• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

need advice

D

Don Meyer

Don Meyer
This is my first post.......I sold my Zo6 before retirement & miss it. I am not able to lay out that kind of money anymore , but would like to buy another Vette. I need to buy something that will not be a money pit and need advice on wheather to look at C-3's or C-4's. I would like to find one in the $6 to range $10 k range.

Any discussion would be greatly appreciated.

Don Meyer-St Cloud,Fl
 
Hi Don, welcome to the site. I'm partial to C4's as I was working for a Chevy dealer when those models were hitting the show rooms. They made a lot of them back then (most model years were 30K+ production figures) and they're still pretty easy to find. I've seen prices from $3500.00 and up. Take your time and look around, Ebay is a good source and you can find some low mileage cars on there. I would recommend a thorough inspection if you're paying top dollar, but you probably already know that. C3's are a little harder to find in pristine condition and those cars can be a little pricey, but they're still some good cars to be had. It's your choice, but it really doesn't matter, after all, a Vette's a Vette! Have fun!
 
Don, welcome to "THE" forum. I bought my C5 off of the internet. Search around using key words like "corvette" "sale" "C4" and see what you find. Don't quit or get discouraged........it took me 2 years to find mine but I got one that I really like. Do your homework, look at the C4 forums, and ask for advice on specifics. Find other C4 owners and get to know what some of the problem areas are for that generation. Also check out some of the posts on www.corvetteactioncenter.com. Maybe between there and Corvetteflorida you'll find the answers to a bunch of your questions. Hope you find one that meets your requirements real quick!
Andy :wavey:
 
:welcome: Don :welcome: I prefer '74 and earlier Vettes only because they are pre electronics and all the other gadgetry. I do most all my own work and don't have the equipment necessary to work on newer ones. This is something you need to take into consideration when buying an older and/or lower priced Vette. Any car you find in the 6-10k range will probably need some type of work and unless you can do some of it yourself, you are going to shell out a lot of $ to the local Vette mechanic, which I have found to be few and far between and very expensive. Some very nice "driver" C-3s & 4s are available in the 12-16k range and may be worth the extra $ unless you can work on them like I do. Just a thought. Once again :welcome:
 
C3/C4 comparison

Some good advice....I like the looks of the C4, but heard the electronic gauges are troublesome. Is this an expensive item to repair?

Is the ride of the C4 greatly improved over the C3?

Is there a comparison of the 2 models on the web?
 
Welcome ,I understand your position and i'm sure you'll be able to find something decent.Hopefully some of these nice people will keep their eyes open for you. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Welcome to our site!

Since your funds are limited any C3 that you find in your range will require more work and dollars. I think you have a better chance of finding a C4 that will fit your price limitations. But, be careful, there is a lot of junk out there. Don't jump at the very first thing you see.

Good luck with your search!

BTW, since you are a new member, go up to the Welcome Room and sign in. You will find a great bunch of people ready to welcome you to our internet playground.

Rich
 
Comparing C3s to C4s is like apples and potatoes. They are almost like two different cars. The C3 still rides somewhat like a true "sports car" while the C4 has a much improved suspension and there is no comparison to the handling. One of the biggest differences is in the electronics, much more sophisticated (and troublesome) in the later C3s and C4s. My advice would be to take your time and focus on a private sale with a pre-inspection by a knowelgeble Vette person before you purchase.
 
Don Meyer said:
Some good advice....I like the looks of the C4, but heard the electronic gauges are troublesome. Is this an expensive item to repair?

Is the ride of the C4 greatly improved over the C3?

Is there a comparison of the 2 models on the web?
Click to expand...

Hi Don, I too have problems with my electronic LED dash display. It all works but the LED lighting is not working. I'm told this may be due to a grounding problem in the steering column (my turn signal and high beam indicator stay lit). I've seen rebuilt units on Ebay for $250.00-$300.00. I haven't ruled out pulling all that out and replacing that part of the dash with an aluminum billet plate and just installing gauges, but I would like to keep it original. I have a friend who is up on all that electronic stuff, he installs all the elctronics in our patrol cars, so I let him have the Vette yesterday. I'll keep you posted. I would not let this discourage you though.
 
