They always look better in the pictures and yes, better to pay $9000 for a sweet low mileage c4 than a mediocre c4 for $4000 that will quickly need $10,000 of work. Personally I love the styling. MAKE SURE THE AC/ HEAT WORKS AND GET ONE WITH THE ZF 6 SPEED. The 4+ 3 is a nightmare to fix. The VATS system can be bypassed for under $10. Great video
@Thomas Todd I just got an 84 for 1500 great condition didn't run but after a new fuel pump and new injectors it drives daily. They are hard to find but they do come around sometimes.
I got my 88 for 1500 136kmiles my transmission gave out found one for 250 over time I kept looking on markets , or it was 1000 to rebuild I dropped it pretty easy tbh one day in and out new clutch car so far runs great I just need a brake booster as well but not to bad if you look constant and take your time 👌🔥
I had a c4 for years n drove it with a barely lit dash. Went to sell it and a guy said if you can fix the dash ill take it rest of the car was mint. Done some research took the lcd apart cleaned connectors with a eraser voila worked perfect. My only regret is that i didnt do that sooner it was really a beautiful display when it worked lol
@@aaronmitchell196 I just bought a c4 and the speed and rpms do not show at all. Do you think cleaning the connectors like you did might solve the problem?
5 years later im commenting lol. Just got my 87 corvette. Got it for 5k. Instrument cluster was half ass worked on. The speedometer polarized lenses was toast and the info panel and tachometer was starting to go. Taking it apart and doing it was really fun and simple to do. But the center info panel was an aftermarket panel and found that out when I took of the lense. Bryan from Batee (100% recommended for C4 parts) helped me figure that out and had to buy a new center panel. The digital gauge alone is 100% worth getting the 80s' to me. Just so much more fun!
The most important thing you mentioned was rule #1 that these cars are going to have something wrong with them. I always tell people looking for Corvettes, Mustangs, etc. to bear in mind that while it may be a neat car always remember that it is still a USED car. And I've never seen a used car that didn't need some work.
Yes, you are right. I search right now for one. And im surprised how much some People want for a crappy 1985 Corvette. When you get for the same Money a C5 oO
The $50 million Ferrari GTO can't keep up with a C5. Also, parts availability not as good. Sometimes you're paying for what you like, not what's practical.
This video was how I found TheCorvetteBen channel about a year ago. I have watched SOOOO MANY of his videos now I think I qualify for a “TheCorvetteBen” addict. It was fun to circle back today to where it all began. Love the outtakes and bloopers!!! Thanks Ben for sharing your expertise. Love your content. I’ve learned so much from watching
I have an '89 here, the last 4 years have been great! I average about 19 MPG, drive it everywhere and never had an issue :) Just keep the maintenance up and it will go for a very long time
Have an 89 with a 383 stroker. Absolutely fun. Had to get a beefed up transmission recently. If you ever buy one that is no longer stock, be sure it comes with all the paperwork listing everything that is done and where it was done. You'll want a full parts list. You’ll want to know everything about operating temps, pressure readings, and best types of fluids to use. Having data is great when you understand it. You’ll avoid some issues and or at least prevent making an issue worse when you know these things. Some of the best advice in this video is to get the exact set up you want, and don’t settle.
Great video. Used it, and a bunch of research, to buy my C4. Found a 2 owner 85, auto, just under 23,000 miles, in dark bronze metallic (the second least used paint color that year). Absolutely love this car!!
My 84 is 35 years old now and I can hit the key and it cranks right up and runs like new. It has some mods and I keep adding hp but it has the original l83 with 175,000 miles so eat it haters.
my 86 t/a is the same.twist the key and she fires up,carbed l31 vortec about 375 horsepower,5 speed,4 wheel disc,posie,hardtop with zero options and its a hardtop
I had an 84 that was perfect with only 40k original and lots of upgrades. I got tired of getting my ass busted by Honda Accords, so I upgraded to a C6.
Haters? Screw ‘em. Love the C4 and appreciate enthusiasts keeping them alive. Sub 10k cars can be found in great condition and is underrated for the value and fun factor.
We have a C4 1995 model. She has been with my mom for almost 10 years and counting. Thanks for the extra information on what to look for when buying, or in our case, restorations.
have both C4 and C5 ..i love my 86 best but it has cost me about 10 thousand in maintenance in the last 20 years.i saved all receipts. and my C5 cost me about $700 in 10 years. But even tho my C4 is old i still enjoy all that hidden hp the L-98 puts out and the handling is great as well. love the gas fill in the middle, the clam shell hood and starwars dash and how the seat hugs my hips on tight turns.. the unique w/s wiper motion. etc....white with red interior...
I’ve been dailying my 87 for a little over a year now, these cars have wonderful visibility. They also scoot through traffic pretty good when they need to, and the gas mileage is pretty good if you keep out of it. Mine is an automatic but it has the 2.72?:1 rear in it, cruises very nicely at any speed. Only problem is the noise level, not from the (aftermarket) exhaust, but from the wind going across the windshield and the glass roof. Most of the noise seems to be coming from the lip where the two meet, and a bit from the windows. I also have 315s in the rear with summer tires, so it’s sketchy in the rain and snow but that’s my fault for running really wide, somewhat worn summer tires in suboptimal conditions. I’m very happy with my purchase overall. Word of the wise, if you buy a car that has done a lot of cruising, and you’re getting a code 33, vary your driving a bit. When the car has spent a lot of time at one throttle position the tps (throttle position sensor) will burn out a little bit in that spot, and the car doesn’t know if the tps is wrong or if the maf (mass airflow) sensor is wrong. $100 repair, but the car will run like shit when it goes into limp home mode. There are other potential causes, but that was my car’s major malfunction when I bought it. Also, the VATS can be bypassed with resistors, you just need to figure out what resistance your key has (ohm meter will tell you) and to match it. My car came with a strange bypass that used a switch that’s hidden in the dash, so effectively it has a secret kill switch for the ignition.
