[Bob Dillon]

I've noticed lately in the ads that mid-80s Corvettes in my area are getting very reasonable, some with (allegedly) simple mechanical problems in the 4-5k range.

I have some extra time on my hands now that I'm retired and have been thinking about picking one up. Are any of the years better than others, and are there any years to definitely avoid? What should I look for that always goes wrong?

Thanks.

[64CatalinaVentura]

My neighbor is a Corvette nut, having owned a 79, 93, and 99. He says the Cross Fire Injection models (early-mid 80's) should be avoided because it is difficult to get that fuel injection system right.

[72projectbird]

Yeah, the 82 ass-fire injection is one to stay away from. Other then that, the C3's are a fun car to bomb around in.

[68BeaumontSD]

Stay away from the 1983 as they are impossible to find parts for.
James

[GOAT WHORE]

1983 was definitely the best year for 80's Corvette's!
Bob I can just see you in an 80's Vette, perfect match for sure.

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by GOAT WHORE

1983 was definitely the best year for 80's Corvette's!
Bob I can just see you in an 80's Vette, perfect match for sure.

You mean, much like I can see you matched up with that whip-thin, fey guy at the bus station?

So now we're even. Stay the hell out of my thread.

And nice screen name for the lobby, where minors can post.

[Steve Hoog]

I have had this 86 for a couple of months, a fantastic car! Cross drilled rotors and red pads next to put on; we'll see how the weather goes in the next few days.

[GOAT WHORE]

Those wheels sure help that car Steve. Sure hope the weather holds and you can rip the heck out of that thing! Hang tough man, we are all pullin for you!

[lintmann]

I don't know much about the mid 80's vettes but they would be the C4 era and not the 82-earlier C3 era.
The C4 is "okay" but they are getting cheap for a reason. They have way more parts in them than C3s or C5s so the more parts, the more there is to break and cause you grief. I doubt if GM has many parts on the shelf anymore but there are numerous specialty wreckers that you can pick up items from.
Like I say, I don't know much about them but I do remember hearing to stay away from the 84 and possibly the 85. If you don't buy anything that has been heavily moded and looks like it was taken care of you should be okay because a lot of these cars were bagged and you don't need someone else's headaches.
Personally if I was looking for a C4 I'd only consider a Callaway (1986ish) or a ZR1 which ran from I think 90-95 and those are mostly for the collectability. For a color combo I'm a sucker for double red or double black cars. Wasn't 86 the first year back for the convertible? That would be sweet too!

[Steve Hoog]

Thank you sir, the stock wheels and mud flaps did not help the car. Weather is looking nippy up until I have chemo again, may have to wait a week.

[Dens71TA]

As the owner of a Trans Am with the Cease-Fire fuel injection system I can definitely say stay away from Corvettes with that setup. It has a lot of quirks! The first few years of the Tuned Port fuel injection system also had some engineering problems. 1985 has a really oddball and problematic computer and MAF controller setup. 1986 was vastly improved and everything was pretty much worked out by 1987.

'84-88 manual trans cars have the 4+3 transmission which is a Borg Warner Super T-10 4-speed with a computer controlled 2-speed overdrive automatic transmission in the tail housing. The automatic transmission would shift in direct drive or overdrive when the main transmission was in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear depending on throttle position and vehicle speed.

[David Jones]

Bob, I can't picture you having THAT much time on your hands.

[Bob Dillon]

It's beginning to sound like an '86 or later with auto is the way to go.

[Lightfoot]

I have heard multiple horror stories about the 1984 model.
One guy I worked with said he had an '84 and it was the worst POS he ever owned. One problem after another. Electrical bugs galore.

I'd be a little leery of the '85 as well, but I'm confident they got the bugs out of it by 1986. '86 it was selected for the Indy500 pace car.

[salem1912]

I would go with the later C3 models. Cheap and sill have a carburetor.

[Txbobcat]

Bob Move up into the 92 and above with 96 being the best. The prices are still good and there is a lot more power to be had. I have a 92 convertible six speed. It is much faster than the automatic and I can hit 29 miles to the gallon on the hwy.

[KO]

Yes 92 through 96 with the LT1/4 are there best with the 96 LT4 being the top of the heap. Try to find 95-96 with the vented Optispark II. Great cars, relatively easy to work on, parts availability good.

[69 DAYTONA]

...I owned one of the 1990 Indy Track Cars, yellow with pink lettering on the doors...I put 30k miles on the car and did nothing but change the oil

[1969GiPper]

Originally Posted by Dens71TA

As the owner of a Trans Am with the Cease-Fire fuel injection system I can definitely say stay away from Corvettes with that setup. It has a lot of quirks! The first few years of the Tuned Port fuel injection system also had some engineering problems. 1985 has a really oddball and problematic computer and MAF controller setup. 1986 was vastly improved and everything was pretty much worked out by 1987.

'84-88 manual trans cars have the 4+3 transmission which is a Borg Warner Super T-10 4-speed with a computer controlled 2-speed overdrive automatic transmission in the tail housing. The automatic transmission would shift in direct drive or overdrive when the main transmission was in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear depending on throttle position and vehicle speed.

Agree with what Dens71TA said. The 1985 was the first year for Tuned Port injection and the ECM was a half-breed and didn't function nearly as well as the full-function ECM used in 1986. Also the 1986 model was the first to get VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) with the resistor pellet in the ignition key. 1985 and earlier models were easy to steal. If my memory is correct the 1986 model was the first to get anti-lock brakes (Bosch system?). I also remember being told by a GM Training instructor during a new model introduction class that the 1984 models had two different rear axles (half-shafts), steel and aluminum. Which ones a car received was determined by what seats were ordered. If the standard bucket seats were ordered you got the steel half-shafts. If you ordered the fully adjustable seats with lumbar and other supports (air adjustable bladders) you got the aluminum shafts. He said it had to do with vehicle weight.

[1966goat]

My uncle had an 87. He loved it but it was stick and low to the ground so he started having problems being able to get in and out as well as driving without cramping his leg. He had to sell it.