I want C4 Convertible; Tell me I'm wrong

"LoremIpsum010101" (loremipsum010101) 04/06/2015 at 13:28 • Filed to: corvette, convertible, buying guide

2

40

So, I have a new job. I'm moving to LA. I will be making much better money than I am now in SF, with lower rent. I'm in my 20s, no kids, and don't need a car to commute to work. I'm thinking of buying a car for 1) fun weekend excursions up the coast, 2) to have a good story to tell future kids about when Dad was young and free and had an awesome sports car. I currently only own a bicycle and a motorcycle (EX500, which has taken me across county and served me faithfully for 5 years).

I have an 80s fetish, and ever since renting a Z3 for weeklong trip, I've really, really wanted a convertible. I've seen a few good-condition C4s recently, and you know what? Holy shit. They are awesome. No nonsense style, big V8, much more usable trunk than a Miata/Z3, and cheap bargains to be had. The MPGs don't bother me so long as I'm not DD'ing it.

So, Oppo, tell me I'm wrong for considering a C4 over the more rational Miata or Z3 choices. I'm not a "MURRICAH" kind of guy, but there is something hilariously fun and dramatic about a Corvette. Here's a good red-on-tan 6-speed convertible from the desert for $12k (a bit high, but an ok starting negotiating point).

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Any Corvette enthusiasts know what to look for/look-out for? Have I totally lost my mind for desiring what is considered one of the worst sports cars of all time?

Manuél Ferrari > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:32

2

Multiple C4 owners on this site.

You should buy one.

OPPOsaurus WRX > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:32

0

I think that might be my favorite body style. I'd take 1

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:33

2

Not my cup of tea, but nothing wrong with a Vette that isn't obvious on first inspection. MPG are bad, and the body and interior are relatively cheap compared to the performance level of the car, which means things will break (or be already broken) or wear oddly, and you're likely to get a lot more squeaks and rattles than you would out of a Z3 or Miata. On the pro side, you get a nice amount of performance for the money and the maintenance is very straightforward and can be done basically anywhere. I like this for an LA car. I'd probably buy one that was city-owned here in SF if you can, since the cars here tend to have super low mileage, and drive it down.

shop-teacher > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:35

0

I will not tell you you're wrong, because you are right.

Alfalfa Romeo > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:37

0

I love C4s. You should buy one.

One thing worth noting if you're a Horsepower hound ( although it sounds like you're not), up until 92 they were down on power, for a Corvette. Not exactly lacking in the department, just not the usual 300+.

AM3R shamefully returns > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:37

0

I'd prefer a C5 (C6 is my favorite) myself but nothing wrong with the C4. Lots of good deals to be had too. Go for it!

Andrew > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:38

0

Dodge Viper

Party-vi > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:38

1

C5 or GTFAC.

daender > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:39

4

Get the targa instead. All the fun of a convertible but none of the chassis rigidity of a wet noodle. Then find Callaway body parts and go full-on 80s.

Sam > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:41

3

Since that's an early car, you're paying 11k for a car with 250hp. Try and find a 1992+ with the LT1. It's much better. Also, don't forget that the coupe Vette is also a targa.

LoremIpsum010101 > Sam 04/06/2015 at 13:49

0

Seems like the LT1/Targa combo would be the best bargain. The LT1 is related to all but the most recent Corvette engines, right? So a lot more parts/commonality than with the old LT98 dinosaur?

Tohru > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:53

1

My dad used to have a C4 Targa until he sold it to his cousin. The 1989 model is a great year for the C4:

- It has the traditional small-block, not the LT1 with the fairly expensive OptiSpark ignition system.
- It is still the L98 Tuned-Port V8, (240 hp, 345 ft-lbs of torque) not the 1984-only L83 Cross-Fire ("Cease Fire") V8 (205 hp, 290 ft-lbs of torque).
- 1989 was the first year for the ZF 6-speed instead of the Doug Nash "4+3" transmission.
- 1989 was the last year with the digital dash and no driver's side airbag - 1990 and later has the "Cavalier" dashboard.

Dad's was a dark blue 1989 with the regular seats (not the sport seats) and the Z51 performance and handling package. The digidash worked perfectly, and on Interstate trips his best mileage was 35mpg.

Interior comparison:

1989 Corvette Z51 package:

1990 Corvette ZR1:

Sam > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 13:53

0

The LT1 was used in all the GM V8 stuff at the time (Camaro, Firebird, Roadmaster, Caprice, Impala SS). Technically the C7 has an LT1 as well. Just an evolution of the one in the C4 (It's hard to stray from the SBC formula).

