It’s interesting to see collector cars wind up at modern car dealerships, placed for sale like any other new Malibu or Impala. And, truth be told, this 1984 Corvette has mileage typical of an executive lease or CPO vehicle with under 6,000 miles on the clock. It’s for sale for a reasonable $15,988 here on Autotrader.com, and comes equipped with an automatic transmission.
Sure, a C4 Corvette is far from the most collectible generation out there, but there’s something to be said for buying a brand new version of Chevrolet’s most recognizable sports car for a reasonable price. It should offer low operating costs and is a classic you can just use without worrying about future worth – it’s never going to appreciate much past its current value.
The color combo is not for everyone but that adds to its intrigue, in my opinion. Most of these that were put away were red or silver or black; this gold with a chocolate brown leather interior (in perfect condition) is far less often seen. I wish this was a manual transmission example, and I still never understand why if you’re going to store a muscle car for long-term investment, why you’d spec the less-desirable automatic.
Unless, of course, the first owner didn’t buy this as an investment car and solely used it on weekends – and even then, it’s near impossible to get out every weekend with a specialty or vintage car despite your best efforts. Life just gets in the way, or if you have other errands scheduled that don’t accommodate the use of a two-seater, it quickly stays parked. Ask me how I know! This 5,956 mile Corvette is located in Amsterdam, New York at Mangino Chevrolet.
It will NEVER appreciate in anyone’s normal life span. There is only one direction the value will go. $10,000 top price and the buyer will still wonder if he/she paid too much. Save your ammunition- I own an 84 Corvette.
That sums up my opinion as well. Not one of the more desirable Corvette generation. Built during the height of GM’s malaise era, it will never appreciate enough to warrant squirreling away as potential investment. It’s a nice used car at this point. Get it for a good price, and use it
The digital dash is a NIGHTMARE. Just know what you are getting into if you buy it.
Blanket statements about a production run of 51,000 cars are usually nonsense. Never an issue with my digital dash, or Doug Nash 4+3 transmission which is another area of much discussion.
My ‘83 runs great, never had a single problem with the digital dash since I’ve owned it since Nov of 82.
If you indeed have a 1983 Corvette I would hold on to ii as it most surely is one-of-one.
Tom, I had to laugh….Getting IN the Corvette is 1/2 the battle. I sold my 91 ZR-1 for that reason. Getting out is almost as bad.
the 1984 is seen as the least valuable corvette due to the crossfire engine , with the 85 and up with the tuned port engine a close second , I’ve said it before these cars were head and shoulders above the c3 , which had the same crossfire engine toward the end of its run , look at old reviews from Motortrend or Car and Driver , they all were blown away with the advancements made , 16k seems like the top of its value , they sold a lot of these cars and unfortunately the market is flooded with high mileage POS’s , the color combo is fantastic , how many Porsche 928s have you seen with that same combo , unfortunately most corvettes of this era have been accessorized with gaudy spoilers and shiny rims and ridiculous paint jobs , this is a respectable sports car with a classy color combo to be appreciated by an enthusiast , 16 k is the top of the food chain for an 84 , I’d like to know if it had the z51 package , it gave you an upgraded suspension and 9” rims in the back , a lot did but no one cares , they lump all c4s together , as far as the electronic dash they all go , as well as the ac cluster , easy fix , their are services that repair these everyday , steering column wobble too , they all do it , but the low mileage on this one should help that , just don’t use the steering wheel to get your old ass out the seat , I would love to own this car
I’m sure you are aware the Z-51 suspension will knock your fillings out and probably disrupt your kidney function. If you are worried about getting in and out of the car, you darn sure don’t want a Z-51 optioned 84. GM realized they went overboard and completely changed the spring rates on the 85. I know from experience, the 84 pictured above has Z-51.
Can anyone tell me why sellers on autotrader.com don’t respond? I have 3 cars I’m hot for there, one, for over a month. Still advertised, no response by phone or email.
I’ve heard that it’s hard to cancel an ad on Autotrader, it can keep appearing months after you’ve sold the vehicle. So maybe those cars you’re interested in are gone and the sellers are tired of responding to inquiries about them.
