I personally love the C4 idiosyncrasies. To me, those little nits are what make car special & unique. Classic Porsche 911's idiosyncrasies would kill you (snap oversteer) & don't even get me started about the original Dodge Viper (aka The Widowmaker). Long live the C4 & all its funkiness.
@Volkswagenplanet - well? I’m anxious to hear about your first two months of ownership. Am wondering: what prompted the purchase of an ‘88? And…was finding your car an arduous task? Dealer? Individual? Auction? Thanks!
If you care about handling, you really should think of the 'Coupe' version as an _actual_ coupe, and leave the roof in place. It's that important, structurally. For significantly better chassis stiffness, you can also add the factory convertible's chassis 'x-brace', or a set of No-Flex bars (which are better), as well. The screwy roof and deep side sills were forced on the engineers by a very late mandate from on-high that the car have a Targa top, instead of the planned traditional T-tops. Losing the center bar of the T-top arrangement cost the original design too much fore-aft bending stiffness, so they scrambled to redesign the chassis without upsetting too many individual component designs, etc, etc. The deep sills and bolt-in top were the result of that rushed process. Don't worry, it adds _character._
I'm am happy with my 91 C4 ZR-1...The last minute design change from a T-Top to a Targa was an engineering kludge that contributed to the frame flex. My 71 Stingray is almost stone age in comparison but still fun...
Your knowledge of C4s is incredible. I disagree about the door sills though. To me the door sills are what make the C4 so special. You just have to learn to get in and out of them the correct way. Which is ass first then spin into it, not right leg first and drop down. Haha.
Wrap the 96 around a telephone Pole at about 40 mile an hour the police and the emergency guys were dumbfounded whenever I climbed out of the car and walked your hound and wouldn't let them call an ambulance road home with the tow truck guy all because of those high door Sills
Bought my '96 Collector's Edition (my first Corvette ever) 9 months ago, and my experience with these "quirks" has been the same...the top is a pain, much as I like the "convertible" feel, the back end under the hatch rattles and chatters and squeaks, most of which I've finally found and fixed over time, getting in and out is only easy if you're a 12-year old and the console door is broken just exactly like Lyle described (a new one is about $150). And I have never loved a vehicle like I love this one. Simply, it is a great car and buying it was one of the smartest things I've ever done. Thank you, Lyle, I've watched several of your vids, in my quest to learn as much as I can about the C4 Corvettes, and your affection for them and all 'Vettes is evident. Great job.
I own a 86 with the 4+3 trans. The high sills are something I’ve had to get use to but you do feel low and safer being surrounded by frame. I’m 6’2” with size 13 feet which is a problem when it comes to floor space. I have to wear narrow slip on shoes to keep from hitting two petals at one time but I’ve adjusted. The car really is ahead of its time. Very fun to drive! If you’re on the fence about buying one the positives far outweigh the negatives. My favorite thing about a C4 is the clam shell hood. By far the easiest Corvette to work on. Sit on the front tire and have at it! When I’m at car shows people see that massive hood raised and will B line straight over because it’s different.
You are so right I am the same height as you with the same shoe size I have to put on my narrow sneakers to make this work but never thought about. Selling my 93 convertible still are beautiful cars
I have owned several C4s to include two convertibles. I solved the cowl shake problem with my 91 FX3 coupe by installing a set of "no flex" bars. These were designed by a Corvette engineer (Killebrew) and are marketed by Vett2Vette. They did an amazing job and turned this 117,000 mile noodle into a sports car again.
Which tuning method did you use to tighten them? I've read one where you measure the gap between the halo and the windshield frame, and another where you tighten until the top won't drop on and then you back it off a touch. I'm curious b/c I've got them on my '93, and I still have the noodle issue.
@@ronaldwarren5220 Does the targa top go on and off w/o a lot of effort? I've read you can tighten them to the point where the targa is difficult or impossile to put back on.
Thank you for this video. I have a 1996 C4 and I agree on most issues. I think twice or 3 or 4 times before removing the roof panel because of the time and effort it takes to remove it and then eventually place it back. But I still really love this car. Buy the way your comidic timing is very good .😊
Just found your channel, I've been a corvette mechanic for at least 40 of my 5o years. Dude you have the best job in the world. When i can get my other book out, just to work on your car, and you know how. That opens new avenues.
