Guide for the 1984 Corvette
The long-awaited C4 Corvette debuted in 1984 and is still a classic today.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
After skipping a production year, Chevy unveiled the all-new C4 Corvette in 1984 to overwhelming enthusiasm from the press and public. This enthusiasm combined with the extra-long model year made the 1984 the second-best-selling Corvette in history.
Though some of us may come back from vacation more tired than when we left, that wasn’t the case for the Corvette in 1984. After a year of hiccups and engineering challenges delayed the C4’s release, Chevrolet exploded back onto the market by producing one of the six fastest production cars in the world.
When we say “all new” we mean it, so
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Ownership costs for a 1984 Corvette
As with any vehicle, the exact cost of owning a 1984 Corvette will depend on a number of factors. In addition to mileage and
wear and tear
, buyers need to know whether the car they’re considering has the added Z51 performance handling package debuted for this model year.When it originally appeared on the market, the 1984 Corvette’s MSRP was $21,800. Today, buyers can find 1984 Corvettes for as little as $4,575. If you’re looking for one in mint condition with comparatively low mileage, though, you can expect to spend upwards of $25K to $30K. On average, though, buyers will pay around $7,500 for this model year.
Purchase price is not the same thing as the actual cost to own a vehicle though. For this, you need to consider insurance, maintenance, and taxes. With a
classic car
like the 1984 Corvette, these will all depend on how much you actually intend to drive the vehicle. Most classic car owners don’t drive them daily, and if you plan to register and insure your Vette as a classic, you actually can’t since there are mileage limits. Luckily, taxes and insurance on low-value classic cars will be much cheaper than on a standard vehicle. This means your major expense will be on
car maintenance
and repairs. A quick review of several popular Corvette forums suggests owners of a 1984 Corvette should expect to pay anywhere from $2K to $10K per year, depending on how often they drive.
Where to buy a 1984 Corvette
To buy a 1984 Corvette, use
ClassicCars.com
or other sale and auction sites like Craigslist. You can also check out Corvette forums
for listings and information if you’d prefer to buy or learn from a fellow enthusiast.
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What does the 1984 Corvette bring to the table?
The 1984 C4 Corvette was designed specifically to compete in those areas like agility and performance where previous model years fell short in comparison to European sports cars.
The C4’s shorter body improves aerodynamics, while the shortened wheelbase both enhanced agility and added 2 inches to the vehicle’s interior, increasing driver and passenger comfort. All this shortening shaved off about 150 pounds of body weight, boosting performance.
The C4’s redesigned chassis featured new transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs in front and rear and made such improvements to the Corvette’s performance that they were repeated in the C5, C6, and C7 redesigns.
MORE: The 1985 Corvette is totally tubular
Strengths and weaknesses of the 1984 Corvette
While the 1983 Corvette never made it into production, all of the upgrades present on the museum C4 were also incorporated into the 1984 model.
The good: speed
The redesigned C4 Corvette’s sub-7-second 0-60-mph acceleration and 140 mph top speed placed it among the world’s six fastest production cars.
MORE: Here are some of the fastest cars around
The good: performance
Where it had previously lacked, the C4 now boasted jaw-dropping 0.90-g cornering performance, which Car and Driver called a world best.
The good: increased interior space
It may not sound like much, but a couple of extra inches of interior width made a big difference in cabin comfort.
The bad: 4+3 transmission
A new transmission configuration that automatically engaged overdrive on the top three gears to reduce fuel consumption deadened performance.
The bad: Z51 Performance Package
The new performance package available to add to the C4 enhanced the Corvette’s performance but made for an uncomfortably stiff and bumpy ride, even on smooth terrain.
MORE: This classic Corvette is an unforgettable beauty
The bottom line—which 1984 Corvette to buy
The 1984 Corvette only came in one trim, but buyers had the option to add the new Z51 Performance Package. Reviews at the time suggest that while the package’s upgrades gave the Corvette astounding agility, it was at the cost of a positively bone-shaking ride, making it a less desirable option. Since the odds you’ll be racing one of these around an Indie track are pretty slim, we suggest you stick with the base L83 coupe.
How to save money on car insurance for the 1984 Corvette
The 1984 C4 Corvette provided the public with a lot of improvements over previous model years. Likewise,
Jerry
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