Comparing 928 to a C4 vette maint wise.
05-27-2010, 11:58 AM
#31
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Unless it has the Z51 suspension and 18 inch wheels I have no idea of where you are coming from with that kidney statement and I can get every bit as much crap in my Corvette as in my 928.
But granted, the 928 is a better car on the highway, and the C4 is better for local driving.
One thing that has not been brought up about the C4 is that they leak, every one of the MANY I have been in leaked, squeaked and rattled, and the later (after 89 IIRC) were not called flexible flyers for nothing, if you take the top off of a coupe and push it you will see exactly what I mean by that.
Many of them, even the early ones have cracked tops from frame flex.
But granted, the 928 is a better car on the highway, and the C4 is better for local driving.
One thing that has not been brought up about the C4 is that they leak, every one of the MANY I have been in leaked, squeaked and rattled, and the later (after 89 IIRC) were not called flexible flyers for nothing, if you take the top off of a coupe and push it you will see exactly what I mean by that.
Many of them, even the early ones have cracked tops from frame flex.
One , I dove a brand new C4 to the 1986 Indy 500 as a young kid (both firsts for me). The other was driving with a friend on a fishing trip. He owned a late model C4. When we crossed over some railroad tracks, he was surprised how smooth if was and made comment that when he drives his car long distances, his kidneys hurt. That may be because he is no a small man and the seat might give him an extra squeeze.
They both are cool cars in there own unique ways.
05-27-2010, 12:06 PM
#32
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Some day I will own a 1996 GS (almost had a silver anniversary edition a few years ago).
I agree with pretty much everything posted. For the $$ there is little reason not to buy a 93+. Even those are going for pennies most likely due to C5's falling into the mid teens.
Something that has not been mentioned is mileage. I would have no issues buying a 928 with 150k if it's well taken care of. I doubt I would consider a Vette with much more than 50k, no way past 75k unless it's dirt cheap.
I agree with pretty much everything posted. For the $$ there is little reason not to buy a 93+. Even those are going for pennies most likely due to C5's falling into the mid teens.
Something that has not been mentioned is mileage. I would have no issues buying a 928 with 150k if it's well taken care of. I doubt I would consider a Vette with much more than 50k, no way past 75k unless it's dirt cheap.
05-27-2010, 12:43 PM
#33
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Sorry Greg, I tried to retract my statements before you replied. I don’t have enough first hand experience to make comment on the C4 highway manners. Two data points:
One , I dove a brand new C4 to the 1986 Indy 500 as a young kid (both firsts for me). The other was driving with a friend on a fishing trip. He owned a late model C4. When we crossed over some railroad tracks, he was surprised how smooth if was and made comment that when he drives his car long distances, his kidneys hurt. That may be because he is no a small man and the seat might give him an extra squeeze.
They both are cool cars in there own unique ways.
One , I dove a brand new C4 to the 1986 Indy 500 as a young kid (both firsts for me). The other was driving with a friend on a fishing trip. He owned a late model C4. When we crossed over some railroad tracks, he was surprised how smooth if was and made comment that when he drives his car long distances, his kidneys hurt. That may be because he is no a small man and the seat might give him an extra squeeze.
They both are cool cars in there own unique ways.
A C4 is not for big folks and I could see how a 200LB man just would not fit, I am about 170 and it can be tight for me.
But the seats are great with the adjustable bolsters you can make them tight of loose, three way lumbar.
About the only improvements they could have made would have been a adjustable head rest, and seat heaters (I put aftermarket ones in mine).
The seats were the biggest reason I got a C4 instead of a C5.
I had planned on 25 grand to finish a C4 or I could have bought a C5 for about the same money at the time.
The rough ones were the 84's with the Z51 suspension, IIRC they were the first production car to do 1G on the skid pad, but it came at a heavy price in ride comfort, they were very stiff.
They changed it the next year even with the Z51 setup, not near as harsh.
Uncle Mitch had a 84 with the Z51 setup and it was very rough riding.
I guess it all depends on which one you get in, same with the 928's.
05-27-2010, 05:13 PM
#34
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I believe 91 and up are the newer body style. 91s? had the ZF 6 speed, which you don't want.
Shop around for one. My buddy finally sold his 91 6MT for $6000 after trying for 9 months. It was a 400hp car and ran around 13.2@108 in the 1/4. That's pretty good performance/$.
Shop around for one. My buddy finally sold his 91 6MT for $6000 after trying for 9 months. It was a 400hp car and ran around 13.2@108 in the 1/4. That's pretty good performance/$.
05-27-2010, 06:02 PM
#35
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Go to the C4 section of the Corvette forum, those guys can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about C4's.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...discussion-34/
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...discussion-34/
05-27-2010, 06:25 PM
#36
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I've got ten years in a 1995 C4 convertible, and a combined 8 years in 928s (86.5 and 88). 60,000+ miles in both.
