Any 91-96 Vette owners out here?

68 327 4spd · Poncho Master!

Any 91-96 Vette owners out here?

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Yes a 1993 Corvette Convertible.

Was introduced to the forum on this thread:

https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t65471002/i-got-something-and-i-think-its-pretty-nice/

As detailed in that thread this was an impulse buy, I fully expected to drive it for one season then flip it, but that is not going to happen.

I have driven this car daily since June 1st and I drive it into downtown Toronto every rush hour, many trips to Georgian Bay and just shopping out for dinner whatever, its my daily car and my Cadillac DTS has been parked. I'm considering buying a hardtop for it to extend the driving season.

I really love this car, it has every feature and luxury that my Cadillacs have and I am more than impressed with the ride and of course handling is outstanding. Every car I drive now feels like a heap of trash, they all seem so loose and sloppy. I don't drive the car like a fool and in fact almost every time I drive it someone will honk their horn at me because I'm either going too slow or being too cautious. I just enjoy driving this finely built car. I absolutely love the transmission in this car and I sought out an automatic on purpose. The 700R4 delivers astonishing fuel consumption on the highway at speed it is not uncommon to see 7 L / 100 km, My Cadillac with the same 300 HP is lucky to get 10 L / 100 km, so this is a nice bonus for me. My neighbour has a 6 speed C4 and he told me he has never had it in 6th gear. Top speed is said to be 173 mph. I really had no preference in the engine when buying the car but I was happy to get the LT1, its rated at 300 HP and 340 torque which is more than plenty to get you in a heap of trouble. The LT5 is not available in the convertible so that was moot. I do not recommend disabling the traction control especially on wet surfaces. You can easily swerve this car into a circle and it will chirp rubber right up to the 3rd gear shift. I scared myself once and that is that, traction control on always. The car is very fast and the small block pulls very hard when you put your foot in it. The fastest I have driven the car was by complete mistake on an on ramp to the 401 I was doing 156 kph before even getting on the highway. That was the first time I merged the car onto the highway so I mashed it but it is not necessary to do that as you can easily get up to highway speed by just wiggling your toe on the accelerator.

On the down side it is very hard getting in an out and I say this with respect especially for some of the ladies I have taken in the car, it really is not skirt or dress friendly. My car is stock exhaust and its a bit loud for some passengers, My son tells me he can hear me coming home blocks away. It does wear on you on long hauls, but hey, its a Corvette.

Things to look for are the sun visors, bad design and they flop around, if you find one that does not great. Parts are $90 and still available. Outer door window seals, bad design, usually missing or all cracked up. Part still available at dealer for $158 each side $60 USD pr. at Eckler's Corvette, Steering columns are often loose and wobbling because drivers use steering wheel to hoist themselves out of car, I'd avoid one if the column is doing this. Optispark has been a problem as with all LT1 engines although replacements are much improved. I am now a stickler for DOT dates on tires so check those more than 5 years old and you are looking at changing tires. Tires are still available in original sizes but are likely special order as the car came with staggered wheels and tires.

Be prepared for a lot of compliments and questions when driving, the car attracts a lot of attention every time I drive it. being a convertible people will start conversations with me from the side walk or adjacent cars, thumbs up and hollers and of course there is the Corvette Code, you have to perfect your cool guy wave and nod when meeting another Corvette regardless of vintage on the road.

-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 9th of September 2019 02:40:03 PM

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

A friend has a C-5 Vette. At least it started out as one.

-- Edited by Prefectca on Monday 9th of September 2019 05:34:55 PM

Bill shuba · Guru

had a 86..prob with VATS ,interior issues ect,ect tires speacial order from quebec ect..they say the 90's are better but had my fun with vettes...I think haha !!

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I wouldn't mind one just for the driving experience.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Todd, of course no one can put themselves in your place however I will say that the precision of steering and handling and the completely solid feel of the Corvette gives you total confidence in driving the car. When you add in a powerful V8 it is to me one of the most pleasing driving experiences. I remembered an article in Super Chevy at the link here:

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vemp-1008-1970-gm-350-small-block-engine/

It is a comparison of the 1970 LT-1 rated at 370 HP and the 91-96 LT1 rated at 300 HP. What the test revealed was that the 1970 engine was OVER rated and the 91-96 engine was UNDER rated. In the controlled test the two engines' out puts were nearly identical at 353 and 350 HP.

-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 10th of September 2019 12:36:50 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I love LT1's, I mean the 90's version.

I'm not an LS guy, even though our G8 6.0 litre is tons of fun.

There's something about those LT1's...

Magician40 · Poncho Master!

Love Corvettes, have four in my collection and drive them all. My 88 red coupe does double duty cause it also runs through the winter. Put 15 inch Hankook winter tires on Z28 rims and the car works awesome in the snow. Removed the center front spoiler and lift the headlights up. I rust proof it and with four winters on it I seldom use my 05 Bonneville GXP now. You are right Ray with the short wheelbase traction can be limited so traction control and ABS are always on. On replacement parts, I have done intake manifold gaskets, inner and outer rear drive universals. They are tough cars, overbuilt and you will be surprised by the good gas mileage. They are not everyone's transportation.

Brian

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

4SPEED427 wrote:
I love LT1's, I mean the 90's version.

I'm not an LS guy, even though our G8 6.0 litre is tons of fun.

There's something about those LT1's...

