Should I buy this '86 for $3100

[hzl6cm]

I have a chance to by an '86 Corvette coup for $3,100 and would like the groups opinion.

It is a silver and black coupe that looks to be pretty loaded - digital dash (works but seems a little dim - but I have no experience to know what is normal), fully automatic HVAC - AC worked several years ago but I don't know about now and automatic transmission. It has about 150,000 miles on it, but the engine has received a complete overhall about 500 miles and a few years ago - new crank, rods, rings bearings, cam etc. I think he said he used '82 Corvette heads becauses the '86 ones were prone to cracking and these were rebuilt. The guy had the engine work done about the same time as he went through a divorce, hurt his shoulders and got layed off, so the car sat for a few years. He said he has had it about 5 years and driven it about 5,000 miles total. He hasn't done any work on the transmission but said it shifted fine. He has a red interior from a '96 sitting in the car not fully installed. It includes very nice red leather seats, both of which are full power, as well as the carpeting, also red and in good condition and the '92 door panels. He also has the original seats but they aren't in good shape. The care also has almost new tires on good factory alloy rims, as well as new brake pads all around, new front roters, new master culinder and a new alternator and fuel pump. The engines runs with great oil pressure etc. but he is fighting a vacuum leak on the air intake - it isn't sealing quite tight to the block - you can see it if you spray carb cleaner there - so it isn't ideling real well. The main reason for the low price is that he started to do some some bodywork on it. There is a small crack on the hoodthat he was fixxing and has the paint sanded off the top of the hood (which is sitting upside down on the top of the car due to lack of space in his small two car garage, the top was cracked so he got another one that is the wrong color so that is sanded down. The bumpers were dinged up a little so they are off the car plus he has a set of '92 bumpers in better shape, but the wrong color. He also needs the money and space (his new wife wants to park in the garage this winter, he is supposed to be redoing his basement and his step son is moving in with him). I know this guy from work, not real well but I've know him for several years and he has always seemed pretty straitforward.

I've got a '70 Laguna Grey 350 hp 4spd convertable so I am not Corvetteless right now and I really don't need another project right now but the low price, new parts, rebuilt engine etc. make this an interesting proposition. I wouldn't restore it - just assemble and paint it and make a driver out of it (my daughter who will be 16 next month thinks it would make a great car for her) - I don't think it would be worth it to restore it completely. I think that I can do the work myself and could get it assembled and painted for very little additional money. Also, I have the space to work on it and my wife says I can get it - plus I should be able to get my money back out of it if I decide later I don't have the time for it. What do you think??

Kevin Brown

[81 Corvette]

go for it

sounds like it needs a bit of work, but for 3100 you can beat it.

[Ken]

I'm sure it's gonna need work, but if it's drivable, that's by far the best deal I've heard of yet for a C4. That's probably the lowest price I've seen so far.

Worst case scenario, you could probably make a couple G's parting it. But if you have time, money and inclination it would be a good project. I do think the 82 heads are most likely going to be the problem with the bad seal. The 82 was crossfire and the 86 is TPI, IDK for sure though.


GL

[Rogue]

I guess I'm going to be the desenter here.

I wouldn't buy it if you're looking to "make money" off of it, or even just so you can have a decent C4. From what you've posted, it's going to take at least $500 just to figure out the vacuum leak, assuming you take it to someone. And at 150k miles, that tranny (auto right) is going to need replacement. $2,500 maybe. Then you've got the bodywork. Assuming you take it to a reputable bodyshop, I'd say $4k-$5k for a quality paintjob with damages fixed. No way you'll even get any of your money back if you sell it later.

If the car was all original and had less than 75k miles, I'd say jump all over it for that price. But right now, you've got a hodge-podge of parts from different cars in different colors and makes. You're better off finding a new, lower mileage and better condition C4 for $7k-$9k. Because, that's about what you'd spend to get that C4 into a good condition car.

[MoeJr]

I gotta agree with Rogue. Better of taking your money and finding a car in better shape. Heck a friend of mine has an 89 convertible for sale that you could get for around 10k and it has 60k on it. Needs a door window wiper and seat repair.

[taegdh]

The pros and the cons have spoken, but you gotta ask yourself a few questions.

