Why does everyone hate the C4 so much?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,581
Likes: 966
From: Communist Colorado
Only a moron would HATE the C4. As some have mentioned, a Corvette is a Corvette. They are all nice & have their good points along with bad ones. C4's handle like a champ & are very quick in stock form. The electrical gremlin theory is just that, a theory. Some of the digital dashes went on the blink & the later cars sometimes have trouble with the passkey system, but no more electrical problems than any other GM product.
Theres a ton of guys running around with 150,000 + mile cars that havent been overhauled. If you maintain a C4, it will go to 250,000 miles. Seldom has any other year corvette seen those miles without a rebuild.
After owning a C3, & a C4, I say you cant really compare the 2. A C3 is an old school type vehicle with ALOT of squeeks & rattles. The handling is less than excellent. Its got the classic look of a Corvette, which I like. But for comfort, smoothness in ride quality, overall handling, safety features & the fun of shifting a ZF 6 speed a C4 is the way to go.
Like everything else, different strokes for different folks.
Theres a ton of guys running around with 150,000 + mile cars that havent been overhauled. If you maintain a C4, it will go to 250,000 miles. Seldom has any other year corvette seen those miles without a rebuild.
After owning a C3, & a C4, I say you cant really compare the 2. A C3 is an old school type vehicle with ALOT of squeeks & rattles. The handling is less than excellent. Its got the classic look of a Corvette, which I like. But for comfort, smoothness in ride quality, overall handling, safety features & the fun of shifting a ZF 6 speed a C4 is the way to go.
Like everything else, different strokes for different folks.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 13,138
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From: Inside the woods living my passion
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by 81c3
Only a moron would HATE the C4. As some have mentioned, a Corvette is a Corvette. They are all nice & have their good points along with bad ones. C4's handle like a champ & are very quick in stock form. The electrical gremlin theory is just that, a theory. Some of the digital dashes went on the blink & the later cars sometimes have trouble with the passkey system, but no more electrical problems than any other GM product.
Theres a ton of guys running around with 150,000 + mile cars that havent been overhauled. If you maintain a C4, it will go to 250,000 miles. Seldom has any other year corvette seen those miles without a rebuild.
After owning a C3, & a C4, I say you cant really compare the 2. A C3 is an old school type vehicle with ALOT of squeeks & rattles. The handling is less than excellent. Its got the classic look of a Corvette, which I like. But for comfort, smoothness in ride quality, overall handling, safety features & the fun of shifting a ZF 6 speed a C4 is the way to go.
Like everything else, different strokes for different folks.
Theres a ton of guys running around with 150,000 + mile cars that havent been overhauled. If you maintain a C4, it will go to 250,000 miles. Seldom has any other year corvette seen those miles without a rebuild.
After owning a C3, & a C4, I say you cant really compare the 2. A C3 is an old school type vehicle with ALOT of squeeks & rattles. The handling is less than excellent. Its got the classic look of a Corvette, which I like. But for comfort, smoothness in ride quality, overall handling, safety features & the fun of shifting a ZF 6 speed a C4 is the way to go.
Like everything else, different strokes for different folks.
I 100%
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Inside the woods living my passion
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by 71forKen
Had a friend with an ugly brown 86. Drove it many times. Didn't like the Buck Rogers dash, very heavy and boxy feel, and lack of styling. Clam shell hood was nice though. If I got one it would be mid 90's with the different styling.
"Buck Rogers dash" LMAO..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
Originally Posted by C3Racing
"Buck Rogers dash" LMAO..
I was 14 when the 84 came out---The NEW vette----so I always thought they were cool.......I prefer the lines and old car feel of the c3's so I got my 76 but I just basically like ALL corvettes...c1-c6.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Ft Hood TEXAS
Just traded my 85 for my 76. I put almost 7 grand into the car and got it to where I wanted it. I loved my C4. Great ride and it loved corners. And doing 120 was like a walk in the park. I grew up with c3's and mine was born the same year as me. So yeah, I like C3's better, but I could never "diss" a C4.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
I dunno...I used to like riding in the '86 that we used to have.
