Guide for the 1990 Corvette
1990 was the first year for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 package. It also featured several new safety features.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 1990 Chevrolet Corvette elegantly toes the line between vintage and modern. 1990 was the year that Chevy introduced the ZR1 package and also introduced safety and power improvements across the board.
If you’re a Corvette fan of any kind, you might already know how important 1990 was for the car. Beyond a line of standard improvements that added to the 4th-gen Vette’s overall appeal, the introduction of the ZR1 package changed the line forever.
If you want to know everything there is to know about the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette, look no further than this guide compiled by the
car insurance
comparison app Jerry
. From the cost to own one to its most important improvements, here is the scoop on the iconic 1990 Corvette.
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Ownership costs for a 1990 Corvette
As with any older car, the cost to buy and own a 1990 Corvette depends on several factors. Car Gurus estimates the instant market value (IMV) of the car to hover around $12,591.
Although the IMV of the 1990 Corvette is pretty affordable, a ZR1 that’s in good shape will cost you a lot more. If your reason for wanting a 1990 Corvette is to be the proud owner of the ZR1, you can probably expect to spend over $25,000.
Of course, the cost to buy a car is only half the battle. You’ll need to maintain your Corvette as well as insure it.
Since the 1990 Corvette is over 25 years old and has historical value, it might qualify for
classic car insurance
. You’ll need a clean driving record
and proof that you’re taking good care of your Corvette, but from there you’ll have access to many of the same insurance options that modern cars do. Where to buy a 1990 Corvette
While the 1990 Corvette can be elusive to find, you should keep an eye out on Craigslist or any dealerships that offer older cars. You can also browse
classic car or corvette forums
, or try to get in touch with a fellow enthusiast looking to sell their ride to a good home. 
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What does the 1990 Corvette bring to the table?
The 1990 Corvette introduced a few pretty key safety features, the most prominent being driver’s side airbags and an improved braking system. The standard L98 model also received an increase in the power of its engine.
Of course, it’s hard to talk about the 1990 Corvette without acknowledging how much the ZR1 package transformed the car. The ZR1 features a 375 HP engine alongside an RPM of 4,400, which allows it to compete and even outclass some of its peers.
Strengths and weaknesses of the 1990 Corvette
If you’re trying to decide between different Corvettes, or if you can’t pick between classic sports cars in general, learning the 1990 Corvette’s strengths and weaknesses should help.
The good: Safety
Although it doesn’t quite compare to models today, the 1990 Corvette had a lot to offer when it came to keeping drivers safe. A new braking system alongside Chevy’s supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) airbags were significant improvements from the preceding models.
With that said, there is no harm in making some changes to make the car even safer to drive.
The good: Price
Although the Chevy Corvette ZR1 wasn’t cheap at the time, it was an absolute bargain compared to supercars like the Ferrari. Even today, you can get more performance for your money by going with the 1990 Corvette than you can with many other older sports cars.
The bad: Infotainment
As you might expect from a classic car, the 1990 Corvette doesn’t offer much in the way of entertainment outside of radio and cassette player. You may be able to find a 1990 Corvette with a CD player, although even that doesn’t offer much for the modern driver.
You should only buy a 1990 Corvette if you’re willing to let the drive be its own entertainment. It’s a classic car for a classic driver.
The bad: Mechanical problems
There are a few pretty common mechanical problems that the 1990 Corvette can run into. The engines are known to overheat, and there are a few problems surrounding the anti-lock braking system.
If you’re not used to working on your car, or if you don’t have a mechanic you trust, the 1990 Corvette may not be your best option.
The bottom line—which 1990 Corvette to buy
If you have a preference between a coupe or a convertible, you’ll want to keep that in mind when you look to buy. 1990 Corvettes also had the option between manual or automatic transmission, so pay attention to which one you are getting with your car.
If you’re all about speed, power, and performance, there is no doubt that the 1990 Chevy Corvette ZR1 is the way to go. Not only will it feel great to be behind the wheel of one, but you’ll own an important part of
Chevrolet
history with the first-ever ZR1 package.How to save money on car insurance for the 1990 Corvette
If you are planning to buy an older Corvette, you’ll also need to make sure that it is insured. If you want to find
car insurance
quickly and easily, downloading Jerry is your best bet. Jerry
is a car insurance comparison app that allows you to browse affordable quotes from 50+ of the top insurers in the country. Once you find a plan that will work for your Corvette, our team of experienced agents will take care of all the paperwork and get you set up.On average, Jerry users save $877 a year on their car insurance.
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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