Quote:
Originally Posted by aigel
I did realize that the later ones aren't the bargain they look to be if you cover the whole C4 range.
I would imagine that one could have some fun bringing a $5k 85 model up to snuff with a nicely built engine!
|
You can buy a nice 'driver' late LT1/LT4 C4 for $10-15K. Over that and they're low-mile garage queens or pseudo-collector's cars. Much under that and they're high-mileage, tacky, and/or have issues.
If you really want a true convertible, they didn't start making them until 1986, although ALL C4 Vettes are Targa (one-piece removeable top) if not a convertible. And the manual transmission cars were the crude Doug Nash 4+3 until the 6 speed came out in 1990. The LT1 came out in 1992.
So it wouldn't make much sense to buy a 1985 Coupe 4+3 for $5K and build a motor, when for that same money you could have simply bought a no-issues 1994 LT1 6speed.
But you can also find 1997-1999 C5s for $10-15K, so *if* you can afford that I think they are much more car for the money. I wouldn't be afraid of miles on a C5, but to each their own.
Quote:
|
What's really killing me is the lack of stick shifts in the Vettes - especially in convertibles. This also is getting better over the years IMHO - as these became more performance oriented, more people bought them with a stick again.
|
True, but a stick really isn't necessary on the street. They have so much torque that the autos do a great job. You'd buy a stick because you want one... you enjoy one. Not because they're faster.
I've owned both.