Chevrolet's brawny plastic-bodied two-seater has long been a dream machine for countless enthusiasts. Today, that dream is more in reach than ever. The fourth generation or "C4" version of these cars are absolute steals on used-car lots.
These potent performers made their debut for 1984, replacing the soft, boulevardier 1968-82 "Shark" design. With vastly improved aerodynamics and extensive use of aluminum in its construction, the C4 was enormously more capable than its predecessor.
Throughout the C4's long production run, practically every model year brought significant improvements, including revised suspension, higher-quality interiors, and new electronic performance aids. Horsepower for 1984 was a somewhat tame 205, but it went up by 25 hp the next year and continued to steadily climb. A convertible was introduced for 1986, and the following year horsepower reached 240.
For 1990, the C4 got a redesigned dashboard, followed a year later with an exterior facelift that included more rounded front- and rear-fascia styling. For 1992, horsepower jumped to 300. From 1990 to 1995, Chevrolet offered the limited-production ZR-1, which was powered by a 375-405hp Lotus-designed V8. Output of the regular small-block-V8 C4 peaked in 1996, at an optional 330hp.
With strong V8 power and exceptional handling, any C4 is a tremendously potent machine, even against some of today's pricier new performance cars. Best of all, you can find loads of good C4s practically anywhere in the U.S. for less than $10,000.
When shopping for a C4, it's best to look for as late a model as you can, to take advantage of the many refinements the design received over the years. The most desirable cars are the 1992 and later ones. Besides having considerably more power, their softer styling is less 1980s "high-tech" and thus doesn't look as dated at this point.
Early C4 coupes (1984-91) show up by the truckload for less than eight grand, with a fair number of them listing for under $5000. But realistically, you should expect to pay $6000 or more for a decent one. Scrounge up at least another thousand or two on top of that if you have your heart set on a good 1992-96. As for ZR-1s, forget about 'em -- they currently sell for about $25-$40k.
Convertibles command about a 30-percent premium over equivalent coupes, which basically puts the 1992-96 ragtops out of our $10k Budget-Speed cap. Earlier convertibles, however, are still within range.
So while the performance-car world is drooling over new C6s or shopping for used C5s, these cars' fine predecessor is going for clearance-sale prices. And that's great for you -- a good used C4 can offer more thrills per dollar than most performance cars, making them well worth a look.
For more about affordable performance cars, along with drive-test
articles on today's hottest sports cars, sport compacts, and muscle cars,
go to http://www.autiv.com/
About the Author
David Bellm is a seasoned test driver and automotive writer. His work
has been featured in a wide variety of online and print publications.
Written by: David Bellm
Bob Crowley and his wife, Teresa, were proud of their
silver Honda Accord. Despite living in the city and parking their car
right on the street, their '98 Accord was nearly free of dings. The finish
looked just as good as when they purchased the car. How could this be
possible? With kids playing stick ball, tight parallel parking, air
pollution, and pigeons that frequently splattered cars up and down the
street, no car was immune from the regular insults of urban living. For
the Crowley's it was no mystery: a custom fitted car cover was placed over
their Accord whenever it was parked to give it maximum protection. For an
investment costing less than two hundred dollars you can protect your car
too. Please read on to discover all the advantages of utilizing a high
quality car cover.
Without exception, a custom fitted car cover offers the best
protection for any vehicle. With side mirror pockets, a high quality car
cover will fit your vehicle snuggly much in the way a well fitted dress
graces a woman's body or as a glove fits a hand. The benefit is a car
cover that stays in place without flapping in the wind or sliding off.
Moreover, a custom fitted car cover will protect your car from the
following:
Moisture - With four layers of protection a custom fitted car cover
will resist moisture and protect your car's finish from acid rain, road
salt, hail, sleet, and snow.
Pollution - Air pollution, dirt, and flying debris can all wreak
havoc on your car's finish in no time. A high quality car cover will
prevent your finish from looking old before its time.
Nature - In the city you have a burgeoning pigeon population to
contend with, while in the suburbs you have squirrels, birds, and a host
of other little critters who see your car as an invitation to leave their
mark upon. Even if nature's critters like your car cover, they won't be
able to do harm to your car.
Sunny Days -- You protect your skin with sunscreen, right? Don't
think for a moment that your car's finish isn't immune from harmful solar
rays. Even the best finishes come under attack and need protection.
Regular washes and waxing does help, but in between times your finish is
under constant assault.
Small Impacts -- No, a car cover won't protect your vehicle from
another car slamming into it, but it can protect your car from someone who
opens their door and bangs into your car as well as kids on skates who get
a kick out using your hood as a seat for rest.
Intruders -- Why is it that strangers think nothing of peering into
your unoccupied car when you are not around? Don't think for a moment they
are admiring the design of your interior! Likely, someone is casing your
car for anything of value left out in full view or they are admiring your
Bose sound system. Regardless, a car cover keeps the snooping folks away.
