Help me keep from making a bad decision

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
03/22/2016 at 13:07 • Filed to: None

1993. 6 speeds, 70k miles, clean carfax, $7100. I have a mighty need. Time to trade in the Mustang, methinks.

DISCUSSION (47)

bob and john > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:10

...you JUST bought another car....

Azrek > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:11

All hail the surfboard!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > bob and john
03/22/2016 at 13:13

This isn’t ANOTHER car...

....

...

I dunno where I’m going with this. But my loan amount for the Mustang was $7000, so I know I can handle the payments, but if I trade in the Mustang on it I dunno how I’d refinance with a ‘vette that old.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:14

This is absolutely the correct decision as long as you stop now.

Stapleface > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:14

You need help. You need to find a car and stick to it. And honestly, what would the Corvette be? A year round driver? Toy? Isn’t that what the Miata is for?

Say you were to get the Corvette, what would go? I say you can’t have both this and the Miata. If you’re set on getting the ‘vette, you need to get rid of both the Mustang and the Miata, make the Riviera a reliable daily, and just be happy.

Now that this has all been said, I’d probably do it if I could. I love C4's, even if it is an ugly color.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:15

Let me help.

I got nothing. DO IT

bob and john > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:16

I was refering to the buick.

dude, your worse then david tracy.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:16

Yeah this is one of the dual airbags years too. Responsible! And the body won’t rust. Practical! DO IT YOU WONT

Jcarr > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:16

Dude, no.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jcarr
03/22/2016 at 13:18

dude yes

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
03/22/2016 at 13:18

Helpful!

JKER > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:19

Reason #1 You’re broke as shit and can’t afford it.

Reason #2 You literally can’t even afford to get your other cars road-worthy.

Reason #3 You don’t need it.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Stapleface
03/22/2016 at 13:20

The loan amount on the Mustang is the same as the loan amount on this would be. Trade in the mustang to pay off its loan, get a new loan for the Corvette. Payments would be the same. Insurance would probably be significantly higher, though. Honestly the Corvette is comfy enough and cruises at decent enough fuel economy I could probably flip the Riviera.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:20

Mustang at least has back seats. It’s more useful. Don’t do it

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:20

If you get rid of maybe two of your other cars this might not even be a horrible idea, aren’t these fairly reliable if looked after?

BeaterGT > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:20

Don’t do it! Save for a ZR-1.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/22/2016 at 13:21

Yeah but then I’d want a C5. Then a C6. ‘Vette has been my end-game for consolidating all my cars for a while, I was just thinking of a slightly newer one. Then again, a ‘91 Miata was perfectly alright to commute in, so I don’t see why a ‘93 Corvette couldn’t be my only car.

JGrabowMSt > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:21

Think of the noises!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/22/2016 at 13:23

That’s what I’ve heard.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
03/22/2016 at 13:24

Lol. Look at my post history and see how many times the Mustang has broken down

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JKER
03/22/2016 at 13:25

Mustang is roadworth as of today. Unfortunately, my temp tag expires today so... shit. Gotta go to the DMV sometime this week then I can SELL THE FUCKING THING and get out of the loan, then get a new loan on a sports car that’s actually worth a shit, and with half the miles.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:25

I said useful not reliable. You can still fit more stuff in it when you’re towing it

JKER > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:32

Why take out a loan for a sports car that is older than you and not even fast? If you’re going to take out a loan for anything, it should be a college education. Then you can buy sports cars after college when you can afford it.

Die-Trying > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:33

youre having a fun ENOUGH time rounding up money to keep the mustang together, and put the miata back on the road. THOSE are cheap cars to get parts for. corvette part$ co$t monie$. and this corvette is already an old one its 23 years old. its probly older than you are. its electrics are just prime to start failing.

i understand you are looking for an excuse to bail on the gdstang. and thats fine. but dont expect the corvette to be any cheaper on upkeep.

good luck

see you on the other side.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:36

Love it.

Red and Ready!

Arrivederci > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:40

Meh, I wouldn’t buy a C4. If you could swing a C5, do that. Maybe if you consolidate and sell your other stuff, you could make that happen. C4's are one of the lower points of the Corvette’s history. They were slow, build quality is absymal, it’ll rattle, it’ll leak, but the LT1 is a peach. This vintage may have the Optispark, which will fail, if it hasn’t already.

If I was you and wanted a Vette, I’d sell off every other unnecessary vehicle I had and then put those proceeds down on the nicest C5 I could find in my price range.

crowmolly > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:41

Do you have enough money to keep 3 cars roadworthy? If not, cut the herd down to something you can manage. Owning something you can’t drive limits the enjoyment.

This is a first year LT1, that means one year only shit. If/when it needs an opti/wp swap you are looking at probably $700 to do it right for just parts.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:42

you probably need it. there is a Blurple 94 6 speed for sale a few box away. bit I’m about 10 grand short of being able to afford it.

Jayhawk Jake > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:48

A) Lots of assumptions and unknowns. Do you even know how much the tag is going to cost? Will you actually be able to sell it for enough to get out of the loan?

B) You bought a Riviera because you didn’t want a loan. Now you want a loan again? I don’t believe you

C) Getting a loan on a 2006 Shitstang is bad enough. Now you’re going to get a loan on a 93 Vette? Good luck

D) Stop buying cars from your work. They should pay you, not the other way around

E) You have two other cars. Why get a third?

