I Think I Want a C4 ZR-1

[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

RichieDMD,

I would not let the passenger airbag discourage you about staying away from 94-95 cars. Having owned a 90, 91, and 95 I love the refinement and improvement in the later models. I had no idea of all the little improvements until years after owning my 95 and taking it apart to do mods. You should be able to remove the fuse to disable the passenger air bag if you desire. You also get the wheels you like. LOL. 🤙🏼

Just find the right car for you and do as you are doing to ask all the questions and use the info on the Registry. If you can make it to the Gathering there are a bunch of folks that will let you ride in and drive their cars. Best wishes.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

I hadn't considered just pulling the fuse out to deactivate the air bag. That's not a bad idea.



I think what I should do is just figure out exactly what my ideal car is...and look for that regardless of year and see what I find.


Can you give me a few examples of the "little improvements" that happened over the years?


Also, I know with Camaro's...the 1993 had yellow colored gauges and controls on the interior and 1994 and newer had white. Is that the same with the Corvette (for example, the speedometer #s are yellow on my 1993 but were white from 94-02).

[RichieDMD]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Yes, do exactly what you’re doing to be well informed before your decision. Of course your budget might dictate it for you. When I got my red/saddle 90 in 2003 all I could afford to spend was around $15K and found it for $14K plus shipping to Hawaii.

In 2015 I lived in Cali and I went to look at a black/black 95 for a friend in Hawaii. He changed his mind and decided he wanted a polo green/tan 93. I always loved black and I thought it would be nice to have the first and last year, but didn’t think to seriously consider buying it. It was a week or so later that the owner called me and asked if I wanted to buy it since he could tell I was in love with it. I told him I couldn’t afford to. He was asking $32K at the time and I thought it was priced well for a nice low mileage car (27K miles), especially with all the extra wheels/tires, parts, accessories (boxes of it). I told my wife and since she came for the ride to see it she told me why don’t I buy it? How can I not when the wife is encouraging me? I set the lowball budget to $25K and the seller called me back a few days later to accept my offer. He said others that came and looked were not enthusiast and looking to flip it. He wanted me to have it knowing it would be cared for by an enthusiast. Just the right place at the right time in an area with no demand for the car. It fell into my lap by accident.

My reason for telling you all this is I didn’t buy the first Z I really wanted and settled. I don’t even like red (glad you do) but I wanted a ZR-1. I also realized I prefer the look of the later models without the belt line molding of the 90.

As for the list of all the changes, I have to find that for you since I did not know so many small things. Mostly to make the car quieter (a bunch of anti-squeak and rattle stuff and more comfortable. There are sensitive people here that like to counter or challenge ones opinion so I’ll not say any particular year is better or worse. I just know what I like. I never question others opinions because that’s just not my nature. Of course most people focus on the look, color, options available, production numbers, horsepower, wheels, etc. between the different years. The stuff I’m talking about might not be important to you, but I think you should be educated and informed. I didn’t know until I drove a later model Z. I’m in Hawaii now and my car and my stuff is in Japan. Since you’re not buying right away, I’ll try to find that list of everything changed year by year and get it to you when I go in April to visit (pending corona virus issue).

Yes, different color gauges between early and later and you’ll find all those details and more on the Registry info. I’m still sick in bed at home so trying to make this reply short.

Best wishes with your quest!! 🤙🏼








Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Thank you for all the info. I'm just gonna keep researching and figure out exactly what I want. I'm not in a rush. If you get time and can help me sort out a list of the changes made during the run it would be very useful. Hope you feel better soon!

[XfireZ51]

Hey Craig, ur not dealing w CV-19 are u?

[Vette73]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Hey Craig, ur not dealing w CV-19 are u?

I think the media just needs to keep there mouth shut over this situation....Aids,Sars, the flu ? Did everything just go into shut off mode ? Over 2 trillion dollars lost in 4 days?

Are people falling over dead in the streets ? No....Its a shame...A lot of damage is done already....Its a situation that will come under control eventually just like everything else...

