I am looking at an '84 to buy.Any issue I should be looking for or asking the seller?Thanks

I am looking at an '84 to buy.Any issue I should be looking for or asking the seller?Thanks

Why an 84 vette? You want a 15 second car to drive around? Problem with them is they have no HP. There are plenty of guys on here pulling their hair out trying to get it to perform, most have changed the intake, cam, heads and now it isn't an 84 crossfire anymore. You would probably be better off to buy any vette other than an 82 or 84. Get a C3 with a big carb:burnout:

Why an 84 vette? You want a 15 second car to drive around? Problem with them is they have no HP. There are plenty of guys on here pulling their hair out trying to get it to perform, most have changed the intake, cam, heads and now it isn't an 84 crossfire anymore. You would probably be better off to buy any vette other than an 82 or 84. Get a C3 with a big carb:burnout:

There you go, giving bad advice again. LIsten OP pm cfi-efi on this forum and ask him what you want to know. You will get real advice, worth listening to. Do not listen to the JOKER 85l98

:iagree: Furthermore, the OP didn't ask for opinions about WHICH model year 'Vette to buy. He asked what to look for on an '84. More of that COMPREHENSION problem kicking in again?

To the OP:
Look for the same things you'd check on any normal, used car, +:
Vette specific:
*Wiring for hackage and wear
*Rear wheel bearings
*U-Joints
*Bushings


CFI Specific:
*Vacuum leaks around the plenum lid
*Test the fuel pump/pressure if you can
Other than that, the CFI part of the equation is very reliable. BTW, I went 13.2x's w/my CFI fed car, and less than $1500.00 in mods.

I am looking at an '84 to buy.Any issue I should be looking for or asking the seller?Thanks


How many miles are on it? These are very dependable cars and not much out of the ordinary goes wrong with them. The Crossfire Injection system used on them is also very dependable, and about the only issues you may have with it would be wear occurring in the throttle shaft bushings. And that can be easily repaired. How much is the seller asking for it?

I would check for electronic issues, such as guages working properly, lights, key remotes, seats,etc if it has it. And of course mechanical issues on drivetrain. Other than that if its a good deal, buy it. And if its a super deal let me know and I'll buy it for ya.:hehehe:

Having owned a couple of 84s all i can say is that none of them have a decent transmission to begin with. If you are lucky enough to find one that was up-dated it will help you by a long way.
Check out the e-brakes close...all 84-87s have some weird hard to correct issues there.
Try to look at as much of the wiring as possible. Any modifications could mean it was one with problems and you never know who did the mods...if things don't work find out exactly why, not just a guess.
Make sure both rubber boots are still on the hood center to get a clean seal...although not extremely important...there are no replacements available as of a couple years ago.
Check all of the suspension close...if it feels like it is bouncing around too much on bumps it could = problems. Check clearance of front pulley to cross frame...make certain your finger fits between.
Check the brake booster very closely...i had one go through 3 of them.
If it has any idle issues RUN away.
Unfortunately the 84s have so many issues that the factory sent out an entire book on them for service at dealerships. You could literally spend days going through all of them. good luck to ya.

Having owned a couple of 84s all i can say is that none of them have a decent transmission to begin with. If you are lucky enough to find one that was up-dated it will help you by a long way.
Check out the e-brakes close...all 84-87s have some weird hard to correct issues there.
Try to look at as much of the wiring as possible. Any modifications could mean it was one with problems and you never know who did the mods...if things don't work find out exactly why, not just a guess.
Make sure both rubber boots are still on the hood center to get a clean seal...although not extremely important...there are no replacements available as of a couple years ago.
Check all of the suspension close...if it feels like it is bouncing around too much on bumps it could = problems. Check clearance of front pulley to cross frame...make certain your finger fits between.
Check the brake booster very closely...i had one go through 3 of them.
If it has any idle issues RUN away.
Unfortunately the 84s have so many issues that the factory sent out an entire book on them for service at dealerships. You could literally spend days going through all of them. good luck to ya.


Good Info. I will keep that in mind when i look at it.Thanks

Good Info. I will keep that in mind when i look at it.Thanks

Good luck!! I was looking at a 84, but it had too many problems with the motor. Bad idle one time, next day it sputtered up till 3,000 rpm. Ended up with a nice 85 for the same money. So far I have changed the fluid in the clutch, brake and power steering, and the fuel pump. Also did the window sweeps and tightened up everything in the doors. Big improvement.

I'd agree with pretty much everything that todd_vette has said. I know my '84 definatelly destroyed a tranny, and I had the dreaded idle issues that were a pain to chase down. Surprisingly though, mine had no problems that I can remember with the crossfire injection system.

Good luck!! I was looking at a 84, but it had too many problems with the motor. Bad idle one time, next day it sputtered up till 3,000 rpm. Ended up with a nice 85 for the same money. So far I have changed the fluid in the clutch, brake and power steering, and the fuel pump. Also did the window sweeps and tightened up everything in the doors. Big improvement.

I agree get an 85 they have tpi and no ABS to **** you off.

It all depends on what YOU want. You have your other vett so why not an 84. We still have my wife's 84 and I drive an 03. Maybe I've been lucky but the only problem was the dash in the 84, bought a replacement on Craig's list. other than the normal things you would look for on a 25 year old car, I would try in out in cold dry weather, that's when all the loosness in the body and suspension will show. I did change the radiator in the 84 because I don't trust a 25 year old one. Double core runs at 185-195 all year round. I think it's pretty cool having the first year of the C4.