The C4 Corvette is beginning to gain traction in the classic market, but they remain relatively affordable. This 1984 example is a beauty, and it has a mere 21,000 genuine miles on the clock. The owner has decided to part with this stunning car, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Puyallup, Washington, and bidding has reached a paltry $7,399 in a No Reserve auction.
The Bright Red Corvette is an eye-catching car, and the overall condition makes the mileage claim seem pretty feasible. The paint shines beautifully, and the fact that it has been garage-kept for its entire life means that there is no rust for the buyer to worry about. The panels exhibit no signs of stress cracks or prior accident damage, while the panel gaps are tight and consistent. The glass is as spotless as the rest of the exterior, and there are no signs of deterioration with any of the plastic trim. The wheels on the C4 Corvette are a distinctive features, and they are as much about function as they are about form. They were designed to look good and provide some tangible cooling benefits to the 4-wheel disc brakes. This provided drivers with a more reassuring pedal when they hustled the vehicle along, but the downside of this was that they could become marked or stained over time by brake dust if they weren’t cared for. These wheels have avoided that problem, which is a fair indication that this Corvette has been treated with respect.
Powering the Corvette is the L83 version of the 350ci “Cross-Fire” V8. This engine produces 205hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. This power figure was only marginally better than what had been available in the last of the C3 Corvettes, but a weight reduction of more than 200lbs between the models endowed the C4 with better performance figures. It could cover the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds, and thanks to aero improvements over the C3, it was capable of winding its way to 147mph. The owner claims that this Corvette has a genuine 21,000 miles showing on its odometer, but he doesn’t mention whether he holds evidence to verify this. However, it has a documented ownership history and most of its original paperwork, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some form of verification. He says that the Corvette runs and drives like a new car, with a strong engine and a smooth-shifting transmission.
Life inside this Corvette should be anything but unpleasant, and the trim is in remarkable condition for a Corvette from this era. The C4 Corvette spent many years as something of an unloved orphan, and many suffered severe abuse from uncaring owners. This car hasn’t suffered that fate, and apart from some wrinkling of the leather on the driver’s seat, it is spotlessly clean. The outer edges of the heavily-bolstered seats show no evidence of wear, and while the mats look a bit dirty and marked, they have saved the carpet from a similar fate. The rest of the trim seems perfect, with no evidence of deterioration or cracking. As far as luxury touches are concerned, the Corvette comes equipped with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, cruise, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.
The early C4 Corvettes have spent some time in the automotive wilderness, but there is some evidence that their time in the sun is getting closer. They are still not a big-money classic, meaning that they remain affordable. Values have been creeping up slowly but consistently over the past five years, and there is a chance that this trend could continue. If that is the case, buying a good example now might rate as a smart investment. This one looks like a beauty, and it’s easy to see why it has already attracted 19 bids. There is a fair chance that it will eventually push beyond $15,000, but someone will be getting a lot for their money if it does sell for less. This is an auction that would be worth watching closely.
How reliable is that Crossfire induction? How about the tranny, any history of problems there?
Believe it or not, the CFI is reliable. The only real issues are the throttle plate bushings leading to vacuum leaks on higher mileage specimens. Make sure the fuel system is cleaned out due to the low mileage, and this would be a deal at the current price if you want a Corvette for a weekend cruiser.
I remember the excitement when these came out well. Much like the C8, the anticipation level was very high and people paid quite the premium to be the first on the block to own one.
My boss at the time got one in gold, I was duly impressed. People would flock to view it in the flesh. The technology at the time was amazing, and introductory press coverage was full of praise, making for very interesting reading in retrospect.
It wasn’t until very late in the model year run that people started lamenting on the harshness of the ride, especially those that opted for the Z51 package, but truth be told, nothing on the road at the time could touch the handling these offered, at any price.
This car is going to wind-up being a bargain, and someone is going to get a very cool car.
The ride was very harsh indeed on these. I’m sure it knocked the false teeth out of more than one unwary member of it’s target demographic, which led to suspension changes in 1985.
This is one key reason why the 1984 is the least desirable of the least desirable Corvette generation. The Ceasefire Injection is another. Quite frankly, I’m surprised it’s over 7,000 now.
