When it comes to the C4 Corvette, the sheer volume of available cars on craigslist and eBay can make it seem like it’s always a good time to buy one. To own a model that stands apart, most enthusiasts would tell you to hold out for a ZR1 or a Grand Sport model, not to mention the Ruby Red 40th Anniversary edition. Aside from those, it then becomes a game of finding the models wearing rare colors or desirable factory options, usually tied to upgraded suspension offerings. This 1992 model falls into the former category, as Yellow C4s weren’t exactly common, with some quick Googling confirming 678 left the factory with this exterior color that year. Find the Corvette here on craigslist in New Hampshire for $12,500.
Curiously, this technically isn’t “Competition Yellow” which was the name of yellow-bodied Corvettes starting in 1993. Regardless, I like the way this one is set up, from the color combo to the attractive, later wheels that I believe were more commonly found on ZR1s. It’s a timeless look, and they do a nice job of breathing some new life into the long-serving C4 design. The paint looks evenly matched from end to end, and hopefully with under 80,000 miles, the Corvette has seen its use limited to weekends and fair-weather driving only.
The black interior was a fairly standard choice when choosing the yellow paint job, with models clad in silver or gray leather far rarer. This example looks decent inside, even if the automatic transmission is the one feature I could live without. A yellow C4 with those wheels and a manual transmission is a car I’d like to own someday, but that exact car would likely take some time to find. Fortunately, among the few details the seller offers as it relates to mechanical upkeep, the roof and door seals have been replaced, which hopefully means water intrusion has been a non-issue around the removable targa roof panel. The A/C is said to still blow cold.
No information is offered on the health of the engine, but someone has added a cold air intake as evident by the exposed cone filters at the end of the intake ductwork. This is not a bad thing and likely makes for some impressive sound under wide open throttle, but I’d like to hear more about this and any other modifications rather than the experience of driving such a car to the beach, per the seller’s listing description. Overall, it looks like a clean example in sharp colors that is certainly work a closer look, and the seller indicates that he is open to reasonable offers against his asking price.
Ad says it is in Shapleigh, pronounced “SHAP-lee”, a town in York County, Maine
And with a Massachusetts phone number. So, it’s somewhere in the Northeast…
Owner likes this car a lot so the ask is a bit high. It’s a nice looking car but Corvettes of this vintage are still subject to getting old and wearing out. (See the folded over side flap of the driver’s side visor.) 80,000 miles is in the range of ‘getting up there’. A manual transmission would increase the value. Taking off the targa top will introduce you to the phenomenon of cowl shake unless the frame has been braced. And finding matching sets of tires for the staggered fitment 17″ wheels can be a challenge.
OBO looks like it’s going to be the selling price.
Tire Rack ? no challenge finding tires there !
Overpriced, especially since Facebook Marketplace here in NH is full of C4 Corvettes right now.
Large money for a base C4.
A “non-base” C4 is a ZR-1.
I own a 1992 base corvette and it drives and handles just fine with and without the Targa top on (no cowl shake). I also found OEM wheels and tires (staggered) for my C4 corvette with no problems. Seems to me that the C4s get a bad rap from those who have not owned one and are just following here-say. Lastly any vehicle (including the corvette) that has high miles and/or hasn’t been taken care of will have issues, that includes Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, Mopar’s, etc.
I agree 100% with your statement, you could buy one of these with 100k that was well maintained and loved and have no problems or you could buy one with 30k with no maintenance pounded into the ground and have all kinds of problems, these C4s are pretty easy to see if they loved or not. I have no problem finding tires either, I also don’t have any problems with my roof off.
I owned a cream puff ’95 for 8 years. I loved that car, but with the targa top off the cowl shook. So I have some experience with the C4.
I have often defended the C4 in this forum and I still think they are a bargain. But not at the asking price for this one. I agree with Matt G & Frank Sumatra’s observations. I also agree with Keith regarding poorly maintained cars.
