Topic: Looking at a 93 C4 NEED ADVICE
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Hey all,
I am very close to purchasing my first C4, a 1993. I first drove a Vette (and C4) when I was in high school. I was working at a bodyshop in Boston at the time and we got a 92 red convertible in (with red leather seats!) She was gorgeous and my boss at the time let me move her from one side of the building to the other. It was love at first exhaust note! Fast forward several years and now I am in a position to afford a second car. I had a Mustang GT through college and loved it to pieces. Any ounce of gearhead in me came out by owning that car, and I've been seriously in love with cars and car performance since. I have since traded that in for a much more practical, fuel efficient, and safer car (though still pletny sporty and fun to own and drive). But I miss that classic V8 growl. Soooo,
The car I'm looking at is a 93, with 85k on it. Don't know too much about its history/past ownership, but the guy is looking to get $6,000 for it. It's purple with gray interior, has the multi-tooth sawblade wheels. Tires are newer with good tread (but dry rot present), body is straight as an arrow and scratch and dent free, paint isn't peeling or cracked anywhere, and it drove strong too (brakes and steering tight) and engine had plenty of power (not surprised with the reputation of the LT1). My only concerns are these:
-Weatherstripping around targa glass top is pretty much totally gone. All rotted/cracked and glass roof leaks water.
-Coolant temp gauge didn't seem to be working when driving. Other gauges looked fine.
-Tachometer went up to 6k then stayed "stuck" until it upshifted and went back down. (Normal or potentially significant issue?) Tranny felt fine, took it on the highway and got it up to about 80, accelerated fine, no hesitation or hard shifts at all.
With these being said, is this a good buy? I feel $6k is pretty reasonable and affordable especially with a relatively low-mile C4. Any and all advice/feedback is welcome! Thanks!!
I am very close to purchasing my first C4, a 1993. I first drove a Vette (and C4) when I was in high school. I was working at a bodyshop in Boston at the time and we got a 92 red convertible in (with red leather seats!) She was gorgeous and my boss at the time let me move her from one side of the building to the other. It was love at first exhaust note! Fast forward several years and now I am in a position to afford a second car. I had a Mustang GT through college and loved it to pieces. Any ounce of gearhead in me came out by owning that car, and I've been seriously in love with cars and car performance since. I have since traded that in for a much more practical, fuel efficient, and safer car (though still pletny sporty and fun to own and drive). But I miss that classic V8 growl. Soooo,
The car I'm looking at is a 93, with 85k on it. Don't know too much about its history/past ownership, but the guy is looking to get $6,000 for it. It's purple with gray interior, has the multi-tooth sawblade wheels. Tires are newer with good tread (but dry rot present), body is straight as an arrow and scratch and dent free, paint isn't peeling or cracked anywhere, and it drove strong too (brakes and steering tight) and engine had plenty of power (not surprised with the reputation of the LT1). My only concerns are these:
-Weatherstripping around targa glass top is pretty much totally gone. All rotted/cracked and glass roof leaks water.
-Coolant temp gauge didn't seem to be working when driving. Other gauges looked fine.
-Tachometer went up to 6k then stayed "stuck" until it upshifted and went back down. (Normal or potentially significant issue?) Tranny felt fine, took it on the highway and got it up to about 80, accelerated fine, no hesitation or hard shifts at all.
With these being said, is this a good buy? I feel $6k is pretty reasonable and affordable especially with a relatively low-mile C4. Any and all advice/feedback is welcome! Thanks!!
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)
Hi there young man bought my 93' 2 yrs ago. 3rd owner , know all history had 57k on it , very good to excellent condition, needed a oil gasket kit ( pan , intake man. Water pump. Lower front crank seal , optic spark seals and cam cover gasket . Sounds like a lot but not really Winter project, in reading about C4's LT1's their famous for gasket kit around 50 K . Saw blades wheels are getting rare ' hang onto yours . I assume the paint is original only 900 or so we're made, if so take care of it , the more original it is the valueable it will be , does it have 40th anniversary logos on it ( top of seat head supports does it have lumbar support and power seats? Leather seats ? Ride control , does all Interior gauges work do remote key FOBS WORK , are sun visors ok ( dry rot) Good luck in your pursuit oh I know your wondering 10K for mine if you'd like I can send you spec photos of the 93 '
Hey my friend,
Thanks for the reply! While it is a 93 it's not a 40th Anniversary Edition, it's just the base model, but I do love the color combo. The only gauge that didn't seem to be working was the engine temperature gauge (possible thermostat issue?) I have read into these cars and seems like they are quite reliable and strong and the engines (other than Optispark issues and some others) hold up well and keep value. I think I will be buying it, if anything comes up I have lots of people who could help. Thank you SO MUCH for your advice!
Thanks for the reply! While it is a 93 it's not a 40th Anniversary Edition, it's just the base model, but I do love the color combo. The only gauge that didn't seem to be working was the engine temperature gauge (possible thermostat issue?) I have read into these cars and seems like they are quite reliable and strong and the engines (other than Optispark issues and some others) hold up well and keep value. I think I will be buying it, if anything comes up I have lots of people who could help. Thank you SO MUCH for your advice!
