Is a 1984 CFI with 80,000 miles a good starter Vette?

Funtoy · 11-18-07, 09:28 PM

Greetings everyone,
I'm looking to become active in the Vette Hobby, been searching the last few months for my 1st Vette. Reading literature, studying specs & shows etc... I am a not mechanic but have technical bkgrnd.

Would like to purchase under 5000.00 car. Preferably as close to a driver as possible.

I've spoken to a various club members and most have suggested a c3 as a starter.

I have a lifetime friend who has aquired a 1984 C4 and is willing to sell it to me. The only thing I am leary about is the CFI system. Would this Vette be a good choice. I have given the car a cursory look and the following items work; Dashboard fully functional, engine runs extremely rich, possibly new fuel pump.

Good Starter Vette ..........Why? or Why not?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220172846193

Ps. I will check responses daily until Thanksgiving.

Thanks
Funtoy!

warren s · 11-18-07, 10:06 PM

That car looks like a good project Corvette as it seems fully stock and intact. It’s a prime candidate for a stock restoration being the first year of the C4 - but unless you really have some mechanical ability – its gonna coast you a moderate amount of money for almost anything even if you do it yourself. Additionally a 1984 is not exactly the high water mark for Corvette performance. There is a substantial difference in models just a few years newer, but 5 grand may be a little light budget wise.

I would pass on an 84 as a first Vette.

I cant imagine why anyone would post a car for sale and have pictures of it with a semi flat tire and dirt in the interior.

XLR8 · 11-19-07, 01:59 AM

I'm afraid I'd have to pass on that one. As Warren pointed out, one of the tires is nearly flat, there's debris inside her... if that's what she looks like cleaned up for sale, I'd be concerned over what I couldn't see.

If it weren't a friend selling her, as you said he is, I'd run!

BTW - welcome to the CAC. Good luck with your search.

Jane Ann

Funtoy · 11-19-07, 07:10 AM

Greetings everyone,
I'm looking to become active in the Vette Hobby, been searching the last few months for my 1st Vette. Reading literature, studying specs & shows etc... I am a not mechanic but have technical bkgrnd.

Would like to purchase under 5000.00 car. Preferably as close to a driver as possible.

I've spoken to a various club members and most have suggested a c3 as a starter.

I have a lifetime friend who has aquired a 1984 C4 and is willing to sell it to me. The only thing I am leary about is the CFI system. Would this Vette be a good choice. I have given the car a cursory look and the following items work; Dashboard fully functional, engine runs extremely rich, possibly new fuel pump.

Good Starter Vette ..........Why? or Why not?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220172846193

Ps. I will check responses daily until Thanksgiving.

Thanks
Funtoy!

Fast Freddie · 11-19-07, 07:27 AM

why not ? : if you get a troublesome vette as your first vette, it may turn you against them forever. the vette in question looks like a neglected vehicle.

what is your budget? here is a link to an 88 i had on ebay a short while back. it did not sell.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220160535076

GS Diva · 11-19-07, 07:37 AM

Funtoy,

Welcome!! You've come to the right place to meet great Corvette people and a wealth of Corvette knowledge.

I'd pass on that particular '84 and keep looking. There are thousands of Corvettes for sale, and half the fun for you will be in the hunt!

The 1984 Corvette has a bad reputation, justified or not. That one certainly looks like it needs more care than you want to get into. One suggestion would be to get friendly with members of a local Corvette club. They usually know of Corvettes for sale and can check them out with you.

Let us know how your search goes.

Elaine

gmjunkie · 11-19-07, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS Diva

Funtoy,

Welcome!! You've come to the right place to meet great Corvette people and a wealth of Corvette knowledge.

I'd pass on that particular '84 and keep looking. There are thousands of Corvettes for sale, and half the fun for you will be in the hunt!

The 1984 Corvette has a bad reputation, justified or not. That one certainly looks like it needs more care than you want to get into. One suggestion would be to get friendly with members of a local Corvette club. They usually know of Corvettes for sale and can check them out with you.