[RichieDMD]

I really appreciate all the insight and information you guys have provided me. This is quite an impressive community. You have been a huge help...and I am a new person here who hasn't contributed to the group at all. So, thank you for being so welcoming and helpful.

I have read every post and PM and have done a bunch of reading online as I continue to learn about these cars.

The more I learn, the more refined by goal has become. I think the consensus here is the newer the car the better the car simply because they continued to improve the model as time went by (as they do with all cars). So, I should buy the newest version I can. In addition, I don't care for the black trim on the 1990 cars and I really like the A-mold rims. So, it seems like a 1994 or 1995 would make the most sense. Of course, cost is gonna be a factor. So, we will see.

As far as my concerns about airbags, Oregon laws are pretty vague about forward facing car seats and airbags. Here is what it says:

Oregon law requires children under eight years old and weighing 40 pounds or less to be secured in a child safety seat.
All children under two years old must be secured in a rear-facing child seat. Oregon does not specifically require that children be placed in the back seat of vehicles. However, “proper use” of a child safety seat prohibits installing a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.

So, I might not even need to worry about the airbag...and if I do it sounds easy enough to just deactivate it by removing a fuse. Plus, I have probably had car seats in my Pace Car Camaro 3 times in the last year...so it's not a big concern I don't think.

Based on all that, it seems that a 1994 or 1995 would make the most sense...with the preference being 1995. But, then it comes down to finding the right car.

It seems like there isn't a lot of variation for options on these as they all seem to be pretty fully loaded for their day. It feels like color and mods is what it comes down to.

For color, originally I was thinking red...but I feel like that's not the best choice for me. First off, red is my favorite color and to me nothing is better than a red car. But, my 2002 Camaro SS LE car is red (the LE cars only came red) and I plan on keeping that car. So, I think that I should get something other than red. Blue is also out, I'm in the process of buying a new daily driver right now and I'm looking for a blue BMW 3-series. The idea is, the BMW will be my daily driver, I will use the Camaro as a hot rod (it's gonna get a new exhaust, gears, and a cam over the next few years), and sell the Pace Car and buy a Corvette as a third vehicle in my little collection. This is basically all my wife will tolerate, haha.

So, red and blue are out. Looking at the other available colors, only two really appeal to me: black and yellow. For whatever reason, yellow is really standing out to me. I've never had a yellow car before and I have always associated yellow with Corvettes. I don't really know why...but yellow Corvettes just do it for me. It looks like the interior colors were black, grey or saddle and any of those would probably be fine with me.

But, they only made 43 yellow cars in 1994 and 49 in 1995. So, I've went from a red 1990 with 1565 made to a yellow 94/95 with 92 made. So, we will see if I can find one and then afford it.

I want to find a driver...something with some miles on it. Not 100K miles, but not a 2000 mile garage queen either. Also, I'm OK with a few minor mods (exhaust, gears, ect.) as long as it will still pass emissions...and Oregon tests all cars 1975 and newer (and they bring out the mirrors and looks for catalytic converters). The thing though is they do a tailpipe test on all cars 1995 and older and cars 1981-95 are held to the same standard. As long as it has cats and can pass the same test as a 1981 car it will be fine.

So, here is the question. How hard will be to locate a car like this and what do you think it will cost (lets see if my goals greatly outclass my wallet)?

Originally Posted by Vette73

I think the media just needs to keep there mouth shut over this situation....Aids,Sars, the flu ? Did everything just go into shut off mode ? Over 2 trillion dollars lost in 4 days?

Are people falling over dead in the streets ? No....Its a shame...A lot of damage is done already....Its a situation that will come under control eventually just like everything else...

There certainly is a certain degree of sensationalism in the media about this whole thing. I am a dentist and I've had a couple patients this week ask me if they could buy masks from me. It's nuts.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Significant / or Insignificant changes:
91- front bumper and side molding, wheels, size of cutout in windshield
92- traction control, emblems added to side of hood, exhaust tips
93- wheels, 40th Edition, 405 horsepower, but car got heavier, PKE Remote
94- SEATS!!! Lear!!! White lettering on controls, wheels
95- many with 2 Dunn heads, shifter, reverse lockout change

Likely missed some!
I would not get "hung-up" over the changes.
All years are great!
Changes are actually minor, evolutionary, not revolutionary.


