View Full Version : best & worst vet 84-96
Hello all
this is my first time here and soon to be first time vet owner. I have always been a chevy lover but mostly 65-70 stuff.
I am not looking for a modified vet just one that has not been abused. i'm not looking to race it but just drive it and enjoy it. I know what buying a used car is like and worst of all a used performance vehicle.
my question is were there any "really bad" years for vet in the 84-96? what was the best year? what was the worst?
basically i just want to get a good car with under 180,000km Toronto area. and at a reasonable price.
Anybody who ever bought a car after I owned it, got a good car well taken care of and not abused,,,so I'm looking for somebody like myself who can sell me one or let me take over their lease.
thanks for any help you can offer if there is something I should stay clear of please let me know...
KJJ
JT ZR-Won
02-27-01, 10:36 PM
Hey jaker, welcome aboard. I guess the best suggestion I can offer is try & get the newest Vette that you can afford. They got better with every year that passed. I would try to find one that has been garage kept with fairly low miles. If you buy from a Vette enthusiast, chances are you're probably getting a good car. Take your time & check out sites like http://www.traderonline.com. They'll give you all kinds of priceguide info:)....Good luck!
Jay
I agree with JT. The '84 'Vette was the Motor Trend car of the year, and they only got better from then on. The '96 LT4's, IMO, are the best over all C4's out there. Gobs and gobs of power, and the most refined ride,handling, and interior of the C4's. And it's still definatly a Corvette!
Also, welcome aboard the Corvette Action Center! Feel free to come back and check the place out.
Jason
I really liked Kent Abercrombie 1994 Coupe it looks plain & simple but then how could a vet ever be plain.
Jaker,
I too, was looking for a 60's-70's vet 4 years ago. '60 to '67 were out of my budget and the '68 to 73's just didn't have the ride I was anticipating. After driving a C4, I picked up a used '86 convt off a used car lot. 46k mi with the cleanest suspension and ride I could imagine. Over the last 4 years I've gutted and replaced the entire interior except seats. I've modified the engine to the performance I desired but now need paint, weatherstripping and new top to maintain an excellent stock appearance.
One year ago, a buddy of mine finally got the bug and bought a '94 convt from a meticulous vet owner. 14k mi and not a swirl mark on the paint. Runs like it just came out of the showroom.
Conclusion, I've probably got as much $ into my car as he has into his and I enjoy the restoration work. The difference, I still have work to do and will spend more $ but, I can drive rings around him on a course and I got the body style I wanted. I also drive my vet regularly while he takes his out only to wax and drive a couple miles on Sunday mornings.
You can take many avenues to vet ownership and enjoy yours as you wish. There is no such thing as a "best / worst" vet in my mind. It's all what feels good and fits in your budget.
Good hunting, and I hope you join the brother/sisterhood of proud vet owners soon. You won't regret it.
Vetman
Vetman
I think you about covered it ;)
Very nicely said:cool:
BudD
:w
Jaker, A guy came in the shop last night, he had an 89 convertable for sale. He said he was asking 11K. The car look real nice except for the drivers seat and he had all the invoices where he had some work done on it. I really don't know anything about the car other then it looked good and 11K didn't sound too bad to me. It is white with black top and grey interior. If you are interested I have his number. you can e-mail me and I will give it to you..............Steve
That's what I need to hear bro. I know I don't want to do any work on my car and I know I want to drive it daily. I just was not sure if I should be looking for the newest or the lowest Kilometers. In other words an older Vet with low km's would hopefully not be falling apart.
Having said that, I wonder if I had to choose between a 90 with low km's or a 92 with higher km's....hmmm what to do there?
What the heck is a KM?? :D
Tom Bryant
03-07-01, 04:44 AM
About .62 mile.