Good video, maybe next time you could make a video about typical C4 issues. (Common problems) Last summer I bought my first C4, actually my first Corvette. Just love how it handles, it's got loads of torque and the way the hood opens is just awesome.
I just bought an 85 C4 last fall and its been a long winter waiting for spring. Just took it out for the summer, and the only thing that doesn't work is the antenna. Has 32,000 miles on her and drives like new. Will make a video soon. :)
I love my C3 and C4. I bought the C3 as junker and six months later my oldest son turned a 13.07 in the quarter at the High School Nationals ( but it still looked like a junker). A year later it was fully restored and is still beautiful today. I gave it to my oldest son about eight years ago. I bought my C4 new for my 40th birthday and gave it to my youngest son at the same time as the C3. The deal with both boys was they had to offer them back to me if they no longer wanted them. I got the C4 (an 86) back in November 2018; it no longer ran. I trailered it home from Chicago to Michigan and the work began. So far I have replaced the fuel pump, the fuel filter, the clutch master and slave cylinders, the rocker cover gaskets, the valve stem seals, plugs and wires, the EGR tube insulator, the exhaust system, the power window switch, and I don't know what else I'll find. But guess what, I love it and I love to work on it. It still looks close to new. I'm 72 and don't care what it costs to fix; I'll have it until the end.
Ben the 1988 white 35th anniversary had white side molding's from the factory. I know you know that you just didn't think of it at the time.Thank's all your great videos .
Great video bud, thanks for taking the time. Your absolutely right about having to fix and sort out issues on the c4 no matter what. Love my 91 convertible 6 speed. Searched for a few months till I found exactly what I was looking for. Over paid Abit imo but I've had it for 12 years now. Red ext, black int, black top. 6speed zf trans. Loaded with Z51 package. Thanks again.
Dont forget the 84 crossfire corvettes😂 I actually just got a crossfire Corvette, I'd like to LS swap it at some point and put in a 6 speed with taller rear end gear. Originally I didn't really like the 80s interior but it's really grown on me
Hey there mate, I sent you a PM, I'm a youtuber from China and I'm coming to do an epic 10k mile trip through america in a C4 and I'd like to meet you along the way
Another rule of thumb when buying a C4 is if you can only afford one up to $5-6k you better be able to turn a wrench and diagnose problems. And be prepared to spend another $2-3k in parts. The early cars are 30+ years old now. Lots of wear, exposure to the elements etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my 86 but it's the project that keeps on giving lol.
+da teatorjr I restored my 86 Corvette. Everything new with a performance engine. Car has 5k miles on it. New paint job by Me. I cant even sell it for 9500. So I am keeping it. Where are you going to get a new 1986 Corvette for 9500? The youtube video is Corvette C4 1986 Frankenstein Restoration.
da teatorjr I'm thinking about purchasing a 86 corvette with 86k on the car. It hasnt been driven in a year. I'm also wondering how I could get more horsepower without making drastic changes to this car. Where would you start for for more house power and getting this car ready for driving.
My dad and I know someone who bought one in 1990, he almost immediately put it in a cargo container and shipped it to Germany so that he could play around on the autobahn, but before he did, he handed my dad the keys and told him to go have fun with it for a while, my dad was dirty from work and, out of respect, declined... the darn fool. Lol. I think this had quite an impact on my purchase of my 1987 dark red coupe, it was, and is, sitting on zr1 wheels, he was way more excited for me to buy the car than I was, the salesman was rather confused by this.
Hey Ben, I'm looking to buy a 85 vette, your video is a big help to check out some of the issues to look out for.....thanks...enjoyed the video....Ralph
@@kingshabazz1310 Yes i know we have fully screens now in our modern cars , but for people like me who loves that feature in the c4 when i was a kid in that time , it´s like having something like night rider cluster. It is a fact that sooner or later the fantasy was going to be reality in our days .Greetings my friend.
I love my 1989 interior. The 90s interior with that giant airbag looks like a carnival bumper car steering wheel. My ‘89 is perfect with super low miles and torch red!
Yes bro your video was very informative and using that information I bought my first seat for a 1990 Coupe six-speed I absolutely love my new car well my first Corvette I've taken it on the highway it's a blast peace to you and yours from me and mines....
My mother bought a brand new 1985 C4 Corvette Candy Apple Red & only drives it in the spring & summer months & it's garage kept the rest of the time. My mother just turned 80 years old so she no-longer drives it bc it's hard for her getting in & out, so she gave it to me & it only has 78,500 miles on it. She had the dealer repaint it about 10 years ago, so it still looks brand new. All the time she's owned it, she's never rode with the top off. So when I drove it to my Prom years ago of course I removed to top & that was her 1st time seeing it like that. In 2023, that Vette is 38 years old & I get a lot of looks when I'm out driving it. I wish I could show puctures on here bc you guys wouldn't believe how good it looks 👀
@@skullxer, LMBO . . . Corvette's aren't meant to be driven in the snow. It's a sports car & it's too low to the ground. All this shouldn't have to be explained 🤔
I have had my '93 for 14 years, needed two optis, 2 clutch slave cylinders, one ignition module and a new clutch, not too bad for a lot of mjles and fun
I love the 1990 C4 Corvette . I owned a 1990 Coupe , with red interior and had 42 factory options . Now I own a ' 90 Black Convertible that I stole for 3K and now in the process of changing the interior from black to red and in the process of customizing it , to my liking . The 1990 C4 , is the only year i personally will own because of the updated dash and interior and it doesn't have the cooling issues, as the previous C4's . I also like the body style better, than the ' 91 - ' 96 C4's . To each his own .
just found a 96 C4 with 17,000 miles on it.....black with camel or cashmere interior....absolutely mint...6sp and LT4.....i am so psyched....i'm flying in and driving it home
*Great points. 358,180 manufactured. Key note: interiors were freshened in 1994 with different seats, dash, console, door designs. Also a '96 Collector's edition with an LT4-6speed, in a convertible with red leather is a great choice. I've owned 10 Corvettes, 3 in the third generation, 7 in the fourth generation, but C4's are still my favorite.*
+Gene Ebeling Hi ...you lucky person...owning all those vettes...can you tell me which year the interior door cards were colour coded the same..ie. arm rests etc. see my question on here. Thanks.