On the flip side, we truly got a lemon.
The car had numerous problems with it. Electrical, radio went out after 6 months, and I still won't forget the time we took it to C&M Chevrolet (now known as Jimmy Johnson Chevrolet) to have them look at the engine problems and the mechanic fixed it, took it out on a drive, and returned wearing driving gloves, shades, and a helmet.
I suspect he had it down at the stadium trying to put the car through its paces. My mom was FURIOUS about that, watching the guy go in and go back to work like nothing was wrong.
I dunno...For all the troubles that the car had, I don't think it was worth it. Give me a C5 or the new C6 (I like the styling cues better on that one; never really been a fan of flip-up headlights) instead of the C4.
On the flip side, we truly got a lemon.
The car had numerous problems with it. Electrical, radio went out after 6 months, and I still won't forget the time we took it to C&M Chevrolet (now known as Jimmy Johnson Chevrolet) to have them look at the engine problems and the mechanic fixed it, took it out on a drive, and returned wearing driving gloves, shades, and a helmet.
I suspect he had it down at the stadium trying to put the car through its paces. My mom was FURIOUS about that, watching the guy go in and go back to work like nothing was wrong.
I dunno...For all the troubles that the car had, I don't think it was worth it. Give me a C5 or the new C6 (I like the styling cues better on that one; never really been a fan of flip-up headlights) instead of the C4.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
I bought my first vette, a 85 6 years ago, and it has been a awesome car and dd. It had 220 thou when I got it, it now has well over 250. I started playin with it, and had to buy a c5 for a dd, So I could spend more time on the one I want to. I also bought a 78 5 years ago and went through and replaced everything, and it was just not what I would want to drive on a every day basis. Yeah the 78 had the look that the other two do not, but that is as far as it went. If I was going to go for looks, I would go with a 58 or a 67. I am going for the ride. Like mentioned before they all have their good and bad points, myself, the early c4 has it for me. That is only because I can not afford a 58 or a 67. I passed up a 62 back in the 70's because it had light frame damage up front, the guy wanted a 1000.00 and I thought it was not worth it. Someone shoot me please. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and they all look good to me.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
There is no reason to hate a C4. '92 and later cars were the first since '70 to '74 depending on your perspective to offer classic Corvette power.
However, most are not heirloom grade cars (neither are the late C3s).
Most I've spoken to do not revere C4s as much as the earlier Corvettes because they were the first of the indistinct Corvettes. Prior to the C4s the Corvette was NEVER mistaken for another car. C4s look very similar to third and fourth generation Firebirds.
There is another group that dislikes the digital instrument panels.
However, most are not heirloom grade cars (neither are the late C3s).
Most I've spoken to do not revere C4s as much as the earlier Corvettes because they were the first of the indistinct Corvettes. Prior to the C4s the Corvette was NEVER mistaken for another car. C4s look very similar to third and fourth generation Firebirds.
There is another group that dislikes the digital instrument panels.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
Originally Posted by The Ram
the ZR-1 is nice...but im thinkin about getting a early c5 for my next project when im done with my 80...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
I don't think people hate them it's just that they came in as the lease craze came into play and with that you had owners that just drove them. The styling was OK for the era but was very boring.
Also this is when the drivers stopped waving (lease buyers without the corvette history). Personally I think its because they had one hand on the wheel and the other was beating on the dash trying to make the gauges come back on.
Dave
Also this is when the drivers stopped waving (lease buyers without the corvette history). Personally I think its because they had one hand on the wheel and the other was beating on the dash trying to make the gauges come back on.
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
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From: Old Skool, NY
C4's styling is what makes it less desireable.
Its funny, as a kid, people owning corvettes seemed wealthy to me except the people with C4's.
I saw C4's as 'cheaper' corvettes even before I knew anything about the different generations of corvettes.
