I'm looking to purchase a used Corvette. Never owned one before so I'm seeking info on the different years, specs, styles, paint, problems to look for,etc. I've been looking at C4's, 1990-1996 with a preference for the 1993. What is some information anyone can supply to me?
Thanks for helping.

 

Welcome to CFs.

The C4s are where the Vette really started to move into the electronic age. Before them, the trick was mostly dealing with mechanical systems. The C4 introduced the electroinc control systems, although it did begin with the 81 and 82 C3s. The electronics were more widely used for systems controls in the C4.

I partly chose my C3 due to its lack of 'puter stuff.
I prefer the mechanical, dont really know electronics.

To choose a Vette, its kinda like any other car. There are some special areas to check though. Suspension, steering, drive train, brakes,and frame condition. Mileage isnt as important as HOW it was driven.

 

In my opinion it might be a good idea to stay away from the LT1's,they were only made for a short time and are pretty unique engine-wise. Less demand = higher priced parts etc. The distributor and water pump are unique,with the distributor located beneath the water pump so a failed water pump would possibly take out the distributor. Elsewhere in the forum is a horror story about a #8 sparkplug,they're not EASY on any vette,but the LT1 exhausts make it a little more difficult. I agree in principle with C3 Starship on the 'puter issue,but that opinion is more or less reserved for the dinosuars,the young guys don't seem to mind the "magic".
All being said,bottom line is: find a car that YOU like and buy it! Good Luck!
Ron

 

I'm one of the dinosuars, I can barely work this dang computer enough to talk to you guys. I personally like the non-computer cars because I can modify it and put my personal touch on it. With the electronic age, I feel that you just buy someone's work and bolt it on, kinda' cookie-cutter.

 

Among C4s the '96 is the best:most sorted out, most power, etc. Worth thinking about.

 

I had a 96 coupe, loved it. I had no problems with it until the speedo would work every now and then but turns out it was just a loose ground. Make sure to check the seals around the targa top and windows, making sure they are not weathered or deteriorating as this will cause leaks in the car. One thing I do is to look at the exhaust while someone starts the car, if I see any smoke I wont buy it. Too me that means big problems later. Also if you have access to it a car fax would be a good idea, if not check all the gaps from the hood to the fender and throughout the car. If it has been wrecked more then likely the gaps wont be the same.

 

Ok, I just got my first vette in Oct. See pics on profile. I searched for about a year. I went to the bank and talked to them. I went to the local corvette specialist, corvette city. I drove many different years. The newer, the more comfortabe, my wife liked that. Older, narrow with thin seats, short drives. Newer wider, blush, very long distance. Once again, the wife liked that. I talked to vette owners at races, one couple drove from Canada to Road Atl. for the petete lemans race in their C5 conv. Hum! what do you suppose my wife said? The older, the price goes up! Too new and it really goes up! Most important, what can you afford. My wife put it to me, "keep it between $500-$600 and you can get what ever you want."
So enter the bank! The loan guy says "no loans past 2001. The older the car, less years the bank would loan on. The newer, more years but the price is way too high. So what is a good year? 2004 or 2005 he says if you can find one for say 26k to 30k! And your wife will be happy!"
So thats how I decided on what year I would get. It had nothing to do with what I wanted, and everything to do with what made my wife happy! Good luck

 

"If Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy."

Later is better, generally. As to LT1s, I wouldn't get a C4 unless it had an LT1, or of course, if I could find an LT4 at a good price. There are enough out there that parts aren't hard to find and they are robust, good engines. LS1s and up breath better and are lighter, and a newer car is generally in better shape and has better technology, but the later C4s, after the eletronics got sorted out and the factory quite trying so hard with gosh darn eletronic gadgets, and with the LT engines, are damn good cars.