Say Hello to the C4: Buying Your First (or Next) Corvette

The C4 Corvette is a great gateway into the Corvette ownership experience. The price is right, it has miles of potential for upgrades and projects, and it will usher you into a lifelong association with the Corvette hobby. Mid America Motorworks addresses first time buyers, as well as those experienced in purchasing Corvettes, to provide valuable insight into the C4 Corvette.

Pre-planning Your Purchase

Finding a C4 Corvette is a little different than heading to your local car dealership. Savvy shoppers will become familiar with local Corvette Clubs and forums, where Corvettes are featured. Before you start shopping, do your research and put together a checklist of features you want or wish to avoid. Look at as many cars as possible. Don't let your emotions guide your decisions.

Budget – How much do you have to spend? How much maintenance can you afford? Don't forget insurance costs and storage fees.

Repairs – Are you handy in the garage? Is there a local mechanic or shop that can handle repairs and projects that are beyond your skill level?

Corvette Clubs – Talk to Clubs in your area. Most owners love to share information with prospective buyers. There may also be cars or projects for sale within the Club that are not advertised. Once you make a purchase, Clubs are another great source for tips on repair and restoration.

C4 Corvette Breakdown – Pros & Cons Per Year

1984 Pros:

The first passenger car to excel on the skid pad pulling 1 g.
Extensive use of electronic sensors for the engine and drive train.
Modern design offered better performance & fuel economy
New style included first use of large, one-piece glass top
Easy parts to find: interior, exterior parts and chassis items

1984 Cons:

Retained Cross-fire injection system from 1982
Digital dash was rather fault-prone
Overdrive could not withstand hard driving and often failed
Performance limitations on the L-83
Z51 offered a bone-jarring ride
Some brake and engine management/fuel delivery parts are difficult to find
Delco-Bose stereo system wasn't compatible with most aftermarket components and often failed
Difficult parts to find: transmission parts, which can be pricey

1985 Pros:

Tuned port injection
New suspension tuning offered a better ride
Improved brakes and rear axle
Easy parts to find: automatic transmission, suspension, wheels and interior trim

1985 Cons:

Rough shifts with the 700R automatic transmission and trouble with 4+3 manual transmission
Weak fuel management system
Rough ride with the Z51 option
Difficult parts to find: 4+3 transmission, headlight motors, original glass tops, original style Goodyear tires

1986 Pros:

Offered both Coupe and Convertible (all Convertibles were Indy Pace Cars)
Improved fuel management system
Added third brake light, new ABS brakes, tuned suspension, VATS security system and adjustable spring ratios
Glass tops available in various colors
Easy parts to find: interior trim, suspension components, engines, automatic transmission

1986 Cons:

Limited availability for aluminum cylinder heads
Weak automatic transmission
Shifter problems with 4+3 transmission in performance applications
Plastic interior trim was prone to breakage
ABS brakes caused problems
Difficult parts to find: original body decal kits, original correct tires, factory exhaust system, anti-lock brake system pieces, dashboard

1987 Pros:

Introduction of the RPO Z52 sport handling package
Callaway Corvette available as a performance alternative
Introduction of climate control HVAC and heated mirrors
Easy parts to find: interior and exterior trim, suspension parts, emblems

1987 Cons:

4+3 transmission
Same interior and wheels as earlier C4 Corvette
Difficult parts to find: wheels, sport seats, controls and internal parts, Delco-Bose stereo components, console parts, original exhaust system

1988 Pros:

Special 35th Anniversary Edition
Zero Scrub Suspension made for this new car
Callaway option available; 50 cars converted to Challenge Racing Corvettes
Dual power seats and Z52 top option available
New aluminum 17-inch wheels
Easy parts to find: 17-inch wheels, suspension parts, engines, automatic transmissions, interior and exterior trim

1988 Cons:

Interior was unchanged
4+3 transmission still offered
Difficult parts to find: 16-inch wheels, 4+3 transmission, OE glass tops, sport seat controls, internal parts, electronic air conditioning controls, Delco-Bose components