+studio7 Cool fact: true, after the interior redesign in 1990, the passenger door pull area appears different from the drivers side. I imagine it was done to accept the remote control mirror switch for the driver? As odd as it may seem to look, I love variance in the design of the door skins. Now the cool arm rest/cubby hole made its appearance during the 94/95/96 interior freshening. I love this interior overall, but somehow the 90/91/92/93 interior shape, center console, dash board, seats and door skins inside look way better esthetically. . Mechanically the car got skin deep improvements after 1993 not seen by the naked eye. Just to name a few: better brakes and braking overall, smoother shifting automatic transmissions (shift points), better automatic electronic air conditioning, quieter mufflers in the convertible model (I believe). Better quality leather interior fabric (french seams on the sport seats).....Really the list goes on. Personally I would choose a 1993 Ruby (40th anniversary in ruby red metallic paint) convertible. But the 1996 Collector's Edition in the commemorative silver with red interior, with an LT4 - 6 speed in the convertible model runs a close second. *_Great video Ben, and really great TH-cam channel._*
+David Crow great for the liquid crystal configured dashes on the early C4's, yet to me originality is always the best. That said, functionality really is the most important key to loving your early C4's flawed 'Back To The Future' light gimmickry interior dash designs. The designs did improve for 1985, but it's truly no secret that GM made a few mistakes in the final product (not to mention supplier issues relative to consistently made quality durable goods for the car, notably anything in the interior cabin).
+Gene Ebeling In cherry condition it's not going to make me any money even if I wanted to sell it. That being said aftermarket cooler stuff would be nice. Planning/doing dash and seats now.
Bought a c4 17 years ago for 6g. Ran like usain bolt on crutches. $1800 later and it didnt want to stay still with the foot brake at a light. I love c4 vettes but damn those interior parts. 300 for the rubbers 250 a panel. Not going in to the trim. Great car but hard ride. Love it love it love it
TheCorvetteBen will do ! So when I shopped for a new car 10 years later I picked a sedan that reminded of the c4 I had. black on black c63 amg. The interior feels familiar and the power delivery is almost identical to the way that bad boy did. Check it out some time I gaurentee you will feel at home. seems completely wrong but it really does feel familiar to the c4 haha.
Great videos, picked up an 86 convertible last fall with the four spd in mint condition, absolutely love it, your video on changing universal joints really helped me out, made the job easy. greetings from british Columbia canada
I don’t know after corona, how long more you are going to stay in a place called Israel, may be things going to change for you Better start looking for another place, and you will soon promise
Wow after 5 years since i sent this comment... now i have new YT account, owned and replaced maybe 10 cars and bikes in total, AND most importantly still have my 85 c4 vette and really love it
The LT5 motor was also a small block, and it had the same displacement as the rest of them (all c4s came with a 350/5.7). It looks bigger because it had secondary runners and it had twin over head cams. The block was also aluminum. The engine was designed by Lotus and manufactured by Mercury Marine.
Great video man, thanks - love C4's. In 5th grade (92 I think) my school bus passed a dealership every day with a red on red '86 for sale and I used to dream about having that car when I could afford it. One of these day's I'm going to grab one!
Crossfire setup was the worst 82 and 84. Worked on Corvette over 40 years at dealerships. One thing about c4 I remember unable to find electronic modules of any sort after 12 years. We couldn’t even get used parts. We were a large dealer in a major city. Not sure if some aftermarket company is making parts for those. The main body control module which was called c3 would not allowed your car to start. When you replaced those modules there was a feature to enter in mileage. I always wondered how many were put in with a lower mileage. The convertible with the top down was my favorite, looked like a speedboat.
I have had a couple c3's and a c6. Back in 85 when I was 16 i went to the Chevy dealership and fell in love with the red Corvette.as I got older the c4's to me were slow and garbage but now the 85 is cool to me again and I found the old love so I'm on the hunt for a red 85 with red interior
I love my C4. Although it's an 84, it's a good starting corvette for a 18 year old. Mine was around 5k, it's loaded with options, z51 package, etc. Even though it has crossfire, it's a fun car. I love watching the videos on your channel, especially the corvette ones. :)
86ed Media Next to nothing for me, like $75 a month full coverage, and I'm not married and mid 20's. Honda's and scions are insurance nightmares for young people.
I do upholstery for living thanks to my childhood friend. He does tops I help they are super easy. They just get fussy to get tight and wrinkles out. It's 6 hour job if you get it to tight they hard to latch. Foam we re paste with turkey cutter and rolla lock grinder. No need to ever buy new foam. Base seat flips forward peels easy the back has trick I just cut out old pieces pattern fresh red leather. I have cut old material out donor seats to get exact factory look. We rattle can dye for color change sem cans don't stick I have detail guy sells malco paint its close. I even get exact color from paint store in can for 40 dollars. As for carpet molded and tuck just pull seats out
Another easy way to disable VATS is to find the hidden fuse under the passenger side dashboard. It’s called ‘Theft’. Not sure if the earlier cars have it, but my 91 does. My car key is slightly worn and it wouldn’t read it sometimes. That’s the reason I did it :)
With the $ that these cars are going for right now, in 2020, i think the C4 is BY FAR the best bang for the buck on the road. They're selling for about the same $ as an IROC, which is unbelievable to me
Great video with lots of helpful information for first-time or otherwise uninformed C4 buyers. One observation: if this guy knows exactly what he wants (96 CE convertible, red interior, LT4, 6-speed), why did he buy TWO Corvettes, neither which is what he really wants? He said "I have a pair of C4s" so his ownership of both cars is implied... could have pooled the money to buy the ONE car he really wants. Yes his dream C4 is a relatively rare model, and I agree that the C4 market is currently a buyer's market. Cars like his dream C4 are out there. Not sure why he would go against his own advice.Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Funny bloopers! :D
Well, I can answer that for you! 1. The convertible is my mother in laws. 2. The 85 was less than $2,000. Does that answer your question. Oh and I also ended up buying a triple black LT4 convertible, which is close enough to the dream C4. You can see videos of it on my channel!
