ucfsaxman

Hi guys! I'm a long time lurker and finally joined because I'm able to afford a vette now! I've searched for hours on C4 vs C5 topics but what about higher mileage less clean vs lower mileage and a little better condition. I've just begun shopping around and I have one major question so far. Should I go with a higher mileage C5 say around 115-120K or a C4 with around 75-90K? My budget is $10,000. I know C5's are a little more expensive usually but there a few in my area around that price they just have high mileage. I looked at one today and it had a few cosmetic imperfections that are certainly forgivable. I don't expect it to be perfect and I wouldn't be against working on some things later down the road. The only thing though was that the fuse for the electric driver side seat wasn't working so they're going to order one and fix the seat. However the interior looked great no tears in the seats and everything else was pretty clean. The car sounded great. I've seen some C4's that are a little cleaner and around the same price. What do you guys suggest. How much mileage is too much and which would be more reliable?

LMFD296

C5 handsdown.

STALION

I would go for the c5, it's just a better car all around. The thing is, you should be able to find a clean c4 easily under $10 g's, compared to what you will get for a c5 on that budget. I was browsing yesterday for fun and came across this...might be worth checking out...

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/2809999761.html

ronssito

The C4 Sarcophagus mummy drivers footwell no place for my feet interior is enough to make the decision ...




There's really no comparison.

Kevin993

We since this is the C5 section of the forum we are a bit biased here but C5 all the way!

Blue 92

You really don't expect a completely unbiased answer in the C5 section do you?

Go do a test drive of each. The C4 is a tighter fit inside and not as roomy as a C5. It has a more raw "sports car" feel to it but stock to stock the C5 handles as good or better and is more relaxing on long trips.

I have one of each. Did a road trip of about 2,500 miles from Columbus to Colorado Springs and back in the C4. Didn't bother me at all. The better half felt it was a little rough riding for long trips.

Did about 2,100 miles Columbus to St. Francisville, La and back in the C5. She liked it a way lot more for road trips.

From a maintenance point of view a high mileage C5 may be just as bad as a low mile C4. It's a trade off of parts failing from use to parts failing from age.

If push came to shove I'd put my C4 up for sale before my C5.

Mike98SilVert

I've owned both. Get the C5, it's a much better car all around.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

marty mar

I two have owned both. Certain late C4's are nice, and have a real sports car feel to them, but the styling is dated. Don't expect any love from car nuts with a C4, there the Rodney Dangerfield of Corvettes.
Good luck.

Monkey D. Luffy

If you buy the C4 you'll be kicking yourself later

Blow Torch

Have owned two of each
Would never go back to a C4

Kmcoldcars

I have a 2002 Z06 with 32000 miles on it and a 1992 coupe with 51000 miles on it. Both are great cars and are completely different from each other to drive. I enjoy driving both. My advice is drive a few C5 cars you can afford and drive some nice C4s. Decide which YOU like better. I actually prefer the C4 styling and its performance is very good with the 300 HP LT1 engine and the performance ratio rear end ( 3.07 to 1, I think). I like the looks of the C5 Z06 much better than the regular C5 coupe and the Z06 performance is awesome. However with a $ 10000 budget you will not get a Z06. I bought my 1992 Black Rose Metallic coupe in March with 49000 miles on it for $ 8300.00 in excellent condition. Any C5 you get for $ 10000 will have problems, unless you are very lucky.
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guido7834

I've owned both. Test drive Both. Drive the c5, and you will forget about the c4, in my opinion.

RetiredSFC 97

I will give you an unbiased answer because well, that's what I do.

They are both great vettes and they both have their downside. The C4 from my experience is a better built car. The C5 is more refined. The C5 rides better on less than ideal surfaces but on a good highway I don't see much difference.

The LT1 has a rated HP of 300, which is easliy upgraded as high as you wish to go. The LS1 is rated at 345 pre 01 and then 350 after that, excluding the Z06. Whoopty doo. 5 more HP. But the LS1 can is easily modded to however much money you wish to throw at it.

The C4 Lt4 is under rated at 330, some have dynoed stock more than the LS1. Some say they under published the numbers purposely because the Ls1 was coming out. Others say it's not true, so only GM knows for sure. BUT, the LT4 will run all day long with any stock LS1.

The C4 has much more of a rocket ship cockpit feel to it and has the best interior ever put in a vette. The interior of the C5 is bland and boring but you can dress it up to make it really nice as many people have done.

Overall the C5 is a more modern car, well duh, as it should be and it performs well and looks OK. The Hardtop/FRC/Z06 is Daddy's boy of the C5. The verts are really really nice if you're into verts. The coupe hatch on the C4 goes better with the overall design of the car than the C5 hatchback does.

If you go with a C4 try and get the LT4 but don't say no to a nice LT1 either. Unless you're at the track racing, the HP difference is only for bragging rights, nothing more nothing less.

If I had to choose between a high mileage C5 and low mileage nice C4, I would go with the C4 so long as it's a six speed and at least and LT1. ( I had the L98) It was quick, but it was a almost a second slower 0 to 60, than the LS1. But the LT4 is the best of the bunch, other than the ZR1 and it doesn't sound like you have the bucks for that puppy.


The number one rule when buying a vette, or any car for that matter is

BUY THE LEAST MILEAGE CAR WITH THE MONEY YOU HAVE. Don't get caught up in the C5 versus C4. The C7 is about to come out and the C5 will become the next C4. It happens with the introduction of every new generation. There's always one that becomes icky to snot nosed brats. Right now the C4 isn't old enough to be respected and yesterday's news to the keep up with the Jone's crowd.


Like I said, go ask the C4 guys about the C4 but I don't suggest asking vette guys to compare their vette with last years prom queen, or to the one who strole their girlfriend. Of them all I prefer the FRC/Z06 and would have kept my C4 if I couldn't have one. The FRC/Z06 is the best looking vette ever produced, IMO. And it runs really really well for stock. I'm completely happy. But it has it's issues as well that irritates me. But overall it's a great car.

sfc rick

I love my C4, but seriously I drive my C5 every chance I get. My C4 is fantastic, great engine, great interior, new paint, new suspension and it's a blast to drive, BUT it ain't my C5.

Buy the C5!

SG Lou

red-in-la

I'm already having a hard time getting C5 parts from the dealer for my 2000. Can only imagine what's it's like if you need an dealer only part for a C4.
Only interior parts that are readily available are in black.

JustinStrife

C5 hands down. My dad owns an '86 vert, '88 coupe, and 96' vert. The C5 is a considerably better car all around.

Baldfart

I have owned both. If I had driven the C5 before the C4, I would not have bought the C4. Drive both cars and I will bet you will feel the same way.

fendermender

This is the exact question I asked myself since last spring. I was figuring the same budget. Well instead of a mint C4 I bought a wrecked C5. I'm in the autobody bussiness so seemed a good idea. I don't regret my choice.

Everything I have read and been told is the C5 is a much better car all around. But I shopped around all summer and I don't think you will find much in a C5 for ten grand right now. Low teens on up is a more realistic figure. If you get one for 10, budget for some repairs and surprises. These are not cheap cars no mater how you slice it. But I personaly would rather spend on the C5 cause at the end you have a better car. Most will tell you the newer the better.

Blue 92

As far as low priced C5s....

A friend bought a high mileage 01 C5 convertible about 2 years or so ago in the price range you are looking at. He now has over $20K in it including a new LS6, transmission and clutch assembly. None were planned upgrades.

On the other hand the car appears now to be rock solid and he drives it every chance he gets.