Love my 84 Crossfire. I'm 60 and 240lbs and don't have a problem getting in or out, now that may change in 10 years, my father sold his 78 C3 in his 70s due to physical issues. 84 no optispark yea. I also have the standard radio so no amp problems and I have never taken the top off yet.
Hi Lyle, well after working on my 1994 c4 that (just needed a bcm ) to run haha !, well all the computer systems are now 28 years old, it needed a new ecm, bcm, and the automatic a/c controls taken out refurbished and oh yeah don't forget the 2nd part of the a/c control that are electric and vacuum controlled and conveniently located on the right side of the steering column, and the bcm oh what fun brackets that has, now on to the window motors, the window guides, window seals, finally very close to having it all done, and your videos have been a great time saver , thank you !
You nailed it! I’ve had my 90 C4 for 25 years and you hit on the things I would pick too. But I love my girl! She still turns head with the white exterior and red interior! Thank you for a great video.
Lyle you have picked apart an otherwise fantastic car. The c-4 is like Rodney Dangerfield, it 'gets no respect' yes it has it's idiosyncrasies. however, some of the things you point out such as the center console, and the screws loosening are very minor and easily corrected, a little glue fixes the console and blue Loctite solves the screw problem. The other problems are legit. Thank you as always for your invaluable information, you're a credit to the corvette world..
As I have gotten older, I'm 69, my 89' has become harder to get in and out of especially with the roof panel on. I take the panel off in spring and it goes back on in November so it never goes too far and never in rain as the roof is a real pain in the butt to put back on . I have it 10 years and it has only 76k miles on it.
I am excited for this one, having a 96 Collectors Edition LT4 its full of quirks and features, love em or hate em they are there and we love it! Thank you Lyle
My 92 has the Bose well behind the driver seat. I like the Bose for the power it can put out, but I had to have the speakers all rebuilt (about $50 each) because the capacitors on their circuit boards are prone to failure. But once repaired, the system really is outstanding. I can open the back hatch and my car becomes a boom box for the whole neighborhood!
Good list! I have a pro-charged 96 LT1 Vette and love it. I had a lot of growing pains after buying it. The previous owner only put about 1000 miles on it in 4 years so I had a lot of little wake up issues. I find the challenge of the door sills not too terrible. Just sit on the sill and slide in. I’ve got big (wide) feet and will hit the gas pedal while braking from time to time. My biggest peeve is the pneumatic hvac distribution system. The connectors in the controller will collapse and leave you in the default distribution mode of a split between defrosters and floor. It’s also very difficult to access under the dash.
I have a 96 C4 coupe. One thing that has always bothered me was the parking brake. Once you get use to it, its not that bad. but you never could use it as easily has having the parking brake in the center console. I have a 6-speed manual and the parking brake, works well as a Hill Holder. When you come up a steep hill and you have a stop sigh or traffic, you pull the parking brake handle up and the car stays put, without having to have your foot on the brake pedal. When you are ready to go, left foot on the clutch pedal, right foot on the gas pedal...increase your engine speed , ease out the clutch, at the same time releasing the parking brake and the hill is no problem.
Lyle you nailed it. I have a 93 C4 and 2 C5's and I think that they all are great cars but those small problems. I must say that I have never changed the Opti spark yet and I have 99,000mi on it but My biggest gripe is the door panels. Good video.
Just curious: do you live someplace that doesn't have issues with humidity? Mine went to 70k miles before it died. I live in north Texas, and we have wild swings in humidity, which probably contributes.
I always liked the looks of the C4's, I remember going for a ride in a new brown 1984 coupe that my neighbor had and we took a corner I thought the car was on rails what a car!
Fantastic vid once again Lyle! As a C5 owner, who grew up during the C4 era, I remain interested in the C4 but am constantly reminded of why my local Corvette specialty shop won't work on the C4
Lyle you pretty much covered all of my complaints. I love the C4 having bought three of them, two when new, an 87 and a 94. I presently have a beautiful 94 which had all of the problems you mentioned plus all the speed sensors have failed ending the ABS system, the slip control, and making the cruise control intermittent. The climate control head units are also a frequent problem. I’ve replaced the radio, one speaker amp, the head unit and I am waiting on a guy to install the new weather stripping. I also hate where they placed the battery making one dismantle the fender to replace it. Oh and the whimpy Sun visors should send the guy who designed them for a visit into Corvette hell. I think I may regret not following your advice to buy a C5.