That 2 speed on the end of the 4 speed transmission isn't too dissimilar in concept and design to the air actuated split rear ends of some large trucks, Diamond Reo for example.
yeah man. i just spent. 1000 k. just. for. the full weatherstripping kit an the front carpet kit for an 87. but. it's going to look badass. at the end. i. fell in love with these cars. since the early 80s. when i saw nikki sixx. driving a black 87
nice man! bought my 93 with the settlement when a drunk totalled my ol 72 stang and love it to death, wanted a Vette since 3rd grade yep they do have their bugs, here and there, mines been very reliable running wise mostly, most problems have been minor those are some pretty white one you got there, mines Quasar Blue Metallic.
I worked for a Chevrolet dealer in the summer of 1986 and sold these cars , I remember being very impressed with them. Is that a 1958 Cadillac under the cover behind him ?
Thank you so much for making this video I pride myself on thinking I'm somewhat of a shade tree mechanic but there's so many cars out there that it's hard to know everything about everything and you brought up a lot of good points and things to do I think along the lines of how you think about this car because it is a very good car and you get a nice sports car to have fun with and maybe even as a daily driver for way cheaper than anything else that's on the same level there is a place near me called just Corvettes and I'm going to go and speak with them and try to see it if they are a honest shop or not before I do business with them but I think it's time for me to bring a new Corvette into my family part of the reason is not only my love for Corvettes all my life but my son who is 10 years old told me a couple years ago that he wanted a Corvette when he turns 16 so I figure this model is the one to get him find the cheapest one that's an automatic so that way he can learn to drive with it on a private area so that way he can tear it up all he wants and then use that for parts for the car that will be the one that he drives so like I said thank you I appreciate you taking your time to inform all of us
I’m starting to really like the C4 Corvettes...
The design is so 80's. C5 is too modern and c3 is too old.
@@uh3what tbh I love them all
Anthony rayas the stupid critic commenterqqq
@@uh3what that's not true 94 and up are actually bad ass cars and have OBD2 the same as a C5
Check out some of the videos on my C4 I think you'll like them
As a first time Vette buyer that wants a C4, your video is very appreciated! It is not the $'s, I'm near 60 and it was my teenage dream car.
There are alot of C4's that are available, you can get one with low mileage, in good shape for a low price 😎
They always look better in the pictures and yes, better to pay $9000 for a sweet low mileage c4 than a mediocre c4 for $4000 that will quickly need $10,000 of work. Personally I love the styling. MAKE SURE THE AC/ HEAT WORKS AND GET ONE WITH THE ZF 6 SPEED. The 4+ 3 is a nightmare to fix. The VATS system can be bypassed for under $10. Great video
What about buying one for 1500 bucks that runs and drives
And yes it exists
@@thomastodd6728 if mechanically inclined why not? Thats such a low price.
@Thomas Todd I just got an 84 for 1500 great condition didn't run but after a new fuel pump and new injectors it drives daily. They are hard to find but they do come around sometimes.
I got my 88 for 1500 136kmiles my transmission gave out found one for 250 over time I kept looking on markets , or it was 1000 to rebuild I dropped it pretty easy tbh one day in and out new clutch car so far runs great I just need a brake booster as well but not to bad if you look constant and take your time 👌🔥
the digital dash alone is worth the price
It's a glipse into the future.
I had a c4 for years n drove it with a barely lit dash. Went to sell it and a guy said if you can fix the dash ill take it rest of the car was mint. Done some research took the lcd apart cleaned connectors with a eraser voila worked perfect. My only regret is that i didnt do that sooner it was really a beautiful display when it worked lol
@@aaronmitchell196 I just bought a c4 and the speed and rpms do not show at all. Do you think cleaning the connectors like you did might solve the problem?
5 years later im commenting lol. Just got my 87 corvette. Got it for 5k. Instrument cluster was half ass worked on. The speedometer polarized lenses was toast and the info panel and tachometer was starting to go. Taking it apart and doing it was really fun and simple to do. But the center info panel was an aftermarket panel and found that out when I took of the lense. Bryan from Batee (100% recommended for C4 parts) helped me figure that out and had to buy a new center panel. The digital gauge alone is 100% worth getting the 80s' to me. Just so much more fun!
@@betweenthebars19 if you haven't found the problem yet could need new polarized lenses. Most common issue. But yet again, I wouldn't know over here
The most important thing you mentioned was rule #1 that these cars are going to have something wrong with them. I always tell people looking for Corvettes, Mustangs, etc. to bear in mind that while it may be a neat car always remember that it is still a USED car. And I've never seen a used car that didn't need some work.
First rule of buying a C4:
Dont pay as much for a C4 as a similar condition C5 would cost you.
Yes, you are right.
I search right now for one.
And im surprised how much some People want for a crappy 1985 Corvette.
When you get for the same Money a C5 oO
@@kallo182 the condition does matter in my opinion
@@kallo182 I could pay same money for mint condition, low mile convertible C4 with good specs than base 150k mile C5.
100% true my dude
The $50 million Ferrari GTO can't keep up with a C5. Also, parts availability not as good. Sometimes you're paying for what you like, not what's practical.
This video was how I found TheCorvetteBen channel about a year ago. I have watched SOOOO MANY of his videos now I think I qualify for a “TheCorvetteBen” addict. It was fun to circle back today to where it all began. Love the outtakes and bloopers!!! Thanks Ben for sharing your expertise. Love your content. I’ve learned so much from watching
Just bought a 89 convertible with 13,000 miles on it , 1st one for me , wish me luck ....
Good luck
Damn that's low miles. Guy hardly drove it!
Well, how did it go?
How many miles do you have on it now? How much did you pay when you bought it?
I have a 1989 c4. I love it. She runs good and has been easy to work on. The engine is easy to modify and parts are easy to find. Good video.
