Thinking about a Corvette and it would be great to chat :)
Discussion
I'm seriously thinking of buying a Corvette. After much debating and searching for a fun V8 2 seater, which is fun to drive, relatively reliable and well priced.
The other option seemed to be a TVR wedge with the Rover V8, which also has an engine that sounds lovely.
But the Corvette has several advantages, at least looking at both from the outside. Without ever owning either one.
I'm focusing on the C4, for several reasons. My goal is not performance, but fun. This will be a weekend car.
A C5 is great. But costs quite a bit more and lacks a few things I really like in the C4. So I will give a C4 a go and I can also move to a C5 later if I feel the need.
Once I decided on a C4 I took a couple of days to search, talk to people, watch some buying guides and all that. So far I only have 2 worries. Reliability and build quality or scuffle shake and rattles.
Looking at buying guides and advice, first thing that changed was the feeling the C4 is very reliable, because it's simple. There seems to be quite a few things which go wrong with them, and they vary basically by model year. This put me off a bit. I'm aware it will be the case with any 30 years old car. But a huge selling point with American cars is exactly reliability and easy to maintain. It off sets the lack of build quality and refinement somehow. So if it will be a headache to keep on the road, it loses the advantage over going with something more refined, perhaps European.
So how is the C4 here? Little niggles and things that might be ignored by others drive me crazy. It was the reason I got off Alfas. Little things that don't stop the car from running, but are annoying. Like a window switch here, some other small thing there. Is the C4 a good solid candidate for classic car ownership? Or will it drive me crazy with little niggles and things? I don't mean normal wear and tear.
The other bit that worries me is the build quality. Scuffle shake and that type of thing. Drives me crazy. I have owned my share of Lexus and Mercedes and really appreciate the solid feel, without much if at all scuffle shake. Is there a way to at least diminish that a little with the Corvettes? It has been a while since I drove a C4, back in the U.S. actually. But this was something I remember. And a friend had a Camaro 4th generation for years and that sounded like junk with all the rattling and scuffle shake. Almost ruined the fantastic V8 burble.
Apart from that, I'm pretty happy with the performance and handling. Sure is not a C5. But it is a lot of fun. It feels special to sit in and drive. It feels like an event, which is exactly what I'm looking for. V8 burble, quick enough, a manual transmission, RWD and the roof comes off for some extra fun. Handles well enough for fun on B-roads and hopefully wouldn't cost much to keep on the road.
All the American car jokes aside, I think the C4 is a nice option. Corvettes are probably the only American car which could ever outhandle and beat European things like Ferraris and Porsches. So it stands on a different level from the other American cars. But even so, already during my research and before even owning one, I have had to endure the usual bashing. Just today, when I mentioned the TVR wedge I had to hear this person going on about how the TVR handles better and is easier or better to drive on European B-roads and the C4 is more of a cruiser. Even though I have read exactly the opposite. Maybe somebody here has driven both?
But none of that bothers me. Only the two points above. Reliability or easy to keep on the road. Plus build quality and rattling or scuffle shake.
Since I will most likely be buying from the U.S., I need to be sure. I want a manual and a very specific year range and even colour combo. So the U.S. has a much bigger pool, obviously. I don't want to be searching forever for one here. But that means I need to be sure.
Any experiences you could share are very welcome and appreciated.
The other option seemed to be a TVR wedge with the Rover V8, which also has an engine that sounds lovely.
But the Corvette has several advantages, at least looking at both from the outside. Without ever owning either one.
I'm focusing on the C4, for several reasons. My goal is not performance, but fun. This will be a weekend car.
A C5 is great. But costs quite a bit more and lacks a few things I really like in the C4. So I will give a C4 a go and I can also move to a C5 later if I feel the need.
Once I decided on a C4 I took a couple of days to search, talk to people, watch some buying guides and all that. So far I only have 2 worries. Reliability and build quality or scuffle shake and rattles.
Looking at buying guides and advice, first thing that changed was the feeling the C4 is very reliable, because it's simple. There seems to be quite a few things which go wrong with them, and they vary basically by model year. This put me off a bit. I'm aware it will be the case with any 30 years old car. But a huge selling point with American cars is exactly reliability and easy to maintain. It off sets the lack of build quality and refinement somehow. So if it will be a headache to keep on the road, it loses the advantage over going with something more refined, perhaps European.
