a toy,
> so I'm limiting myself to cars under $10k. I located a good candidate. A
> 1986. The owner wants $8500. It has some minor issues, but it's very strong.
> The interior is almost perfect for a 20 year old car. On to my questions:
>
> Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
> Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch for?
> Is this car reasonably realiable?
> I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at early
> 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?
>
> Thanks in advance for any input / advice.
>
>

http://tinyurl.com/y5wopd

I bought an '84 five years ago, I absolutly love it. If you pay attention
to your car the maintenance is about 20% above normal but well worth the
enjoyment of driving a 'vette. I have always been an avid sports car buff
so the rough ride doesn't bother me at all, I changed a few things on the
crossfire (IE: Lunati cam, solids, mallory ignition and headers, eliminated
the catalytic converters and made the exhaust true duals). The additional
horsepower made my 'vette responsive and quick. The good news is if you buy
at $7,000 you can always resell at $6,000. $1000 for a year of driving a
'vette is cheap fun.

Art
'84 arrest red/red


"Dale DeRemer" > wrote in message
...
> I am looking to buy my first Corvette. It's a toy, I'm in Ohio, so I can
> only drive it about 1/2 of the year. I feel guilty spending money on a
toy,
> so I'm limiting myself to cars under $10k. I located a good candidate. A
> 1986. The owner wants $8500. It has some minor issues, but it's very
strong.
> The interior is almost perfect for a 20 year old car. On to my questions:
>
> Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
> Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch for?
> Is this car reasonably realiable?
> I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at
early
> 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?
>
> Thanks in advance for any input / advice.
>
>
>

'Is 1986 a decent year for Corvettes?
Are there characteristic problems with 1986 Corvettes I should watch
for? Is this car reasonably realiable?
I could buy now, or wait a year, save a few bucks and start looking at
early 90's Corvettes, is that a better plan?'

REPLY: Watch out for the 4 plus 3 manual trans. in late 1980's vettes ;
they were only out for 2 years due to the enormous problems and silly
engineering with them. If i were you, id definitely opt for an early
1990's Vette with LT1 motor which is durable ,more power., and better
for resale. Good improvements were had on Vettes after 1988 and i
think youll be happier going with an early 1990's .

Dave

I don't think it is legal or proper to eliminate the cat converters....it's
people like you that are destroying this beautiful planet...you should be
fined and jailed for you total indifference to rest of us...and your Vette
should be impounded.

I hope some one from the Feds reads your post and takes the necessary
actions to get you off the road.

Do you know how many toxins are in the computer you posted this rant on,
and the amount of toxins it took to manufacture, and the pollution that was
created providing you with the electricity to post this?

I'm a surfer and care about the planet, but you have to be reasonable.
The amount that
car will be driven is minuscule. Plus you can bet he has a good tune-up
on it.
You can also bet his daily driver has converters on it........ soooo we
should
just scrap all the classic cars out there. They don't have
converters...... geeze.

And "Needs to be Jailed"? Do you understand how many people are
warehoused our jails?
And what if he has a family, just kick the family to the curb if they
are deprived
of income. Lose his livelihood........... Like the "jail people that
possess a joint" bunch.
Double Geeze....

Lone Wolf wrote:

> I don't think it is legal or proper to eliminate the cat
> converters....it's people like you that are destroying this beautiful
> planet...you should be fined and jailed for you total indifference to
> rest of us...and your Vette should be impounded.
>
> I hope some one from the Feds reads your post and takes the necessary
> actions to get you off the road.


--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove –SPAM- from email address
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