Brian, The Life of > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:04

1

If you came here thinking we'd talk anyone out of buying an inexpensive performance whip, you've got another think coming.

Buy. It.

Tohru > Sam 04/06/2015 at 14:04

0

Ew, no. OptiSpark and terrible interior. Plus the LT1 has just as much torque as the L98.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:04

1

Please, do yourself a favor. Buy one. You will not regret it. I would take a Targa over a convertible, but that's up to you. I'm madly in love with my '86. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Dsscats > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:09

1

Get an LT1 car. Much more powerful, more refined.

Tohru > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:12

0

The L98 was used from 1985-1992 in the Y-body (Corvette) and F-body (Camaro and Firebird). The L98 is still made by GM as the ZZx 350 crate motor. There's huge aftermarket for this, as it's still the traditional Generation I small-block.

The LT1 was used from 1992-1997 in the Y-body, F-body, and B/D body (Caprice, Impala SS, Roadmaster, Fleetwood). The LT1 available through GM Performance as a crate motor is not the Generation II LT1 350, but instead the Generation IV LT1 6.2L from the Stingray. There is quite the aftermarket for the LT1, but it's not as big as the Generation I before it or the Generation III LS series engines that replaced it.

Tohru > Sam 04/06/2015 at 14:14

0

The C7 6.2L LT1 is a Generation IV small-block based on the Generation III LS engine, the only thing it shares with the Generation II 5.7L LT1 is the name.

deekster_caddy > Sam 04/06/2015 at 14:20

1

It's the optispark that scares me. The 90's was an interesting time for GM electronics...

LoremIpsum010101 > Tohru 04/06/2015 at 14:23

1

Goddamnit, THIS is why I came to OPPO. The wealth of knowledge here is unmatched.

LoremIpsum010101 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 04/06/2015 at 14:25

1

Nice! Consensus seems to Targa > Convertible, and that seems like a logical conclusion.

How hard is it to fix up an interior? Are parts/seats/dashes prohibitively expensive? I'm the of the mind that I would spend money on restoring/returning to stock an awesome C4 before adding go-fast bits, so a mechanically good but aesthetically challenged ride might be appealing.

Textured Soy Protein > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:32

0

I am not a C4 fan. They just don't do much for me.

There are two questions you should ask yourself before purchasing one:

1. Do you plan to have humans riding in your passenger seat?

2. Do they have feet?

crowmolly > deekster_caddy 04/06/2015 at 14:43

1

Big shitshow around the opti.

1.) Placement (as we all know) is far from optimal, and it can get fouled by a weepy WP or cam seal. Don't ever steam clean the engine.

2.) 92-94 non-vented optis were a bit less reliable due to the lack of vacuum draw.

3.) A huge thing that's not typically mentioned is the damage that the cheapie aftermarket did to the opti's rep. Hear me out:

ACDelco and MSD optis were the unit to use if you replaced one. With an AC Delco water pump just to be safe if yours wasn't recent. They were/are good quality parts that worked well if you aren't a gorilla installing the stuff. However that's also the most expensive solution, so a lot of people went with replacement cap and rotor sets (which doesn't fix the fouled opti, just made a broken unit look pretty) or they went with low-cost aftermarket optis/wps that were NOT the same quality but were half the price. So there were a flood of OPTI SUCKS stories popping up from people using low quality replacements that broke after 5000 miles or so.

You don't have to go to a 24x or whatever setup if you have a Gen II engine. The opti can be just fine. Just know that it's sensitive so get on anything leaking fast. And replace it with quality parts.

Rock Bottom > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 14:55

1

You can't go wrong with a well-maintained Corvette.

For what it's worth, I own a nice C5 with the targa roof and it's great. It rides better than a C4 and has more power. You can find them relatively cheap, too. Keep that in mind!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 15:09

0

Yeah, the targa rules. You get a structural rigidity of a coupe and the open air feeling of a convertible. Best of both worlds, if you will.

Its not going to be easy, but, if you're familiar with interior work, it shouldn't be any different. Parts are pretty damn expensive, ESPECIALLY for the digital dash. If you want an all new dash with 3 new LCD's, expect the price to be over four figures. Interior parts for '90-'96 are cheaper, but still not cheap. Mechanically-wise, all C4s have SBCs, so they are easy as hell to mod, so long as you got the right funds. Overall, even if you wanted to keep it stock, they are among the best performance bargains on the market.

That shouldn't be too hard to find. What's your budget?

Tohru > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 15:13

0

For a long time, my username was "Tohru Rokuno - B-Body Aficionado". I've had 4 B-bodies, so I know my stuff on them.

