Bargain basement used performance.

I think I've come to the conclusion that the C4 Corvette the best bargain basement performance car out there right now. But I need some second opinions.

Having never driven one and only making arm chair assessments, the numbers for this car are kind of ridiculous when you compare the LT1/ZF cars to others in it's price range.

Speaking of price, I can get an LT1/6 speed equipped C4 for under six grand in my area. What else is out there for that price that is a close to the LT1 C4 power level, manual equipped, rear wheel drive coupe and comes with an IRS in the back? Let's make a list, don't worry, it's a short one.

• E36 M3 Coupe
• Z32 300ZX Turbo
• 350Z

Umm.. I think that's it. See I told you it wasn't a long list. Let's compare those to the C4 and see who comes up on top.

Going strictly by the numbers the C4 wins, not by much, but still..

• C4 - 300HP, 340 lb-ft torque, 3309lbs curb weight. = 11.03 LBS/HP
• E36 M3 - 240HP, 225 lb-ft torque, 3219lbs curb weight = 13.41 LBS/HP
• Z32 TT - 300HP, 283 lb-ft torque, 3373lbs curb weight = 11.24 LBS/HP
• 350Z - 287HP, 274 lb-ft torque, 3225lbs curb weight = 11.23 LBS/HP

So if my numbers are right, and if you add in parts costs/maintenance schedule/ I think the C4 still comes out on top from all the forum posts I've read.

I personally like the way it looks and don't have an issue with the interior quality for the price. So am I wrong? Did I miss a car that should be on the list. Discuss.

uhh, you can get z32 + turbo + manual for 6k in your neighborhood? last I checked (though admittedly not that often do I check those) they were closer to 10k.

The 350z cousin infinity might be in the game too, though it should have very similar numbers.

It would be hard for me to justify looking at a 6k c4 though and not also consider the 10k c5, or the 12k c5zo6. I know I know, more expensive, but look at how much more you get! for a 2k c4 though, I don't think it can be beat.

Cheap miata and cheap boost?

You and I have been thinking along the same lines. I know that the early ones had digital dashes. Did that ever go away?

icaneat50eggs wrote: Cheap miata and cheap boost?

I think a $6K C4 is going to be way more reliable than a cheaply boosted Miata, plus it's a convertible not a coupe, and I hate the way they look. So no, no Miatas.

Woody wrote: You and I have been thinking along the same lines. I know that the early ones had digital dashes. Did that ever go away?

The original digi-dash that looked like this only lasted through 1989:

it was replaced in 1990 with this: That later "semi-digital" dash went through the end of C4 production, so its in all LT1 cars.

(I prefer the earlier dash, but then again I'm a weirdo who prefers L98 C4's)

$12,000 C5ZO6?

At least around here, a $6k E36 with MT is going to need mucho TLC before it's a decent track ride.

I have zero idea how any of those other chassis handle.

Trans Am with some money thrown to hotchkis would be my go to. Once you get them stiffened up they are great cars for the track.

I think c4s are great if you can stand to be in them. If all it's for is going fast and/or racing, then sure.

But if i want to drive it on the street and enjoy it i'm coughing up the extra for a C5. Especially since i already know i can do a C5 rear main seal in my driveway and replace the oil pressure sender without taking the intake off.

Are Z-28's with an LS getting that low? Firebird Formula (lighter T/A)?

Maybe a 240SX with the SR20 swap and some upgrades? RX-7 swapped with Ford or Chevy V-8 power? No Mustangs b/c IRS.

The C4 body id definitely starting to grow on me (the dash and interior, not so much).

CobraSpdRH wrote: Are Z-28's with an LS getting that low? Firebird Formula (lighter T/A)? Maybe a 240SX with the SR20 swap and some upgrades? RX-7 swapped with Ford or Chevy V-8 power? No Mustangs b/c IRS. The C4 body id definitely starting to grow on me (the dash and interior, not so much).

Clarify, you disallowed the Mustang because it has a stick axle, but let in the Z28 and Firebird?

For the track, it probably doesn't matter either way.

