What is the general opinion about the value of 1980s model corvettes? They tend to be on the resale market in the 8k to 15k range for good conditio, resemble mileage cars. Would seem there is a good long term intrinsic value play on America's classic sports car.

I think a C4 ZR-1 is where the "value" is. They have to be near the bottom of the depreciation curve and headed back up soon

Great for keeping doors open

C4s are the nadir of the Corvette. Even late C3s have the cachet of swoopy lines, the 70s vibe, and even though emissions choked, are the last of the analog, carb generation.

C4s are dull looking, with terrible interiors, and all the negatives of cheap plastics, weak paint, and fiberglass.

I think C5s will do better in the long term -- but both gens are going to be "used cars" for a long time.

Other than ZR1 or Grand Sports, there is not much collectibility there, and there are better models at comparable price points.

Much like Tommy Bahama, the worst thing about Corvettes is the people that buy Corvettes.

That said I'd love to have a c3 for just that reason.

And I remember being a kid and just being blown away by when the C4's came out. And then being a 20 something and having the same feeling with the c5 and then again with c6 and then again with c7.

The 1984 c4 had the most issues, which is no surprise, and the weakest engine of the c4 series. 1985 had a horsepower upgrade, and 1987 as well. On the values published by some websites, the 1984 c4 is the cheapest (for good reason). The 1985 model is intriguing as it is barely above 84 values but with better performance. I agree that zr1 is probably the long term classic of the 80s and 90s vettes. What I find compelling is that gen x is entering the discretionary wealth years and they grew up with the 80s vettes era. Only see them going up in value from here.

here you go. '91 ZR-1 for sale on BaT

Digital dash and a CEEDEE PLAYER

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-chevrolet-corvette-21/

That is just sad. 22k miles. I just don't get that about owners of cars like this. The odds of you owning THE car from that generation (popultaion generation, not car model generation) that is going to sky rocket in price enough to justify not enjoying it and paying 20-40 years of storage/insurance/ownership costs to end up with a low milage car is probably lower than buying lottery tickets.

I mean if you invested that $60k in 1991 into mutual funds you would have a **** ton (about $350k) more money that this car, that you never got to enjoy, is worth today. And never mind the 27 years of ownership costs that could have been invested as well.

I completely get buying fun cars to use and enjoy. I could never wrap my head around the "bought it as a collector car and I never drive it" mindset.

Flaith said:

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I think a C4 ZR-1 is where the "value" is. They have to be near the bottom of the depreciation curve and headed back up soon

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Facts

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2016/10/31/corvette-zr-1

I can't speak to value as I don't look at vehicles for their value per se. But in my view, the '80s were probably the worst decade for the Corvette. I liked the '84 redesign look, but the internals are less than impressive. The bottom line is if I wanted a C3, I'd get an early '70s; if I wanted a C4, I'd get a '90s. There MAY be an exception here and there, but that's my general rule. I'm not a hard core 'vette guy, though.

I do remember going in to Van Chevrolet in 1997 and they had a c4 sitting next to a C5 inside the show room. Both new and untitled..
Sales guy asked me what it would take for me to get to C4. I said I'd seriously consider it for 30 grand. He looked at me shocked and said that's a $50,000 car. I corrected him and said "that was a $50,000 car. The $37,000 car sitting next to it that's faster and better looking, says it isn't worth $35k"

the last of the bohemians said:

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What I find compelling is that gen x is entering the discretionary wealth years and they grew up with the 80s vettes era. Only see them going up in value from here.

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I would disagree about gen x growing up seeing/wanting c4 vettes. The curvy c3 were the ones you still saw and wanted during the 80s. Maybe true of some of the oldest gen y/millennials who were growing up in the 90s though. There's a lot more of them (gen y) than genx, though so you may be right, just a few years early.

I also dont think the genx with money for fun cars would look to vettes in general over more classic 60s/70s muscle, or hipster 80s Benz or BMW, or late 80s early 90s square truck, or just buying fun new sports cars/luxury cars.

