C4 Edition: The Cost of Corvette Ownership

Lyle at C&S Corvettes continues his talk about what to expect in maintenance and repair costs as a C4 Corvette owner.

[Bartzy]

I do work on C4’s as I own one myself near the Jacksonville, NC area and would love to help others in the area.

[Nzchimeran]

1985 C4 cost me $5000USD, spent $1500 USD to turn into a daily.
Upgraded everything I could. Did all the work myself just using YouTube videos.
Multicore radiator, trans cooler, twin electric fans, new fuel pump, filter, brake lines and replaced all rubber hoses, new shocks.
Fantastic car, 110, 000 miles
I use it daily, no regrets
I would like to replace steering bushes next, it never stops but we are caretakers of classic cars.
Thing I hate most is cowboy DIY repairs.
Guys if you need to fix something try and do it properly... especially soldering wires and using heat shrink wrap etc..stop using electrical tape
Luckily no interior parts needed, just restored what I had with the GM paint cans. Interior is expensive, mechanicals are not.

[ronhatch]

Thanks Lyle,
Brutal. I’ve had an 87 for 19 years with very few problems. But you’re right on a lot. If you’re not a “ car guy “ and expect to just get in and drive, it doesn’t work that way. These are old cars that have to be understood and babyed. Thanks for pointing these things out because many will not be able to enjoy a c4

[robertbrunk]

Thanks Lyle, I would not let anyone but C&S touch my C4. You guys have found and fixed all the problems without breaking the bank.

[ejacks]

I enjoy wrenching almost as much as driving. You get a great sense of accomplishment fixing something on your own. Also, in none of my 5 years of C4 ownership has it left me stranded, took me off the road for more than a day or broke the bank. Enjoy your ride.

[jameslonano]

My '89 has been flawless in over 15 years of ownership no different than a modern car. Upon first purchase (original down to the gatorbacks), I proactively replaced the fuel pump, all underhood relays, fuel injectors, fuel rail o-rings, changed all the fluids, rebuilt the bose amplifiers myself. Minor maintenance in brake work. Zero dollars on any repairs at all. My brothers 1990 has been equally reliable. The c2 and C3, different story. Those get wrenches on them almost every weekend.

[tomtlusty]

Hey Lyle, I have a 96 GS. For service I take her to Hendrick Chevrolet in Durham, NC. They never disappoint.

[redjupiter]

That is a fantastic video! I bought a 1993 Corvette six years ago in Sacramento from the original owner who had it maintained at the dealership for many years and then an independent shop in Sacramento that had gone out of business shortly after I bought the car. Needless to say some of the ghosts that C4s have in the electronics started to show up. I went through two Opti sparks a few other random under the hood issues. I restored the leather myself because it was in relatively good shape the rest of the interior was also good and so it remains original. The paint is 9 out of 10 and was always garaged. Four years ago I moved to Las Vegas and the car set for about a year while I would only start it once or twice a month. I replaced the fuel pump myself as I discovered it was getting power but at the same time I discovered something strange in the bottom of the fuel tank I couldn't tell what it was, and the car was running rough at times and also difficult to start on random occasions. So after days of searching I found a shop called Extreme Street Performance. A few thousand dollars later I had a brand new fuel tank and the fuel system had been thoroughly gone through. The car has never run better. Even in Sacramento I had always been very fearful of the high temperature these cars operated at and now that my Corvette was running well I realized it was time to deal with that. The guys at Extreme Street Performance put in the Dewitt aluminum radiator along with the list of other things needed to try and get it to factory cooling specs. The car now runs much cooler and in stop and go traffic in the desert summer both fans working the car operates in the safe zone for the first time since I've owned it. I have put in more money than I spent on the car but for the first time I actually feel confident when I turn the key. Your video echoes exactly what the guys say at Extreme Street Performance about the C4's - they are unique and they are not an affordable hobby car unless you have the money to keep them running or if you are very talented as a shade tree for many of the issues these cars have. As you said it is extremely difficult to find mechanics who want to work on them or who are competent with the C4s unique problems. Although I believe the C4 is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, unfortunately it was built in an era when computer technology in automobiles was relatively new and to meet the new emission standards required at the time, these cars had to run extremely hot.

On a side note I must say however that my 1989 Jaguar XJS was a much more expensive car to keep maintained and running.

[EaZ-bh]

I've been working on my mom's 84 Corvette for 22 years now. It almost started yesterday.

[kirkcunningham]

I was lucky finding my Black stock 96 Z-51 car. Paid 11 grand a year ago for it, 80, 000 miles and it was well taken care of. I've been having fun installing a few mods to the LT-1 like a 52 mm TPIS throttle body, TPIS stamped injectors, Flowmaster Force II Exhaust, replacing all of the old and original sensors and switches with new NAPA and AC Delco parts including O2, plugs, wires, module and tuning the car with JETS DST Tuner. The car runs so good and increased horsepower and torque with the JET tune. I love my C-4, it's a beautiful car and mine is much faster after the mods and tune. Its a tire fryer now. 🤟

[Volkswagenplanet]

My neighbor works only on C4 corvettes. He has a few dozen customers. A small 2 bay garage out back of his house here in Tampa. Like you said these guys are few and far between. He only works on 84- 89. Not a fan of the dash change. He is old school ex GM tech. OEM parts only.

