Please Help: I need advice on an 84 c4

I am currently trying to find a c4 for under 6000, and I think I have a good deal on my hands, but I need some good advice because everyone I know is telling me not to get it. It is a 1984 vette, 67,000 miles, going for $5000. It appears to be in perfect condition and well maintained. Paint is perfect, interior is near perfect. engine is very clean and runs well. Everytying looks good. There is a radiator leak, and half of the gauges do not light up; these are the only problems I see with the car. However, when I asked the dealer to let me take it to a mechanic he would not let me. Everyone is telling me this is a bad sign and that the engine may need major work. What do you guys think? Is there anyway I can tell myself if anything's wrong with the engine? Also, what are the common problems on the 84 crossfire so that I can look for them? I am very excited since I'm only 17 and this is my first vette, and I REALLY want this car! But I dont wanna waste 5 grand that I dont have. Please help me...

the problems with the 84 crossfires is that they suck. the L98 is a decent motor but your going for the wrong year. look for something more along the lines of 87 or newer as they had worked out some of the bugs by then and the introduction of tuned port injection made a big difference. the gauge cluster is a common problem, but having them refurbished, or buying a new cluster outright is really expensive. if the dealer wont let someone take a look at it, go somewhere else. thats usually an indication that theres something wrong that might come back to bite you. personally if i were you, id wait on the corvette and pick up something a little lower on insurance and gas costs, considering your age, since the insurance premiums wont go down on you till your 25, even if you drive perfectly. or if youre set on a corvette, id go for an early 70s with a four speed, timeless looks and much more sound as far as mechanicals. if you look up my name and see that im 19, dont disregard what ive said. since i was 10 ive helded my dad restore 2 corvettes (67, 72) and an ss chevelle (67). plus he made me research 80's and 90's vettes for 2 years with him until he finally bought a 99 new off the floor(which goes like hell). ive been in your shoes man, and trust me, get somethin that will last for a couple years and save your money for a good vette. theres a reason they didnt make one in 83, and its because it was the first full redesign since the new 68, not everything came out alright on the first one. anyway, thats my :2cents:

the problems with the 84 crossfires is that they suck? maybe the ones you looket at? If you get one someone took care of it should be a good car!!! And don't forget no vette can touch the 84 Z51 handling!!!!!

sorry if i offended, but im not a big fan of the crossfire, as it was an inefective means of fuel injection. i feel that the later motors, beginning with the tpi L98 all the way to the lt1, and ls1 of the newest models have much more to offer in the way of tunability and upgrade potential. just an opinion. and no, you cant beat the handling of any z51 equiped corvette, at least not without spending some money building up an import. in all honesty though, the 84 is one of my least favorite models, which is on a short list with the 80-82 corvettes that preceeded it. they simply killed the mako shark bodystyle.

You can make any corvette fast for 414$ i can buy a X-ram with dyno pruvien 65 rwhp and if you dont beleave me go to www.X-ram.com and fined out for your self !! HERES A PIC OF MY 84 http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/130989goodfront1-med.jpg

looks good in orange, and im glad that someone makes performance parts for the crossfire, but it doesnt change the fact that i personally dont like them. i was just trying to help someone get a good corvette for the first time. i might be a little paranoid, a little biassed, but thats me. obviously you like the 84, and the crossfire injection, and thats alright with me, too each there own. i just hope the guy who started this thread takes both of our comments to heart and makes a good choice. i hate it when people get burned by sleezy dealers and the like.

I appreciate both of you guy's advice, but at this point I only have 5 grand to spend, and this looks like a deal I cant refuse. Im not expecting it to be that reliable,and im wiling to fix minor problems here and there. If its that bad I can always resell on eBay and get as much or more than what I paid b/c of the exterior and interior condition. But I really do appreciate advice from both ends of the spectrum.

good luck man, hope you enjoy, i know i sure have enjoyed mine.

if you need any spare parts, let me know i have alot including a complete crossfire motor and intake system and lots of vette wheels 84-00. thanks, enjoy. dj
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oh yeah - DONT DO DOUGHNUTS!!! yes, they are fun, but the wheel bearings that you are destroying are $414 each!!