C4 Corvette: ULTIMATE Buyer's Guide (Values, Performance, Yearly Changes 1984-1996)

A concisely-edited ultimate buyer's guide for the C4 Corvette, covering yearly changes from 1984 to 1996, values, problem areas, gas mileage, performance, and options.

CHAPTERS
0:00 C4 Corvette Overview
2:11 1984 Corvette Changes (Crossfire)
3:51 1985 Corvette Changes (L98)
4:24 1986 Corvette Changes (Convertible)
4:52 1987 Corvette Changes (Power)
5:01 1988 Corvette Changes (Suspension)
5:31 1989 Corvette Changes (ZF 6 Speed)
7:10 1990 Corvette Changes (Interior)
7:26 1991 Corvette Changes (Styling)
7:45 1992 Corvette Changes (LT1)
8:25 1993 Corvette Changes (Pass Key)
9:00 1994 Corvette Changes (Refinements)
11:10 1995 Corvette Changes (Optispark)
12:37 1996 Corvette Changes (LT4)
13:55 Realistic Gas Mileage
15:24 Current Values/Pricing Guide
18:51 Future Values

OTHER CORVETTE VIDEOS I'VE MADE

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE
Sourced from MotorWeek and General Motors

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[RetroCarsForever]

If you want to know more about C4s, here's some more helpful videos to check out next...





Thanks for watching!

[TamasKalman]

1985 C4 owner here. 1985 is my favorite year: no abs, no key-security, no optispark, TPI yes, digi dashboard yes (best version) + best looking turbine wheels.

[CORVETTEBILL]

Wow. For a small channel? This guy really turns out some quality content! I was at a function with some friends and Corvettes came up and made me interested in looking back into the lineage of the C4. I would say you covered everything top to bottom for the normal person concerning a car from that era. Well done.

[GTIBrandon]

Love this! I'm picking up a '96 LT4 off a buddy this June, excited to join the club! We need younger owners like us to help drive the high average owner age down, ha!

[camaroguy]

Great video and very well done! I have a '95 6-speed with 187k miles that was well maintained by its previous two owners and I am continuing a high level of stewardship for it. The C4 regardless of year still represents a lot of bang for the buck but as you said, prices for good ones are only going up. Get one while you can and drive it!

[RetroCarsForever]

CORRECTION:
When I mention at 3:04 that many early C4 digital dashes have had their old bulbs replaced with modern "LCD bulbs, " I meant "LED".

Thanks to George Ar for catching this weird little flub!

[brianciofani]

I have had my 1995 for 20+ years!! Excellent car. Mega reliable.

[derekgreez]

Your vids inspired me to get a c4. After months of searching, I found my 92 6spd with 120k miles for 5800 yesterday!

[WastedJoey]

I just bought a 1989 With the Z51 package... Quite possibly the best C4 Corvette IN MY HONEST OPINION! Obviously the ZR1 is a superior car altogether, but the 89 Z51 has it just right. Fast enough to have fun, has that Retro 80s vibe which is absolutely fantastic, and its the only year with that body style to have the ZF 6 Speed. Its a gem, and all I could have asked for!!

[kylegordon]

First time C4 owner here and your videos are INCREDIBLY HELPFUL! Just got a 1996 with 149K miles on it in Denver of all places! You've helped me to know what to keep an eye out for and given me reason upon reason to love it even more than I already do! I'm so excited to get in the garage and tend to every little thing! Luckily I got that greenish blue teal color so I can put a sealed Hot Wheels on the dashboard that is a spitting image of the car itself!

[michaelthebarbarian]

Another winner, Brad. Your content continues to get better from a pacing and production value standpoint!

[eddy]

At 74 I started looking at used Vette's. However, my mechanic told me that repairs were very expensive and at my age I won't be doing my own maintenance anymore....so, forget the Corvettes.

[zichithefox]

The Corvette has been my dream car since I was about 8, but I've never known which model to get and what year. But recently the C4 has struck my interest pretty highly. I'm so glad to see so much up-to-date info on which one would be best for me. Thanks a ton!

[rubyredchev]

_Having owned this generation since almost new starting in 1991 through 1996(today), you covered every single detail I could have imagined and then some. Words like salad shooter and sawblade are spot on most certainly. (Decent point about the LPTW headache along with the Opti-Spark too). Remember the transverse-mounted leaf spring wasn't only in the front of the car, but the rear as well. Every single point to a Corvette aficionado was covered, with the most correct choice of words used in your voiceovers. Just a few items missed on the improved structure of the convertible that was also added to the coupe in later years from my understanding. Also from '95 on the brakes were upgraded(thanks to the knowledge GM learned from the ZR1 models). One of the most important points you alluded to was the importance of all service records. Bottom line: Great job Brad. (Incredible attention to detail)._

[saucymcrib]

Dude this is exactly what i need when ever im looking to buy a certain car model. No bs just straight facts on the difference in years great job

[stevedolan]

Great video, and info. A friend gave me a ride in his 84…it was a dog, so slow. I liked the looks but not the performance. I didn’t realize how much the C4 evolved over the years. The clam shell hood is an awesome feature. I own a C6 and love it, but this gives me a real appreciation of the C4.

[thomasward]

I watch a lot of YouTube videos and the voice over way that you do them is by far the best format

[CBRyan_rr]

Great video! I just bought my 1987 corvette for my first car. Bright red, coupe, clean title, automatic, 106k miles. It had some service records but not 35 years worth. Mechanically sound, with a lot of small cosmetic issues just from it being old. I paid $6000 cash. Pretty good deal, especially for todays market, and the fact that they’re starting to appreciate in value. 3 years ago it might’ve been $5000 but i’m just happy to enjoy a dream car of mine.

[carlrygwelski]

I got my 1992 C4 in 2015 with 51k miles. I just rolled it over to 87k yesterday, still running like a champ. Got new tires ready for this summer.

[TysonHugie]

This is comprehensive and valuable! Mega helpful content. I'm glad you reiterated that even a static 'collector' car that just sits around needs fluid maintenance.