I am the proud owner of an '88 C4 and will take advantage to bypass any OEM electronics at every opportunity, even though the car has only 20k miles. The electronics are 35 years old and subject to fail just from age. I replaced the VATS with a NewRockies VATS bypass (and the alarm still works). I live in rural Arizona and drive a 35 mph mountain road home, and in July and August, there was a big problem with after shut off overheating. I purchased a module that turns the new 30% more air flow fan on at 190 and put in a 180 degree thermostat. Also added a three core all aluminum radiator. The car doesn't run at 228 any longer.
Had a 92 lt1 that had 68000 miles when I bought it. Opti spark went out at 109000 and it had 155000 with no problems when I traded for a 74 convertble that I still have along with a C7Z06. They are all fun to drive!
For me, it's not so much the door sills, but the J-Lo wide transmission tunnel, and accompanying pinched footwells. The C4 really was ahead of its time, combining the gas and brake pedals into one.
What do you mean in "combined" pedals ?!? I know the foot well on the driver's side was real snug but not sure of how your description worked. Many Thanks Yo ! 🚘🔍. 🤔
What a lot of people don't know about c4 vettes no matter what model it is, is that there are 2 rubber adjusters one on each side of the hood and will stop cowl shake when adjusted.
I bought my 1985 C4 in 2014 and have experienced most of these little problems. It is almost impossible to change the rear taillights. Is there an easier way than reaching behind the license plate? Taking the side panel off the front left fender to change the car battery is annoying. The car is so fun to drive that all the little challenges are not that big a deal. I did change the lights in the instrument gauge cluster which was difficult but was just one big module to remove. Now it is bright and easy to see. I think it is like the Back to the Future DeLorean gauges! Keep up the great videos Lyle!
New C4 owner here. I have a '93 with 58k miles. It's in really good condition generally speaking. Looks and drives fantastic - which are the most important things. Current minor issues: 1) antenna doesn't fully retract when the car shuts off; 2) CD player doesn't work 3) weather stripping is very worn but luckily no water gets in when it rains; 4) head and fog lights work great but there's a loud scary sound that I hear when I turn them off. God I love this car though... no regrets.
I currently have a 40k mile C4 sitting in my garage. I agree with the targa top issue. I'm trying to find a solid top for mine. But my issue with the C4 is my center console is sticky. The bottom section has been replaced but it doesn't match the top. Another issue is the sun visor flaps passenger side is broken and hanging and drives me nuts. Last is my dashboard is coming unglued in my center vent it won't stay down.
Love my 89 C4 Convertible and have 200,000 miles in 35 years of ownership. I agree about the Bose system took that out and replaced it 20 years ago. Never had any of the other problems you went over but I have had 8 ... yes 8 alternators that I have gone through... that's just plan weird. Curious to see if you have heard of this problem?
I was thinking the floor space with room for only one foot was pretty messed up. I could have bought a 92 with 17.K miles for $12K but after test driving it I decided not to. It just didn't have much power and with low miles like that, it rattled and squeaked pretty bad. Plus someone said that year had a really bad fuel injection issue.... oh well. I do like the way the newer versions of the C4 look.
Hey Lyle. Some interesting info on my C4 for sure. Please have a discussion about the instrument panel and specifically "the gauges". My question is, why do some of those gauges crap out? I also have a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder, it has over 260k miles on it and none of the gauges are faulty. Why is this a problem on the C4? By the way. Thanks for returning my call a while back. I am the guy with the C4 in El Paso Texas. My C4 has 171k miles on it. I am planning on selling it after I do a bit more repair simply because it is becoming a money pit. I hate to say it that way and I truly love the car it's just that, I rarely have to put that much time and money into my PF. That says something about Japanese technology as opposed to American technology. Simply said, the lack of "quality" in American technology. Have a nice weekend. I really like your videos they are very informative. Also, I must say/brag about. I am German and in Germany "Quality" is very important on anything that is produced.
I love the Side Walls in the C4. Because it is a Supersports Car. And have problems to get inside is the first Sign of a Supersports Car. Getting into a F40, Lambo, or McLaren is also everything but not Easy. So if it is hard to get into the Car, this is the first Sign that say to you "Now you enter something Special". If someone have trouble with those Side Walls, than better dont drive a Supersports Car.