I have a guy wanting to sell one to me for 2500. Auto. Hatchback. He say runs and drives but doesn’t know clear history
I have an '89 here, the last 4 years have been great! I average about 19 MPG, drive it everywhere and never had an issue :) Just keep the maintenance up and it will go for a very long time
Bought to buy a 1996 lt4 gonna daily drive it making sure my first car is a v8
@@chriscaldeira7895 how its going
@@chapoelite1491 ended up buying a 92 Corvette which I sold 2 months ago. I upgraded to a 2002 c5 corvette
Have an 89 with a 383 stroker. Absolutely fun. Had to get a beefed up transmission recently. If you ever buy one that is no longer stock, be sure it comes with all the paperwork listing everything that is done and where it was done. You'll want a full parts list. You’ll want to know everything about operating temps, pressure readings, and best types of fluids to use. Having data is great when you understand it. You’ll avoid some issues and or at least prevent making an issue worse when you know these things. Some of the best advice in this video is to get the exact set up you want, and don’t settle.
my dad gave me his daily 89 vette. kind of excited.
Lucky ! My dad gave me his 1972 Triumph TR6.
@@xMarkie my dad gave me AIDS
Kind of?
Mr. Queasy That’s a steal
@@erronmorgan993 ha
Best thumbnail I’ve ever seen!
Great video. Used it, and a bunch of research, to buy my C4. Found a 2 owner 85, auto, just under 23,000 miles, in dark bronze metallic (the second least used paint color that year). Absolutely love this car!!
how much did u pay?
@@JamilH01 I paid just under $8K at the time
My 84 is 35 years old now and I can hit the key and it cranks right up and runs like new. It has some mods and I keep adding hp but it has the original l83 with 175,000 miles so eat it haters.
my 86 t/a is the same.twist the key and she fires up,carbed l31 vortec about 375 horsepower,5 speed,4 wheel disc,posie,hardtop with zero options and its a hardtop
I bet I know what your name is....lucky!
I had an 84 that was perfect with only 40k original and lots of upgrades. I got tired of getting my ass busted by Honda Accords, so I upgraded to a C6.
@@GarKeith I don't have that problem thankfully. congrats on your upgrade.
Haters? Screw ‘em. Love the C4 and appreciate enthusiasts keeping them alive. Sub 10k cars can be found in great condition and is underrated for the value and fun factor.
We have a C4 1995 model. She has been with my mom for almost 10 years and counting. Thanks for the extra information on what to look for when buying, or in our case, restorations.
have both C4 and C5 ..i love my 86 best but it has cost me about 10 thousand in maintenance in the last 20 years.i saved all receipts. and my C5 cost me about $700 in 10 years. But even tho my C4 is old i still enjoy all that hidden hp the L-98 puts out and the handling is great as well. love the gas fill in the middle, the clam shell hood and starwars dash and how the seat hugs my hips on tight turns.. the unique w/s wiper motion. etc....white with red interior...
Lee Kenney how's the insurance for both of them ?
its not that bad..less than most would think.
Lee Kenney
What’s the hidden hp?
Yeah what hidden hp man ?
I’ve been dailying my 87 for a little over a year now, these cars have wonderful visibility. They also scoot through traffic pretty good when they need to, and the gas mileage is pretty good if you keep out of it. Mine is an automatic but it has the 2.72?:1 rear in it, cruises very nicely at any speed. Only problem is the noise level, not from the (aftermarket) exhaust, but from the wind going across the windshield and the glass roof. Most of the noise seems to be coming from the lip where the two meet, and a bit from the windows. I also have 315s in the rear with summer tires, so it’s sketchy in the rain and snow but that’s my fault for running really wide, somewhat worn summer tires in suboptimal conditions. I’m very happy with my purchase overall.
Word of the wise, if you buy a car that has done a lot of cruising, and you’re getting a code 33, vary your driving a bit. When the car has spent a lot of time at one throttle position the tps (throttle position sensor) will burn out a little bit in that spot, and the car doesn’t know if the tps is wrong or if the maf (mass airflow) sensor is wrong. $100 repair, but the car will run like shit when it goes into limp home mode. There are other potential causes, but that was my car’s major malfunction when I bought it.
Also, the VATS can be bypassed with resistors, you just need to figure out what resistance your key has (ohm meter will tell you) and to match it. My car came with a strange bypass that used a switch that’s hidden in the dash, so effectively it has a secret kill switch for the ignition.
Good video, maybe next time you could make a video about typical C4 issues. (Common problems) Last summer I bought my first C4, actually my first Corvette. Just love how it handles, it's got loads of torque and the way the hood opens is just awesome.
I just bought an 85 C4 last fall and its been a long winter waiting for spring. Just took it out for the summer, and the only thing that doesn't work is the antenna. Has 32,000 miles on her and drives like new. Will make a video soon. :)
I love my C3 and C4. I bought the C3 as junker and six months later my oldest son turned a 13.07 in the quarter at the High School Nationals ( but it still looked like a junker). A year later it was fully restored and is still beautiful today. I gave it to my oldest son about eight years ago. I bought my C4 new for my 40th birthday and gave it to my youngest son at the same time as the C3. The deal with both boys was they had to offer them back to me if they no longer wanted them. I got the C4 (an 86) back in November 2018; it no longer ran. I trailered it home from Chicago to Michigan and the work began. So far I have replaced the fuel pump, the fuel filter, the clutch master and slave cylinders, the rocker cover gaskets, the valve stem seals, plugs and wires, the EGR tube insulator, the exhaust system, the power window switch, and I don't know what else I'll find. But guess what, I love it and I love to work on it. It still looks close to new. I'm 72 and don't care what it costs to fix; I'll have it until the end.
Hey Tom how the cars doing? Sounds like your son really ran it to the ground!
Ben the 1988 white 35th anniversary had white side molding's from the factory. I know you know that you just didn't think of it at the time.Thank's all your great videos .
I feel like todays vehicles look dated. And those Vettes look like the future.
Co-rrect.
The '84 Vette 4+3 had the rocker switch, on the center console, for the over drive. I owned one Awesome car!
