Chevrolet Corvette C4 | Buyer's Guide

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[ReubenAsh]

C4 is truly masterpiece design. Such an 80’s icon. My favorite Corvette . Dream car.

[kevinszarell]

This buyers guide seems more general for any car rather than C4 specific.

[FlyingAero]

C1-C3 corvette lovers will probably be appalled but this is my favorite corvette. Havent driven one yet but on paper they are perfect. I want an 89' 6sp

[thomasmoje]

I have a 1992 C-4 Corvette convertible just about like this one: same color, LT-1 engine. Mine has the standard 'sawtooth' wheels and all black interior and auto transmission. Purchased it used in 2017 with 47, 000 miles on the odometer for a 'retirement toy'. Absolutely love it. Plenty of power, looks great, fun to drive, and best of all my lady loves it too. Only issues I've had with mine so far is I had to replace the horns, and the adjustable ride control system ceased working but that's OK with me since I leave it on the 'touring' setting anyway. All in all a very enjoyable car. No regrets about buying it. I've considered buying a new one but I like it so much I'll keep her and put the money into her to keep her beautiful.

[Doctorj]

I had a '95 for almost 20 years and it was absolutely trouble free, though it only had 17, 000 miles on it. Ran great, went great, looked great, but o'God the rattles! Hit the slightest bump and you thought the beast was going to come apart. My only complaint.

[stevelovescars]

Great video.  I had a '94 coupe with the  LT-1 and a 6-speed manual.  Mine only had about 50k miles on it so I can't speak much about long-term reliability.

It was fast, but these were always very noisy cars and the C4s were difficult to get in and out of.  If they fit, though, they are a heck of a bargain for the performance.  One add... if you get the coupe, make sure the little ratchet tool to undo the targa top is with the car.  It's just a torx drive, I believe, and can be replaced, but the original is nice to have.  All of the coupes had a removable targa top.  So even if you don't get a convertible they can be driven as open cars.  However, the top is bolted on with four heavy-duty bolts for a reason, that panel is structural and without it the whole car starts to feel shakey and wobbly.

Headlight failures are common on these.  Chevy used a plastic gear to move the rotating headlights and they commonly strip and the headlights will not open or close all the way or will "jump" and skip when the teeth start to fail.  Fortunately, there is a huge aftermarket for these and one can buy new plastic (or even improved copper) gears for about $20... no need to replace the whole motor assembly.  Replacing the gear takes about an hour per side but isn't very complicated... even I could do it with basic hand tools.

[drumking]

Love my Quasar Blue Metallic 93, turns heads still and gets compliments all the time. Fun to drive, and reliable.

[keltechindustries]

I just bought mine last Saturday and it’s has been very rewarding

[chrisquinn]

Good video.  Note at 1:30 or so, 6 speed ZF trans began in 1989 model year, not 1988,

[rcwarbirdbuilder]

I am partial and like the 95 corvettes, I bought a coupe new in 1995, 20 years ago and recently bought a 95 convertible, as long as the car runs good and the Bose radio plays my favorite cd's loud I am a happy camper.

[lowchopr]

IN 96 THEY SEALED UP THE OPTI-SPARK AND PUT A VENT TUBE IN. OBD2 AS WELL. GO FOR A 96

[rockin]

I have owned a 1990 ZR-1 for many years now and it is very good value for the bucks. The LT 5 engine is a workhorse and valet switch on dash can change H/P from 375 to 250 when going a long distance which gives better gas mileage. Only draw back I have found with car is getting in and out, floor pan dropped and sill built up to give rigidity for Targa Roof. GM Made nice changes to suspension which gives the Vette a better and much more comfortable drive. If you can find one with low mileage they make a nice summer ride for the bucks. The LT 5 engine cost as much as the car in 1990, but it's what makes the car enjoyable to drive.

[rogermouton]

Have a 91 in the same colour. Best car I've owned and I've had a few. Spectacular looker IMO; ten tons of fun to drive. All the car I ever want - I'll keep it till it falls apart.

[davemaruska]

The 1996 Corvette is the last of the C4's and, due to apparent C5 delays,  often referred to as a "hold over year".  Rumor has it the engineers were instructed to produce a platform honoring the Corvette Grand Sport racing heritage.  In 1996 the Corvette was awarded the "Best Overall American Sports Car" by several car magazines.  It was produced in three appearance packages and two drive trains options.  Appearance packages were Standard, Collector Edition and Grand Sport, and automatic trans LT1 and the six speed trans LT4 drive trains.  The LT4 is pretty much the same across all the appearance packages making a Standard package LT4 the best Corvette value around.  Enjoy the ride and "save the wave".  November 8, 2015

[tommorgan]

C4 is the best buy in a corvette at this time. It wont stay that way.

[dennislarson]

I have a 1994 with the 6-speed, just 49K miles, in excellent condition. Great car, babied from the start. I love it!

[MrMisanthropeRBjr]

go for the 1996 LT4, grandsport, collectors edition or the regular 1996 with the LT4 option.

[michaelwarner]

I've recently become interested in getting a 96 LT4. I've watched many YouTube videos on them and learned all it's foibles. There are a few but nothing at all to discourage me. I'd recommend anyone thinking of one of these to watch as many as you can because not everyone catches all the problems in every video.

[Zeus]

I just grabbed a 92. Outside looks like the one in the video. Mine only 29k miles. Right now it’s 2020. I feel like I got a brand new car

[subavairpine]

Not much of a buyers guide, but I do like a good C4... probably because it's the only gen I can afford right now! Always wanted a Corvette, and I finally pulled the trigger on a '93 black coupe. I bought it kind of unseen (saw a bunch of pictures and it was from a dealer so there were inspection reports, etc. which turned out to be fairly accurate) which I wouldn't generally recommend, but they drove it down from out-of-state to me at no charge so I wasn't complaining too much. Anyway, it was pretty clean, just needed some TLC, but that's what I like to do so it turned out to be a good deal for me. Like the video mentioned, the Optispark was pretty bad. Got a new vented one, problem solved. Had an intermittent shut down issue, turned out the computer needed to be rebuilt. Window seals still need attention. Despite the issues it's had, I enjoy working on it and fixing things to bring it all back to its original state, and I enjoy driving it even more. These are great cars, with real soul, and even the C4s can still turn heads... It's gonna be a long time before these go back up in value, but who cares?? America's sports car for sure!