Sold at $9650 with 33 bids from 17 bidders.
I wouldn’t call 205 hp a strong engine. One of the lowest hp engines ever put in a vette.
Strong for 1984, those were lean years.
How about the aliens at Wright-Pat, Curt?
Isn’t this the least desirable C4? Plus, they made a ton of these that first year: 51,000 and change. More than any other C4 model year by far. An ’89-91 with the six speed or an LT1 car are better C4s, would be more fun to drive and likely are better investments. Hard to see a big upside here given the improvements of the later cars and the general lack of demand for ’84s.
Yes it is. That’s why I think the 15k prediction is a dream. It’s up to 8k with two days to go. I’m predicting it stays under 10k but we will see.
Bug ridden, terrible brakes, suspension, engine and electronics. 85 was MUCH better. And I own a late C4.
tiger66, I wouldn’t consider this an investment grade car. The values just aren’t strong enough. But they have a loyal following and good aftermarket support. They make nice entry level fun cars. I have an 87 convertible that I daily drive. I totally enjoy it, it was inexpensive, it turns heads, it’s fun to drive and I’m not afraid to leave the top down. I paid 13k for a very clean 4 speed car and it had 40,000 miles. It was hard to pass up at that price.
Investment is really more in the realm of the C3s. I’m actually hoping the C4s stay soft.
I agree that they are fun cars. I had an ’88 coupe I bought in ’93 and sold in 2001. Automatic, with the optional performance rear axle ratio. Great road trip car. So I’m not dissing C4s, just saying why buy an ’84 with its lame 205 hp and throttle body injection when a much better later car can be had for the same money? There was a ’91 on CL here the other day (already gone) that was very clean, 80k miles and less than $8k. A much better buy than this ’84 all day long.
Low original miles probably due to the Ceasefire engine.
I love my C-4. Of course, it’s not an 84, but an 86, and I didn’t buy it so I could resell it. I bought it to drive. It’s a fun little car and with the Z51 package, it handles like a rat in sneakers. Yeah, it’s a rough ride, but it holds the corners really well and it has plenty of power for an old guy like me. I ain’t racing it in competitions anyway.
The ugliest Corvette ever,and slow, the early version of the buick grand national beat this vette in 84,,but I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. …this saying helps get people mates,and cars driver’s!
I had an 85 snd the suspension”upgrade” was barely discernable owned it 2 weeks and sold it I hated it
It was also handily thumped by Mitsubishi”s 3.0 twin turbo V6 that came in the 3000 GT/VR4 and the Dodge Stealth R/T
I also own mitsu products and can tell you their engines in the 80s left a lot to be desired. That’s why you see so many corvettes still running and rarely if ever see a 3000GT vr4. The mitsu engines seemed to self destruct around 130k
I have to agree with Bhowe. I had an Eclipse where the timing belt snapped and destroyed the engine at 55K miles.
Thank my lucky stars that it had a 60K warranty.
Not the best analogy. Grand Nationals are beasts !
I have an exact mate to this car red over red. 30000 actual miles. My crossfire works just fine and the ride is tolerable. In 84 nothing else would generate the kind of road holding and technical sophistication as the 84 corvette which is why the were highly anticipated. Sure the later ones had more power but the 84 was such a radical change that’s what appeals to me. Where else can you get a car this fun for this price?
I forgot to add that one needs to look at the paint very carefully on red 84s as it was common for the red to quickly fade to pink. Hard to tell from photos on this car as it can look ok in photos in the right light conditions, but it may well pay for an inspection.
I have $5k cash. Take my money?
One of the cleanest styled Vettes ever built. The ’84-87 was the best looking of the C4s IMO. Better looking than any Vette built since and don’t even get me started on the C8. Bleh! 205 HP would be enough for me. A stick would be nice though!
Lots of comments about the low hp. As a driver, these feel faster than they are. There’s ago kart quality, low to the ground and light and small.
290 lb-ft of torque is what you felt when driving the 1984. With the 4+3 manual, it was pretty good for that era. And when you look at all of the other lumps made in 1984, it was a pretty cool car. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Sold at $9650.00