Great video bud, thanks for taking the time. Your absolutely right about having to fix and sort out issues on the c4 no matter what. Love my 91 convertible 6 speed. Searched for a few months till I found exactly what I was looking for. Over paid Abit imo but I've had it for 12 years now. Red ext, black int, black top. 6speed zf trans. Loaded with Z51 package. Thanks again.
Being a Vette guy 76,&86,U R right on the money Like the video.
Thank you! Great informative video! Cannot wait to start looking at C4 vettes!
Dont forget the 84 crossfire corvettes😂 I actually just got a crossfire Corvette, I'd like to LS swap it at some point and put in a 6 speed with taller rear end gear. Originally I didn't really like the 80s interior but it's really grown on me
Hey there mate, I sent you a PM, I'm a youtuber from China and I'm coming to do an epic 10k mile trip through america in a C4 and I'd like to meet you along the way
+serpentza I replied back to you the day you sent it. Maybe it went to spam? Either way I'll send it again
Didn't thought i would find you here SerpentZA. Just watched your videos, haha.
+serpentza Love you videos man!
Another rule of thumb when buying a C4 is if you can only afford one up to $5-6k you better be able to turn a wrench and diagnose problems. And be prepared to spend another $2-3k in parts. The early cars are 30+ years old now. Lots of wear, exposure to the elements etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my 86 but it's the project that keeps on giving lol.
+da teatorjr I restored my 86 Corvette. Everything new with a performance engine. Car has 5k miles on it. New paint job by Me. I cant even sell it for 9500. So I am keeping it. Where are you going to get a new 1986 Corvette for 9500? The youtube video is Corvette C4 1986 Frankenstein Restoration.
I'm really anxious to get into one, but that's obviously a fear of mine.
da teatorjr I'm thinking about purchasing a 86 corvette with 86k on the car. It hasnt been driven in a year. I'm also wondering how I could get more horsepower without making drastic changes to this car. Where would you start for for more house power and getting this car ready for driving.
piece of cake, c'mon. OBD1 guys...
da teatorjr so true....,of more $$$$$
Wedge back vs. bubble back. 1990 non ZR1 has the wedge with modern interior. My favorite C4.
My dad and I know someone who bought one in 1990, he almost immediately put it in a cargo container and shipped it to Germany so that he could play around on the autobahn, but before he did, he handed my dad the keys and told him to go have fun with it for a while, my dad was dirty from work and, out of respect, declined... the darn fool. Lol.
I think this had quite an impact on my purchase of my 1987 dark red coupe, it was, and is, sitting on zr1 wheels, he was way more excited for me to buy the car than I was, the salesman was rather confused by this.
Excellent insight into buying the used C4!
Thanks for posting!!
Hey Ben, I'm looking to buy a 85 vette, your video is a big help to check out some of the issues to look out for.....thanks...enjoyed the video....Ralph
I want a 84-89 just for the digital dash
I have one for sale !! 86 5,000
Funny digital dashes are the norm now
juan garcia where?
@@kingshabazz1310 Yes i know we have fully screens now in our modern cars , but for people like me who loves that feature in the c4 when i was a kid in that time , it´s like having something like night rider cluster. It is a fact that sooner or later the fantasy was going to be reality in our days .Greetings my friend.
Ive got a85, the dash is super cool
I love my 1989 interior. The 90s interior with that giant airbag looks like a carnival bumper car steering wheel. My ‘89 is perfect with super low miles and torch red!
Yes bro your video was very informative and using that information I bought my first seat for a 1990 Coupe six-speed I absolutely love my new car well my first Corvette I've taken it on the highway it's a blast peace to you and yours from me and mines....
Thank you for the video it is great and I just finished purchasing my first C4. You saved the best for last, the take clips certainly add some humor😀
My mother bought a brand new 1985 C4 Corvette Candy Apple Red & only drives it in the spring & summer months & it's garage kept the rest of the time.
My mother just turned 80 years old so she no-longer drives it bc it's hard for her getting in & out, so she gave it to me & it only has 78,500 miles on it.
She had the dealer repaint it about 10 years ago, so it still looks brand new. All the time she's owned it, she's never rode with the top off.
So when I drove it to my Prom years ago of course I removed to top & that was her 1st time seeing it like that. In 2023, that Vette is 38 years old & I get a lot of looks when I'm out driving it.
I wish I could show puctures on here bc you guys wouldn't believe how good it looks 👀
Can you drive it in the snow? Thinking about getting one here in Michigan
@@skullxer, LMBO . . . Corvette's aren't meant to be driven in the snow.
It's a sports car & it's too low to the ground.
All this shouldn't have to be explained 🤔
Thanks for the help Ben. I just bought a white, 1994 6 speed Coupe. Very happy with it.
So did I. I think there were 504 white lt4's made. mine has 50k miles and I gave 10k.
I love the older style outside with the newer style inside
I have had my '93 for 14 years, needed two optis, 2 clutch slave cylinders, one ignition module and a new clutch, not too bad for a lot of mjles and fun
Nice job. Am looking for a C4 now, so I'll keep your suggestions in mind.
Has become my favorite corvette classroom. Suggestion - film more of the actual work you do.
You absolutey nailed it with this video.
I bought one already. but good video. learned a lot...and I'm 71.
Thanks! I bought my favorite combo vette ever. 1984, bright red, 4+3 trans, with 383 engine swap. The thing rips
I love the graphic at the beginning.
I wish i could get a frame able copy.
I love the 1990 C4 Corvette . I owned a 1990 Coupe , with red interior and had 42 factory options . Now I own a ' 90 Black Convertible that I stole for 3K and now in the process of changing the interior from black to red and in the process of customizing it , to my liking .
The 1990 C4 , is the only year i personally will own because of the updated dash and interior and it doesn't have the cooling issues, as the previous C4's . I also like the body style better, than the ' 91 - ' 96 C4's .
To each his own .
just found a 96 C4 with 17,000 miles on it.....black with camel or cashmere interior....absolutely mint...6sp and LT4.....i am so psyched....i'm flying in and driving it home
How much is it if you don't mind me asking?