Thank you for this video. This help me to decide about what vette to buy. I'm new in this and I didn't know the T top was structural. This is a big point of decision for me because I want the option to take the roof down. I'll see the video about C5 to get more knowledge. Thank you
Let's not forget that if you had FX3, that control module was in the well behind the driver along with the ABS module. Just do the weather strip at like 15 or so years and the bow and hatch will be watertight. I would say that on my 90, the first time I opened the console it would not go to 90*. I just figured that it was like a 70* hinge. I felt that it wouldn't be so hard to get to 90* if it was supposed to get to 90*. I would open it and balance the lid on my arm while I looked for stuff. LOL JMHO, I had a 72 LT-1 for 10 yrs. The next vette was my 90 ZR-1. The ZR-1 was waayy better than my LT-1.
Your videos on C4's are "dead on" correct. Thanks for the valuable info . I would like to know if you have an opinion on a replacement system for the Bose . I have been "babysitting" mine and have finally decided to completely gut the thing and replace it . Any info would be greatly appreciated !!! Thanks again for the help ........
Thé harder I get into a car the cooler I think it is, I love the large door sills :) targa top - I’m not particularly interested in driving top down but I like to know I can do it. optispark- mine doesn’t have but you can fix it with an electric pump. screws - I don’t like the clips either, often they require prying and you have to guess where exactly you need to pull. one thing I don’t like :mechanical smog pump
Thanks so much for your review of the C4. I've been on the fence about finding a nice, really nice C4 and a C5. You've tipped the scale for me and I'm going to concentrate on the C5. My C6 is definitely in need of some company. 😉 Save the Wave 🙋♂
if you already have a c6....the c5 is basically the same car. dont let this push u from a c4. they are unique in their driving experience in a good way.
I too own a 2009 Corvette. Just bought a ‘96 CE to go with it. Sold my 2 C5’s recently. The ‘96 is more visceral and free of electronics. The C5’s were very similar as the C6 I own. The C4’s have something special.
Hi Lyle, Love your vids & your advice was invaluable in my search & purchase of a C6. I bought a '08 coupe with Z51 package. Best $1,800 the original buyer ever spent! 😀Bought it Labor Day weekend & it's run like a top ever since. BUT! Since the weather turned here in NJ, the car doesn't start on mornings when it's around or below freezing. An hour later, after the day warms up a bit, the car kicks right over. Message is 'fob undetected'. Appreciate any ideas you may have. Thanks!
I love my 95 C4 and all its quirks, but some things that do irk me are the battery location, my lack of glovebox, and the OBDII port with an OBDI computer. Some people complain about the straight cut gear whine on the 6 speeds, but I love the sound of it. The C4 is such a fighter jet with the feel of an 80s euro super car.
I have a 96 6-speed, the whine is so loud people have asked me before if it's supercharged. It wouldn't annoy me as much if it wasn't louder than the engine with my stock exhaust.
I think the low point for me is the fiberglass suspension, my C4 kind of rocks forward and backward when you're getting a lot of differences in the road surface. Another low point is associated with getting in and out of the car. If you use the steering wheel for support when getting in and out, you can end up with steering wheel wobble. So its important not to overuse the steering wheel as a means of coming and going.
Nice video Lyle. When the '84 C4 came out it had HEI ignition. Yet, some water head engineer thought, "Hey, lets put it behind the water pump." IMO, I'm happy that the Corvette didn't end in 1983... The C4 was a risk for GM, however I'm happy for with my C3 / C5. . I would never own a C4. Hard to enter, crappy digital dash, cross fire injection, etc. Basically a POS Thanks!
I had an ‘87 C4. The brakes would fade big time on hard use, the top needs to be left on for best handling. The paint faded. I gladly withstood the sill because i loved the look of the frame rails when the cowl was opened, with the engine within and those fat tires. At least, those features were quite impressive to me in 1988 when i purchased it used. It was a good car, but i did not own it more than two years, as my insurance went waaaay up. From my driving. Lol.
I love videos bashing C4’s. I hope prices go down so I can afford a third one.... The only legitimate issue you mentioned is the opti.... I actually love the 84-89 cluster. I find it easier to read than analog. I can see the exact coolant temp, oil pressure, MPH, RPM. Etc Much easier to read. I never remove the Targa top, so don’t see that as an issue.
