C4 / C5 CORVETTE: A Good First Car?

Hey guys, my name is Alex. I'm 19 years old and own a 1996 corvette. I actually made this decision with a lot of Retro Cars Forever's videos in mind, and ive had it for about 3 months. I wanna give my two cents on the car. Im sure that most people looking to buy a car like this, or a car similar like this from a similar era, are into the sporty styling, 90s quirks, and underrated power of the time. Thats definitely why I wanted it, plus who doesnt wanna say they bought a corvette at 19 lol! But truth be told, buying a car like this isn't a bad decision its an impractical one. I cannot tell you how many people have come up to me so far wondering why I would get such a small car, that only carries 2 people and some groceries at most, or why I would get such an old (26 years and running...!) car However, once you feel what its like to drive this car, how low you sit, how torque-y and responsive it is, how well it handles, and all the stares you get... This car doesnt just feel amazing to drive, it makes you feel amazing driving it. I anticipate every time I need to take my car out, because its just so much damn fun!... I personally feel like, if youre going to get a car like this, you have to keep this in mind: These cars are old, icons of their own era. Things WILL break, things WILL go wrong, and you WILL find trouble along the road. For example, my car's trim paneling on the passenger door was coming off, and I had to find my own solution towards fixing and bonding it. Furthermore, my fuel sending unit is messed up and tells me my tank is always full. Thankfully, little problems like this are easy to fix and diagnose if one is decently handy, and has time to fix them Another point that Brad brings up would be the safety and driving-difficulty of this car. My father owns a truck, and parking (despite being like half the size), this corvette feels and drives like a fullsized truck in parking lots. There WILL be lots of 3+ point turns. Furthermore, the hood of this car has a pretty steep slope. So, if youre low enough, you will have to just know where the end of your hood is, aswell as where the front air damn sits before you go off hitting parking spots with it. Although, the seats do offer a decent range of height and motion, so after driving a little high for a while, you sorta get a sense of where the nose of the vehicle is. This car is very comfortable and relatively modern, coming from someone whose never driven in powered-sport seats. It's very adjustable, even the steering wheel moves which is just awesome As for safety, I cannot really say much here. Keeping traction control on is a good way to keep your head level, but turning it off every once and a while is plenty of fun, if done safely and secludedly.... Realistically, this car isnt crazy in terms of power (compared to modern cars, that is), but it WILL send you into a ditch if you dont respect it for what it is. Airbags on both sides is a major plus, so definitely would recommend 1994+ models (not to mention various other improvements on later year models!) This car will lose traction on you if you dont drive it with respect, or if you dont have a tight grip on it when going at higher speeds. Once you get used to how the car responds and drives on the streets and highways though, youll see just how fun it is to drive. This car feels like its cutting through air when im on the freeway, and cruising through the street (especially with the top off!) is plenty of fun! As for pricing, I bought mine for 10.5k It has around 70k miles. It's in really clean conditon, just minor interior scratches and missing doodads that one can easily fix. Mine does have an aftermarket stereo with a rear camera, which definitely makes life a lot easier. However, the original stereo and sound system are nothing to scoff at, definitely cool too stick some cassetes into and jam out with. With gas as it is now... this car will drink a bit of gas on the streets in traffic, but as long as youre driving down longer paths of emptier road, or if youre on the freeway, youll get decent gas mileage. I turn my cruise control on and it helps me get around 20-24+ on the streets and freeway! The last thing I will note about this car is image. This car is a BEAST! With a little exhaust modifications and cleaning, your car will snap necks. After driving this car, I feel like a total badass. Entering, exiting (which are both things youll need to get used too if yours sits low like mine... trust me its a whole process getting in...) and drivin around town makes you feel like the coolest guy in town. I actually live in a pretty nice part of southern california, near South Coast Plaza mall, where a buncha rich snobby guys take their porsches, lamborghinis, ferraris, etc. While this corvette may be no ferrari, itll make you feel like it is. Everytime I drive there to work or go through a drive through, everyone will stop and stare at my car. Ive gotten plenty of compliments the past few months from various strangers ive never met before. It's definitely an interesting talking point. And, although its a little shitty to ride on your own cloud-9, this car is definitely the ego-boost a teenager might need growing up in the world ;) Apart from that, I cant really think of much else This car was my dream car the moment I saw it when I was 16, and Ive been studying about it ever since. I recommend one study every aspect of this car, every single production year, so you can know which year best suits you. Ive spent countless hours reading through owners manuals and watching repair videos online. Know the common issues (optispark lol) and know what your car is capable of, what legacy it holds, and what it really means to you. I hope this comment would help solidify someone's decision on buying one of these gems, its a tragedy that many owners of these cars rarely take them out anymore, so please do the world a favor and get another c4 corvette on the road

I am 16 years old and got my first car, a 1986 corvette. You are spot on with the "image" idea, love owning the coolest car in school. Not a practical car at all, but its reliable, looks cool, and pretty comfortable. Love this video <33

25 here. Looking to buy my first corvette. Finally have the money I didn’t have as a teenager

I'm currently seventeen. About a year ago I decided to look for a first car. I've always been an American Muscle fan. I eventually found a manual 1985 C4 in great condition that I got down to $3500. Your videos were actually a great guide to finding one.