What they can't see they aren't likely to go after.
High quality car covers such as those made by Covercraft can offer the
best protection for your car. Each custom fitted car cover is developed
for the specific make and model of your car no matter whether it is a
Honda, BMW, Dodge, Kia, or any other vehicle. The more layers it consists
of means better protection for your vehicle too. Select one with side
pocket mirrors and your vehicle will receive maximum protection. Truly,
for what amounts to a small investment a custom fitted car cover offers an
excellent return on the money.
About the author:
Matt Keegan is an auto enthusiast and a contributing writer for the
Custom Car Covers
shop, wholesalers of BMW
car covers and
Honda car covers.
Written by: Matthew C. Keegan
(99)Customizing your Car- Pinstriping Basics
Did you know pinstriping has a long history? Even before
the invention of automobiles, pinstriping was used as an ornamental
decoration for horse and buggy carriages.
Custom pinstripes started appearing on automobiles in the mid-1950s.
Although pinstriping had been on cars long before that, the last American
car to appear with auto pinstriping had been made by General Motors in the
late 30’s.
For those individuals with muscle or sports cars, customizing their ride
is an important part of owning and showcasing the vehicle, and pinstriping
is a final touch.
Pinstripes are commonly painted in two colors: one that sets off the body
color, and another, thin line, in a color contrasted with the stripe to
make it stand out.
Mechanical pin striping is the best way to stripe larger vehicles- trucks,
vans, or station wagons. The benefit is it lays down stripes of constant
width, letting you focus attention on getting the stripe oriented properly
along your working surface. You can set up your stripe lines using
magnetic pinstriping strips with center grooves designed to be paint
templates. They hold fast to steel surfaces, and can also work as guidea
for your hand.
Striping with stencil tape is also popular. There are several types of
stencil tape that are suitable for auto pinstriping applications. Stencil
tape striping uses brushes, and a specialized pinstriping brush is an
essential ingredient in a successful project. Stencil tape allows you to
apply different color stripes without needing the other stripes to dry.
Freehand pinstriping is the most difficult method, requiring the most
practice to master, but permits unrestricted creativity. The simplest plan
for a freehand striping newbie is to lay a strip of masking tape down
approximately a quarter inch from where you want the finished line to be,
and then use this tape as visual guiding for your stripes. Whatever you
do, don’t use regular masking tape, or your pinstriping paint will bleed
under the edge. Get some auto body masking tape from an auto supply store.
No matter what method you use, pinstriping is one of the finest ways to
make your vehicle distinctive. Just like anything else worth doing right,
practice makes priceless results but having the best equipment you can get
your hands on helps too.
About the Author
Carlo Morelli is a contributor to
Caroom.us where you can read more about
pinstriping
Written by: Carlo Morelli
(100)Discount Car Insurance Brokers - Get Amazing Comparisons.
To get the cheapest possible quote for your car insurance,
your best bet is an online discount car insurance broker. A broker does
not deal with one specific car insurance company, but rather searches
through every available company to find you the best possible quote. When
you contact a discount car insurance broker online, you just supply the
information about the make and model of the car, your age and driving
record to get the discount quotes you need.
When you contact a discount car insurance broker, you can get as many as
20 free online car insurance quotes at the same time. When you submit the
necessary information to the broker, he/she sends it out to all the
insurance companies he/she deals with. Each of these comes back with a
quote as to how much they would charge for your car insurance needs.
When you submit the information, make sure you specify the coverage you
need to have with the policy. The price you get in a free online car
insurance quote depends on the coverage you request. This way you know
that each quote you get from the discount car insurance broker is for the
same type of policy and that you are comparing the prices of the same
thing.
Once you receive all the quotes, then you can sit back and compare them.
The best thing about going through a discount car insurance broker for car
insurance is that you have a chance at getting a cheaper insurance rate
from a company in another city that you would probably never contact on
your own. Once you decide which one you want to select, the broker will
make the necessary arrangements and take care of getting the policy
printed for you.
You do not have to pay a discount car insurance broker for his/her
services yourself over and above the cost of the car insurance. This cost
is already included in the free online car insurance quote you receive and
the insurance company pays the discount car insurance broker a commission
for making the sale. Using this type of service for your car insurance is
almost like one-stop shopping. A broker takes all the guesswork out of
getting the best possible deal.
However don’t assume that once you have your quote from a discount car
insurance broker this is all there is to car insurance. Make sure you
insure with a good company.
About the Author
For a website about Car Insurance visit Peter's Website Car Insurance
Answers and find out about
Auto Insurance Comparisons as well as
Auto Insurance Rates and more, including UK Car Insurance, online Car
Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes.
Written by: Peter Crump