Let's create this scenario...

You have $40k.

You could spend $40k on a late model Vette (C6 Z06 or GrandSport).

Or, you could spend $25k on seriously modifying a C4.

When I say seriously modify, I mean... LS3, coil overs, Wilwood brakes, rebuild ZF6 and D44... revamped interior and audio systems.

Thoughts?

Simple decision for me. Late model and it wouldn't even have to be Z06 or GS, just the newest I could come up with that would match my criteria.

You never will come close to getting back your investment on the C4....not that you have to but still.....every generation has moved forward in all kinds of ways and it would be very hard and expensive or even impossible to try and bring a C4 up to the C5 or C6 level.....then you have to answer the question....why?

The idea for me is to use my car as a grand touring car and be able to enjoy the comfort and performance and dependability that a newer car gives me. $40K will buy you a real nice mid mileage 10 or 11 GS or an 08 Z06.....or base body car with a high end interior group and the LS3 engine which is one of Chevy's all time greats in my book. Then you can put headers and tune on it or even supercharge it if you want.....so many choices.....

HOWBOUT I COMPROMISE BUY BUY A LATE ZR-1?

I HAVE TO ADMIT NO DOUBT THAT A LATER MODEL WOULD BE FAR MORE PRACTICAL AS TO MAINTAINABILITY, AND MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH MODIFIED CARS HAS NOT BEEN ENTIRELY JOYFUL, BUT I THINK THE 4 IS THE BEST LOOKING CORVETTE EVER MADE AND THE 6 IS BORDERLINE HOMELY.

I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO JUMP TO 7 ;-)

Whenever this days comes, much would depend on the price of a C7.

Part of me wants to "finish" my C4. It is as much a part of my existence as anything I own... and selling or ditching it seems like quitting. Way to much of me invested in that poor thing. And I know I would never match the overall performance of a newer car. That would not be the goal.

You all have said what I have been debating... not that I have the money... but the day will come...

Modify a C4-? Not even at gun point.

Last year, Joe bought a 2004 Z06 that was basically brand new for $28, it had 13,000 on it and didn't even have a stone chip on the body.

For $40k, you could run another 150,000 miles with no worries.

If it's not going to be a daily driver, for $40k, you could also get a decent C2 and recoop our investment whenever you wanted to.

Would I do what I did to mine again, in a hearbeat!

Seeing you're in CA, check out Chevy's new E-Rod LS3
50 STATE COMPLIANT

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2009-s ... od-ls3-crate-engine-6541/

I am not worried about the engine... not yet... I am aware of the LS3, but I am going to strong arm CARB and see if I can get them to allow the use of an SUV engine.

I was reading their site and the terms they use almost make me think it's possible... they refer to allowing non-heavy duty engines... which implies light truck.

More research.

Whatever I do, I will lose money, so why not be different? I know the newer cars are nicer, but they are also tons more complex... and if their computers become unavailable, I become screwed... we all do.

Whatever happened to that 72 you were working on.....no computers to become unavailable there.......simple fun got looks.....what's not to love.....? Maybe we should all be going backwards instead of forward......

There is a thought... I do need to get that car going.

Too much going on, not enough time to get it done!

As for the older car, I do want my street car - daily driver - to be environmentally sound. Carbs and vented fuel tanks don't work for me. I love older cars, but they lack the basics in crash safety and clean air standards.

Wish I had it to do over again.... I think about all the money I spent on my 92. Could have easily bought a C6 GS.

I personally wouldn't ever modify another C4 for myself to drive on the street.

Maybe we'll have ruined enough of them that they will become the mid-years of the future Corvette world.
Will

Quote:

http://www.superchevy.com/features/15 ... vrolet-corvette-stingray/

Buu a new one.

$25k

For $14.5 (without engine/trans)

C5 suspension with coilovers, ready to drop the body on:

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I'd say move to the C6 or C7 when they come down in price. Or find the driver quality C2, that one will hold it's value.

Hope Jimmy can afford that.......nice 71!

Quote:

A lifelong friend of mine once showed me how to approach a concept like this.
He said," Get a pair of come-a-longs. Next pull the license plates apart.(We're a two plate state) Finally, slide a Different car of choice in between the plates and reassemble."
I probably am as bad as anyone for getting attached to a car, but in this scenario, I'd hafta go with the newer model, if not the older classic for investment purposes. But then again, you could have one absolutely beechin' C4 to show for your efforts!