I wonder if there is a difference in higher mileage poorly maintained C4s and lower mileage ones, as far as cowl shake goes? I did notice a little difference with my targa top out on my 93 Ruby but nothing alarming. I’m getting ready to hit 34k on mine.
Wheels are from a ’96 Collector Edition.
First year of the LT1- beware of the non-vented Opti-Spark!
So did Corvettes in 92 come with a 4L60E, or was it still just the plain 4L60?
Well to answer my own question, as far as I can tell 92-93 Vettes came with the 4L60, which is basically a rebadged 700R4, complete with TV cable, speedometer gear etc, before switching to an electronically controlled 4L60E in 94, making for a two-year-only drivetrain combination.
Reference point- 1995,White over red, 6-speed, 45,000 mi, two owners, NCRS Top Flight, full documentation from original sale date. Purchased for $12,250 October 2019. In this time of economic distress and with the number of C4’s available, be very picky. You will be glad you did.
That was actually a pretty good price for a 6-speed even without the NCRS. Nice buy.
Thanks. If a buyer is not in a hurry there are plenty of nice later C4’s around. To my mind they are in the sweet spot right now. having owned an 84 (That was sold on these pages) I can verify the level of refinement in the 95-96 is an order of magnitude above the early C4’s. I have never cared for the C5 design and anything beyond C6 is just flat out more than I am willing to pay. I can only assume those who don’t have much good to say regarding the 95-96 model have never driven one.
I dont see how much personal economic distress would enter into the mix if you are looking to spend 10 K +/- for a pleasure vehicle. Yes times are financially bad for some but not all and if its bad for certain people they have no business buying a car that will most probably be a second car used for discretionary weekend cruises,,,,,,NO BUENO
I was thinking that there may be some financially squeezed sellers. If you can’t pay your rent you probably shouldn’t be thinking about buying a car,
CCFisher may be right about the wheels being from a ’96 Collector Edition. Definitely not ZR-1.
ZR-1 rear wheels have over an extra inch of width. That’s one reason the ZR’s have a 3 inch wider rear, which shows up at the back-up light area.
Driving my NEW black 1991 convertible 6 speed one night through Marathon in the Florida Keys after spending $3500 on engine improvements, I challenged a red coupe at a traffic light.
He showed me that I had not spent enough money!
Then saw in his dust that we was wider!!!
The lesson is, there is always someone with more money!
Referring to Matt G comment about the Opti-Spark I personally have owned four vehicles with the LT1 and haven’t had any issues. I currently own a 1992 Corvette and a 1994 Z28, both have no issues with the Opti-Spark. I also use to own a 1994 Caprice LT1 and a 1997 Z28 Camaro and those too had no Opti-Spark issues. I think the reason why the Opti-Spark get’s a bad rap is because they are a pain to access including the spark plugs & wires. Some mechanics won’t even work on the because of access issues.
Also I hear a lot of people talking about the LT1 having issues when the first came out in 1992, I can say that I have had no issues with my 1992 Corvette other than a oil pressure sensor going out.
Lastly I use to own a 1984 L83 Corvette and I can testify FOR SURE that my 1992 LT1 Corvette is a much more refined car compared to the 1984 model.
I have a friend who is trying to sell a black on black 1996 coupe for $4,500. Yeah, the yellow is a decent look for this car, but so is the black on black. If I were looking for a Corvette from this era, I think I would save $8,000 & buy my friends black on black car.
Have him call me. $4500? Has it been crushed? Does it have over a 1,000,000 miles on it? Something is very wrong.
It has high miles, but not outlandish (140,000). The leather is worn on the drivers seat. The optispark needs some maintenance, but I feel it runs & drives well enough. I believe it is worth more, and told him so. He is older & retired. He lives in an apartment without a garage, and needs the money & space more than a Corvette lol.
Email me your number. My email is “glod9170@aol.com”.