So how is the C4 here? Little niggles and things that might be ignored by others drive me crazy. It was the reason I got off Alfas. Little things that don't stop the car from running, but are annoying. Like a window switch here, some other small thing there. Is the C4 a good solid candidate for classic car ownership? Or will it drive me crazy with little niggles and things? I don't mean normal wear and tear.
The other bit that worries me is the build quality. Scuffle shake and that type of thing. Drives me crazy. I have owned my share of Lexus and Mercedes and really appreciate the solid feel, without much if at all scuffle shake. Is there a way to at least diminish that a little with the Corvettes? It has been a while since I drove a C4, back in the U.S. actually. But this was something I remember. And a friend had a Camaro 4th generation for years and that sounded like junk with all the rattling and scuffle shake. Almost ruined the fantastic V8 burble.
Apart from that, I'm pretty happy with the performance and handling. Sure is not a C5. But it is a lot of fun. It feels special to sit in and drive. It feels like an event, which is exactly what I'm looking for. V8 burble, quick enough, a manual transmission, RWD and the roof comes off for some extra fun. Handles well enough for fun on B-roads and hopefully wouldn't cost much to keep on the road.
All the American car jokes aside, I think the C4 is a nice option. Corvettes are probably the only American car which could ever outhandle and beat European things like Ferraris and Porsches. So it stands on a different level from the other American cars. But even so, already during my research and before even owning one, I have had to endure the usual bashing. Just today, when I mentioned the TVR wedge I had to hear this person going on about how the TVR handles better and is easier or better to drive on European B-roads and the C4 is more of a cruiser. Even though I have read exactly the opposite. Maybe somebody here has driven both?
But none of that bothers me. Only the two points above. Reliability or easy to keep on the road. Plus build quality and rattling or scuffle shake.
Since I will most likely be buying from the U.S., I need to be sure. I want a manual and a very specific year range and even colour combo. So the U.S. has a much bigger pool, obviously. I don't want to be searching forever for one here. But that means I need to be sure.
Any experiences you could share are very welcome and appreciated.
Edited by CM2020 on Wednesday 22 March 22:55
I had a C4 TPi auto which I used as a daily for 3 years in the 90s.
In general, very reliable. The 235hp was plenty though I fitted a PROM chip which made it shift harder.
Yes, they rattle and every few weeks, you went round with a crosshead screwdriver, tightening them up. Threadlock might help.
I put a loud exhaust on mine, sounded great.
The later 300hp LT1 has the unfortunate Optispark which can be unreliable and it's a b*gger to replace.
Fibreglass bodies can allow air through and in wet climes, cause the paint to bubble.
What went wrong - heater matrix leaked and had to be rebuilt, poly gears in the headlight would strip and an aftermarket bronze gear could be used to replace them. Not much else, in fairness. It was 9 years old when I bought it and far from the best example.
Handling wasn't the best but it was pretty good on modest 255 tyres which becamec245s as they were hard to find.
I had a 4th gen Z28 which handled brilliantly but that took welded in subframe connectors, lowered suspension, uprated roll bars, an A brace and a strut tower brace to become as good as the Vette but faster with it's LS1. The digital instruments also used to fail but replacements are easier to come by, these days.
RockAuto in the US are good for Yank parts and not wholly unreasonable.
In general, very reliable. The 235hp was plenty though I fitted a PROM chip which made it shift harder.
Yes, they rattle and every few weeks, you went round with a crosshead screwdriver, tightening them up. Threadlock might help.
I put a loud exhaust on mine, sounded great.
The later 300hp LT1 has the unfortunate Optispark which can be unreliable and it's a b*gger to replace.
Fibreglass bodies can allow air through and in wet climes, cause the paint to bubble.
What went wrong - heater matrix leaked and had to be rebuilt, poly gears in the headlight would strip and an aftermarket bronze gear could be used to replace them. Not much else, in fairness. It was 9 years old when I bought it and far from the best example.
Handling wasn't the best but it was pretty good on modest 255 tyres which becamec245s as they were hard to find.
I had a 4th gen Z28 which handled brilliantly but that took welded in subframe connectors, lowered suspension, uprated roll bars, an A brace and a strut tower brace to become as good as the Vette but faster with it's LS1. The digital instruments also used to fail but replacements are easier to come by, these days.
RockAuto in the US are good for Yank parts and not wholly unreasonable.