Tom :p
worst 1984
best 1995 ZR-1
after 1984 each year improves. 1987 roller rockers. The LT-1 was a significant improvement first available in 1991(i think)
Originally posted by Brooks
worst 1984
A.K.A. Motor Trends Car of the Year for 1984
Originally posted by Brooks
The LT-1 was a significant improvement first available in 1991(i think)
Yes the LT1 was first avalible in '91, and the ZF-6 6-speed tranny was first avalible in '89.
Jason
think about all of the 1984 cars...any stand out in your mind...something had to win and it was corvette by default... you should drive a 1984..harsh ride, lacks power
the cross fire injection is a nightmare
[Edited by brooks on 03-08-2001 at 11:22 AM]
Isn't the first year for the LT-1 1992? The body changed in 1991, but not the engine.
95 PurpleRag I believe you are right ;)
BudD
:w
Originally posted by 95 PurpleRag
Isn't the first year for the LT-1 1992? The body changed in 1991, but not the engine.
I stand corrected, the LT-1 did come out in '92.
Jason
90 Corvette ZR-1
03-12-01, 03:41 PM
I feel that the best C-4 is the 90-95 ZR-1, or the 96 Grand Sport. The worst C4 I would have to say is the 84, low power, horrible engine reliability, heard very bad stories of engine fires and such.
bruce patrick
03-17-01, 03:23 PM
i would stay away from a 84. crossfire has its problems and the ride is harsh. i have a 86. the first year with abs brakes. tpi injection is much better. i have the z51 option which is a lot stiffer suspension then standard. even so it is much better then the 84. 86 or newer is my advice. good luck
Can't afford the beautiful (yet still pricey) late model LT5 ZR1? Drive an LT4-powered 1996. I still think that motor turns more than 330 hp... no matter what Chevy's literature says. I've owned a '94 LT1 convertible and the step up to the LT4 was more than worth it.
And as everyone has said... the entire C4 Generation just kept getting better. I've noticed the quality improvements (albeit slight) from just the '94 to the '96.
I just wish they would use the C4's leather in the C5's... those new seats look worn out after 3,000 miles ...
I'd say anything past 1992 or 1993... before that time the quality was a little shaky... but that just be my bias showing! :)
91 Black Convertible
03-23-01, 07:44 PM
If this is going to be a summer car only, my suggestion is to get the best CONVERTIBLE you can get! :)
If you don't plan to drive it in the bad weather, why not have a convertible?
You can't beat the feel of riding with the top down on a balmy summer evening.
My $0.02
ozzyvette
03-25-01, 11:06 PM
I am 17 and i own an '84 vette. has 120K but runs very well. I take very good care of it. Thought i am quite curious of why chevy gave the'84 only 205 hp i would think a 5.7L 350 was capable of a little more omph. The infamous cross has given me trouble when it is under a half a tank of gas, or while taking corners. The criticized suspension i actually enjoy. I would suggest buying an '85 or up. and if anyone knows why this car has these problems please let me know. let me add it proved well against a 2000 supercharged GrandAM with 240HP.
because of the technology at the time that's the best they could do and still meet the pollution requirements. The 87 is the first year with the roller rockers. After that, go for the 91-92 with the LT-1. I would not recommend putting any more money than necessary in the 84..drive it and enjoy it, don't try to make it something it's not.
joe ciechanowski
03-26-01, 09:40 AM
Originally posted by 95 PurpleRag
Isn't the first year for the LT-1 1992? The body changed in 1991, but not the engine.
1992 was the first year for the LT-1, 1989 was the frist year for the 6-speed, the body change was in 1991 (a.k.a. late c4). i own an '85 - love the car. it makes a great everyday driver, although my favorite would be a competition yellow over black convertible - circa 1995.
JoeC -- 2000 navy/oak coupe - 1985 silver/graphite coupe
ozzyvette
03-26-01, 10:43 PM
Although the 1984 did lack horsepower and had a harsh ride. Car and driver called the '84 the most advanced vehicle in the world, and the best handling vette ever.
I scanned the chapter from the Corvette buyer's guide today and updated my site with it. I also thought that some of you that are looking to buy a C4, might glean some info from this data. Check the attachment out.