It's generic styling gets it lost among the older acura integras, nissan zx's, early Ford probes that are all wedgelike designed with pop up headlights.
Park any mint C4 next to a even a late model C3 and the average joe will assume the C3 to be the 'premium' corvette.
Shows you that design is just as important as performance in an automobile.
Its funny, as a kid, people owning corvettes seemed wealthy to me except the people with C4's.
I saw C4's as 'cheaper' corvettes even before I knew anything about the different generations of corvettes.
It's generic styling gets it lost among the older acura integras, nissan zx's, early Ford probes that are all wedgelike designed with pop up headlights.
Park any mint C4 next to a even a late model C3 and the average joe will assume the C3 to be the 'premium' corvette.
Shows you that design is just as important as performance in an automobile.
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
I like them all, 
C3 has the best looks...C4 ZR-1 great go power & under hood looks the LT5 has got to be the best looking power plant ever 
and the C5 best DD I have ever had
C3 has the best looks...C4 ZR-1 great go power & under hood looks the LT5 has got to be the best looking power plant ever and the C5 best DD I have ever had
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: West Des Moines Iowa
Originally Posted by JoeRags
i just dont like the body styling..... to simple for me. the lines on the body just dont do it for me.
now a chrome bumper C3..... talk about some kick *** body lines.
now a chrome bumper C3..... talk about some kick *** body lines.
Gonzo
Last edited by gonzo14; Mar 22, 2006 at 08:50 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 51
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From: Aylesbury Buckinghamshire. UK
Cost of C4's in the UK says it all. You can pay a lot less for a C4 in the UK than any other model Vette in a similiar condition. It's the shape ! The C3 and C5 look like no other car. When a C3 or C5 is approaching you down the road at a distance you know its a Vette. When a C4 comes your way it could be any other number of wedgie cars TVR, Lotus etc etc. The C4 could well be a better car mechanically and performance wise compared to a C3..... but it has no style. IMHO
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by gonzo14
.....answer me one question, why the heck did Chevrolet pattern the C4 to closely resemble the '82 - '91 Firebird???
Gonzo
Gonzo
...I have driven several early C4s and my mother in law had a 1987 Pontiac GTA Trans Am I used to drive from time to time. Felt no different than the early C4s I drove-pretty much same windshield shape/rake, dash shape, overall look, etc. 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Originally Posted by DaveL82
I think its because they had one hand on the wheel and the other was beating on the dash trying to make the gauges come back on.Dave
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 345
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From: Dunbarton NH
The C4 and C5 look the same to me...Boring. Except the C5 has a HUGE plastic rear-end. Then again I never really liked Corvettes at all until I got a great deal on my C3... I am sure my mind could be changed with another "great deal"! I grew up in the "Dukes of Hazard" and "Smokey and the Bandit" era which gave me an appreciation of function over form and I always saw Corvettes as a Girls car.
(Barbie was always driving one.) Now that I have mine my opinion has changed such that it can be more than a girly car. (Just look at TT and Norvals Vettes! 
) Every one is entitled to their opinion... and this is mine. You never really appreciate a car until it is your own.
Then again I never really liked Corvettes at all until I got a great deal on my C3... I am sure my mind could be changed with another "great deal"! I grew up in the "Dukes of Hazard" and "Smokey and the Bandit" era which gave me an appreciation of function over form and I always saw Corvettes as a Girls car.(Barbie was always driving one.) Now that I have mine my opinion has changed such that it can be more than a girly car. (Just look at TT and Norvals Vettes! ) Every one is entitled to their opinion... and this is mine. You never really appreciate a car until it is your own.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
Originally Posted by classiczx
Shows you that design is just as important as performance in an automobile.
I actually looked at some C4s and tried to give them a chance to "grow" on me. In the end I couldn't get too excited about that generation. They are good cars, but just not my bag.
Stock C3s may not have the same power as C4, C5s, but their looks make up for it!