I've been thinking about the late 70s 80s box trucks as well. Very popular in small town high schools back then, so nostalgia could kick in for those. The 80s beamers, benz, and jags weren't very reliable, seems like a headache with future repairs and parts to go that route

C3 vettes were so long in the tooth by the 80's and made so poorly compared the chrome bumper C3's (MADE IN 60's!?!?!?!)

I don't see value in C3's other than early years.

For a C4 I would only get late models ones with lt1 and ZF manual. The C4 grand sports would be great. But probably wildest would be a callaway twin turbo vette.

Otherwise, get what you like.

the last of the bohemians said:

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I've been thinking about the late 70s 80s box trucks as well. Very popular in small town high schools back then, so nostalgia could kick in for those. The 80s beamers, benz, and jags weren't very reliable, seems like a headache with future repairs and parts to go that route

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Fair point. I dont really know jack about those cars but that reminds me of the car teenage/early 20s me told myself I would get someday - a mid 90s 300zx. Present day me has zero desire to mess with the electronics/wiring/etc of a mid 90s car 25 yrs later.

expresswrittenconsent said:

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the last of the bohemians said:

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I've been thinking about the late 70s 80s box trucks as well. Very popular in small town high schools back then, so nostalgia could kick in for those. The 80s beamers, benz, and jags weren't very reliable, seems like a headache with future repairs and parts to go that route

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Fair point. I dont really know jack about those cars but that reminds me of the car teenage/early 20s me told myself I would get someday - a mid 90s 300zx. Present day me has zero desire to mess with the electronics/wiring/etc of a mid 90s car 25 yrs later.

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The problem at least with the first two is that there's just so damn much rubber in the engine bay. The CIS cars are a real pain in the ass to troubleshoot and keep running right because so many parts cause the same symptoms and there are a herd of small 'computers' about the size of a deck of cards with through hole components that weren't always soldered very well. Also the stupid CIS fuel mixture screw that someone will have messed with to try and get the car to run right when the problem was something else. When they switched to Motronic things got a hell of a lot more reliable and easier to deal with when something needs attention.

Electronics in early-mid '90s cars are very easy to deal with. My old daily driver was a late '80s 944 that I took to 185K and my current one is a '92 Volvo 960 at about 205K. The only wiring-related issue has been with a single connector at the transmission that I had to replace, otherwise a pair of capacitors for the speedometer that are well known to be bad quality. I wouldn't let that aspect scare you. When it comes to the Z32 what would get me is the lack of space to do anything. If I bought one without papers I'd mentally start planning a future engine out service to tackle all the seals, rubber, and o-rings in there.

the last of the bohemians said:

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The 1984 c4 had the most issues, which is no surprise, and the weakest engine of the c4 series. 1985 had a horsepower upgrade, and 1987 as well. On the values published by some websites, the 1984 c4 is the cheapest (for good reason). The 1985 model is intriguing as it is barely above 84 values but with better performance. I agree that zr1 is probably the long term classic of the 80s and 90s vettes. What I find compelling is that gen x is entering the discretionary wealth years and they grew up with the 80s vettes era. Only see them going up in value from here.

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Tough to say. 80's and early 90's vettes were not performance standouts. Prior to smog regs and insurance cracking down, the Corvette was the lightest car with the best brakes and suspension that could be modified for power with all the same tricks that applied to muscle cars. That gave them an aura in gearheads minds. Once performance dropped off, it was a long slog before enthusiasts could afford a newer Corvette that would run with an SBC powered RWD modified anything lighter than a van. They became cars owned by old men that waxed them then they passed along through the secondary market until the digital dash failed and then parked or scrapped.

You could spend tons of money restoring it back to original, but (apart from the ZR1) you would have invested triple its value to have something relatively slow by modern standards. As a gearhed X'er that came of age in the 80's 90's, even if it were for the same money, I'd prefer a Fox body Mustang or third gen F-body.