1989 Pros:

New ZF manual transmission
Adjustable FX-3 suspension
Return of the hardtop option
Callaway available with 60 Challenge Series Corvettes built
Limited exterior color choices
New low tire pressure system and restyled seats
Easy parts to find: transmissions, engines, wheels, suspension parts, interior and exterior trim

1989 Cons:

Same interior options
No performance engine options
Stereos not compatible with available aftermarket products
Difficult parts to find: OE glass tops, Delco-Bose stereo components, dash/gauge sets

1990 Pros:

New aircraft-style cockpit design
New dash and return of the glove box
Special interest Corvettes included the ZR1, 23 Limited Edition R9G World Challenge Corvettes, Indy Festival Track Corvettes
LT5 Lotus developmental engine debuted
New aluminum wheels
First year for the airbag in the Corvette steering wheel
Easy parts to find: wheels, transmissions, suspension pieces, interior and exterior trim

1990 Cons:

Narrow seating
Difficult parts to find: sport seat parts, ABS brake parts, body belt-line trim, air conditioning controls

1991 Pros:

New ZR1-inspired front and rear fascia
More Callaway options
New color beltline trim available
Introduction of the Z07 suspension system
New blue glass top
Easy parts to find: base engines, transmissions, suspension pieces, lights and lenses, interior and exterior trim

1991 Cons:

Softened appearance of wheels
Difficult parts to find: ZR1 engine and body parts, ZR1 wheels, dash components and gauges, air conditioning controls, headlight motors, Delco-Bose stereo components

1992 Pros:

Introduction of the EMC, a computer that controlled fuel injection
Introduction of ASR, or Acceleration Slip Regulation (traction control)
New GSC Goodyear tire series
Introduction of the LT1, a completely new small block engine
Introduction of reverse flow cooling and Optic spark ignition
Easy parts to find: base engines, transmissions, most suspension pieces, interior and exterior trim and wheels

1992 Cons:

High door sills can make it difficult to enter and exit
Optic spark ignition issues
Difficult to find parts: adjustable suspension, some gauges, Delco-Bose stereo components, sport seat parts and bladders, ZR1 engine, body parts and windshield

1993 Pros:

40th Anniversary Corvette with special package and emblems
245 rare ZR1 40th Anniversary Corvettes were built
New interior enhancements
Passive key entry
New machined look wheel finish
Easy parts to find: suspension items, base engines, transmissions, interior and exterior trim, lights and lenses

1993 Cons:

Original window and door seals degraded quickly
Difficult parts to find: sport seats, Delco-Bose stereo components, stock power antennas, original Goodyear tires

1994 Pros:

Featured parade car for the inaugural Indy Brickyard 400 – 25 special commemorative Corvettes were made
New, non-directional, five-spoke wheels added to the ZR1 models
Automatic transmission was redesigned for improved shift quality and rpm shift-point consistency
Upgraded ignition system reduced engine start times, especially in cold weather
Easy parts to find: base LT1 engines, transmissions, suspension systems, trim items, lights and lenses

1994 Cons:

Difficult parts to find: original hardtops, sport seat components, ZR1 parts, Z07 suspension pieces, Delco-Bose components

1995 Pros:

Served as Indianapolis 500 Pace Car
Large brake package came standard
Change to side grille styling
Easy parts to find: interior and exterior trim, base engines, wheels, transmissions, suspension components

1995 Cons:

Final year for the ZR1
Difficult parts to find: GM hardtops, ZR1 parts and trim, Z07 suspension components, rear antennas, Delco-Bose stereos, Goodyear tires

1996 Pros:

Special Grand Sport package
Collector's Edition trim package
Performance package available
LT4 engine option equipped with 6-speed transmissions
3 aluminum wheel styles available
Real-time suspension dampening was available
Easy parts to find: LT1 engines, transmissions, suspension parts, interior and exterior trim, lights and lenses

1996 Cons:

Difficult parts to find: original Grand Sport edition wheels, Collector Edition wheels, LT4 engines, hardtops and ECM computers

The C4 Corvette is a great entry level car, and a great project car for the enthusiast who still wants to drive a Corvette while one is in the garage. With the year ranges and special editions covered by the 4th Generation, there are still plenty of options for your next Corvette.