F) You already have a sports car. Save money, fix Miata

G) Just stop making terrible decisions, MKAY?!

Captain of the Enterprise > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:51

I vote sell the mustang and daily the riviera until it dies and then get a reliable daily

JR1 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:55

If the Mustang is unreliable like I see it says in the comments sell the same thing!

Slant6 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:55

Loans are bad. I will echo everyone else and say don’t do it. Do not. Do it.

I promise you, you’re going to get it then it’s going to break and then you’ll be in the same situation.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:56

Many banks won’t even touch a loan for a car over 10 years old.

shop-teacher > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:56

What the literal fuck? I can’t even.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 13:56

How many miles were on the Mustang when you got it?

crowmolly > crowmolly
03/22/2016 at 14:03

Can’t edit, fucked that up.

2nd year LT1. Point still kind of stands though.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 14:04

If you like the C4 and can accept the possibility of four-figure repairs popping up randomly, sure, why not?

Sweet Trav > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 14:08

The main reason to run is Optispark.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Captain of the Enterprise
03/22/2016 at 14:29

This was actually my plan. It’s fun to see Oppo get riled up about my poor car buying ideas though.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
03/22/2016 at 14:29

140,000

Your boy, BJR > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 14:31

Reason #1 you’re broke

Reason #2 you’re stupid

Reason #3 you’re ugly

Reason #4 I banged your mom

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 14:33

I own an almost identical 93 corvette (with 65k)and use it as my daily driver for a 52 mile per day highway commute. I’m the second owner. The only difference I see is that mine has the fiberglass roof panel instead of the translucent glass one. I love the car.

While the ergonomics will never leave mistaking it for a modern car, they are a fun way to drive to work, at least if you have a rural interstate commute. My commute consists of 25.5 miles of interstate driving (plus two signalized intersections and 3 stop signs). I set the cruise control at 82 mph and average 27-28 mpg. I have no idea what kind of MPG the car does in city driving, because I’ve never done enough of it to determine. Between the long, heavy clutch and the ergonomics, a C4 would make a shitty urban commuting car. I would buy a newer corvette if I spent time driving in a big city again. Surprisingly, my vette is also cheaper to insure than any of my last three daily drivers (miata, 5 series and legend).

That is a killer price, but it begs the question of what the car needs done. Clean, sorted, documented, low mileage LT1/6 speed C4's book for 8-9K, and sell for 10-12K in the nice corners of the corvette world. Like most desirable cars, really good ones rarely come up for sale publicly. This one is either a steal, or it needs significant work. Rear wheel bearings and lower ball joints tend to last about 60k on the cars. If you don’t know when they were last done of the car, assume it needs them. Rear hubs are simple to replace and cost about $90 for better-than-new quality. However, the thrust washers between the inner flange of the bearing assembly and the half shafts that will be significantly worn are damn hard to find. Lower ball joints are like any other ball joint replacement, except for the very fragile composite spring. Water pumps are another area of concern. A pump itself is not unreasonable, and not a horrible way to spend a Saturday, but ANY seepage will leak down onto optispark distributor. A seeping water pump not caught right away will result in a much more expensive weekend replacing the distributor and the water pump. Speaking of the optispark, the OEM quality optispark does not exist anymore. Even the AC Delco “professional” remans now use an el cheapo Chinese optical pickup that may or may not last for awhile. If and/or when it needs a distributor, you will spend some money, a weekend, and may or may not end up with a replacement that lasts.

The clutch is another thing to be aware of on 6-speed LT1. The dual-mass flywheels do not exist anymore. When it needs a clutch, it will have to be converted to a single mass flywheel set up. This will be expensive, and there will be more driveline noise and vibration. The throw out bearings are out there, but are getting pricey and harder to find. When it needs a clutch, it will be expensive even if you are doing the work yourself.

While LT1/6 speed vettes are properly quick, they are not maintenance free. If you are expecting something to drive that behaves like an appliance, they are not it. Likewise, not all parts are easily available anymore, and many parts will not be sitting on the self in your local parts house. If you are an experienced wrench (and have an alternative to drive on occasion, they’re not bad to work on and many parts are pretty reasonable. If you need to pay someone else (who actually knows C4's) to work on it, prepare to bend over. If you’re learning wrench, mistakes may be costly.

This would be a good buy if you can work on it, have the cash and it is not your only form of transportation. I drive my truck to work the three days per year it might, or does, snow. Financing one of these would be at least as bad of an idea as it is to finance ANY old car. Compared to a miata, it is a big-boy sports car. Compared a not recent F-body car, it is a world apart. Compared to something German, it will leave you wondering if the GM engineering moto was “eh, that ought to be close enough.”

Flies With Thunderbirds > Your boy, BJR
03/22/2016 at 14:38

Reason #4 is all you really need.

Captain of the Enterprise > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 14:38

So you’re trolling?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Captain of the Enterprise
03/22/2016 at 14:52

Eh. If I was able to keep my payments the same and roll right from the Mustang into this I would do it in a heartbeat, but the odds of my bank or the dealership being any kind of complacent is infinitesimal.

ly2v8-Brian > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/22/2016 at 15:49

Just do it.

jkm7680 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/23/2016 at 09:54

Stop buying stuff you can’t afford and put the money to good use instead.