C4 vs C5 comparison, share your thoughts..
08-25-2016, 06:58 AM
#21
Burning Brakes
I like the C4 over the C5 any day of the week. I personally would prefer the convertible over the FRC if I had to have a C5 though. I don't go racing so I would prefer to be able to enjoy the sun and wind during my drive. If I could find a nice example for the right price I believe I would buy 2008+ C6 vert rather than a C5.
I have noticed that in the last year more people are becoming interested in clean C4's. Mostly due to the hood and headlights. Everyone asks if I can show them those two features.
Not to get too off topic here but what is your method of parking to get so close the the garage doors? I use the ball from the ceiling method but I am always afraid the garage door will hit the bumper. It also looks like your doors are reinforced with extra cross bars.
I have noticed that in the last year more people are becoming interested in clean C4's. Mostly due to the hood and headlights. Everyone asks if I can show them those two features.
Not to get too off topic here but what is your method of parking to get so close the the garage doors? I use the ball from the ceiling method but I am always afraid the garage door will hit the bumper. It also looks like your doors are reinforced with extra cross bars.
08-25-2016, 10:05 AM
#22
Le Mans Master
I have both and like trading off because they are different too.
On many objective data categories the C5 wins, but the feel of the cars are different. I like driving the C4's better most of the time because there is more feedback in driving (feels better).
I have daily driven both and long trips in both. Both are great cars.
Just to add to Tom's data, here are the 6 and 7 speed ratios for different generations.
4+3 and automatics
On many objective data categories the C5 wins, but the feel of the cars are different. I like driving the C4's better most of the time because there is more feedback in driving (feels better).
I have daily driven both and long trips in both. Both are great cars.
The gear ratios are pretty close between the two cars...but 1-4, the ratios in your '92 are closer....
Z06:
Gear ratios (:1):
First: 2.97
Second: 2.07
Third: 1.43
Fourth: 1.00
Fifth: 0.84
Sixth: 0.56
Reverse: 3.28
Final drive ratio (:1): 3.42
ZF6 Gear ratios -
1st-2.68,
2nd-1.80,
3rd-1.29,
4th-1.0,
5th-0.75,
6th-0.50,
Reverse-2.50
It's interesting to compare the cars. Very different machines.
Z06:
Gear ratios (:1):
First: 2.97
Second: 2.07
Third: 1.43
Fourth: 1.00
Fifth: 0.84
Sixth: 0.56
Reverse: 3.28
Final drive ratio (:1): 3.42
ZF6 Gear ratios -
1st-2.68,
2nd-1.80,
3rd-1.29,
4th-1.0,
5th-0.75,
6th-0.50,
Reverse-2.50
It's interesting to compare the cars. Very different machines.
Code:
C4 C5 C5 C6 C6 C7 C7 ZF6 MM6 M12 base Z06-Z51 base Z51 1st 2.68 2.66 2.97 2.66 2.97 2.66 2.97 2nd 1.80 1.78 2.07 1.78 2.07 1.78 2.07 3rd 1.29 1.30 1.43 1.30 1.43 1.30 1.43 4th 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 5th 0.75 0.74 0.84 0.74 0.71 0.74 0.71 6th 0.50 0.50 0.56 0.50 0.57 0.50 0.57 7th -- -- -- -- -- 0.42 0.48 RearAxle 3.45 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42
Code:
Doug Nash 4+3 700R4/4L60/4L60E C6 auto Z51 Non-Z51 1st 2.88 1st 2.88 1st 3.06 1st 4.03 2nd 1.91 2nd 1.91 2nd 1.57 2nd 2.36 2nd OD 1.30 2nd OD 1.15 3rd 1.00 3rd 1.53 3rd 1.34 3rd 1.34 4th 0.67 4th 1.15 3rd OD 0.90 3rd OD 0.80 5th 0.85 4th 1.00 4th 1.00 6th 0.67 4th OD 0.68 4th OD 0.60 rear axle 2.56
08-25-2016, 10:37 AM
#23
Instructor
My previous post may have come off wrong. I like my C4 but that 04 Z06 I had was hands down better in handling, torque, throttle response and all out speed.