First, the obvious: the C4 is only a 2 seater. 928 seats 4.
For maintenance, it is easier to change the fuel filter on the 928. On the C4, the fuel filter is next to the pre-cats or cats. Not pleasant to change.
The C4 uses a timing chain, not a timing belt, so there is no timing belt warning light or timing belt service. The only belt on the C4 is a serpentine drive belt for the alternator, A/C, power steering...break that belt and your C4 will still drive to NAPA where you can obtain a $20 replacement.
The throttle body on the C4 is easier to change/upgrade than on the 928.
The C4 interior bites...the black plastic fades, peels, and scratches. Plastic is everywhere. With the 928, you've got leather and metal everywhere.
C4 headlights flip up, but do so on little plastic cog wheels that snap in the middle of the night. With the 928, your headlights pop up from a single horizontal metal bar that rotates, and it's fail mechanism is basically that it can pierce your radiator or A/C condensor. Not the end of the world.
The C4 claim to (maintenance) fame is the giant clam shell front hood. It opens to allow easy access for wrenching, with no chance of scratching up fenderwork paint from being too lazy to install covers on the bodywork prior to wrenching.
C4 seats can be swapped from driver to passenger/vice-versa to even out wear over the years.
Visibility looking forward is limited in the C4, especially for parking. You learn to guess where your front spoiler is sitting when you go park.
The battery is easier to charge and easier to change out in the 928 hatch. In contrast, the C4 battery is behind a side fender panel that must be unbolted to access said battery. Not fun to do in the rain.
First, the obvious: the C4 is only a 2 seater. 928 seats 4.
For maintenance, it is easier to change the fuel filter on the 928. On the C4, the fuel filter is next to the pre-cats or cats. Not pleasant to change.
The C4 uses a timing chain, not a timing belt, so there is no timing belt warning light or timing belt service. The only belt on the C4 is a serpentine drive belt for the alternator, A/C, power steering...break that belt and your C4 will still drive to NAPA where you can obtain a $20 replacement.
The throttle body on the C4 is easier to change/upgrade than on the 928.
The C4 interior bites...the black plastic fades, peels, and scratches. Plastic is everywhere. With the 928, you've got leather and metal everywhere.
C4 headlights flip up, but do so on little plastic cog wheels that snap in the middle of the night. With the 928, your headlights pop up from a single horizontal metal bar that rotates, and it's fail mechanism is basically that it can pierce your radiator or A/C condensor. Not the end of the world.
The C4 claim to (maintenance) fame is the giant clam shell front hood. It opens to allow easy access for wrenching, with no chance of scratching up fenderwork paint from being too lazy to install covers on the bodywork prior to wrenching.
C4 seats can be swapped from driver to passenger/vice-versa to even out wear over the years.
Visibility looking forward is limited in the C4, especially for parking. You learn to guess where your front spoiler is sitting when you go park.
The battery is easier to charge and easier to change out in the 928 hatch. In contrast, the C4 battery is behind a side fender panel that must be unbolted to access said battery. Not fun to do in the rain.
05-31-2010, 02:48 PM
#37
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Sounds like you have a sunbaked shark(s). I've had 2 of them and most of the engine bay rubber and connectors needed to be replaced on each. They were FL cars, and I won't buy another one from FL, TX, AZ or anywhere else down south unless it's been verified garage stored. This would be true with any car, and most wouldn't hold up as well as the shark under the same conditions.
My current shark is the oldest one I have owned, and all rubber lines are still nice and supple, connectors are good, etc. It was garage kept and very low miles. It's all about what you buy to start with, which is often based on how much you want to spend, how long you shop and so forth. I'd rather start with a pristine 928 rather than a pristine vette, but I do love the vettes, especially the C5 body. I'll probably get one of those at some point.
My current shark is the oldest one I have owned, and all rubber lines are still nice and supple, connectors are good, etc. It was garage kept and very low miles. It's all about what you buy to start with, which is often based on how much you want to spend, how long you shop and so forth. I'd rather start with a pristine 928 rather than a pristine vette, but I do love the vettes, especially the C5 body. I'll probably get one of those at some point.
I have already used $800 worth of parts off it for other purposes...if I were buying new....Anyhow, I view both these cars as learning experiences, they are not my first trip to the rodeo. The next one I buy I will certainly be more cognizant of things to look out for.....but for now the '84 is on the road, running well, and a lot of fun to drive. Only remaining priority, it needs an AC upgrade, working on that now....
Regards the original question, I prefer the 928 over my old C4. The 928 rides better, handles better, has no squeeks nor rattles, has more comfortable seats, easier to get in and out of, (my longest drive has been slightly less than 200 miles in it to date), the 928 wins in my book.
I would buy another C4/5 in a heartbeat if I found the right car at the right price, but I am not looking for one....I would sooner find a pristine 928 for reasonable money!
Until such time, I will enjoy what I have....