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein 04/06/2015 at 15:15

0

My dad had one for a couple years before he sold it to his cousin in Stoughton. I've ridden in it comfortably, and I'm 6' tall with size 13 shoes.

Tohru > Alfalfa Romeo 04/06/2015 at 15:16

0

They had pretty much the same torque ratings from 1985-1996.

LoremIpsum010101 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 04/06/2015 at 15:25

1

Seeing as this would basically be a toy car, I'd want to keep it under $10k. Might not totally be easy, but I have enough mechanical inclination to replace wear items like pads/rotors and do most general maintenance things. I've never done interior work, but how hard can it be to put in a new carpet?

::gets tangled in old carpet, covered in fasteners and glue, curses God::

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 16:18

1

Oh, you should have absolutely NO problem then. You can find absolutely mint C4s at $10k. Depending on the year you want, a C4 with a bad motor could be had for $3k and under.

LOL

LoremIpsum010101 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 04/06/2015 at 17:18

1

Yes! Just gotta find one with decent enough bones that I'm not polishing a turd.

KatzManDu > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 17:33

0

I've owned a 1995 Corvette and later a 2000 Corvette.

Go for something LT1 or LT4-based (1992 or newer) and not the 1980s L-98 crap. Multiple reasons for this — better transmissions (6-speed, not 4+3) and more horsepowers. Plus highway MPG is better on the later models.

The C5 is better for tracking than the C4 — better suspension, etc and even more horsepower with the LS1. Better weight balance with the transaxle and torque tube on the C5 than the C4.

I liked the C4 better in some ways. Sure, the visibility is worse than the C5, but when getting into the car it was like climbing into the cockpit of a jet fighter. Weird, quirky things like the e-brake on the left instead of the right was more fun. I liked the orange dash lights better.

The only major things to watch out for are the tires — C4s came with run-flats. They are noisy and make handling suck. Get a true all-weather tire (or since you're on the left coast you can get something a bit more sport/summer.) Also, look at doing the CAGS disable if it hasn't been done already.

deekster_caddy > crowmolly 04/06/2015 at 17:34

0

I have a friend who bought a 95 Trans Am last year. He was on me all summer to replace his Opti. I did some research on them and told him not to buy the cheap ones (which he did) and not to replace it because his was a vented 95 and still working. So far I've convinced him to return the cheap one but he still bugs me to replace it! I keep telling him to stop and don't touch the damn thing because it's working and there is nothing wrong with it!!!

crowmolly > deekster_caddy 04/06/2015 at 17:39

0

If you are not getting high or lo res codes you are OK. He should make sure nothing is leaking on it.

deekster_caddy > crowmolly 04/06/2015 at 17:40

0

It was running a little rough, only 80K on it. Put plugs and wires in and it's running great! No codes, would a high/lo res code show a check engine light?

KatzManDu > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 17:43

0

Oh, one more thing.

Yes, the C4s (that weren't convertibles) were all targas. That's fine. But, there is some body flex when you take the top out. So it's fun for cruising but beware. Also, don't lose the little ratchet/allen wrench thingie for the targa on the C4.

Just re-read your post, and you want a vert. Go for it. However, when you go to a track or do auto-X, they may not let you because you don't have a roof.

Don't be scared of the C4 Optispark. Just don't get it wet and you're good to go.

I decided to play with craigslist. Enjoy.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/496626…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/495355…

$15k for a ZR-1? Go for it?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/493307…

Most of the drop-tops out there are automatics. Good hunting.

crowmolly > deekster_caddy 04/06/2015 at 17:47

1

Easiest thing to do is get a USB/OBD1.5 data cable from AKM or somebody and download Datamaster (free for 20 scans)

http://www.aldlcable.com/

http://www.ttspowersystems.com/DataMaster.htm…

It will give real-time logging on a laptop and you can look at your sensors to see what's off. It's a lot better than using the "parts cannon" method.

Might be a dirty MAF, too. If it's descreened due to previous owner douchebaggery that probably needs to be addressed.

LoremIpsum010101 > KatzManDu 04/06/2015 at 17:48

0

Awesome, this is some great info! I didn't know that all the coupes were targas, so that changes the 'vert/coupe dynamic quite a bit. I think aiming for LT1 targa tops seems to be sweet spot, especially if I ever do some long highway runs to SF or Vegas.

KatzManDu > LoremIpsum010101 04/06/2015 at 18:13

0

glad to help. I'm about 99% sure all C4 coupes were targas. Some came with glass roofs and others were painted to match the body color. Some came with both. In both the C5 and C4 there are notches to hold the targa top in the cargo area when it is removed.