About to buy Red Vette

[Gbridges]

I'm brand new so excuse any posting faux pas. My last corvette was a 1972 454 automatic when I was just a youngster in flight school. Now I'm on the verge of buying a 1989 stock vette with 6 spd std, and reportedly only 54,000 miles. My long-time mechanic acquired it from a friend of his and has repainted it (loud red) and had the interior detailed and is tweaking some minor items before selling it. He has been a trusted mechanic for several years so I'm comfortable with what he is telling me about the mechanical condition. I have not been keeping up with all the various models and their various problems. Are there any specific problems with the 1989 that I should be particularly alert for? He is going to ask about $9,500, which after some cursory checking, seems to be a very good price. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.

[HT99+63]

Welcome :wave:


Great year.
Fatherlarry will get to you on that.

[DavisZR1]

Great to have you on the Forum.:chevy: :luxhello:

[CORVETTE95]

The 1990 will get you analog display and driver side air bag for about the same price.
Just my personal opinion.

[fatherlarry]

Welcome.

Problems



WINDOW REGULATORs

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD:END
Summary: RECALL ON REAR WHEEL TIE ROD.


ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:COMPUTER COMMAND CONTROL MODULE DASH LIGHTS GOES OUT DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, R/R COMPUTER.

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE:MECHANICAL
RECALL ON PARKING BRAKES.

EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD:ENGINE
ENGINE LEAKING OIL FROM MANIFOLD

RECEIVED RECALL ON REAR TIE ROD WHICH CAN CAUSE CRASH.


TRANSMISSIONCABLE CanLOCKED IN LOW GEAR NO 2ND/3RD OR REVERSE.

DEFECTIVE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL AND INTAKE GASKET.

COMPUTER/FUEL PUMP FAILURES, ENGINE WOULDN'T START.

ELECTRICAL ALTERNATOR.

TRANSMISSION LEAKs

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:CLUSTER MODULE

MANIFOLD GASKET

FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMs

SEAT BELT PROBLEMS, RECALL.

REAR AXLE RECALLED.

ENGINE:GASKETS

BRAKE BOOSTER

THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL.

[Gbridges]

Wow! Talk about prompt replies! Thanks. Are these chronic problems that seem to habitually characterize the 89? or just occasional problems that you've seen over the years? How would you characterize that year in general as to reliability-better, worse, about average?

Thanks again.

[fatherlarry]

From 1984 through 1987 the car went through a lot of changes, so out of all the C4's '88 through '96 are the better choices, as most of the kinks were out, with 1994 on having everything pretty much ironed out. I prefer the 1990 over the previous models, because of the change of dash, getting away from the digital. But if you like the digital dash, then the '88 and '89 would be the way to go. The '89 being my choice between the two. The above problems I mentioned are basically problems that may occur due to each individuals maintenance and driving habits, although recalls aren't. If the recall issues were addressed, then in most cases they are solved. The most common problems with them are intake manifold gasket leaks, alternator bearings, digital dash readouts, and some minor computer problems. The most annoying thing to most people with the C4 bodystyle is flexing when the roof panel is off on the coupe. Other then that, it's a great Vette, and the price certainly sounds fair. Let's face it, all cars, inlcluding the C5 have issues, same as Ferrari's, Porsches or any other. Don't let the list scare you away from buying the car. I'm sure that I could come up with a similar list for each and every other year, but this list is characteristic of that year. Good luck in your decision, and if you buy it, let us know and post some pics. Don't forget, it's still a Corvette....the only true American Sportscar.:shift:

[Gbridges]

That's exactly the type of insight and advice I was hoping for. I appreciate it. I will definitely post the results and pics. I'm starting to get hyper all over again thinking about driving my own vette again. Thanks again. What a great forum.

[fatherlarry]

;bt