This isn't a video about bashing C4's--it is a realistic assessment of the weak points of that generation 30 years on. I shot a similar video about the C5/C6 that same day and I had plenty to say about those cars as well. Lyle
I purchased my 94 red/red white top in 99 with 12,408 mi. Love everything about the car except for 2 things; leaky weatherstripping and Optispark. Both of which have been replaced 2x. Still leaks at top corner of window near windshield. Looks as though I've wet myself if I get caught in the rain. Also had to replace climate control and radio. I believe there was water intrusion somewhere to short out those components. Latest issue being internal converter component failure. Sounds like a few small stones spinning every now and then. Antenna cable snapped as well. Will repair that after catalytic converter is replaced.But all in all, I love the car. Currently has 58k. I just use it on sunny days and starry nights with top down (heat on if cold out).
One other thing with the early LCD gauges was that overtime, sunlight could eventually washout the gauges and make them hard to read. That meant you had to replace the gauge cluster.
I've owned mine for 8 years and could come up with a list of things that annoy me. It's almost impossible to back out of my driveway or go over speedbumps without scraping. Runs hot in heavy traffic during Phoenix summers. Rattles. Noisy. Harsh ride. The best features are it looks awesome, is very peppy and gets good mpg for a sports car.
It's kinda funny how I just watched ONE test drive video from a Finnish RU-vidr of a C4, and now I want to own one someday... I'm 17 in March, if that makes you hopeful that V8's will live a long time
I owned a 94 C4 for about 10 years. Interesting to me is that you did not touch on something I hated .....HATED ....from day one. The location of the parking brake. HATED IT! Traded the C4 for a C5 and problem solved. Hated the top on the C4 too but you covered that. Cheers from central PA.
This model was loved by the engineers and hated by the public. The program almost ended with only 1500 sold. Thank goodness they created my C 5! That saved it.
By the way audis during 80s also had digital gauges like in the c4 , same goes for opels. Yes opel was gm brand but it was all done by germans and the gauges werent shared with other gm cars it was opel specific. So germans in both of those instances also used digital gauges. Also some toyota models had digital gauges like the soarer
It's still a very unique car. Allow me to go further....if it wasn't for the outright success of the 4th generation Vette we wouldn't have the newer ones today. It's THAT crucial. And that clamshell hood and the way the headlights operate are to die for. Flawed? Of course it is but that's what makes it a more endearing and fun car to own and enjoy. I know firsthand I owned a '96. Can't wait to get another one. And it still has the shortest wheelbase of any generation too.
I love my 87 vette. Sure its slower then a new Vette but no other Vette or any other car has a cooler dash then the early C4s. Also the magic early C4 dont have the option spark under the water pump. Sure I agree on the top but in the end its a car from the 80s
The worst part of corvette ownership, regardless of the year, is the one nobody talks about. You have to budget an extra 2-1/2hrs into a day that includes 5 stops with people wanting to talk to you about the car… unless you’re an asshole and don’t care if people key your car when you act an asshole and they catch your car parked and you not around! 😂
Don't forget, taking the top off, created a great deal of vibration due to the air being trapped inside .GM said it wasn't a problem just a condition you needed to buy a device to lift the back hatch to the air flow
I have a 91 vette. I wish they kept the early gages, from the 84 through I think it was the 88 model. I like the knight rider gages... it's just one of those things that sets the car off a bit. Just gives a little bit of a futuristic look. But one of negatives you mist was the cup holder...
Hi Lyle, great video as always but on the gauge cluster front on early C4s. What I have noticed with the roof off and if the sun hits them in the right spot you can't see them because of the glare, and the cops here in Australia especially Melbourne hate speeding with a passion. Fast way to lose your license.
Great Vidia yes they have issues, but I think they are the first super cars made , my 88 Z 52 handles like a slot car , I will be getting with you on some parts keep up the great videos ,
The center console cover on my 96 is still intact, perhaps it’s not opened too often. You didn’t mention how the drive transforms with the top off. The thing that drives me nuts is how water sits on 45 degree angle on the hatch glass.
If the optispark had a bad ground, they would short themselves out. While it was high end tech and ahead of its time, the optional spark had quite a few issues that would cause it to go out prematurely.
The optispark... Neat idea but it reminds me of the Simpsons when Lisa got braces... The 'affordable' ones - "these pre-date stainless steel so you can't get them wet!"
I still own a 1991. Agree with your list. Would put the Bose Gold (replaced with after-market pioneer system and speakers) and electronic dash (already replaced once) in the top 5.
