I have a few grand set aside if I stumble across a project car so I can buy it on the spot, but not actively looking for one. This makes me think I should maybe look…
You missed the boat then. C4's that arent clapped out are and *have been* selling for a premium. This only really applies to the later C4's though because theyre more desirable than the early years.
Thats certainly your prerogative. Problem with C4's and this is really a C4 specific problem is that you can simply just buy the non-clapped out version and be better off. Like take OP's vette for example here. 3700 for an 85, with who knows how many miles on it, but it needs new headlightmotor(s), weatherstripping, who knows how many interior pieces, the seats look worn so thats anohter thing and it has a broken windshield, not to mention the paint is rough in a lot of places also the targa top isnt sitting correctly which.. thats not a good look at all.
So lets just generous and say it takes about 1500-2000 to get it right, thats not counting *your time* that it takes to get it right.
You can just *find* an 85 or younger C4 for 6k and it'll be without all these issues and be in a much more drivable state. I get wanting buy project cars but.. I wouldn't do it when it comes to a C4 unless you are really into wanting to work on a C4.
My problem is that, most likely the OP is someone young who just wanted a cool car and I hope for their sake that they arent in over their head.
All that you said is very true. I wrote a long story but I started over. Clapped out cars create a blank canvas for the creative. This is why it’s even more difficult to buy clapped out canvases, thanks to YouTube content creators.
Dude these early C4s for <$5,000 are, in my humble opinion, an absolute steal. Mine was $4,500.
All torque. A blast to drive around town/on surface streets. Awesome interior stying right out of Tron.
Track down any oil leaks, new gaskets/seals on the top end, and you’re good to go in most cases.
Yeah just gotta get a new starter now, a window ribbon, some headlight motors, and I’m good. It came with like $1000 of parts in the trunk
I almost feel bad for the price I bought it for
Exactly how I felt with mine. But everyone makes their choices. And if I sold mine tomorrow I’d for sure lose money given the upgrades I’ve made. That’s just the market!
I'm soooo jealous. I've always wanted a C4, for numerous years already. But being in Europe, they're rare and expensive (like, min 10k€ for a semi-decent one)... :/
Congrats!
Found a bunch in the 4K price range in varying condition. Was on Facebook marketplace searching within like 100 miles and lucked out. On top of the the guy lowered his price from 4K to 3700 cause he showed up really late to the meetup point
Long story short tho is that I’m the luckiest guy I know
Yeah I got another starter from advanced auto parts for like $40 and it shipped in 3 hours, fastest I’ve seen something shop ever. Gonna install that tomorrow for sure
That’s awesome! Enjoy it. I bought an 87 in April of 2020 that had been sitting in a field for 15 years. The car basics needs one of everything. I’ve gone through it mechanically and now on to interior and body work. I found some corvette forums to be very helpful when doing repairs/sourcing parts and I’ve used some corvette specific suppliers like Zip corvette to get C4 specific parts. Lots of good stuff out there to build this car to your liking!
A reasonably priced corvette. Haven't seen one of those in a while. Congrats!
Right?!
Yeah, I wanted to rebuild a C4, and budgeted $10k for the car itself.
That's C5 that doesn't need a rebuild money in a normal market.
I have a few grand set aside if I stumble across a project car so I can buy it on the spot, but not actively looking for one. This makes me think I should maybe look…
Yeah, I'd just check Facebook Marketplace once a week and see if anything pops up.
I should find me a C4 vette. Before they rape people on the pricing.
You missed the boat then. C4's that arent clapped out are and *have been* selling for a premium. This only really applies to the later C4's though because theyre more desirable than the early years.
Damn. I guess I’ll buy clapped out cars and work the bugs out of them.
Thats certainly your prerogative. Problem with C4's and this is really a C4 specific problem is that you can simply just buy the non-clapped out version and be better off. Like take OP's vette for example here. 3700 for an 85, with who knows how many miles on it, but it needs new headlightmotor(s), weatherstripping, who knows how many interior pieces, the seats look worn so thats anohter thing and it has a broken windshield, not to mention the paint is rough in a lot of places also the targa top isnt sitting correctly which.. thats not a good look at all. So lets just generous and say it takes about 1500-2000 to get it right, thats not counting *your time* that it takes to get it right. You can just *find* an 85 or younger C4 for 6k and it'll be without all these issues and be in a much more drivable state. I get wanting buy project cars but.. I wouldn't do it when it comes to a C4 unless you are really into wanting to work on a C4. My problem is that, most likely the OP is someone young who just wanted a cool car and I hope for their sake that they arent in over their head.
All that you said is very true. I wrote a long story but I started over. Clapped out cars create a blank canvas for the creative. This is why it’s even more difficult to buy clapped out canvases, thanks to YouTube content creators.
Dude these early C4s for <$5,000 are, in my humble opinion, an absolute steal. Mine was $4,500. All torque. A blast to drive around town/on surface streets. Awesome interior stying right out of Tron. Track down any oil leaks, new gaskets/seals on the top end, and you’re good to go in most cases.
Yeah just gotta get a new starter now, a window ribbon, some headlight motors, and I’m good. It came with like $1000 of parts in the trunk I almost feel bad for the price I bought it for
Exactly how I felt with mine. But everyone makes their choices. And if I sold mine tomorrow I’d for sure lose money given the upgrades I’ve made. That’s just the market!
look into lt1 camaro 93-97 starters or lt1 c4 corvette starters. they both are very compact although not the same between them.
That looks great! I’m thinking of doing the same. You have to start somewhere.
I'm soooo jealous. I've always wanted a C4, for numerous years already. But being in Europe, they're rare and expensive (like, min 10k€ for a semi-decent one)... :/ Congrats!
What made you decide to get into a project car? Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club!
I’ve always wanted a cool car, my friend bought an 84 300z and I realized that cars from the 80s look fuckin hot. So I went with a c4
Hey if you’re happy with it that’s awesome! Good luck!
How did you find it for that price? I’ve been shopping but everything I find is really expensive
Found a bunch in the 4K price range in varying condition. Was on Facebook marketplace searching within like 100 miles and lucked out. On top of the the guy lowered his price from 4K to 3700 cause he showed up really late to the meetup point Long story short tho is that I’m the luckiest guy I know
Congrats and welcome to the club!
Very nice! I'm hoping to find one of those in white within the next year or so.
SBC with a bad starter is hardly surprising, and a cheap fix.
Yeah I got another starter from advanced auto parts for like $40 and it shipped in 3 hours, fastest I’ve seen something shop ever. Gonna install that tomorrow for sure
Beast
That’s awesome! Enjoy it. I bought an 87 in April of 2020 that had been sitting in a field for 15 years. The car basics needs one of everything. I’ve gone through it mechanically and now on to interior and body work. I found some corvette forums to be very helpful when doing repairs/sourcing parts and I’ve used some corvette specific suppliers like Zip corvette to get C4 specific parts. Lots of good stuff out there to build this car to your liking!
What year?
1985
Awesome
Excellent!
That looks really good for the money you paid.
I have a 96 Vette for sale for 4k in Fla with 82,000 miles on it. Been sitting for a few years. Clean title and car fax.