Good methods to save money for a C4?

10-17-05, 02:40 PM

Student here owner of a C3, not very reliable car. Have had it for 2 years and only been able to put 4k miles on it. I love the car but it has problems that will never be fixed due to the repairs costing more then the car it self. Anyways I really want a C5 but at this time in my life no matter how I look at the numbers 18-26k is still out of my price range,aking 5k a year part time. Not really. I feel good C4 would be possible compared to a C5. I saw one for 6,500 or best offer about a week back and everything looked great. The avrg price seems to be about 8k and with a car to trade in it seems like I could get one if I play my cards right.

So what do you all suggest on how to save for this car? I have been putting my money into ING direct orange savings and now I am thinking about doing a 1 year CD. Any other ways to make a little extra money and save a little extra?

JonM · 10-17-05, 02:47 PM

I know you probably think I am an old dud. But what you should do is get a beater and concentrate on your education. Their is plenty of time to get the car of your dreams in the future. You are going to run into the same problems with an older C-4...repairs are going to kill you.

steelblue75 · 10-17-05, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonM

I know you probably think I am an old dud. But what you should do is get a beater and concentrate on your education. Their is plenty of time to get the car of your dreams in the future. You are going to run into the same problems with an older C-4...repairs are going to kill you.

You sound just like his dad

Edmond · 10-17-05, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelblue75

You sound just like his dad

Jon, are you my daddy?

JonM · 10-17-05, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmond

Jon, are you my daddy?

You know I'm your "CAC Surrogate Daddy"...now get the strap and wait in your room.

Edmond · 10-17-05, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonM

You know I'm your "CAC Surrogate Daddy"...now get the strap and wait in your room.

Yes, daddy!

Bender,

Like Jon said, the repairs for C4's can be costly. While it is true that repairs may not be required at this point, they will be and C4 parts aren't inexpensive due to all the electronics involved. However, if you do your own work, you'll end up spending much less money.

Expect to spend big dollars on things such as tires (some of the C4's have 275 40 17's that aren't cheap) and weatherstripping which will cost almost $1,000 to replace. Then you get into fuel injectors which cost a lot.

That being said, if you have the funds, go for it. Can you pick up some work shifts? Are there things you can cut out such as drinking or smoking or a GF?

tyrel · 10-18-05, 02:31 AM

I agree with the general consensus, I think you should get a used accord or camry for right now until school is done. A used c4 is a lot of work, tires, brakes, u-joints, batteries, radiator, leaking gaskets, water pump, headlights, lots of things can go wrong and you will pour money into the car, believe me. It's probably not the best purchase you can make right now. Just my opinion.

vetteboy86 · 10-18-05, 08:05 AM

Bender,

Are you mechanically inclined?? Like Edmond said, if you do repairs yourself, and I mean minor repairs you can save money on C4. Otherwise, this may cost you as well. What I can tell you is that maybe you should save and start looking, just to keep the fire in your blood. After all, it may take upwards of a year to find the right one.

If you want extra money, you could always bet on the World Series

Dakota kid · 10-18-05, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelblue75

You sound just like his dad

I never had a dady.

tigmaned · 10-18-05, 08:38 AM

well it took me till i was 34 for my first stingray and 41 for my C4 i have now. if you can't work on cars your self STAY AWAY from a vette for now!! your looking a car thats most likly 15 to 20 years old. yes they can be dependable but some take some cash to get that way depending on the last owners do's and don'ts. finish school and then you'll be able to get a newer one with those higher paying jobs!!
good luck, the vette will come in time.

10-18-05, 12:59 PM

Quote:

After all, it may take upwards of a year to find the right one.

Thats about how long I plan to look. But isnt it possible to find one in good enough condition I am not going to have to make a ton of repairs too?

Edmond · 10-18-05, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

Thats about how long I plan to look. But isnt it possible to find one in good enough condition I am not going to have to make a ton of repairs too?

You said you saw average prices of C4's to be $8,500, which would be the L98 models. In a year, the L98 cars will be between 15-21 years old. Any car that old will require repairs due to it's age. That'll happen with any car that old but when you factor in that it' a Corvette, the costs are going to add up. Almost nothing comes cheap when it deals with Corvette parts.

Like we said, if you're mechanically inclined, it'll save you a lot of money. If you're not mechanically inclined, expect to spend as much (likely more) on the cost of labor as you would on parts.

Willis76 · 10-18-05, 01:49 PM

Education! Education! Education!

With a great eduction you can get a decent job - .......... And with luck - some chick will not want you to marry her, have a few wonderful children, have a hefty mortgage payment and then tuition bills!

However, if you could skip the above part (some of us have tried more than once) - you'll get that car a little quicker, otherwise you'll wait like many of us or get a total basket case and spend the next 15 - 20 years working on it and getting it ready for the next poor guy right behind you.

You can't help it, you'll have a Vette of some kind - it's in your blood now!

Get that education and then you will be able to get whatever you want.

Good luck - (now where can I put these rose colored glasses?)

Mad-Mic · 10-18-05, 01:57 PM

nothing wrong with a C4 if the previous owners took good care of it like mine. 84k in miles and i would jump in it and drive it cross country anytime and feel very confident she would bring me back. get great gas milage 18 city with me romping on it 27+ highway. never had any major problems besides fuel pump, battery, alternator dumb little stuff like that. they are out there you just have to find them. i would only buy one that is kept up mechanically. not one that is just driven in the ground.

here is mine for sale

F/S MD 87 Z52 A4 Z52 Coupe+ Parts and Other stuff!

Dakota kid · 10-18-05, 01:58 PM

You could be killed by falling Blue/green ice from an Jet.

Life is short and you only live once.......

Keep that in mind.