C-4 1986 question

[John D.]

This might sound like a dumb question but I figure I will ask it anyway. Does anyone have any thoughts on a moderately high mileage (88,000 mile) 1986? The car looks great inside and out and appears relatively unmolested. Is this number of miles on the engine and auto trans a grave concern?

Any thoughts on a range of price. What does the mileage do to the value of the car? I have the Corvette Fever and NADA #s, don't see much for mileage issues.

Thanks, John

[Jim T.]

Re: C-4 1986 question

For an 1986 this is pretty low milage in my opinion. Since I have owned my 85 (bought in 92) I have put about 55K on it, mostly highway miles and it has about 102K on it now. The car does sit in the garage a lot more days than it is driven. Prices on these cars can vary due to actual condition. We like the 85 so much is why it has not been replaced yet. My only failure through the years has been the water pump and replaced the bearings in the original alternator. I plan on putting a lot more miles on it.

[Mike Yager]

Re: C-4 1986 question

John:

I owned an '85 that I sold about 5 years ago with 28K miles and felt lucky to get $12k for it at that time. I was the original owner. The car was only used for pleasure driving and had never been in rain or snow or had been hit. It was all original. I even still had the original tires and shocks in boxes - every piece of paper, etc. that ever came with the car. It had every option except the Z51 suspension and was in excellent condition. I was asking $14K and up until I sold the car, the best offer I had was $9K.

Values on early C4s have only kept going down since then. In my opinion the L98 engine is a great engine for the street and basically the same motor as the '86 you are looking at. I think the '86 had aluminum heads and a few other tweaks to up the HP a bit. If the car has been well maintained, I don't think you can go wrong if you can buy it right. They are a lot of car for the money.

Prices on the early C4s are probably about as low as they can get. Its probably comparable to selling a mid year in the late 70s. Except for enthusiasts who are looking for bang for the buck, these cars are tough to sell. They are competing against low interest car loans and attractive lease rates on new vettes. For the most part, kids don't want them. They prefer the ricers.

Although I have seen people asking $10K plus for these cars, I would say that a good condition '86 with 88K miles should go for $6 to $8K.