The sales brochure for my car makes the claim that the LT1 in the 40th Anniversary Corvette is the most powerful small block ever made. So that was up to 1993 at the time of publication. That Super Chevy comparison seems to bear out that claim. It is a great engine Carl.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Magician40 wrote:
Love Corvettes, have four in my collection and drive them all. My 88 red coupe does double duty cause it also runs through the winter. Put 15 inch Hankook winter tires on Z28 rims and the car works awesome in the snow. Removed the center front spoiler and lift the headlights up. I rust proof it and with four winters on it I seldom use my 05 Bonneville GXP now. You are right Ray with the short wheelbase traction can be limited so traction control and ABS are always on. On replacement parts, I have done intake manifold gaskets, inner and outer rear drive universals. They are tough cars, overbuilt and you will be surprised by the good gas mileage. They are not everyone's transportation.

Brian

Of course you would drive it in the winter, and for those who don't know Brian lives in Barrie one of the snowiest parts of Southern Ontario.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

No idea what happened with this thread or if 68 327 4speed is serious about buying one, but I found what I consider to be an excellent car and asking price tonight. with two tops this is a real good find. The hardtop on a convertible gives it a really different look much like a later Z06, stiffens up the car, adds quietness, extends driving season and it was a something like a $1,700 option in 1993. It's like having two different Corvettes for the price of one. Low kms too and triple black is really nice.

https://www.autotrader.ca/ico/chevrolet/corvette/port%20robinson/ontario/19_11236384_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_15_66&pc=M4J%204P2&sprx=100

-- Edited by 73SC on Sunday 29th of September 2019 12:56:03 AM

68 327 4spd · Poncho Master!

I've looked at a couple of these too, some ruff and some nice. funny I can get a much newer Vette for my budget than an SS. While the Vette is nice,newer,more power than a SS. I really like the looks of the SS,But than again......A Vette is a Vette. Isn't that every little boys dream?

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Brian, I've had both cars you are interested in and I don't know you or what you want but for me the Monte Carlo SS was and is one of my favourite cars I've ever owned. It was a great choice for my stage of life, two babies in car seats a good size sedan with trunk and it was a well regarded nameplate with higher than base level accouterments. I had what I will phrase as a junior level executive position at the time and it sure ruffled the feathers in the reserved parking lot among the BMW's Volvos Saabs and the like at that time. For the time the L69 4 speed auto setup was a hot setup in a car like that, its profile was bang on for what Chevy wanted to accomplish and it was a major head turner. Performance was on par with base level 60's muscle cars all you have to do is check our a 69 Chevelle SS396 or 65 GTO to see the numbers are very close.

The C4 Corvette you are looking at is the most affordable of Corvettes, yet I have been told by some Corvette die hards that its one of the best handling Corvettes and its price in held lower due to the large frame structure in mid door height that makes it very hard to get in and out. For the time the car was the fastest you could get from Detroit, its still very quick and fast but I think you'd have to really be on you game if you wanted to leave say a new Maxima behind,. not sure you could, but suffice to say 0-60 in the 5 second range is plenty quick and a quarter mile dipping into the 13's at 100+ mph is what super cars can do. The corvette for me is a huge surprise, all the appointments and features of a Cadillac inside and tremendous enjoyment and fun to drive. I use it as my commuter car and everyday car, going to cottage, going to dinner, going on errands. I never go out without someone or everybody talking to me or waving about the car. I bought it at age 61 basically on a whim intending to keep it one season but I love it so much I'm thinking about getting another so I've been looking mildly at C3 and C5 cars.

Tough choice for you but I'll side with the Corvette.

68 327 4spd · Poncho Master!

While my Beaumont is fun to drive,it's loud,smells and is hot( black on Black no Ac). All things us car guys don't mind. But would be nice to have something with Ac and more traffic friendly. Power isn't a must but sound of a V8 is nice. Looking for something that wife and I could go out in for dinner,yet still nice enough that could drop in to a cruise night. We are definitely 80's kids lol. so love the flashy look of the SS. While doesn't need to be mint,still must look nice going down the road. Hence why not interested in high dollar low low km garage queen SS. A 91-96 Vette is a nice cruising car too other than little harder to get in and out of. Funny how the car that's 10yrs older half the power is almost twice the price.

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

One thing to consider is space too if you want to an odd road trip. I had a Vette when I got married and it was fun but I had room for 2 pairs of socks and a tie which I dont ever wear. I had a luggage rack for suit cases so in our honeymoon down the California coast each time you stop even to eat its throw the suit cases in the car and then drag em out again. Maybe the newer ones have trunks but I like my old car where I can throw in my golf clubs, hockey gear and a couple chairs all at once. Rode in an 18 Vette a few weeks ago and its alright once youre in but Im much more comfortable in my pickup. Id go for the Monte.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

How about something like this?

CLICK HERE

CTSV caddilac hurst equipped 6 speed with Z06 corvette 5.7L engine ...full kooks headers and full magna flow exhaust ...DVD player 6 disc cd changer 156,000km on car, its in mint shape, 4 brand new tires, oil changed every 5000km well maintained views apon request, no low ballers please! $12500

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I considered the CTS V as well. Most I looked at had been modified and flogged, flogged regularly and hard. You can't get into cruise night with one either, but you definitely get Corvette goodies and performance.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
How about something like this?
CLICK HERE
CTSV caddilac hurst equipped 6 speed with Z06 corvette 5.7L engine ...full kooks headers and full magna flow exhaust ...DVD player 6 disc cd changer 156,000km on car, its in mint shape, 4 brand new tires, oil changed every 5000km well maintained views apon request, no low ballers please! $12500

I'd give up my G8 in a heartbeat for that car with the 6 speed. Unfortunately my wife's physical limitations make a manual trans difficult for her to drive, and usually I drive the truck, she drives the car. Love those 6 speed Caddies...