Oops DP

In the early 80's, the 9th grade Aggiedata would somehow get to the local Chevy dealer just to just in the Corvette on the showroom floor and dream about getting one. Probably a lot longer than I should have been allowed. The other day, I uncovered a bunch of old Corvette marketing material from the dealer. Brings back fond memories of a car crazy youth. Never got one, but the appeal is still there, even if the car didn't hold it's end of the bargain over time.

aggiedata said:

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In the early 80's, the 9th grade Aggiedata would somehow get to the local Chevy dealer just to just in the Corvette on the showroom floor and dream about getting one. Probably a lot longer than I should have been allowed. The other day, I uncovered a bunch of old Corvette marketing material from the dealer. Brings back fond memories of a car crazy youth. Never got one, but the appeal is still there, even if the car didn't hold it's end of the bargain over time.

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Agreed. Early eighties Goose was preteen/early-teen Goose, and he thought the C3 Stingray was sexy as hell. Current day Goose still agrees with him.

Goose said:

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aggiedata said:

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In the early 80's, the 9th grade Aggiedata would somehow get to the local Chevy dealer just to just in the Corvette on the showroom floor and dream about getting one. Probably a lot longer than I should have been allowed. The other day, I uncovered a bunch of old Corvette marketing material from the dealer. Brings back fond memories of a car crazy youth. Never got one, but the appeal is still there, even if the car didn't hold it's end of the bargain over time.

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Agreed. Early eighties Goose was preteen/early-teen Goose, and he thought the C3 Stingray was sexy as hell. Current day Goose still agrees with him.

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"I like cars" young chimp liked these a lot as well, but I was only 7 when the C4 came out. About 10 years ago, delusional gearhead chimp actually bought an '81 project Corvette because it was cheaper than a Nova in equivalent condition. Somewhat less delusional gearhead chimp now knows why the market values the Nova more dearly.

There is nothing that damned car won't fight you on. You name the component, and I'll name a reason why it is harder to fix on the Corvette than it would otherwise be on another vehicle.

Agree on the look though, they are Tawney Kitaen* rendered in SMC.

*whatever that means to you, it applies to late C3's.

Goose said:

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aggiedata said:

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In the early 80's, the 9th grade Aggiedata would somehow get to the local Chevy dealer just to just in the Corvette on the showroom floor and dream about getting one. Probably a lot longer than I should have been allowed. The other day, I uncovered a bunch of old Corvette marketing material from the dealer. Brings back fond memories of a car crazy youth. Never got one, but the appeal is still there, even if the car didn't hold it's end of the bargain over time.

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Agreed. Early eighties Goose was preteen/early-teen Goose, and he thought the C3 Stingray was sexy as hell. Current day Goose still agrees with him.

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My brother's GF, now my SIL had an 81 vette at A&M & after. Looked cool but the few times I drove it I thought it felt like a boat and not as fun to drive as my slow dropped 94 civic 5 speed.

I still like the chrome bumper models.

Gen X has already started "voting" on impact-bumper era nostalgia cars from our youth, and C4s aren't remotely in it -- yet. If ever.

- Porsches -- 911s, 16 Candles 944s, Risky Business 928s -- pretty much everything Porsche

- Ferraris -- Magnum PI 308s, along with every other Ferrari, with only the Weird Science Mondial still slightly lagging. But only slightly

- Smokey & the Bandit Trans Ams -- these have already peaked.

- RX7s -- less than the other above, but there is a solid enthusiast market for these

- Fox Body Mustangs -- cause they were attainable and fast, like the RX7, and to a lesser extent Z-Cars -- which are more chrome bumper-era than 80s.

- Mercedes SLs -- the wealthy 80s "hot moms" drove the 560SLs, so maybe Gen X dudes are buying them for their wives -- but these have seriously appreciated since the recession -- much moreso than the punier 380SL or the 70s-era 450SLs.

