Many people remember the 1989 Corvette as the pre-ZR-1 model, but that’s doing a disservice to one of the most refined versions of the most iconic American sports car. Halfway through the C4 run of Corvettes that began in 1984, Chevrolet knew they’d found a winning combination of speed and performance—but they weren’t afraid to tweak it.

The 1989 Corvette featured an overhauled transmission with a completely new, 6-speed manual build. Grippy, 17-inch wheels replaced the old 16-inch versions. And fast-ratio steering, Delco/Bilstein gas-charged shocks, and a heavy-duty radiator preserved the Corvette’s competitive edge.

Responding to overwhelmingly positive feedback, the previously-optional Sports Handling suspension package became standard. Drivers could now flick a switch on the console to choose between three suspension modes: the aforementioned sport, an absorbent, smooth-rolling touring mode, and a zippy, racecar-like performance option.

A restyled interior—in cloth, leather, or sports leather—plus a simplified canvas soft-top and an optional noise-dampening hardtop option for convertible fans rounded out the changes.

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Ownership costs for a 1989 Corvette

1989 saw more Corvette sales than ever. In total, 26,412 units hit the streets, with sales split between the coupe at $31,545 and the convertible at $36,785. Nowadays, you can find a used coupe in the range of $4,500 to $15,000, while a convertible will cost you $4,900 to $19,500.

On top of your choice of body styles, the

Kentucky

factory offered plenty of extras, the most notable of which was the Z51 Performance Handling Package for $575. It stiffened the suspension and was a prerequisite for the new RPO FX3 package ($1,695), which adjusted suspension firmness levels between sport, touring, and performance with a switch on the console.

Finally, the Callaway Twin-Turbo engine—installed separately in

Connecticut

and only available at select dealerships—returned in its final iteration for a whopping $25,895 extra. Whether it was due to the problems reported in previous years, or the huge price tag, only 67 were ever sold.

The real costs of ownership don’t stop with the purchase, of course—make sure you include maintenance, repairs, taxes, and insurance in your cost projections.

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Where to buy a 1989 Corvette

You’ll find 1989 Corvettes for sale on

, or

. You can also discover a hidden gem on the Corvette forums, plus discussions of all things Corvette.

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What does the 1989 Corvette bring to the table?

Interestingly, even though it went on to make respectable sales, the ‘89 was not the most talked-about Corvette of its year. The ZR-1, which debuted in Geneva, wowed everyone with an incredible 375-horsepower LT-5 engine. Developed by Tony Rudd (the former technical director at Lotus, a GM acquisition), excitement soon spoiled when GM announced that the ZR-1 wouldn’t hit stores until 1990.

Regardless, the 1989 Corvette soon grabbed headlines on its own, though not always for the right reasons. The new 6-speed manual transmission, engineered with the help of Germany’s Zahnfabrik Friedrichshafen, included a Computer Aided Gear Selection (CAGS), which many people found annoying. To comply with EPA pollution guidelines, it forced drivers to switch directly from first to fourth gear and avoid guzzling gas during acceleration. Rumor had it, however, that it only took the small snip of a single red wire for ‘Vette owners to disable the feature.

MORE: How to pass emissions testing

Strengths and weaknesses of the 1989 Corvette

As fun as it is to list the highs of the Corvette, there are a few lows you should also factor into your purchasing decision.

The good: the cheaper ZR-1

While the ZR-1 stole the 1989’s thunder, remember the two were developed in tandem; many key features, like the new ZF transmission, made their way into the latter’s toolbox. You could almost consider 1989 the bargain ZR-1, which became quite the (expensive) collector’s item.

The good: hardtop convertible roof

Rather than hearing canvas flapping in the wind, ‘Vette drivers could now opt for a fiberglass hardtop that cut the noise and looked great. Nine bolts in the top, and you don’t feel every rattle and shake in the road.

MORE: The classic 1999 Corvette Hardtop

The good: higher standards

The 1989 Corvette borrowed heavily from the

1988 model

, which featured 9.5-inch alloy wheels, structural reinforcements, and Goodyear Eagle tires that were widely praised for better handling at high speeds and on wet roads. These became standard in 1989, along with the fan-favorite Z52 suspension package. That’s a lot of goodies for no extra charge!

The bad: annoying gear shifts

Even GM admitted that the CAGS second and third gear lockout function existed purely to meet EPA red tape. Even if you can disable it, that’s just plain annoying.

The bad: little storage space

No buts about it: the Corvette is a weekend car. Pack light and pack smart.

MORE:

17 road trip hacks

The bottom line—which 1989 Corvette to buy

If you can find it, the optional convertible hardtop keeps all the advantages of the coupe while still letting you feel the wind on sunny days. Even the canvas top features a simplified mechanism that’s easy to operate. So, unless you’re on a tight budget, consider going with the 1989 convertible.

How to save money on car insurance for the 1989 Corvette

Once you decide on your ideal car's make, model, and trim, you’ll have to pick your insurance company and try to find affordable

Chevrolet car insurance costs

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