24th Nov 2005, 15:05
How do American 16 year olds insure cars like this?
In the UK most insurers will quote four figures to insure a 17 year old in a Micra.
24th Apr 2009, 11:00
When I was 16, insurance was very expensive. I was quoted 4 figures to insure a '96 Dodge Caravan. Now at 20, my fiance and I own a '92 Firebird and an '86 Corvette. This is about $900 every 6 months. Keep a decent record and you'll be OK!
8th Jun 2009, 22:37
It's quite possible to find these with low mileage and well cared-for. In fact, it's the only way to buy them really. Especially if you can get a good price (which you should -- unfortunately these do depreciate just like other cars, well most of them do at least). As for the insurance, at the reviewer's age, it's probably high, but not impossible. It's not as though the car's a 2006 Vette for example. That would be REALLY high. The age of this car (low mileage notwithstanding) offsets some of it, with the overall value being lower, etc. Also it depends on the insurance company and the sort of coverage one has as well. Not everyone opts for primo coverage at a top-name insurance company, especially with an older car. Bare minimum to get you legally on the road, is obviously cheapest, but much more risky in the event of accidents, etc..
29th Jun 2010, 09:04
I tried to get insurance on one of these (well, two). They were asking for 6 grand (in pounds), still, it's cheaper than my dad's Alfa.
(17 year old learner).
9th Nov 2011, 15:56
The trick to insuring your teen driver in a C4 Corvette:
You need to have a clean driving record for the last 5 years at least.
You need to ask for the highest deductible (in my case I asked for $2500).
You need to ask for the lowest coverage allowable in your state.
I did all of these things, and we insure a 1999 Cougar and a 1985 Corvette, with 2 teen drivers (19 and 17).
Our 6 month premium is $1200.
I do have to say though, that we are good safe drivers and we do FULL STOPS at stop signs, and we follow ALL traffic rules. We don't BS with driving rules.
Now all we have to worry about is the other guy.
Tony
Brick, NJ.
21st Dec 2012, 15:39
It's not to hard to find low mileage Vettes. My wife has an 1985 that she got this year (2012). It has, are you ready, less than 28000 km, not miles, on it
22nd Dec 2012, 11:36
If you can, save for a used C5 under 20k. They are the way to go. I have owned many Vettes.
22nd Dec 2012, 14:13
The real secret on Corvettes is to wait until you are over 50 and the kids are out of the house or in college, if you can't afford a new one, then your insurance is great. Why buy a C4 and pay 2 grand insurance a year? The cars 74 to 96 have poor resale as well.
I had a rare 74 convertible last year, no cats, 4 speed and made money on it, 3400 made out of 37000 that year It's very hard selling them when you can save a bit more and have a C5. Some will pay a lot for a 79-82 if a rare 4 speed is in one. They are uncomfortable and tight inside however in those years. The C3 chrome bumper cars in nice shape are appreciating.
Next pick I recommend is a 98 second year C5. They were re-engineered ground up with a clean slate. Buy one of these and newer, and you will have the best ones made. Easy entry, more room and very fast. And the LS1 is far better than the LT1, which could even appear in some 97s if not careful and it's a C5. Wait for a 98 up.
How do I know this? I owned ones like in the review. Stay away from Crossfires. If you can antique them, your insurance is better with companies like Haggerty whom I use. If you are 16, start with 90s Mustang Fox bodies up to a 95 302. Best bang per buck for high school kids. My older son did that, and graduated up to a Viper when he turned 30 with a high paying job and single.
5th Dec 2018, 04:52
I just picked up a 1985 C4 Corvette for 5000 US dollars. It's very clean and well taken care of. Has 42360 miles. I have always wanted a Corvette and I'm very happy with this car. Can't wait for summer to get here.
My question is, did I get a good deal on this car?
It is all original, I love it.
6th Dec 2018, 01:22
Since you have already bought it, what difference does it make? If you "love it", that's all that matters!
6th Dec 2018, 04:15
Depends. If it’s just a clean driver that you bought to cruise in, fine. It’s not fast by any means by today’s standards. It’s priced low but sells low. Likely won’t appreciate, and any upgrades (even wheels) will not up the resale value. My opinion is wait and save for a C5. They are great cars with fine performance. My pick is the C5 Z06 which is a bargain super car. Find one under 20k if possible in good shape. It appears these will escalate in time as well. You can track and drive on the street. My opinion anyway. I’d rather save and wait than just buy a car that has a Corvette emblem. Low power and potential repair issues on C4s can outweigh their value quickly.
20th May 2019, 04:01
I am interested in an opinion if anyone is still here - I am shopping a 1985 C4 Vette with 26500 miles and a manual trans - two owner - seems impeccable - I don't put a lot of miles on my vehicles - I have a 1997 Trans Am with 68k - love it. So, maybe 5-6000 a year. I live in NC by the beach so I can drive it nearly all year round.
What I'm mainly asking is - any motorheads out there that would be interested in this kind of ride - or are they looking for later gen? I was always told multiple times to get the newest Vette I can afford. If this is the kind of Vette that looks good on the rack, then it's better to save up for that rainy day and bypass the deal coz it seems too good to be true.
Many thanks.
21st May 2019, 02:09
It’s your money. If it were me, I would drive both gens and compare for yourself. I have owned Corvettes, and my opinion is that any of them seem fast if it’s your only comparison.
Low mileage does not always save you money. I found that out with a failed C3 braking system with hardly any miles on it. The complete system needed replaced. Then the cooling system, then the seals. Sitting isn’t kind. $3400 later I had the car sorted out. Go to a large Corvette club and ask owners. You don’t really see C4s at outings or shows. But really test drive both and you decide.
Lastly, buying used older Vettes is an area you can get burned, low mileage or not. You have to look for rust and accident repair. Or rotted frame rails. Or digital dash and electrical issues on C4s. All costly.
4th Aug 2004, 09:08
It's very common to find low miles Corvettes. I bought my 91 in 1998 with 48K, I then bought my 92 ZR-1 in 2001 with 14490 miles in the 3 years I've owned it I put on 9000 miles so now it has 23490 and is 12 years old. I have seen ZR-1's for sale with 600 miles. Finding a 10 to 15 year old Corvette with less than 50k miles is not any kind of special trick.