I turned 16 and got my first car pretty recently, and it is a 1994 c4 corvette with a manual trans. It is impractical as heck, but after 3 months I already love it to death and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I got my C5 at 18 as my second car, I think it’s a tad bit too much power for most novice drivers. A lot of my friends drove like idiots (and promptly crashed their first cars) and if they were in a corvette chances are they would’ve gotten in a whole lot more trouble. I personally would advise against it as a first car, sure it looks super sexy and cool to have a corvette and show off… but you in a hospital bed with a mangled lump of metal and fiberglass is wayyyy less sexy lol. Get a fun first car (I had a BMW 3-Series that I loved) and after a year or two sell it and get a vette. I was so much more confident driving after the first 2 years, so the instant power and speed the corvette can provide was much easier to handle. I can’t speak to C4s, but the early year ones have about the same power as my 3-series so I’d imagine they would be a much better starting car. I love my vette, and like you said, there is no other car that can match it’s performance for the price (at least before the car market went insane).

Love the video. My 1995 C4 was my first car at 17. It can definitely be a restoration effort and takes good mechanical skill. I recommend having a budget daily driver on the side, but the C4 can definitely be an everyday car for some. 4 years of ownership so far and never letting go of it!

Bought a c6 last year for 19k, 51k on the clock. Car has been reliable and a blast to drive. Keep to spots you know and try to keep it less than 20 mph over the posted limit.

Not just for young drivers! At age 50+, just Bought an immaculate example of the 1998 C5, my first true sports car. An incredible car for the money. Hard to find an example of mine for the money but if you can find one I HIGHLY recommend it! Incredible handling and power!

Awesome video Brad! Always love your camera-work and editing. So polished! But what comes through most is your enthusiasm. Your videos always put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

I am 20 and I own a C5 Z06 as my second (technically third) car. My first car was a 1986 Pontiac Trans Am that I ended up just giving to my dad because he was much more invested in the project than I was (he bought it anyway, so I figured it was really his anyway). My second car was a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28 with the 350 TPI L98 motor. It's pretty much the same as a C4 as a lot of the parts are hand me downs from it (as GM did a lot with their performance cars back in the day. They would basically gift stuff from the corvette). I bought the 2004 C5 Z06 Le Mans edition because I wanted: A. a Corvette, my dream car and B. a manual car to learn stick. Now that I have all of that out of the way, let me explain through personal experience why they are not good first cars. 1. Corvettes are very expensive to not only buy but to maintain. Definitely not for some teen on a tight budget minimum wage job. Reasons are: A. Parts are more expensive than really any other domestic "because corvette." Tires alone set me back almost $1500 so good luck convincing yourself to do burnouts. B. Gas is brutal. My corvette gets 13 MPG around town and around 18-20 on the highway. With the prices per gallon, especially premium, which is the only fuel they will take, you will find yourself paying well over a hundred at the pump every week or two. C. Insurance is ludicrous. It easily doubles your rate if you add a teen driver with a vette on it. 2. New drivers are just learning to drive. They do not need 300-400 horsepower and more importantly 400lb of torque. The C4 is mostly exempted from this as the L98 with stock exhaust and factory emissions is a dog and is fine to learn on. 3. This car will get you in trouble. I am not just talking about the law either. Other drivers will want to race you all the time. This is a problem for teen drivers, especially new drivers as they will most likely wreck if they do. 4. Prepare to become a mechanic. These cars require a lot of maintenance and love. You will spend months in your garage working on your vette trying to make sure everything works right. I recommend every owner of a car that requires in depth maintenance to get the shop manual, not just a Haynes manual. It is what repair shops use and has everything you would need to know. It is very important as the Haynes manuals miss a lot of details. Now is owning a vette a bad thing? Absolutely not. I love mine and my Camaro. Both are very fun and very much head turners. However, for a first car, it is one of the worst decisions you can make. Just get a honda civic or some other basic beater to get you from A to B to learn on. Or if you live in the south like me, get a pickup truck. You will thank me later and be able to by the fun car after.

Super fun and well put together video! Your C4 is super entertaining to drive.

How is this JUST NOW being recommended to me? Ive seen so many Vette vids. Your channel is amazing!

Hey RC4E ... I had a 94 C4. Throughly enjoyed it. May get another one. I really like your C4 videos. I hope you keep making them more often. It's a great Corvette that needs more attention!

Another fantastic video!

Amazing video as always! Got my first Vette, a 1992 6 speed at age 19. It was my second car after my 05 Impala SS. Now I’m 21 with a beefed up 1996 LT4 Coupe. Won’t ever regret getting one at such a young age, it was a stellar driver. Just one suggestion: since we are talking Corvettes for new drivers, chances are it’ll be their only car. Would love to see a segment on their drivability in inclement weather. Not an issue for you with your California weather, but us Pennsylvania drivers gotta deal with everything!

I had a 1989 C4 when I was 19! No traction control and no airbags! It was Bright Red with a Red interior. Fun times. I’m still alive and I never got a ticket! If you choose a Corvette set money aside for Brake Pads and Tires! Never let your friend or girlfriend drive it. Also, purchase Mass Airflow Sensors in bulk!

just discovered your channel from your Rambling About Cars podcast appearance. Great videos, subscribed.

Great video Brad!! 💯

I have learned quite a lot about C4's thanks to your awesome content! I recently picked up a 1996 C4 LT1 (auto) painted with bright aqua metallic as my new daily driver. It has put a smile on my face every time I get into it! I absolutely dig the fusion of 80's and 90's design and feel. The amber lighting, the mix of analog and digital gauges, the driver-oriented positioning of the buttons...it truly feels really special. I swear I hear Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" playing in my head every time I go start my car 🤣 Even with it being a 26 year old car with 100k miles, it sounds very healthy and has no problem pushing you back into your seat when you want it to! I have surprised a few friends on how quickly this car can still move. The C4 is no slouch! I bought the car with blown shocks and worn rotors/pads but once those were replaced, it completely transformed the car and I couldn't believe how nice it drove on the road. It is the most comfortable sports car I've owned to this day. I'm glad C4's are finally getting the recognition they deserve.