1. "Do I have room to store and work on this vehicle where it won't be vandalized or subject to the elements?"
2. "Do I want to put the effort and cash out to fix this C-4, while I already got a C-3?"
3. "Am I dreaming in thinking I could ever make any money on it?"

Yes, you could part it out, but that would be close to sacrilidge.

Do you have a source of inexpensive labor, i.e. High School or Techinical College, where the students labor is free? (Possiblity there!) Think...

Now that I've just thrown a bit of insanity into the works, it's your call!

[Alloydude]

I think the 86 heads are the center bolt style. So an 86 manifold will not correctly fit on the 82 heads without having a major vacuum leak. The mating surface on the head is machined at a slightly different angle so I’m thinking you gotta get 86 or newer heads or a pre 86 TPI unit. Either way it sounds like a lot of work.

[hzl6cm]

I do have plenty of room, I live out in the country a quarter mile off of the road and have a 30 x 50 pole barn (with a concrete floor and a 4 post hydraulic lift in it) and another older 24 x 30 garage. I do have plenty of projects sitting around, but some of them like the '49 Dodge pickup and '63 Jeep pickups can stay outside with no problems. I can do the required work myself and don't really consider my labor costs since it is more of a hobby than anything else. The bit about the heads concerns me more. I know that when he bolted down the TPI unit the other day he had a bit of a vacuum leak on one side, then when he took it off and installed it again it seemed to be on the other side - both times right where it mates with the head so if the head is milled at a slightly different angle that could be an issue - I guess that high temp RTV sealant probably wouldn't be the correct way to repair it!! Like I said, I would spring for a high dollar paint job on this, I would paint it myself - it would look okay from 10 feet away. I figure that I could get it on the road and running for $3,500 or less - unless this cylinder head issue is a problem - I will have to verify what he told me about the heads. Thanks for everybodies replys.

Kevin

[hAZcAT]

sounds like it could be a dream car for your kid, just make sure you have her help you work on it. she could learn some really important skills. I say go for it... but then again its not my money or my garage space.

[hzl6cm]

I just spoke with the guy that has the car. Apparently the heads are fine. The car had early '86 heads originally so the TPI intake is compatable with the '82 heads - he chacked pretty carefully on it before installing them. Also, the car ran fine with the newly rebuilt engine, he had a bad injector and after unbloting the TPI intake to replace the injectors, that is when he ran in to the vacuum leak. Plus I guess the leak isn't between the intake and the head it is between the different portions of the intake.

Thanks for everybodies input - I'll let you know my decision. Last night I was leaning towards not getting it since I already have several automotive type projects where I am behind on. Then this morning my wife was telling me I should get it. I figure that I can stash it in the corner of my garage and work on it when I have time and if I end up not having much time I could always turn around and get my money back out of it without too much trouble.

Kevin

[hzl6cm]

Well I guess I bought it, I kind a vasilated back and forth all day. I guess that i'm addicted - I can't turn a good project down! This is somehwat against my "gut" feeling and about half of the advice I received (the other half said to go for it), but I figured that it would be interesting. I pick it up tomorrow morning at 8:00.

Kevin

[Vettefan87]

Originally Posted by hzl6cm

Well I guess I bought it, I kind a vasilated back and forth all day. I guess that i'm addicted - I can't turn a good project down! This is somehwat against my "gut" feeling and about half of the advice I received (the other half said to go for it), but I figured that it would be interesting. I pick it up tomorrow morning at 8:00.

Kevin

The best of luck to you. I hope the project goes without to many dificulties.

[CarDemon04]

IMO maybe a vette isn't the best car for a 16y.o. I'm 18, and I have an '86 vette. aside from the whole cost of insurance thing.... it's easy to do stupid things in and make bad decisions. you guys all know what I mean, theres nothing more exhilerating than the feeling of hard acceleration, or the smell of tire smoke. but it's more a matter of how responsible is your daughter? idk, just my $.02. good luck with the car, hope u don't get burned on the deal

[Vettefan87]

My 87 was my first car I have had it a year now and I just turned 17. I have not gotten any tickets or been in any wrecks. It is easy to be edged on to race and what not, but I just think about the consequences, and its just not worth it.



Justin