Nicely done. Very informative. Many thanks for taking the time to do this!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking at buying a 88' supercharged vette, over 500 horsepower! The video was very helpful thanks!
*Great points. 358,180 manufactured. Key note: interiors were freshened in 1994 with different seats, dash, console, door designs. Also a '96 Collector's edition with an LT4-6speed, in a convertible with red leather is a great choice. I've owned 10 Corvettes, 3 in the third generation, 7 in the fourth generation, but C4's are still my favorite.*
+Gene Ebeling Hi ...you lucky person...owning all those vettes...can you tell me which year the interior door cards were colour coded the same..ie. arm rests etc. see my question on here. Thanks.
+studio7 Cool fact: true, after the interior redesign in 1990, the passenger door pull area appears different from the drivers side. I imagine it was done to accept the remote control mirror switch for the driver? As odd as it may seem to look, I love variance in the design of the door skins.
Now the cool arm rest/cubby hole made its appearance during the 94/95/96 interior freshening.
I love this interior overall, but somehow the 90/91/92/93 interior shape, center console, dash board, seats and door skins inside look way better esthetically. . Mechanically the car got skin deep improvements after 1993 not seen by the naked eye. Just to name a few: better brakes and braking overall, smoother shifting automatic transmissions (shift points), better automatic electronic air conditioning, quieter mufflers in the convertible model (I believe). Better quality leather interior fabric (french seams on the sport seats).....Really the list goes on.
Personally I would choose a 1993 Ruby (40th anniversary in ruby red metallic paint) convertible. But the 1996 Collector's Edition in the commemorative silver with red interior, with an LT4 - 6 speed in the convertible model runs a close second. *_Great video Ben, and really great TH-cam channel._*
aftermarket dash/interior?
+David Crow great for the liquid crystal configured dashes on the early C4's, yet to me originality is always the best. That said, functionality really is the most important key to loving your early C4's flawed 'Back To The Future' light gimmickry interior dash designs. The designs did improve for 1985, but it's truly no secret that GM made a few mistakes in the final product (not to mention supplier issues relative to consistently made quality durable goods for the car, notably anything in the interior cabin).
+Gene Ebeling In cherry condition it's not going to make me any money even if I wanted to sell it. That being said aftermarket cooler stuff would be nice. Planning/doing dash and seats now.
I'm looking at a 96 C4. Much thanks for this excellent video. You helped me a lot.
already a c4 owner, but very informative realy enjoyed it!!
Do you still have it after 3 years
Hope it’s doing well
@@qalba3016 yes I still have it!!
Awesome video. I'm looking to get one o them early 80's C4 preferably non-convertible. Its gonna be a journey
Bought a c4 17 years ago for 6g. Ran like usain bolt on crutches. $1800 later and it didnt want to stay still with the foot brake at a light. I love c4 vettes but damn those interior parts. 300 for the rubbers 250 a panel. Not going in to the trim. Great car but hard ride. Love it love it love it
My 1st car was a 96 blk on blk convertible. Handed down of course lol. Last year for the c4s god I loved it!!
Check out the video series I did on my triple black 96 convertible. Under the playlist tab
TheCorvetteBen will do ! So when I shopped for a new car 10 years later I picked a sedan that reminded of the c4 I had. black on black c63 amg. The interior feels familiar and the power delivery is almost identical to the way that bad boy did. Check it out some time I gaurentee you will feel at home. seems completely wrong but it really does feel familiar to the c4 haha.
thanks from France for all this good informations ;-) nice cars you have
I want a Citreon DS !!!
Great videos, picked up an 86 convertible last fall with the four spd in mint condition, absolutely love it, your video on changing universal joints really helped me out, made the job easy. greetings from british Columbia canada
great video :-) am from Israel waiting for my 85 L98 coming from USA...
I don’t know after corona, how long more you are going to stay in a place called Israel, may be things going to change for you
Better start looking for another place, and you will soon promise
@@qalba3016 he commented 4 years ago
LOL
Wow after 5 years since i sent this comment... now i have new YT account, owned and replaced maybe 10 cars
and bikes in total, AND most importantly still have my 85 c4 vette and really love it
my dream c4 - 96 grandsport
I had #901 sold it to by my wife a car in 2018.
the difference in the bumper is the curve in the rear bumper... how about the circle and square tail lights.... You are full of great info so far.
The LT5 motor was also a small block, and it had the same displacement as the rest of them (all c4s came with a 350/5.7). It looks bigger because it had secondary runners and it had twin over head cams. The block was also aluminum. The engine was designed by Lotus and manufactured by Mercury Marine.
Thx for your insights - am looking at an 85 now & thx for the VATS info - Vettes Rule!
"Buy what you want" and then "Those are hard to find so I got this other one" lol, good video thx
Great video man, thanks - love C4's. In 5th grade (92 I think) my school bus passed a dealership every day with a red on red '86 for sale and I used to dream about having that car when I could afford it. One of these day's I'm going to grab one!
+johnnyribcage1 You can buy my 85!
Crossfire setup was the worst 82 and 84. Worked on Corvette over 40 years at dealerships. One thing about c4 I remember unable to find electronic modules of any sort after 12 years. We couldn’t even get used parts. We were a large dealer in a major city. Not sure if some aftermarket company is making parts for those. The main body control module which was called c3 would not allowed your car to start. When you replaced those modules there was a feature to enter in mileage. I always wondered how many were put in with a lower mileage. The convertible with the top down was my favorite, looked like a speedboat.
Thanks for the information...picking up my first c4 tomorrow
I bought a 1996 Automatic C4 Runs very strong!
I have had a couple c3's and a c6. Back in 85 when I was 16 i went to the Chevy dealership and fell in love with the red Corvette.as I got older the c4's to me were slow and garbage but now the 85 is cool to me again and I found the old love so I'm on the hunt for a red 85 with red interior
I love my C4. Although it's an 84, it's a good starting corvette for a 18 year old. Mine was around 5k, it's loaded with options, z51 package, etc. Even though it has crossfire, it's a fun car. I love watching the videos on your channel, especially the corvette ones. :)
How's the insurance?
