1991 C4 Vette as a Daily Driver
Discussion
Hi
Have been looking for a replacement car, and have been thinking about a Corvette.
Have seen a few C4's up for sale on Pistonheads and also on Autotrader, a C4 would meet my budget and I also would have less possiblity of problems with the Governments envy tax increase with an older model.
Can anyone give me an idea on reliability, fuel comsumption, parts availiability, independents for servicing, driving in the winter etc?
Tim
Have been looking for a replacement car, and have been thinking about a Corvette.
Have seen a few C4's up for sale on Pistonheads and also on Autotrader, a C4 would meet my budget and I also would have less possiblity of problems with the Governments envy tax increase with an older model.
Can anyone give me an idea on reliability, fuel comsumption, parts availiability, independents for servicing, driving in the winter etc?
Tim
Well mine is one of the ones currently for sale in the classified so maybe I,m a bit biased but,
Reliablity : I,ve had mine 2 years now and its been ultra reliable, although I don't use it as an everyday car I would say from my experience you could do easily.
MPG : I tend to get an average of 26-28 mpg.
Parts : main service parts I get from my local motor factors, other parts are readily availble from a number of specialists.
Servicing : I,ve tended to do the regular bits myself.
Winter use : Like anything with big HP it would be fine if your careful.
Hope this helps.
Reliablity : I,ve had mine 2 years now and its been ultra reliable, although I don't use it as an everyday car I would say from my experience you could do easily.
MPG : I tend to get an average of 26-28 mpg.
Parts : main service parts I get from my local motor factors, other parts are readily availble from a number of specialists.
Servicing : I,ve tended to do the regular bits myself.
Winter use : Like anything with big HP it would be fine if your careful.
Hope this helps.
I know of an absolutely mint 1993 low mileage one for sale. It's not mine (it used to be though) -you will not fault it - everything is perfect. It's a convertible which may not suit a daily driver in the winter but think of those summers...
It's on the CCCUK website.
This particular car has had a rear light bulb blow in the last 5 years - nothing else has gone wrong but some consumable (brake pads etc) have been replaced. The LTI is very reliable and the engine is very solid. All it needs is an oil change. Parts are easy to get hold off in the UK but of course, the less common items will need to be sourced in the US. Don't let this put you off.
It's on the CCCUK website.
This particular car has had a rear light bulb blow in the last 5 years - nothing else has gone wrong but some consumable (brake pads etc) have been replaced. The LTI is very reliable and the engine is very solid. All it needs is an oil change. Parts are easy to get hold off in the UK but of course, the less common items will need to be sourced in the US. Don't let this put you off.
Edited by C5RagTop on Saturday 15th March 11:38
I'm currently looking at doing the same, as I'm a bit bored with my current car and fancy a V8 before the greens ban them.
Been looking at a 91 near me, which has the electronic suspension modes but no traction control. Plus it has the older engine so about 250bhp.
I would like a newer one but they seem to go for silly money, getting close to the C5 market. Looking to spend about £6k at the most, which can be done as a guy i know bought a mint 95 for £5,500.
Any suggestions for insurance as Admiral don't even know the car exists, but they gave me a pretty good price for a C5. I'm 21 with 2 years no claims, but I need it for business use so I'm not sure if I can get classic insurance.
Cheers
Steve
Been looking at a 91 near me, which has the electronic suspension modes but no traction control. Plus it has the older engine so about 250bhp.
I would like a newer one but they seem to go for silly money, getting close to the C5 market. Looking to spend about £6k at the most, which can be done as a guy i know bought a mint 95 for £5,500.
Any suggestions for insurance as Admiral don't even know the car exists, but they gave me a pretty good price for a C5. I'm 21 with 2 years no claims, but I need it for business use so I'm not sure if I can get classic insurance.
Cheers
Steve
Edited by Steve-M on Monday 17th March 18:26
The Corvette Club has several insurers who offer discounts to club members. Try one of them first for a quote, join the club and then take out the policy with the discount.
The list of all the benefits of membership is here:
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/member-benefits.php
The list of all the benefits of membership is here:
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/member-benefits.php
I would defintely go for a '92 onwards as the LT1 is noticeable better on fuel and is a more up-to-date engine.
I used my '93 daily as my only car for 6 months and it never missed a beat.