Edited by LuS1fer on Saturday 25th March 19:38
Easy to keep on the road but bear in mind there’s little in the way or parts etc in the UK so everything you need is subject to import tax and stupid postage. Not sure what is meant by ‘scuffle shake’ and I’m from a C5 and C6 so probably can’t comment but I’ve experienced no interior rattling etc on either Corvette I’ve owned. But at the same time if build quality of a GM product bothers you more than the overall experience envelopes you, I’d probably say a Corvette is not for you. A Mercedes this is not. But they aren’t without merit, and I’d highly recommend one.
I think you mean "scuttle" shake not "scuffle"? In which case yes the C4 suffers from it. C5 doesn't as it was designed as a convertible so it's much stiffer.
The UK Corvette forum has a whole section for C4s and you'll get loads of information and opinions there as well as free buying guides with everything to look out for. Also a good place for parts suppliers. I highly recommend you have a look around there as it'll be a really useful resource if you end up buying one.
The UK Corvette forum has a whole section for C4s and you'll get loads of information and opinions there as well as free buying guides with everything to look out for. Also a good place for parts suppliers. I highly recommend you have a look around there as it'll be a really useful resource if you end up buying one.
UTH said:
Not much to add except my C7 Z06 is just ridiculously quick and capable, and I'm embarrassed when I found out yesterday I only did about 300 miles in it over the last 12 months.
As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
Disgraceful. UTH. I did around 4000 miles in mine during the last year including a 2000 mile round trip to Menorca .As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
scs1 said:
UTH said:
Not much to add except my C7 Z06 is just ridiculously quick and capable, and I'm embarrassed when I found out yesterday I only did about 300 miles in it over the last 12 months.
As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
Disgraceful. UTH. I did around 4000 miles in mine during the last year including a 2000 mile round trip to Menorca .As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
forrestgrump said:
Easy to keep on the road but bear in mind there’s little in the way or parts etc in the UK so everything you need is subject to import tax and stupid postage. Not sure what is meant by ‘scuffle shake’ and I’m from a C5 and C6 so probably can’t comment but I’ve experienced no interior rattling etc on either Corvette I’ve owned. But at the same time if build quality of a GM product bothers you more than the overall experience envelopes you, I’d probably say a Corvette is not for you. A Mercedes this is not. But they aren’t without merit, and I’d highly recommend one.
plenty of parts at claremont in snodland, "scuttle shake" is the auto transmission vibration its more common on the C7 A8 where GM are just paying out after a lawsuit,its cured by a triple fliush as GM used the wrong fluid in the A8, other problems were the torque tube and the diff,that said the A8 PADDLE SHIFT IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE m7 manual which is notchy there was a recall,mines been done but even with an MGW quick shift its too close togetheryou can go from 1st to 7th quite easily and ive driven a C5R WHICH REQUIRED HEEL AND TOE ALMOST DOUBLE CLUTCHINGTo the OP I'd say don't hesitate to get a Corvette. Bang for buck is unsurpassed. I can't really comment on the C4 but my brother had an older one and it was fine, reliability wise. I had a C3 which had been through the wars and was the horrible low powered '76 with all the emissions controls so if you were looking at C3s I'd say get an earlier one. Since my C3 I've had two LS1 C5s which are just wonderful cars. Very reliable. 100,000 miles between major services! Also, the CCCUK is a wonderful community for Corvette owners, so don't hesitate to join.
chris lake said:
plenty of parts at claremont in snodland, "scuttle shake" is the auto transmission vibration its more common on the C7 A8 where GM are just paying out after a lawsuit,its cured by a triple fliush as GM used the wrong fluid in the A8
Erm, think you might have confused two issues there. Scuttle shake doesn't have anything to do with the transmission. It's literally the lack of structural rigidity causing the car to flex. Which in turn causes the scuttle panel to shake. Hence the name. Oh, and the other thing to mention is that getting parts is generally very straightforward (except for the rarest) and there are a number of importers. However, you get incredible delivery from RockAuto who usually deliver from Wisconsin in three days! And the tax/duty is calculated at checkout. Amazing service for all your usual service parts.
UTH said:
Not much to add except my C7 Z06 is just ridiculously quick and capable, and I'm embarrassed when I found out yesterday I only did about 300 miles in it over the last 12 months.
As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
Yep i did under 1k miles in my z06 c7 last year also. Got a few mods to put on her but defo comming out this year As soon as the weather improves, it's coming out to play.
Get yourself one and join the Corvette party.
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