- Jeep Wagoneers -- fake wood paneling is the new hotness; cherokees are following

Cars that have lagged:
C4s
280/300ZX
post-81 Camaros
KITT Trans Ams
Fieros -- the few that haven't been converted to horrible Ferrari clones


Cars on the move:
Toyota Supras -- the 90s versions never depreciated; the 80s are coming up
Jag XJS -- these have started to come up in value
E30 BMWs -- the M3s took off 10 years ago; the rest are starting to follow
MB190 2.3-16 -- Baby Benz is following the M3 upmarket
VW GTIs -- the series I cars are moving fast; the rest will likely follow, including the few Rabbit Cabs that weren't driven to dust
Volvos -- the "brick" Volvos, especially with manuals, are appreciating

Trinity Ag said:

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Gen X has already started "voting" on impact-bumper era nostalgia cars from our youth, and C4s aren't remotely in it -- yet. If ever.

- Mercedes SLs -- the wealthy 80s "hot moms" drove the 560SLs, so maybe Gen X dudes are buying them for their wives -- but these have seriously appreciated since the recession -- much moreso than the punier 380SL or the 70s-era 450SLs.


Cars on the move:
Volvos -- the "brick" Volvos, especially with manuals, are appreciating

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Wanna buy my 560SL?

I'm picking up my '92 brick Volvo from the shop this afternoon. I'd love to have a 5 speed in that thing... with an LS in front of it.

1. There will be collectors who want to own every generation of their personal favorite (whether it is mustang, camaro, corvette, etc). 2. I believe that basic economics kicks in and once the primary collector cars of an era have made big price moves, then value hunters look for the next best thing and if it has lagged in value... kind of like real estate and other assets

the last of the bohemians said:

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1. There will be collectors who want to own every generation of their personal favorite (whether it is mustang, camaro, corvette, etc). 2. I believe that basic economics kicks in and once the primary collector cars of an era have made big price moves, then value hunters look for the next best thing and if it has lagged in value... kind of like real estate and other assets

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On #1, there may be some, but probably not enough to drive prices across the board. Those people don't look at prices much.

On #2, that's a dynamic to watch, though I don't know if prices move enough to turn them into investments. If you like the hobby and have fun with it, it's a good way to minimize your losses, but as far as making money, I'm skeptical.

I think I remember you finally posted some pics, did you?

I kinda want to get a 560SL but I've found that building a custom house isn't for the faint of heart or wallet.

I regret selling my Grand Wagoneer.

I always thought a C3 with an LS1 conversion would be awesome!

vansprinkle said:

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I always thought a C3 with an LS1 conversion would be awesome!

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One of my friends is doing this but not sure which LS he's building for it. A lifelong gear head and composite expert...he's lightened the fat fiberglass body substantially while adding a better drivetrain and suspension, carbon brakes from a modern Vette, etc.

Owned a Woody Wagoneer and a Cherokee Chief - dam I wish I still had them both! To this day the Wagoneer is my favorite car I've ever owned. Great ride, tons of room, plenty of get up and go, great in the snow - if you could afford to fill the tank there has never been anything better.

You dont want to know what I sold them for back in the day......

Aero95 said:

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vansprinkle said:

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I always thought a C3 with an LS1 conversion would be awesome!

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One of my friends is doing this but not sure which LS he's building for it. A lifelong gear head and composite expert...he's lightened the fat fiberglass body substantially while adding a better drivetrain and suspension, carbon brakes from a modern Vette, etc.

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Brakes, suspension, and drivetrain would seem like a must if adding any power to those things. Would be sweet to have about 500 hp in one with some reliability and safe driveability.

vansprinkle said:

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Aero95 said:

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vansprinkle said:

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I always thought a C3 with an LS1 conversion would be awesome!

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One of my friends is doing this but not sure which LS he's building for it. A lifelong gear head and composite expert...he's lightened the fat fiberglass body substantially while adding a better drivetrain and suspension, carbon brakes from a modern Vette, etc.

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Brakes, suspension, and drivetrain would seem like a must if adding any power to those things. Would be sweet to have about 500 hp in one with some reliability and safe driveability.

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It would seem like if you are going to change the motor, engine, suspension, and body, one might consider starting with a better platform.

Or at least a better looking one with a nice interior.

Like a C3....