They are pretty cheap now too.
Only downside: a bit of a handful in East London, where I was working!
Malc
I used my '93 daily as my only car for 6 months and it never missed a beat.
They are pretty cheap now too.
Only downside: a bit of a handful in East London, where I was working!
Malc
Steve-M said:
Been looking at a 91 near me, which has the electronic suspension modes but no traction control. Plus it has the older engine so about 250bhp.
I would like a newer one but they seem to go for silly money, getting close to the C5 market. Looking to spend about £6k at the most, which can be done as a guy i know bought a mint 95 for £5,500.
Well I,ve been droping and droping the price on my 92 and its now at only £7150. Hardly silly money or anywhere near even the lowest priced C5. Your mate did very well getting a 95 for £5500. There's no way mines going any lower on price, in fact I,ve just turned down an offer of £6750.I would like a newer one but they seem to go for silly money, getting close to the C5 market. Looking to spend about £6k at the most, which can be done as a guy i know bought a mint 95 for £5,500.
I bought a 1985 C4 in 1994 (so it was 9 years old and by no means a great example)and ran it for 3 years as a daily driver. In that time, aside from DIY service items, it needed an oxygen sensor and a new heater matrix. I put 28k on it in that time, had an absolute hoot driving it and loved it as much as any car I've ever owned. The wiprs were rubbish and the headlamp motors occasionally need a new nylon gear which are prone to wearing and stripping.
As for buying advice, the engine choice is stark - the L98 upo to 1991 which is a good old-fashioned iron block and distributor or the LT1 which has the silly Opti-Spark on the nose of the crank but which has 50hp extra.
As for traction control, why would you want that to spoil the fun? The less gadgets the better on these cars which incidentally, aren't the last word in build quality.
Contentious though I am, I would also advise you to look at the LS1-engined (1998-2002)Camaros and Trans Ams which are mighty powerful, sport all-alloy engines from the C5 and which, with a bit of modifying, are every bit as good, if not better than, a C4 and you get 4 seats. In that context, you'd want subframe connectors, strut tower brace, lowering springs and dampers (like the Bilstein BTS kit) and some 18" wheels and tyres.
As for buying advice, the engine choice is stark - the L98 upo to 1991 which is a good old-fashioned iron block and distributor or the LT1 which has the silly Opti-Spark on the nose of the crank but which has 50hp extra.
As for traction control, why would you want that to spoil the fun? The less gadgets the better on these cars which incidentally, aren't the last word in build quality.
Contentious though I am, I would also advise you to look at the LS1-engined (1998-2002)Camaros and Trans Ams which are mighty powerful, sport all-alloy engines from the C5 and which, with a bit of modifying, are every bit as good, if not better than, a C4 and you get 4 seats. In that context, you'd want subframe connectors, strut tower brace, lowering springs and dampers (like the Bilstein BTS kit) and some 18" wheels and tyres.
C5RagTop said:
I know of an absolutely mint 1993 low mileage one for sale. It's not mine (it used to be though) -you will not fault it - everything is perfect. It's a convertible which may not suit a daily driver in the winter but think of those summers...
It's on the CCCUK website.
This particular car has had a rear light bulb blow in the last 5 years - nothing else has gone wrong but some consumable (brake pads etc) have been replaced. The LTI is very reliable and the engine is very solid. All it needs is an oil change. Parts are easy to get hold off in the UK but of course, the less common items will need to be sourced in the US. Don't let this put you off.
The very car....It's on the CCCUK website.
This particular car has had a rear light bulb blow in the last 5 years - nothing else has gone wrong but some consumable (brake pads etc) have been replaced. The LTI is very reliable and the engine is very solid. All it needs is an oil change. Parts are easy to get hold off in the UK but of course, the less common items will need to be sourced in the US. Don't let this put you off.
Y50 VET said:
A-Plan Insurance Just quoted me £589 for my C5 and the renewal with
Stevenage Insurance Is just £358.65 ask for Colin Casserley 01438 313 251
Sam
Excellent, I'll give him a call. Thanks for that Stevenage Insurance Is just £358.65 ask for Colin Casserley 01438 313 251
Sam
Ian V yours is a lovely example, but sadly out my budget for the time being. Need to have some spare cash set aside just incase.
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