[benjaminbutler]

I've been working on cars since I was knee high to a duck as my dad used to say (RIP Old Man), and corvettes were never on my radar. While he was a Ford guy, I developed a love for Camaros. After 20 years of various Camaro ownership, I finally pulled the trigger on a 92 Vette. I'm rather impressed so far. It needs some love, but with the knowledge that old man put to me, I feel I can handle it. Looking forward to the journey.

[braapn]

Thank you, you've saved me a ton a money. My Dad had 5 corvettes, C3, 2 C4s, C5 and C6. My favorite was the '88 Callaway. I'm considering buying a C4 and this and your other videos have helped informed me a lot. Thank you.

[lonnieblackwell]

Good video Lyle. I take my c4 to Doc's corvettes in Tulsa Ok. Brian is very honest and he has been in business over 40 yrs. I highly recommend him.

[geraldspiegel]

Lyle, Nice to have met you several months ago, enjoy your talks . Ive been using a shop here in Toronto for years for my C4. Rino's Auto, Lawrence and Dufferin area.
Skilled ( he's a C4 guy as well ) Honest and Fair.

[MrDrac]

Thanks Lyle. If you live near Titusville, Florida, known as the Space Coast, I have a Corvette guy that does my work on my C4 Collectors Edition. The shop is Corvette Interiors Plus. The owner is Ron and he knows his stuff when it comes to all Corvettes. Dont let the name fool you the plus is for working on the motors and everything else. So you can share that with your followers in another video you do on C4s. Thanks again for another great and honest video. I love my 1996 Corvette.

[davidsafely]

Lyle, thanks for a pretty honest perspective on the C4 "overall". I may be one of the few or only one, who's owned their C4, since it was new. So my basic story is... It's an '84, Z51 Suspension, 4+4 trans and original engine assembly, with almost 366k miles (236K) on the rebuild. Best time in a 1/4 mile. 14.6 adjusted for sea level (factory spec) tuned myself. I currently auto cross this car. 2 years ago, I had the 5th fastest time in the first autocross at a Memorial Day event. Including cars on Hoosiers. I had new Toyo's. With that being said. The only part I've had to replace or rebuild more than once was the LCD Main cluster. I'm on the 3rd rebuild now. One trick I hope that will prolong the life of this dash, which is susceptible to failure due to vibration, (84/Z1's are the worst), you likely know is... I installed rubber washers on either side of the mounting holes, the mounting screws went through. This was done to mitigate the vibration issue. I have been through the frustration of diagnosing problems of letting the car sit for about 10 years. (fuel system), electronics (computer) etc... While my current computer is working fine. I have purchased an EBL computer, which can be tuned on a laptop. I am a car guy, and I can do most things. I do however have a Corvette certified mechanic, who has worked on this car, since 1987. The shop name is "Austin Corvette" in Austin, Tx. They work on all ages of Corvettes and also has a paint and body shop. They did the rebuild on the engine at 130k. The car is on its 2nd water pump and original radiator. Needless to say, I'm putting a "built" L98 and a carb set up for short term fun, in the auto cross world, and will be fitted with ZR1 Rubber. Some people wonder why I spend the money. Well I realize, C5's will cost a lot more to maintain in the near future. (my opinion). More complex, means higher maintenance down the road. The only interior pieces that have truly suffered were the leather seats. I'm putting Corbeau's for the near term and will eventually put the factory seats, once I rebuild the original engine and replace the built engine I will be installing in the near future. The only mechanical fix I have now is the AC system. I pretty much have as much fun driving it, as I did when new with the exception of the AC. Thanks for listening and hope you'll recommend Austin, Corvette to owners in the Central Texas area. Save the Wave!

[kimkramer]

Lyle,
Thank you for all you do,
so much informative corvette knowledge.
Your channel is a life saver all us corvette enthusiast's.

[mlbluesman]

Really good video and commentary. I've had several Corvettes from other generations and decided to take a swing at a C4 several years ago. Very different animal. It's a 1990 convertible. And while she's a complete pain most of the time, I love her dearly. Much of the trouble and cost I have is the fact that I demand perfection. As such, everything I do takes more time and money than it probably should. I paid a fair price for the Corvette and have at least four times the original cost in repairs, upgrades, and restoration. It is still far from finished. All that said, I really love my C4. I rarely see them on the road, which is strange considering the overwhelming production numbers. It's a special machine and I feel so honored to be the current caretaker. Your description about concerns and costs are spot on. In reality, you were much more kind about ownership costs than you should have been. A big bite of reality sandwich is necessary as people see these cars as bargain buys, then talk trash about them because of insurmountable challenges they can't afford. It's more related to the low-budget owner -- not the car itself. I live in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Finding a qualified mechanic has been an ongoing problem. I don't care too much about cost. I'm more interested in quality, thoroughness, and them demonstrating the respect for my Corvette that I believe she deserves. I can't have a mechanic who approaches my C4 the same way they would a Toyota Prius, but that's the trend around here, it seems. Anyway, really great video. I hope to see more like it.

[andyjimmacvideo]

Lyle, thanks very much for this presentation. As the owner of a well running 1990 C4 Coupe (108, 000 kms), I very much like your comment on the weatherstrip as mine needed replacing and those adjustments were not fun. Also agree that if you want to keep the car as close to original is expensive ( in my case this is what I wanted). It's a great hobby and I'm glad to still be part of it. Love this site.