86ed Media
Next to nothing for me, like $75 a month full coverage, and I'm not married and mid 20's.
Honda's and scions are insurance nightmares for young people.
@@ShinobiShadow777 I have classic car ins full coverage $130 a year .🆒 More $ to fix it up with .
SignGaming2 how is your car 18yrs old and an 84???? I’m lost as fuck on that one ☝️ buddy
@@letstalkabouttv1784 I see you don’t read well, don’t you
Bought an "89 with factory 6-speed", with no drivetrain but rear end. Put my TH350 and carbureted 383 stroker. Best car ever!
You're not in California are you?
great video. found a '96 with only 15k miles...replaced the battery, slapped on a new set of tires. my tech checked it out...i'm good to go! thanks!
You are going to have just a few oil leaks with engine seals and gaskets that old with little lubrication over the years. Good luck on this,
I do upholstery for living thanks to my childhood friend. He does tops I help they are super easy. They just get fussy to get tight and wrinkles out. It's 6 hour job if you get it to tight they hard to latch. Foam we re paste with turkey cutter and rolla lock grinder. No need to ever buy new foam. Base seat flips forward peels easy the back has trick I just cut out old pieces pattern fresh red leather. I have cut old material out donor seats to get exact factory look. We rattle can dye for color change sem cans don't stick I have detail guy sells malco paint its close. I even get exact color from paint store in can for 40 dollars. As for carpet molded and tuck just pull seats out
Another easy way to disable VATS is to find the hidden fuse under the passenger side dashboard. It’s called ‘Theft’. Not sure if the earlier cars have it, but my 91 does. My car key is slightly worn and it wouldn’t read it sometimes. That’s the reason I did it :)
Very useful. Thank you. Love my Corvette Grand Sport with its Manual Transmission.
With the $ that these cars are going for right now, in 2020, i think the C4 is BY FAR the best bang for the buck on the road. They're selling for about the same $ as an IROC, which is unbelievable to me
Great video with lots of helpful information for first-time or otherwise uninformed C4 buyers.
One observation: if this guy knows exactly what he wants (96 CE convertible, red interior, LT4, 6-speed), why did he buy TWO Corvettes, neither which is what he really wants? He said "I have a pair of C4s" so his ownership of both cars is implied... could have pooled the money to buy the ONE car he really wants. Yes his dream C4 is a relatively rare model, and I agree that the C4 market is currently a buyer's market. Cars like his dream C4 are out there. Not sure why he would go against his own advice.Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Funny bloopers! :D
Well, I can answer that for you! 1. The convertible is my mother in laws. 2. The 85 was less than $2,000. Does that answer your question. Oh and I also ended up buying a triple black LT4 convertible, which is close enough to the dream C4. You can see videos of it on my channel!
Top Notch video. Lots of information, I never knew about, especially VATS. When making a broadcast, can you put a date on it? Will watch for more.
That 2 speed on the end of the 4 speed transmission isn't too dissimilar in concept and design to the air actuated split rear ends of some large trucks, Diamond Reo for example.
Great video, I've been looking to buy my dad a C4, this really helps!
I knew everything you said but i had no idea of the anti theft system thanks for the advice just happen to have an 86 so cool thanks
yeah man. i just spent. 1000 k. just. for. the full weatherstripping kit an the front carpet kit for an 87. but. it's going to look badass. at the end. i. fell in love with these cars. since the early 80s. when i saw nikki sixx. driving a black 87
You rock Ben please make more corvette video's love them!
nice man! bought my 93 with the settlement when a drunk totalled my ol 72 stang and love it to death, wanted a Vette since 3rd grade yep they do have their bugs, here and there, mines been very reliable running wise mostly, most problems have been minor those are some pretty white one you got there, mines Quasar Blue Metallic.
Still gatdtgt how's she doing?
ZR1 or bust... Actually, a silver LT4 6 speed wouldn't be bad either!
I would take a grand sport too.
I love my LT4!
The Dutch Texan ah I see you’re a man of culture as well
You had or still have one? What part of Texas? I'm from and still here he Austin.
I own an early 85 with a Doug Nash 4+3 and TPi. Built in November of 1984.
Great video, you rock for creating this man, very useful info. I'm shopping for a 1990
great video good advice on buying a c4 Corvette. my favorite Corvette is the 90 - 96 appreciate the advice it'll help me out a lot thank you
Where does the design of the digital Corvette come from? The one used for the thumbnail. It looks amazing.
Very informative, nice job buddy.
I worked for a Chevrolet dealer in the summer of 1986 and sold these cars , I remember being very impressed with them. Is that a 1958 Cadillac under the cover behind him ?
Thank you so much for making this video I pride myself on thinking I'm somewhat of a shade tree mechanic but there's so many cars out there that it's hard to know everything about everything and you brought up a lot of good points and things to do I think along the lines of how you think about this car because it is a very good car and you get a nice sports car to have fun with and maybe even as a daily driver for way cheaper than anything else that's on the same level there is a place near me called just Corvettes and I'm going to go and speak with them and try to see it if they are a honest shop or not before I do business with them but I think it's time for me to bring a new Corvette into my family part of the reason is not only my love for Corvettes all my life but my son who is 10 years old told me a couple years ago that he wanted a Corvette when he turns 16 so I figure this model is the one to get him find the cheapest one that's an automatic so that way he can learn to drive with it on a private area so that way he can tear it up all he wants and then use that for parts for the car that will be the one that he drives so like I said thank you I appreciate you taking your time to inform all of us
Nice video! Looking to buy my first this coming week! Going to drive it Tuesday and assuming it makes the cut it’ll be mine!
Nothing can beat thd early digital dashboard!!
Good video man, exactly what I was looking for in regards to the C4.
Thank u. Answered lots of my questions
Nice video! I just get my first Corvette. Not A1 class, but i like it!
I plan in picking up a 91 6 speed and imo 91 is the best year because im not a fan of the lt1 but i like the later body style
I like the big back window on the coupe