08-25-2016, 11:17 AM
#24
Le Mans Master
in my opinion, the FRCs are simply the best looking of the c-5s and the only one I would own. C-5s are ahead of the C-4s, but that has happened with each C change and is to be expected/granted. I like my 86 and would love to own a FRC as well, even if its not a Z06.
08-25-2016, 12:59 PM
#26
Intermediate
My C5 is a fantastic car and I love just about everything about it. I had never owned a C4, but always admired the styling, so when an opportunity arose, I bought my '93 Polo Green coupe.
The two cars are completely different and, although my C5 is more refined and improved in many ways, there are many, many things I love about my C4.
Many of these are things that are reminiscent of the older Corvettes I've owned.
For example, I love:
The two cars are completely different and, although my C5 is more refined and improved in many ways, there are many, many things I love about my C4.
Many of these are things that are reminiscent of the older Corvettes I've owned.
For example, I love:
- the styling of the C4 (just a clean, simple design that I think will hold up for a long time).
- hearing the transmission whine of the 6 speed coming up from underneath the tunnel. (The C5's transmission is in the rear, and you don't hear it).
- the location of the "racing-style" gas filler on the back deck (like the C2s and C3s).
- the front fender vents (my '93 reminds me of the '63 and '64).
- the rotating headlights (remind me of the rotating headlights on the C2s).
- the "saw-blade" wheels (call me crazy, but the design is appeals to me).
- the body molding that wraps around the entire car (and helps a little to protect the body from dings).
- the overall raw feel that links back to the earlier generations (my C5's ride and drive is more refined).
08-25-2016, 01:09 PM
#27
Both C4 and C5 are bang for your buck Vettes.
I personally like the exterior and interior of the C4. I too have noticed the more recent interest in C4s (out in public, shows, etc). Just 2 days ago I went to local Chevy dealer to grab a oil filter and came out to a group of salesmen around the car.
I personally like the exterior and interior of the C4. I too have noticed the more recent interest in C4s (out in public, shows, etc). Just 2 days ago I went to local Chevy dealer to grab a oil filter and came out to a group of salesmen around the car.
08-25-2016, 02:28 PM
#28
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Totally disagree about the throttle response. There isn't an e-throttled car out there that has decent throttle response. In that regard, any C4 would trump any C5, or 6 (haven't driven a C7 yet).
08-25-2016, 03:26 PM
#29
Racer
Interesting timing on this thread. I have a '94 Black Rose coupe. I found a deal on a very nice '02 blue convertible. I drive about 500 miles a week so I'm thinking about something different. I doubt the wife would let me keep both.
08-25-2016, 05:17 PM
#30
Team Owner
Totally agree that in objective numbers, the Z06 will smoke the C4 in just about every possible way.
Totally disagree about the throttle response. There isn't an e-throttled car out there that has decent throttle response. In that regard, any C4 would trump any C5, or 6 (haven't driven a C7 yet).
Totally disagree about the throttle response. There isn't an e-throttled car out there that has decent throttle response. In that regard, any C4 would trump any C5, or 6 (haven't driven a C7 yet).
My question is why that is so? Could it be that we told the manufacturer that we wanted it to be that way like they did with the 700R4? Could tuning to have a faster tip in make it better? If so that is not the system's fault but rather the user fault.
08-25-2016, 05:30 PM
#31
Le Mans Master
Myself I just don't like the C5 bumpers. I saw a c6 style lower front bumper for a c5 I thought looked better than the OEM I just can't get into the smushed rear end. When GM lengthened the wheel base and not the overall length it hurt hurt the profile.
08-25-2016, 05:48 PM
#32
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 08-25-2016 at 05:52 PM.
08-25-2016, 05:57 PM
#33
Team Owner
One other thing. Several shops have told me to give up on getting the C4 to seal up. Right now, I cannot take it to a car wash or I too get a wash. New weatherstrip and good installer and adjustment gets me wind noise and a bath. Supposedly they have found it easier to get the C5 and up to seal up enough so that it is drops that might come through in a car wash as opposed to a spray.
