While not a favorite of everyone, this 1984 Corvette may finish up being a good project and good value for money. Of course, it also may not. Listed for sale here on eBay, this ‘Vette is located in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The car has a clean title and as of the time of writing bidding was sitting at $860 but the reserve hasn’t been met.
This car has one or two issues that need addressing. Some of these are only minor, while some may be more in-depth. The Corvette is going to need a coat of paint as things don’t look terribly flash in that department. The weather stripping has been replaced, so at least the car should be free of water leaks.
The seller doesn’t provide any shots of the engine, but here there is going to be more work to be done. A positive is that the car comes with these new tires, but they haven’t been fitted. It also sports a new fuel pump, battery and wipers. The bad news is that there is a problem that needs tracing as the car runs intermittently. It also needs a new gas cover and it may need a new clutch as it shifts roughly.
The interior doesn’t look all bad from what we can see. The seats appear to be in good order but the console doesn’t look brilliant. It’s hard to establish much else, but it does seem that it is fitted with an after-market stereo. What this Corvette will need is new carpet as it currently has none.
With bidding so low at the moment this could turn out to be a pretty reasonable project. A lot will depend on how high the reserve is. The thing that worries me the most is the fact that the car only runs intermittently. This might be something relatively simple like a bad earth. It could also be something quite expensive. Would you be willing to take the risk?
Oh Seller, just say plan on a new clutch at best and electrical work to sort out issues with the engine, radio, and interior light.
Why bother? if you want an 84 you can actually use and enjoy, there are a few out there such as this example for around $5000. The paint alone will cost that much on the subject car,
Exactly this. If you have the $5000 or so laying around, there are plenty of C4’s available in much better shape than this one. Besides, even though C4’s are lambasted by just about everyone, the 84 is truly the lowliest of the group. 1988 and newer are vastly improved and still won’t set you back much more than $5k.
I would have to question your assumption. I agree with the 1988 and above being an improved car, but I think you would have the same issue. A 1988 or above Corvette for around $5k, will probably have some areas needing attention and $$$.
No assumptions just working from personal experience. Agreed that any corvette of this era one buys you will want to put money aside for tires, brakes, and weather stripping right up front unless these have already been addressed. If one is really hankering for a C4 of this era I’d personally look for an 88 an up due to improved brakes, aluminum heads, etc. There are decent deals out there if this is your thing.
Still not convinced. Hagerty (Not the final word) says $6100 for a “good” condition 1988 coupe with $1000 added for transparent glass top and Z-51 suspension. Now we are looking at around $7000. Add in your tires,brakes, and weather stripping and you are right up against $9000. There is no such thing as a $5000 C4. I got very lucky three years ago and I bought mine from a fellow NCRS member. NCRS folks have a tendency to take good care of their cars.Good conversation, thanks.
Our experiences differ a bit I’m sure. I bought an 88 C4 recently. Targa Top, Z52 package, quick ratio steering, new Borla exhaust, factory Greenwood package. Nice visual condition overall other than needing the seats redone. I purchased it from the 2nd owner for $3800. I did tires, brakes, calipers, and weatherstrip along with a couple odds and ends. All told including title registration and everything I’m into it for $5,700. Now I will also say it depends on where you live. Here in the New York metro area there are c4 Corvettes all over the place. Out west where I’m originally from….not so much. So obviously that’s a factor as well. Definitely a good conversation and nice to see some different points of view! Have a good evening.
Very nice and well-bought! I’ll bet it also sounds great with the Borla exhaust. I’m upstate (Rochester) and C4’s are also a dime a dozen up here. You have a good evening as well.
I’m with Frank, spend a bit more and drive one now…rather than buying what appears to be someone else’s optimism.
I had an 85 Monte Carlo that would do this to me, and it wound up being the a bad wire connection in the wiring harness, drove me nuts for a couple of months to finally pinpoint the issue because it would not always act up, or miss.
That is why I like the older cars, before 80’s they were so easy to work on and figure out why they don’t run right.
Not sure why someone would buy new tires for a rig needing work like this one does. I think they would make more cash if they Ebayed the tires and threw in the car.
Absolutely! I think he’s got about $800 worth of rubber sitting there . Not too sure about the car.
In My NOT so HUMBLE Opinion…..
84 is the WORST Vette ever built!!!
I’ve Never liked the Cross Fire throttle body injection…. I have seen Many 1984 and 1985 Vettes with problems of the clear coat peeling. If i wanted one of that Ugly Body Style at least the 85 had the tuned port injection LT1 Engine. Which SERIOUSLY wasn’t ANY kind of Horsepower Monster!!!! I’d try to find a NEXT Generation Vette with an LS1 Engine!!! MUCH BETTER LQQKING Body and a LOT MORE HORSEPOWER!!!!!
It’s an L98 engine in the 1985. HAVE YOU EVER OWNED A C4? WHY DON’T YOU LIKE THE CROSS FIRE? ONE MORE THING- SWITCH TO DECAF BEFOE POSTING! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
I really like C4’s, but … this seems like a parts car to me, or a cheap project for a teenager. The tires alone are worth the money, but chasing electrical gremlins…. you often think you have it solved, and then they haunt you again.
“Cheap project” might be the oxymoron of the day.
Paid $3000 for an ’84 about 3 years ago. It had a brand new 383 (kept the Crossfire tho), rebuilt trans, new paint, new interior, new tires, and brand new acousti-mat install. Car had 409,000 miles on it, but was basically all new within the last few years. Yes, they do apparently last long…at the frame & body did.
Lots of good deals of all types in the C4 realm.
409,000 miles??? Did somebody not understand you are supposed to roll the mileage BACK?
It looks like it was stored in the sun with a nose bra on it.
Geez! When is the last time you saw a nose bra, Bro?
This morning I saw a 2007 Charger with a bra on it. Does that count?
Yes it does and you are now an official “Bra Bro” We now need to look for folks protecting the rear ends of their vehicles.
I think the black bras are obsolete now with the clear wrap people are using to protect the paint on the front of the car.
First off you have to put a gas cap on it to seal up the tank! Many cars will be trouble, and you find out it needs a gas cap to run right! Second of all I would never invest in a piece of glorified plastic car! Corvettes aren’t worth the money anyone wants for them such a waste! Lastly the bid is a little over &1600.00 at this time!
This one made it ALL the way up to $1775 and did not meet reserve.
IMO, the guy should have taken it and cut his losses.
The other day I saw a young kid jump into a C4 in about this same condition and peel out, happy as can be. It made me feel good to see one being enjoyed by someone younger than 50.
“The weather stripping has been replaced, so at least the car should be free of water leaks.”
Clearly the author isn’t very familiar with C4s. They leaked from the day they left the factory. Love mine, but they do have quirks that one needs to grow accustomed to.
There’s a guy down the street from me that has a C4 parked next to the house just wasting away. Every time I roll by in my C5 it just tears at me.
I told the wife if I had the spare jingle I would make a cash offer on it, bring it home and gut it then rebuild it as a 1/4 mile car. It’s too far gone for the street, not so much for the track if it’s done right.