1984
 

I'm a new member to the forum; I'm not a vette owner yet but looking at a one; based on what I've heard so far about the model year I'm a little skeptic about it but I know all of you out there will set me straight...her goes; 1984...enough said? here is more...under 34K original miles (has been garaged 21 yearsexcept for occasional drive), good body, paint, clean engine; anticipate replacing belts, hoses and tires. Potential seller has not set a price; any thoughts on what my offer might be or a value range, low to high. Any thoughts would be great! Oh, it's an automatic...that's a good thing from what I've heard so far!!

RE: 1984
 

THE '84 WAS A STAND ALONE C4. ONLY YEAR W/ THE CROSSFIRE INJECTION. IT WAS THE BIG TOE IN THE WATER FOR CHEVY ON THE C4 VETTES,WEAKKNEED-EASY TO BREAK.UNLESS THIS CAR IS AS GOOD AS YOU SAY AND DOES NOT NEED A MAJOR $$$$ INFUSION GO AHEAD AND SEE HOW CHEAP YOU CAN GRAB IT. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH WHAT A PERSON IS WILLING TO PAY, JUST LIKE ART PAINTINGS EXCEPT W/ TIRES AND NEEDS A PLACE WHERE THE BIRDS DON'T CRAP ON IT.

RE: 1984
 

Hello,my friend..Yankee is correct.The '84,while revolutionary in its day,had quite a few weak spots;among then the L-83 Cross-Fire motor.They've been known to be incredibly troublesome....now granted,I'm sure one with the low miles like the one you mention is a good running car,the thing is eventually as miles add on,the little gremlins on them seem to awaken.And they can be a pain to diagnose.Remember,this was a carry-over engine from the last generation,the only thing about the '84 that was not new.I can say that if you really want to buy it,go for it...just be ready for the potential problems associated with this year.Honestly,the most I would pay for one,even a low-mileage one,would be maybe $6,000...and I might be crying doing it...unless cost of maintenance and repair is something you can handle very easily.For my money,I'll go for an '86 or later model....good luck!!!

RE: 1984
 

I would pass on it.

RE: 1984
 

i sold a 88 for 5000 good conditionwith only 55000miles i say you give him 4000 to 5000. 6000 will be to much.

RE: 1984
 

Hey to all....thanks for all the feedback; I really appreciate the guidance; it has also given me some time to check the for sale section on the forum and some that I have seen has helped stave off my temptation for the 84....Kind of have the "itch" now to have one...maybe should look at late 90's early 2000 models. Thanks again.

RE: 1984
 

The C5 is an all around better car but does have its own set of gremlins to look out for. They cost more to have fixed than a C4 in some ways. If I had the money I would seriously look at C5 Z06. Its probably the only C5 I would but but tats just me. If you look at a C5 avoid the 1997 model. It had the most poroblems.

RE: 1984
 

About the only people who bad mouth the 84 are those that never had one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with CFI, it was used on several other GM cars. Its quite reliable and I havent had a problem in the 18 years I've owner the car. The only downside is that the intake is not easily upgraded for power. However, low range torque is quite superior to TPI cars. An 84 with a decent exhaust rivals HP of an stock 85 TPI but with better low range torque. However, I do LOVE how the tpi looks...best engine aesteticly in MHO.
I'd say the major reason not to buy an 84 is all the bloody squeaks and rattles, especially on a Z51 car. They can however be eliminated. I have a 28 page TSB on my site for those issues.
Choice is relative based on what you find. I'd certainly go for a low mileage 84 with good paint over an 85-87 with worse paint since thats a few grand to do it "right".
Another choice is what dash you might want...the digital or the later anolog/digital speedo c4 design.
Id set a high and low budget and go from there.

PS If you want an UGLY Vette...by all means buy a c5 :-D~

RE: 1984
 

Great info...this car has a great body and I did a oxidation check on the paint and the cloth showed no (red) paint residue; I was surprised but then again it has been garaged for more than 20 years and was covered as well. Thanks for all the input.

RE: 1984
 

have owned my 84 for 12 years. never had any problems with the crossfire, only problems i have had is the cluster i had to send off and get rebuilt and a power window ribbon broke. my car is red with perfect paint and interior. it now has 75,000 miles and i would drive it anywhere if i had to, although i only drive it on weekends and cruise ins etc. my car was actually built in 83 and was the first 84 delivered to the st louis zone. i would recommend buying an 84 if it has a proven track record like mine.

RE: 1984
 

where is you page about the 28 pages on squeaks and rattles? thanks

I've read about the attempts of the TPI's and read that it takes much carefull work to get them to do as good as a big carb! the crossfire concept is like all those that want TOP power for racing but needs attention: all the hours that the factory didn't do!

I have a 1984 production #866 I love it. I bought for 2700$ and I believe if you just keep it the way it was made it is reliable I even just replaced the fuel pump for a 84 even though I seen that a 85 fuel pump is of help with the fuel pressure. It is a great running motor just keep it original but there are mods you can do. Headers cam and heads I haven’t done any of those things. This car has not been molested, all original wiring. It is worth buying one that has the original wiring and the such. Good luck hope this helps.

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your input.

Let me weigh in just a bit. Rule ! when buying a vette. Never believe the odometer. That is extra true with 84 to 90s. The odometer can be replaced in under an hour. I owned a brand new 1984. Wanted it so bad I paid a dealer's finder fee. They were hard to get when they first started hitting dealers lots. It was a fantastic car (Z51) far better than the 81 I traded on it. Don't believe those odometers either. takes about 5 minutes to disconnect the cable and run on the tach. Anyway the cross fire only hasted two years. They were put in the 82s which were C3s and then the 84s. There were no 83s. The 84 has the stiffest suspension of any of the C4s Or at least any of the standard or Z51 or Z52 models. And I think it handled great. You can run over a quarter and feel of it's heads or tails
, well almost. You sound like the car is not for sale but you want to make an offer anyway. In that case you will probably have to go big. But as someone said the 84s are not real popular so $4000 sounds like a fair starting point for you, not for the seller. If the mileage is true and the seller knows it is he will push back. Again, don't trust the odometer, look at the drivers seat, the brake pedal and door strikers. Look carefully under the hood. A low mileage garage kept car should not look worn at all.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate what you have shared. I will take into account what you spoke about. Let us all share these truths with others so they can be aware. Have a great Vettetopia weekend.

stanleyz
 

Your Welcome. I appreciate replying to my post.
We are all here to share information about corvettes. I am always learning and appreciate info of info about corvettes that I may not know.
keep the communication going.
Have a safe and great Vettetopia weekend.

If you leave this car stock it's not a problem. Most cars that have issues have been modified or under maintained.
However, I really am a 3rd gen guy.