Let us know how your search goes.

Elaine

I whole heartedly Agree!!!
Nice Vettes aren't Cheap,and Cheap Vettes aren't Nice!!

67vet · 11-19-07, 08:54 AM

Welcome to the CAC.

I would pass on the 84. The horsepower is very low. It is missing the fuel door, and who knows what else. Have you test driven it? With the top on and off. They can tend to have lots of rattles. But, then again, if it runs it's a Corvette!

hmcquade · 11-19-07, 01:38 PM

I have an 84 4+3 and just put an new 88 Over drive in it. Mine runs great, that one looks real bad, I'd pass.

Hugh

sriat · 11-19-07, 01:54 PM

For almost the same money, I would go with an 85-88. Those have the tuned port injection. Parts are more available, you can add 50 to 100 hp with $500 and a screwdriver.

The issues I have had with the 84 are with getting parts.

The one listed in the Ebay auction seem to be.

Paint seems questionable
Missing Fuel door.
Does it have the top? Is it cracked? Those are $500 to $1000
Radio. I think this model had the bose. Therefor you will have to remove the bose amp (Located at each speaker) for sound.
Probably need tires $100 each at very good discount
Unless dash has been rebuilt, you will have to do it (They come and go) Figure $100 (DIY) and $500 professional

So you could invest $1-$3000 or simply spend that much on the origional purchase and get a solid vette.

Just my thoughts.

DarkShark · 11-19-07, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funtoy

Greetings everyone,
I'm looking to become active in the Vette Hobby, been searching the last few months for my 1st Vette. Reading literature, studying specs & shows etc... I am a not mechanic but have technical bkgrnd.

Would like to purchase under 5000.00 car. Preferably as close to a driver as possible.

I've spoken to a various club members and most have suggested a c3 as a starter.

I have a lifetime friend who has aquired a 1984 C4 and is willing to sell it to me. The only thing I am leary about is the CFI system. Would this Vette be a good choice. I have given the car a cursory look and the following items work; Dashboard fully functional, engine runs extremely rich, possibly new fuel pump.

Good Starter Vette ..........Why? or Why not?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220172846193

Ps. I will check responses daily until Thanksgiving.

Thanks
Funtoy!

I'd pass.

The dirt, twigs, and lack of a top scare me.

hoosierdaddy · 11-19-07, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funtoy

Greetings everyone,
I'm looking to become active in the Vette Hobby, been searching the last few months for my 1st Vette. Reading literature, studying specs & shows etc... I am a not mechanic but have technical bkgrnd.

Would like to purchase under 5000.00 car. Preferably as close to a driver as possible.

I've spoken to a various club members and most have suggested a c3 as a starter.

I have a lifetime friend who has aquired a 1984 C4 and is willing to sell it to me. The only thing I am leary about is the CFI system. Would this Vette be a good choice. I have given the car a cursory look and the following items work; Dashboard fully functional, engine runs extremely rich, possibly new fuel pump.

Good Starter Vette ..........Why? or Why not?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220172846193

Ps. I will check responses daily until Thanksgiving.

Thanks
Funtoy!

Only you know for sure, looks pretty rough

though, but you saw it up and personal so it falls back to you.

Good luck,
Bill

82ColEd · 11-20-07, 04:46 AM

Welcome to the CAC!

-Stefan

onedef92 · 11-20-07, 09:25 AM

I'd pass on that one. Even for the money you're looking to spend, you can find a Vette in way nicer condition with solid service documentation.

Always buy the best 'Vette you can for the money.

c4c5specialist · 11-20-07, 09:41 AM

HI there,
Just remember, 85-91 has been plagued with injector issues due to Ethanol.
Crossfire, while incredible in torque production, is rarely tuned correctly for syncronization of the throttle bodies.
Otherwise, parts can be obtained with a bit of difficulty, but they are not IMPOSSIBLE to get.
Just remember, have an UNBIASED professional source look over the vehicle prior to purchase.
Allthebest, c4c5