Feedback on a 92 Corvette Hatch back coupe?

[Sigarms]

IMO the Corvette is a bad idea. All downside except for being Cool. And except for HS kids, it's not really a cool car. I hope common sense and economics win the day.

After he read up on some of the issues with the 92 model, he asked me today when I got home what I really thought.

I told him I didn't want to dash his dreams, but if he didn't have the 01 4 door honda for "back up" it was a bad buy IMO due to costs and when he could actually drive the car. He said Ok, he didn't want it. I was perplexed that he dropped it that fast. I asked him why he was going only by my opinion, and he said "well, you haven't been wrong about the other cars we looked at that I wanted so I'd be kind of dumb to ignore your advice". I was actually kind of proud he valued my opinion like that.

Big thanks to Cataclysm... My boy started talking about the opti spark and couldn't get over how bad of a design it was with all the potential issues. That really got his brain thinking...

I keep telling him he could do something I could never do... Enlist and buy 911

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

You have to be proud of your son! He makes good choices.....at least with this one.

 

[MossRoad]

After he read up on some of the issues with the 92 model, he asked me today when I got home what I really thought.

I told him I didn't want to dash his dreams, but if he didn't have the 01 4 door honda for "back up" it was a bad buy IMO due to costs and when he could actually drive the car. He said Ok, he didn't want it. I was perplexed that he dropped it that fast. I asked him why he was going only by my opinion, and he said "well, you haven't been wrong about the other cars we looked at that I wanted so I'd be kind of dumb to ignore your advice". I was actually kind of proud he valued my opinion like that.

Big thanks to Cataclysm... My boy started talking about the opti spark and couldn't get over how bad of a design it was with all the potential issues. That really got his brain thinking...

I keep telling him he could do something I could never do... Enlist and buy 911

WOW!

He'll find something else that's gonna be just as fun, just as cool, with less potential problems, if he keeps looking and researching.

 

[Sigarms]

WOW!

He'll find something else that's gonna be just as fun, just as cool, with less potential problems, if he keeps looking and researching.

I keep telling him he needs to buy his grandfathers car. He could easily afford a decent down payment, but he doesn't want the long term monthly payments (easiest credit department he'll ever work with though as I worked through the same credit department on my first car LOL). In all honesty, running the numbers for a long term car, it actually makes the most fiscal sense IMO for value and reliability.

Funny thing, one reason he tells me he doesn't want to buy his grandfathers car is he doesn't trust parking it at the high school parking lot next school year. I'm told him I was perplexed as to why he had a problem parking that car at the high school vs parking a corvette at the high school. Still haven't got a clear line of reasoning on that one LOL

Reality is he will probably enlist after high school, he doesn't think he'll want a car then, and I told him that's where he can really save.

I think he just wants something without his parents help and something he bought outright with his own money before he graduates. I get that. My point to him is right now he has the best of both worlds and with the way he handles his money, we don't mind.

This was the 4th car we've looked at (2 mustangs and the z4 beamer, all which required more up front costs service wise than he wanted to pay). His car looking is starting to wear me out LOL

Have to call the "corvette specialist" and cancel our appointment to look at the vehicle.

 

[Tomtint]

I have had more C4s than i can count right now.. somewhere between 8 or 10.. By 92 they were pretty well sorted out and reliable. I believe 92 was the first year of the LT motor which is a rock solid power plant rated at 300HP. the suspension was comfortable for long rides..Miles better than the 84-87 cars. Like all cars.. 100K miles can be nothing or it can be beat to hell depending on past care and maintenance. the drivers seat tends to show wear quickly on the outer bolster area. Suspension bushings tend to wear or dry out over the years as well. Last C4 I has was a 1996 Grand Sport coupe...Wish I never sold that one...

 

[polo1665]

After he read up on some of the issues with the 92 model, he asked me today when I got home what I really thought.

I told him I didn't want to dash his dreams, but if he didn't have the 01 4 door honda for "back up" it was a bad buy IMO due to costs and when he could actually drive the car. He said Ok, he didn't want it. I was perplexed that he dropped it that fast. I asked him why he was going only by my opinion, and he said "well, you haven't been wrong about the other cars we looked at that I wanted so I'd be kind of dumb to ignore your advice". I was actually kind of proud he valued my opinion like that.

Big thanks to Cataclysm... My boy started talking about the opti spark and couldn't get over how bad of a design it was with all the potential issues. That really got his brain thinking...

I keep telling him he could do something I could never do... Enlist and buy 911

Smart Kid.....and good advice from Dad.

 

[blee03]

With the 92 Corvette off of the list, maybe he might like something LS1 powered? Lots of options out there and the LS1 is rock solid as well.

Back in the day, waaaay before used car prices skyrocketed, I bought an 99 Corvette w/ 108k miles & 6 speed for 10k. Sweet ride for sure, it had a Magnaflow cat back and it would set off car alarms when downshifting in a parking lot. She was nasty... good times for sure. Great MPG, I miss that car...

 

[Sigarms]

With the 92 Corvette off of the list, maybe he might like something LS1 powered? Lots of options out there and the LS1 is rock solid as well.

