1989 White C4 Corvette

[Chuck Hitch]

Good evening,

First of all, I hope you do not mind I am writing here in English- my German is not good enough (yet).

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1989 C4 Corvette with 164.000 kilometers, but before I do I would like to know the opinion of the forum if I should purchase the car or not.

The car has not been driven for about 2 years.
-White, paint = 7/10
-Automatic
-Interior is OK, seats are new. 

The car starts and drives, but has quite some issues:

1. tires are very old, need 4 new tires.
2. alternator/Lichtmaschine = new but does not charge the battery, I suspect something is wrong with the cables.
3. Only 6 cylinders are working
4. Oil leak from the Automatic transmission, the seals need to be replaced.
5. New brakes
6. Katalysator needs to be replaced

There might be more issues that I am not aware of yet.

I can buy the car for about 4000 euro.


From a first perspective, should I walk away from the car or go for it?

Thank you for reading!

Regards,
Chuck

[daabm]

If you have a workshop and a lifter, you might give it a try, the price is low enough. The alternator might need a new regulator only, about 40,- and an hour or so. "Cylinders not working" sounds bad, any hints about why? And as always, pics are helpful.

[Chuck Hitch]

If you have a workshop and a lifter, you might give it a try, the price is low enough. The alternator might need a new regulator only, about 40,- and an hour or so. "Cylinders not working" sounds bad, any hints about why? And as always, pics are helpful.

Thanks.

I do have a workshop and lifter, but not much mechanical knowledge.

I do not know why, i have no idea why two cylinders are not working- an expert who had a look at it quickly said he thinks that most likely two of them are not working.
Maybe because the engine is shaking a bit?

I will add some pictures later this week, is there anything specific I should show?

[daabm]

"not working" is not an exact error description... :-) Might be broken ignition wires or worn spark plugs, might be damaged pistons or parts of them...

[Chuck Hitch]

"not working" is not an exact error description... :-) Might be broken ignition wires or worn spark plugs, might be damaged pistons or parts of them...

Haha I know, wish I could tell you more.

An emission test was also done, and showed waaaay to high numbers.

A very rough estimation of repair costs + the tires- what should I be thinking about?
Let's assume the engine problem with the two cylinder is not a bad issue but a simple cable/injector etc. problem.

3000?

[daabm]

Sounds like a lot of work and a lot of unexpected issues... Better to wait for the C4 experts - I am more familiar with C3 carburetor models :-)

[Colin]

I do have a workshop and lifter, but not much mechanical knowledge.

Would not do it then.

1. my experience with the tires is that only goodyear produces tires with the correct size and a similar looking tread. And they are hella expensive (correct me if I am wrong)
2. already mentioned before
3. can be expensive and time consuming. Often it is hard to reach the parts you need to work on under the hood. 
4. Potentially you have to remove the trans and disassemble it. 
6. pricey

all in all I would say its cheaper to buy a working vette with less milage.

[kadl18]

Hi Chuck,

i think you gave your answer yourself already

Keep searching
Thomas

[Chuck Hitch]

Hi Chuck,

i think you gave your answer yourself already

Keep searching
Thomas

Yes..

But I still want to have an expert to have a look at it.
If the two cylinders can be fixed by replacing the injectors / spark plugs it might be an OK repair.

But now the question comes.. tires, the tires that are currently on the car are from 2002 (!).
Does any of you can share some advise on where to get either new or used tires that will fit on this car, what is the size anyway?

Thank you!

[Woodstock]

But I still want to have an expert to have a look at it.

Where are you and where's the C4 located?