You are correct, they are the bargain winner with those criteria. I see a lot of crack pipe priced C4 Corvettes too. $12k for an 89 with an automatic?!? Really? I've only found one LT1 C4 for less than $8,000 in my occasional Corvette browsing.

wearymicrobe wrote: Trans Am with some money thrown to hotchkis would be my go to. Once you get them stiffened up they are great cars for the track.

I thought those had a solid Rear Axle, not IRS?

When did they get the LT1?

Appleseed wrote: $12,000 C5ZO6?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/661861459/overview/

http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/1G1YY12S525126143-used-2002-chevrolet-corvette-z06--las-vegas

I know these are sometimes scammy at the bottom price range, but here are two separate examples.

tuna55 wrote:

CobraSpdRH wrote: Are Z-28's with an LS getting that low? Firebird Formula (lighter T/A)? Maybe a 240SX with the SR20 swap and some upgrades? RX-7 swapped with Ford or Chevy V-8 power? No Mustangs b/c IRS. The C4 body id definitely starting to grow on me (the dash and interior, not so much).

Clarify, you disallowed the Mustang because it has a stick axle, but let in the Z28 and Firebird? For the track, it probably doesn't matter either way.

Was thinking those were IRS compared to the Mustang but stand corrected. Wasn't there an older Cobra that was IRS? Not sure if it would come in under $6k.

CobraSpdRH wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

CobraSpdRH wrote: Are Z-28's with an LS getting that low? Firebird Formula (lighter T/A)? Maybe a 240SX with the SR20 swap and some upgrades? RX-7 swapped with Ford or Chevy V-8 power? No Mustangs b/c IRS. The C4 body id definitely starting to grow on me (the dash and interior, not so much).

Clarify, you disallowed the Mustang because it has a stick axle, but let in the Z28 and Firebird? For the track, it probably doesn't matter either way.

Was thinking those were IRS compared to the Mustang but stand corrected. Wasn't there an older Cobra that was IRS? Not sure if it would come in under $6k.

There was. It wouldn't. And like I said, I doubt it would matter at all for the intended usage.

IndyJoe wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: Trans Am with some money thrown to hotchkis would be my go to. Once you get them stiffened up they are great cars for the track.

I thought those had a solid Rear Axle, not IRS?

They do but its not a detriment if you are going to be modifying the car. You can make them dance, just costs $ that most Trans Am guys would rather spend on heads and cam.

you can find these things cheap already modified.

Robbie wrote:

Appleseed wrote: $12,000 C5ZO6?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/661861459/overview/ I know these are sometimes scammy at the bottom price range...

Exterior Color: Yellow

Robbie wrote: uhh, you can get z32 + turbo + manual for 6k in your neighborhood? last I checked (though admittedly not that often do I check those) they were closer to 10k.

You are right, though they do pop up form time to time down here. I just looked and I didn't find any. Though the TT swap is pretty well documented and not overly costly, I think you could pick up a clean N/A and do the swap and keep it all under 6 grand. Here's a sample of what I did find for the other cars though.

Woody wrote:

Robbie wrote:

Appleseed wrote: $12,000 C5ZO6?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/661861459/overview/ I know these are sometimes scammy at the bottom price range...

Exterior Color: Yellow

Yeah, it says no photo and its using a stock photo.

back to the original topic, I will say that with 6k budget, you are actually probably getting one of the BEST examples of a c4, and with the other cars, you are looking at some of the lower end of the scale. So that is another benefit going to the c4 in this shootout.

In reply to Woody:

To be fair, that is also not a Z06. Lots of dealers will list a car with stock photos if they don't have something handy.

I do think the C4 is a performance bargain; even a 6-speed L98 car offers a lot of bang for the buck. It's just a shame the interior, ingress/egress and (from what I hear) servicing are so awful.

Also, I know everyone here hates C&D but they actually compared the 300ZXTT and C4 when both were new. It's an interesting read if nothing else.

http://m.caranddriver.com/comparisons/1991-chevrolet-corvette-z51-fx3-vs-nissan-300zx-archived-comparison-test