Probably the BEST thing to do would be to find out if you have a vette mechanic handy nearby before you buy. Since I gather you don't want to do the work yourself, you really need to have expertise closeby. Looking to buy a car 10 years or more old pretty much puts you into this sort of position. You can't take them just anywhere to get them worked on.

Good luck!
 
I can do some of the work my self. I have a 4 car garage w/a paint booth,mig & tig welders, hyd. lift......ect. I just do not do major mech work.

I have done more fiberglass/paint jobs on mine & friends Vettes than I can keep count of. I used to buy wrecked Vettes in Ohio back in the 70's, have the frame pulled & do the fiberglass/paint.

I am going to look for a Vette in good mech condition needing fiberglass/paint work to keep the cost down. Anyone needing body work advice just ask.

Don Meyer
 
Well I would have to say that the BIG advantage of the C4 over the C3 (in my opinion of course) is that I would NEVER EVER go back to carburation after having fuel injection. With every vehicle I have ever owned with a carburetor, it was the biggest pain in the butt imaginable to deal with. At one time I could rebuild Holley carburetors in my sleep..... :banghead: Between automatic choke problems, fuel bowl float issues, accelerator pump failures, and bogging and flat spots in the rev curves, it was enough to drive me insane at times. For a flat out race car, sure they are OK, but those danged things just don't need to be in a street driven car.

IMHO........ (of course I am talking about 1960s and early 1970s technology here....)
 
larrybroga said:
One of the biggest differences is in the electronics, much more sophisticated (and troublesome) in the later C3s and C4s.
Click to expand...

I can see how this may be true, but I haven't experienced it. I purchased my 90 coupe 2 years ago. I'm the third owner and all electronics work flawlessly "knock on wood". Of course it helped that the car was well cared for. All it needs is a little paint work.
 
Well I drove a C4 vert w/a 6 speed trans. It rode , shifted & drove good. However, It had a lot of cowl shake, it rattled, the interior was cheap & it was hard to get out.

Thus, I think I need to drive a C3 for a comparison to see if I want to buy one.
I need to find one in Florida that is priced right. Any one have one for sale. Needs to have very good mechanics needing only body/paint work. Lets see whats out there.

Don Meyer, St Cloud, FL.
(407) 957-8800
weldvair@earthlink.net
 
Have you driven a C5 for comparison? I started out with the same thought process, but somehow wound up getting an '02 Z06. Not sure what happened.................... I hadn't planned on spending that much money....
 
Don Meyer said:
Well I drove a C4 vert w/a 6 speed trans. It rode , shifted & drove good. However, It had a lot of cowl shake, it rattled, the interior was cheap & it was hard to get out.

Thus, I think I need to drive a C3 for a comparison to see if I want to buy one.
I need to find one in Florida that is priced right. Any one have one for sale. Needs to have very good mechanics needing only body/paint work. Lets see whats out there.

Don Meyer, St Cloud, FL.
(407) 957-8800
weldvair@earthlink.net
Click to expand...

The cowl shake can be eliminated rather inexpensively with an RD cross brace:thumbsup: I've got one I need to install. Once in, the front of the beast gets nice and tight. :thumbsup:
Rattles? Hell, they all rattle:rofl1: They're Corvettes! The fix is to make sure the exhaust note (or sound system) is high enough to mask it;)

The interior on every Vette I've ever seen is cheap:( They just don't spend a lot of $$ on the interior. They do seem to put it where it counts most though and thats performance.:thumbsup:

Overall, I think you're going to find huge differences between all the generations. C3 to C6. All get better with age I guess? The ride seems to improve depending on your definition of "improved." For some, the softer ride of the C5&6 took some of the "Vette" out from the C4's. For others, the softer ride was a blessing. All about what you desire.

I'm on the road all over about 4-5 counties just about every day. I see a lot. If I see anything, I'll try to get a pic and contact for you. You can take it from there.

If you wnat anything more detailed (pics, etc) in the area, I'll be happy to get them for you.

Take care and again, welcome aboard:wavey:

Gordon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top