Standard Member
Moderator
Send PM
Moderator
Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611
Vette(s): Black 1979 L-82
Black 1996 LT1
Black 1999 Coupe
YoungLion said: Hey all,
I am very close to purchasing my first C4, a 1993. I first drove a Vette (and C4) when I was in high school. I was working at a bodyshop in Boston at the time and we got a 92 red convertible in (with red leather seats!) She was gorgeous and my boss at the time let me move her from one side of the building to the other. It was love at first exhaust note! Fast forward several years and now I am in a position to afford a second car. I had a Mustang GT through college and loved it to pieces. Any ounce of gearhead in me came out by owning that car, and I've been seriously in love with cars and car performance since. I have since traded that in for a much more practical, fuel efficient, and safer car (though still pletny sporty and fun to own and drive). But I miss that classic V8 growl. Soooo,
The car I'm looking at is a 93, with 85k on it. Don't know too much about its history/past ownership, but the guy is looking to get $6,000 for it. It's purple with gray interior, has the multi-tooth sawblade wheels. Tires are newer with good tread (but dry rot present), body is straight as an arrow and scratch and dent free, paint isn't peeling or cracked anywhere, and it drove strong too (brakes and steering tight) and engine had plenty of power (not surprised with the reputation of the LT1). My only concerns are these:
-Weatherstripping around targa glass top is pretty much totally gone. All rotted/cracked and glass roof leaks water.
-Coolant temp gauge didn't seem to be working when driving. Other gauges looked fine.
-Tachometer went up to 6k then stayed "stuck" until it upshifted and went back down. (Normal or potentially significant issue?) Tranny felt fine, took it on the highway and got it up to about 80, accelerated fine, no hesitation or hard shifts at all.
With these being said, is this a good buy? I feel $6k is pretty reasonable and affordable especially with a relatively low-mile C4. Any and all advice/feedback is welcome! Thanks!!
I am very close to purchasing my first C4, a 1993. I first drove a Vette (and C4) when I was in high school. I was working at a bodyshop in Boston at the time and we got a 92 red convertible in (with red leather seats!) She was gorgeous and my boss at the time let me move her from one side of the building to the other. It was love at first exhaust note! Fast forward several years and now I am in a position to afford a second car. I had a Mustang GT through college and loved it to pieces. Any ounce of gearhead in me came out by owning that car, and I've been seriously in love with cars and car performance since. I have since traded that in for a much more practical, fuel efficient, and safer car (though still pletny sporty and fun to own and drive). But I miss that classic V8 growl. Soooo,
The car I'm looking at is a 93, with 85k on it. Don't know too much about its history/past ownership, but the guy is looking to get $6,000 for it. It's purple with gray interior, has the multi-tooth sawblade wheels. Tires are newer with good tread (but dry rot present), body is straight as an arrow and scratch and dent free, paint isn't peeling or cracked anywhere, and it drove strong too (brakes and steering tight) and engine had plenty of power (not surprised with the reputation of the LT1). My only concerns are these:
-Weatherstripping around targa glass top is pretty much totally gone. All rotted/cracked and glass roof leaks water.
-Coolant temp gauge didn't seem to be working when driving. Other gauges looked fine.
-Tachometer went up to 6k then stayed "stuck" until it upshifted and went back down. (Normal or potentially significant issue?) Tranny felt fine, took it on the highway and got it up to about 80, accelerated fine, no hesitation or hard shifts at all.
With these being said, is this a good buy? I feel $6k is pretty reasonable and affordable especially with a relatively low-mile C4. Any and all advice/feedback is welcome! Thanks!!
In my opinion; $6k is too much for that purchase.Doesn't mean it isn't a good project car, or a bad purchase, just means its too much $$.Good Luck.
With that mileage and strait body it's a bargain. What else can you buy that clean with that mileage for that little money?
ASE Master Certified, L1 Certified, Owner/Tech
Track Day Rat
80 4Speed
96 LT4
If you're never out of control you're not driving fast enough
Standard Member
Send PM
longwood, FL - USA
Joined: 11/5/2013
Posts: 11
Vette(s): 1995 and 2002 red convt
convertible yes coupe NO. 95 was a good year as it has traction control and 300 hp. lots of fun to drive, big brakes and the tires are cheap. this is the 6th set i have had on mine. you don't need z rated tires.
my new Vette is a 02 conv
found the bucket grommets for my 2002 headlights on ebay
Standard Member
Send PM
Manchester, NH - USA
Joined: 11/16/2015
Posts: 3
Vette(s): 1995 LT1 Corvette
Is this the same car on CL in Nashua, NH?
I have a '93 C4 with 55000 that I bought this past summer. And, it's my first one as well. Any car in that is over 20 years old, you are going to put some money into it. I had all of the targa top seals replaced. That's normal on C4 Vettes. They eventually get worn over the years and they need replaced. You might need a coolant temperature sensor. It's located on the engines water pump. And last, I may make a suggestion that you purchase a Chilton's Auto Repair manual. That will help you to find out what you need to look at. I purchased most of my car parts from Rock Auto Parts.com. So far, I had no issues on their parts whatsoever.
If it's for the long haul, I'd pull the trigger. It sounds about the right range for a '93....I'm sure he'd go for 5K.
That being said, the only advice I can offer is the more road time you put on the odo, the more money you'll put into it.....
That being said, the only advice I can offer is the more road time you put on the odo, the more money you'll put into it.....
Remember, there's no place like ~ ;)
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)