Why would any 17 year old have the opportunity to buy ANY kind of Corvette?

My grand parents came off the boat in the US in the early 1900's without a pot to piss in.

My grandfather died before he was 50 working in the coal mines, my grandmother did what any woman would do back then when her husband died, married another man whose wife died, and they rasied 12 kids together. My "step" grandfather died before he was 60 due to gangrene working for the coal company as well.

My father taught me that the whole ideal of life is for your children to do better than yourself, and to sacrifice your life for your children's so they can do better.

Dad spent 25 years in the air force saving his money, my mom the same way (they married later in life).

When I see kids driving nice cars, I think "spoiled brats" .

THIS is what I tried to instilled into my boys. Never take anything for granted. NO one in this life owes you anything, not even your parents.

 

[MossRoad]

Why would any 17 year old have the opportunity to buy ANY kind of Corvette?

...

Because they were overpriced cars that depreciated rapidly!

(my apologies to all you Corvette lovers, but it's kinda true).

But seriously, back when I was just a year out of high school, around 1980-81, my best friend and 2 of his friends, all two years younger than me, so 17ish, each bought a used Corvette. Two were mid 60's and one was a 70s. They all worked so they all had the money. They were all a few thousand dollars at the time. All were a bit ratted out. (I've written about the one that ran his into an airplane).

Doesn't sound much different than your son's situation (except my 3 friends were drunk and disorderly). He works. He's got money. He wants a car. Now he has to balance practicality with enjoyment. Some of our young lives' earliest big decisions are car related.

Try not to focus on the fact that it's a Corvette so much and try to just think of it as that your son can afford 'a car'.

 

[JasperFrank]

Volvo V70R.

 

[Dftodd]

Volvo V70R.

I had to Google an image. But my first thought was you were recommending the generation 20 years prior to that model that was an elongated box.

 

[Sigarms]

Because they were overpriced cars that depreciated rapidly!

(my apologies to all you Corvette lovers, but it's kinda true).

It's all relative, and something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

I looked up me and my cousins Cuda we bought in the late 70's to work on together. I believe we paid like 1 grand for it and sold it for 4K and we're tickled pink. That car if sold brand new today, would run you $21,000.

I'm still sick of the thought of selling that 440 6 pack because you will NOT be buying one for 21K even if it looks brand new.

Heck, I looked at my old college car, a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlas Salon tonight just thinking perhaps I could find one at a reasonable price. Good luck Charlie.

Funny thing though... the 440 6 pack is only a couple tenths of second faster 0-60 than my dads Honda (I almost fell over dead when my son gave me his grandfathers cars rated times LOL). Yes, a Honda. I still have no clue why Honda discontinued their V6 coupe. It was my dads third one he bought as he loved it.

 

[MossRoad]

It's all relative, and something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

I looked up me and my cousins Cuda we bought in the late 70's to work on together. I believe we paid like 1 grand for it and sold it for 4K and we're tickled pink. That car if sold brand new today, would run you $21,000.

I'm still sick of the thought of selling that 440 6 pack because you will NOT be buying one for 21K even if it looks brand new.

Heck, I looked at my old college car, a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlas Salon tonight just thinking perhaps I could find one at a reasonable price. Good luck Charlie.

Funny thing though... the 440 6 pack is only a couple tenths of second faster 0-60 than my dads Honda (I almost fell over dead when my son gave me his grandfathers cars rated times LOL). Yes, a Honda. I still have no clue why Honda discontinued their V6 coupe. It was my dads third one he bought as he loved it.

You know, back in the late 70s you kinda had to work pretty hard to soup up a car to get 300hp out of it.

Our 2013 Impala rental car has 300hp, a 6 speed auto, is capable of over 150 if you delete the limiter and gets 29mpg on the highway at 75mph.

Yes, I'd rather be driving a 69-70 Nova with a 327 on a Friday night. However, I'd rather be driving the 2013 Impala as a daily driver. Very comfortable car that can merge to highway speeds effortlessly.

 

[Sigarms]

Yes, I'd rather be driving a 69-70 Nova with a 327 on a Friday night.

My definition of a "Friday night" has changed over the years LOL

That car had me wondering, called my cousin. He said my numbers were inflated from what he remembers.

 

[MossRoad]

My definition of a "Friday night" has changed over the years LOL

That car had me wondering, called my cousin. He said my numbers were inflated from what he remembers.

I was given my 70 Nova by my parents after it wore out.
I bought a 71 Nova for $500.
I was given a 73 four door Nova by a person that new I liked them and he no longer wanted it. He was just happy with the way I took care of his airplane over the years.
And I bought a 63 Nova for $900 and sold it for $1100.

Cars were cheap!

 

[Buggs67]

Best of luck to your son and you; this is not a great time to be buying a car, new or used.

 

[DGZRT]

What about a Subaru WRX or is this a classic car search. You can get the tamed down version or the STI that kicks butt. AWD is far safer lol !
Buy the way I love the car just not the Huge exhaust kids put on them . My buddy had one and it was Hoot to drive .

Alternative: Volkswagon GTI turbo. Very much a sleeper car .