Ken
Tanzanite3
04-03-01, 09:59 AM
A slightly (1/2) shorter season up here. But, there's still a lot of nice weather for a convertible. As said before, the LT5 ZR1's are real desireable, collectible but don't come in convertibles. The LT4's are all 6-speed standard shift trannies in the '96.... a darn good second choice.
Welcome to the forum and learn the wave to Save the Wave.
LT4SilverEagle
04-04-01, 02:16 PM
Originally posted by twiget
...The '96 LT4's, IMO, are the best over all C4's out there. Gobs and gobs of power, and the most refined ride,handling, and interior of the C4's. And it's still definatly a Corvette!...
I agree with twiget completely (see sig for reason.. :) )
Welcome to the CAC! The people are friendly, helpful and fun!!!! :D:D
grumpyvette
04-17-01, 11:15 AM
stay away from 1984s that was the first year of the c4 and chevy still had some adjustments to make (dump crossfire etc) the 85-89 are the easy ones to work on (mass air is much more tolerant of changes to the system than speed density ) control. but the 1996 is the best put together c4(quality control was really pushed)that year. just an opinion Ive owned a 84 and now own three 1985-92-96 the 96s the best driving one:w
Try to avoid the 84 to 88 C4s due to Doug Nash 4+3 overdrive transmissions. Those trannys are very prone to failure and very expensive $2000+ to repair/replace:r :r
Originally posted by bruce
Those trannys are very prone to failure...
Bruce, there's nothing wrong with the 4-speed (the 4-speed is a Super T-10), it's the overdrive unit that's the weak link.
A remanufactured unit from Mid America costs $1299.99 + $1200.00 core charge, + $35.99 freight charges, and that's not counting the labor for installation (if you don't do it yourself), so your figure of $2000+ up front is pretty accurate on the face of it, but in actuality the cost is closer to $1500+. ;)
I just got off the phone after ordering a rebuilt unit for my '87. I'll keep y'all informed as to how it turns out. :s
(You can follow the progress of the overdrive fix at this post: Doug Nash 4+3 Info and more... (http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=407))
Ken
I stand corrected it is the OD not the tranny thats the weak link:o
CorvetteArchives
04-19-01, 01:40 AM
Low power compared to a ZR-1 sure but better than any 74 on sharks.............harsher ride as per Brook....sure.....but as for reliability...some people just have NO clue! I have never met ANYONE who had ANY problems with CFI and as to engine fires......interesting in knowing what Yutz U heard THAT from!!!
The best part is U can still work on it! The only reason they developed the 100,000 mile plug is because u practically have to take out the engine on Lt1 to change a bloody plug! I guess if U want to run to Mr Badwrench for every little thing get a LT1&up......but for those who discriminate try an L-98...at least they are servicable performance upgradable and dont have the ugly square tailights.......
Originally posted by 90 Corvette ZR-1
I feel that the best C-4 is the 90-95 ZR-1, or the 96 Grand Sport. The worst C4 I would have to say is the 84, low power, horrible engine reliability, heard very bad stories of engine fires and such. :s
Yorkster
04-21-01, 09:04 PM
Jaker, I love my Ruby and think it the prettiest Corvette made. Most are owned by folks who maintain them and keep them looking good. There are some for sale on the 40th Registry web site. WWW.40thregistry.com.
pattran
04-23-01, 11:31 AM
I have an '84 Z-51!
Yes, i agree that it is a harsh ride, i soften it up by replacing softer riding tires, i had BF goodrich comp t/a zr
and its too stiff, but the handling.......outstanding.:eek :J
Cross fire injection....there's not a whole lot you can do to it, its better not to waste any money, and modify the later models TPI, etc. There is a web site:
www.crossfire.homeip.net
I never had a problem with it, just keep the jets clean by using "Red Line" injector cleaner. It does have good torque at the bottom end, but not at the top !:(
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