Marty

[XfireZ51]

Marty,

So 95 was the first year for the “crash thru” reverse? Wasn’t sure.
94-95 were also years w OBDII 16pin ALDL CONNECTOR but still using OBD1 diagnostics.

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Marty,

So 95 was the first year for the “crash thru” reverse? Wasn’t sure.
94-95 were also years w OBDII 16pin ALDL CONNECTOR but still using OBD1 diagnostics.

'95 had the crash through reverse, '93 had a lift ring. I don't know about '94s but perhaps a '94 owner can contribute.--Bob

[EvanZR1]

1990:
One year only body style, one year only wheels (salad shooter). Super narrow sport seats with electric recline (36" waist max, a few 91s (like mine) also got these if they were rare/unusual color interior)
1991+:
New front bumper and belt-line trim. Sport seats are same look as 90, but a little bit wider and move to manual recline adjustment. Change to saw blade style wheels.
1992+:
Traction control added. Emblems on both sides of hood (although many earlier year owners add this). Exhaust tip change (of course exhaust is one of the most common things owners change).
1993 specific: 40th Anniversary Edition (appearance only option).
1993+: Increase to 405 horsepower, but car got heavier. PKE Remote. Passenger airbag. Oil & coolant temp added as options in digital dash functions (believe it was 93, may have been 92)
1994+: Another seat change, now the widest seats in a C4. White dash lettering. 5-spoke, A-mold wheels. OBDII port, but OBDI ECM.
1995: Possible to get a "double Dunn" engine (Dunn heads on both sides, more of a unique conversation piece, maybe worth a few (4-5?) HP), shifter lift ring eliminated and change to "crash through"

As Marty said, changes are actually minor, evolutionary, not revolutionary. Also, many of the "improvements" to the C4 were done as running changes and not tied to a specific year. So things like felt pads in certain places to help eliminate rattles were done once they identified an issue and had a solution, not waiting on the next model year to implement. In general, I typically say buy the latest model you can get with all else being equal. But on ZR-1s, that tends to go out the window as it's more about: what's available, color, condition of car, mods, specific things you value, etc.

[Norwegianmopar]

Originally Posted by EvanZR1

1990:
One year only body style, one year only wheels (salad shooter). Super narrow sport seats with electric recline (36" waist max, a few 91s (like mine) also got these if they were rare/unusual color interior)
1991+:
New front bumper and belt-line trim. Sport seats are same look as 90, but a little bit wider and move to manual recline adjustment. Change to saw blade style wheels.
1992+:
Traction control added. Emblems on both sides of hood (although many earlier year owners add this). Exhaust tip change (of course exhaust is one of the most common things owners change).
1993 specific: 40th Anniversary Edition (appearance only option).
1993+: Increase to 405 horsepower, but car got heavier. PKE Remote. Passenger airbag. Oil & coolant temp added as options in digital dash functions (believe it was 93, may have been 92)
1994+: Another seat change, now the widest seats in a C4. White dash lettering. 5-spoke, A-mold wheels. OBDII port, but OBDI ECM.
1995: Possible to get a "double Dunn" engine (Dunn heads on both sides, more of a unique conversation piece, maybe worth a few (4-5?) HP), shifter lift ring eliminated and change to "crash through"

As Marty said, changes are actually minor, evolutionary, not revolutionary. Also, many of the "improvements" to the C4 were done as running changes and not tied to a specific year. So things like felt pads in certain places to help eliminate rattles were done once they identified an issue and had a solution, not waiting on the next model year to implement. In general, I typically say buy the latest model you can get with all else being equal. But on ZR-1s, that tends to go out the window as it's more about: what's available, color, condition of car, mods, specific things you value, etc.

Evan, I think the passenger side airbag came in 94.