Right now, if I lost my C4 and got the money to build something, it will be a C5 and up for that reason and the simple reason that many here are saying that the C4s get more attention. I do everything I can to keep my car looking as low profile unless I have to. I don't want idiots coming to me telling me how good they think my car looks when they don't know Jack about cars and worse, people asking for a ride. If it isn't my wife or the attending mechanic, you don't get to sit in it even if you are a hottie on the street.
Right now, if I lost my C4 and got the money to build something, it will be a C5 and up for that reason and the simple reason that many here are saying that the C4s get more attention. I do everything I can to keep my car looking as low profile unless I have to. I don't want idiots coming to me telling me how good they think my car looks when they don't know Jack about cars and worse, people asking for a ride. If it isn't my wife or the attending mechanic, you don't get to sit in it even if you are a hottie on the street.
08-25-2016, 06:07 PM
#34
I do not own a c5, but i do own a c4 and if given the opportunity to own a c5 i would in a heartbeat, but not if i had to sell my c4. I have come to love it already or i wouldn't bother the task of putting a new engine in her. My 2 cents.
08-25-2016, 06:14 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
aklim, its interesting that you have had so much trouble with your C4 leaking... my 88' has mostly original weather stripping (pretty deteriorated) and I really don't have much issue with leaks. If I sprayed a hose right on the rubber joint on the passenger's side at the corner of the windshield I might get a couple small drops inside. But that is all. No issue on the driver's side or anywhere else, no leaks anywhere in the rain etc... Must be sort of luck of the draw if a C4 leaks or not.
Last edited by DMITTZ; 08-25-2016 at 06:15 PM.
08-25-2016, 06:19 PM
#36
Team Owner
IDK much about it. I started several threads about this in the C6 section, when I had my C6, b/c throttle response (or lack thereof) was one of the most annoying things about the car. Actually, there were a LOT of wicked annoying things about that car...but throttle response was right u at the top of the list. Anyway, some tuners jumped in and said give it to me...I can tune it to knock your socks off. Other tuners -ones who seemed a little more...mature and experienced? admitted that it was very difficult to tune the throttle and that w/a lot of time/effort, you might get a slight improvement. I paid a well respected tuner to tune my C6, my number 1 priority in purchasing the tune was improved throttle response. He found me 5 hp (whoop de doo) but didn't improve throttle response at all. In that car, you could literally put the throttle to the floor, then release it all the way...THEN the RPM would surge lazily up then down. It was wicked lame.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-sale-now.html
I'm curious. Did you try this? I think it is harder to work with because it also is tempered by traction control.
08-25-2016, 06:33 PM
#37
Team Owner
aklim, its interesting that you have had so much trouble with your C4 leaking... my 88' has mostly original weather stripping (pretty deteriorated) and I really don't have much issue with leaks. If I sprayed a hose right on the rubber joint on the passenger's side at the corner of the windshield I might get a couple small drops inside. But that is all. No issue on the driver's side or anywhere else, no leaks anywhere in the rain etc... Must be sort of luck of the draw if a C4 leaks or not.
08-25-2016, 06:37 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
I have only ever hand washed my C4 at home, so I can't say how it would do in a car wash.
08-25-2016, 06:50 PM
#39
Team Owner
08-25-2016, 06:57 PM
#40
Drifting
I've had three of each. '86 4+3 Coupe, '94 Auto Coupe, '96 LT4 Coupe, '98 MN6 Coupe, '99 MN6 Coupe, and currently an '04 Z06. My current is by far my favorite. But performance-wise, the quickest had been the C4 LT4 until I got the Z. It would smoke both my '98 and '99 coupes. The Z is just a bit quicker and certainly more refined. Honestly, if it weren't for my aching back though, my '96 CE LT4 would be a very close contender for the favored spot. I just had too hard of a time inserting and extracting myself from it.