Wow I have the twin to this car but, mine is a 1985. The same color combo and I do have the Z/51. The Z/51 is tough but even at age 64 I manage to get past the ride and getting in and out. I know people just don’t care for the C-4 s but as I always say to each his own and just enjoy what you have. Take care everyone
You ‘da man Victor! I’m 65 and I love my 84 Z-51. We should do a video showing the young kids (40 and under) how to get in and out of a C4. Fun fact of the day: GM kept softening the spring rates through 1986 and I think in 1987 (Could be wrong), the Z-51 option required a manual transmission. Have fun, and enjoy the ride!
Hey Frank spot on with your comments. I have an 88, which has the Z52 package (a re-tuned and slightly “softer” version of the Z51). In 1988 the Z51 was available only on the manual transmission equipped C4’s.
I’m 43 and I think I have mastered (as much as one can) the art of getting in and out of a C4.
Hey Frank, as I tell the young-uns I may be old but I’ll never quit, when a person thinks something is hard just think of our Military, Fire and, police and we’ll show you hard. I do love my 85 . By the way I’m a retired firefighter and car lover to boot. take care my friend
As I said- You are the man!
Thank you sir
Nice car – over priced IMO. Don’t like the cross-fire, get a crate engine and add something like the Fitech system to it. With a manual it could be a fun car. Thing is there a number of one year only things associated with it so between that and the intake, makes it not the most popular.
If I had it, I’d drive it for all it’s worth – no hiding it away hoping sometime before I die that it would appreciate in value.
It’s a good looking car but there are better values out there for the same $$ IMO.
I’m about sure with patience and cash on hand I can buy a nice C4 driver for just over 5k. A 6,000 mile example? No, but a nice driver none the less. I’d like to have this car but at nowhere near the asking price.
My first Corvette was a ’95, low-mileage, pristine. I was 59 when I got it. I am 6’3″. It was always a bit awkward to enter & exit, but the view from inside was totally worth it. It’s more a car that you wear rather than ride in.
Climbing up into a Tahoe or F150 does not get it for me. I feel like I can’t see the corners and there’s an imminent danger of running over dogs and small children. Large children, too.
I have waxed poetic on the myriad virtues of the C4 previously so I won’t belabor my fanatic devotion any more. Each of us has our personal preferences and valid reasons for having them.
What is important for most of us enthusiasts is that we actually drive & enjoy our cars. Don’t let them sit and become static displays unless you have the means to create your own museum. Then more power to you, but when you die someone is going to get those cars and hopefully drive this piss out of them.
The ’84 was way ahead of its time.
During the days when Knight Rider was on TV that digital dash was the closest thing to “Kitt”!!
I’ve never owned a Corvette, but have long had a fondness for the C4…now that I’m 50, I would like to find a nice original driver quality example and take my Lady for a cruise.
What are you waiting for? Your chariot awaits you in Portland, OR at The Chevy Store. 44K miles, $10,995. I am in no way associated with the dealer but I happen to know a little bit about them. Nice color, eh?
made a mistake on the mileage- it’s 39,500-ish.
drive it enjoy it , its not a collectable and wont be for another 20 years
i dug this color when they came out. we got a new two-tone silver/gray pretty early in ’83 followed by a red/red ’84 later that Fall. They were f’ing awesome for the day, no two ways about it.
completely agree regarding the reaction if this was a 928. but it’s not, & warranted or not, the snob-appeal of P-car (i’ve got one too), pereceived value based on MSRP & limited production makes a 928 more desirable for most folk.
“Some” folk, not “Most” No interest at all in anything by Porsche
No one saw the gas mileage average of 6.7 . That’s pretty low . Would be a nice car if the color was different.y
U.P.- That mileage reading could be the electrons playing tricks during a cold start and idle. No worries! You will get at least twice that on a good day!! :)
My first Vette was a 1984 purchased in 1987.. Mine is paint code 63 Light Bronze with an automatic trans with the DBR/lnterior. We still have the car and my Grandson drive it. Great car with approx. 52K miles on it. In 2010 we purchase an 1987 with the 4+3 Doug Nash trans. This is black on gray with 37K on the Odometer. Both cars have been very good a run fine today. We also had an 88 Anniversary car with 35K on it and sold it. Big mistake
I would say $7500 would be tops for the 84