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C3 vs. C4

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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:20 AM
  #21  
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Look for an early C3. A lot of us are happy there.

My wife is from Welch and has horrific winter stories.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:33 AM
  #22  
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First, buy what you want. Unlikely you will be satisfied if you do otherwise. The look of the C-3 can't be beat for the bucks and there are some well cared for lower miles cars around if you just take your time and look for them.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:46 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by C3 RV
You can find C3s and C4s with low mileage. My 81 had 28K on it last year when I bought it. Go with what looks and works best for you. They are all Corvettes, and each has a following. We're a bit partial to the best looking vettes, ever.
81s rock
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 03:00 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Takeupthystethoscope
c3 of course. c4's are nice, but the c3's are so much cooler, especially the chrome bumper ones.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 11:07 AM
  #25  
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Woody

I have one of each. Where are you located in Minnesota? Come see me and you can drive each one and decide for yourself.

How about that for a helping hand?

email me

Dan in Austin MN
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 11:37 AM
  #26  
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Dan,

I'm in Minneapolis. I may take you up on that.

All,

How many miles can be put on the engine?

- w
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:36 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Woody_in_MN
I'm looking for a "collector" that I can drive once in awhile.
First off the C4 is a better car: Its faster and handles better.
If you want performance and handling - go C4.

However, the C3 is a better looking car! One that is instantly recognizable and admired by just about everyone.
I get 'wow' from kids to seniors when I drive the Vette.

The C3 Vette looks like a vintage supercar. (I like 68-77)
It will, IMHO, get you more positive comments than just about any other sports car including:
Porsche 928 & 924, 240Z, MR2, MGB or RX-7. These cars were all just trying to be Vettes.

Being an American car, parts for the C3 vettes are available and affordable.

If you want attention - go C3.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:39 PM
  #28  
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a C4 faster? LOL CFI was not fast, TPI was not fast, LT1 was reasonable LT5 was better as was LT4...but none of them were what I would call fast.

A c4 also isn't a better car by any means, it may handle better than most c3s but the frame flexes like crazy, the brakes are junk, the interior space is no better than a C3, especially the footwell is tiny. The older atari dashes are a nightmare.....

I'd take any C3 over any C4 apart from a ZR1 or Callaway car any day.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 12:56 PM
  #29  
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The C3 has great lines..everyone likes them. Larry
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 01:09 PM
  #30  
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I don't care for the looks of C-4s (oversized Mazda RX-7) at all but it sounds as though reliability may be a big factor for you. With a C-3 you're dealing with a 24- 38 year old car. I've done a ton of work and spent a lot of money on my 75 to try to make it reliable but it seems there's always something. You would probably have a lot less trouble with a low mileage, late model C-4.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 01:11 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
a C4 faster? LOL CFI was not fast, TPI was not fast, LT1 was reasonable LT5 was better as was LT4...but none of them were what I would call fast.

A c4 also isn't a better car by any means, it may handle better than most c3s but the frame flexes like crazy, the brakes are junk, the interior space is no better than a C3, especially the footwell is tiny. The older atari dashes are a nightmare.....

I'd take any C3 over any C4 apart from a ZR1 or Callaway car any day.
Pac Man dash,etc...once drove an 87 loaner and had to hit the brakes..vette spun and hit a freeway concrete K rail twice...best thing that ever happened to that POS..Oh,the rear brake sensor was bad...last I heard it's for sale..$6900..a vert too...

Last edited by rihwoods; Jun 4, 2006 at 01:17 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 01:21 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by rihwoods
Pac Man dash,etc...once drove an 87 loaner and had to hit the brakes..vette spun and hit a freeway concrete K rail twice...best thing that ever happened to that POS..Oh,the rear brake sensor was bad...last I heard it's for sale..$6900..a vert too...
Note to self. Never loan Rich your car.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 01:34 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by jdmick
Note to self. Never loan Rich your car.
If you do, just make sure the brakes are good...:lol

Here is a C4 spin..


Last edited by rihwoods; Jun 4, 2006 at 02:00 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 02:03 PM
  #34  
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..and the video....

http://www.corvettekillstories.com/p...cs/spinout.wmv
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 03:08 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by 694speed350
chrome bumpers rule.
Even if its only chrome in the rear
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 04:51 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
a C4 faster? LOL CFI was not fast, TPI was not fast, LT1 was reasonable.......
From what I could find, yeah, a box stock C4 is faster than a box stock C3.

Customized? Well, then either one could be faster depending on how deep your pockets are.

0-60 and 1/4 mile times of 68-90 Corvettes

1968 Chevrolet Corvette 327 7.7 15.6
1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427 6.3 14.1
1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427 6.1 14.3
1975 Chevrolet Corvette 350 9.6 16.4
1976 Chevrolet Corvette 350 8.1 16.5
1977 Chevrolet Corvette 350 8.8 16.6
1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82 7.3 15.7
1980 Chevrolet Corvette L82 7.4 15.4
1982 Chevrolet Corvette 9.2 16.6
1984 Chevrolet Corvette 6.7 15.1
1985 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 14.1
1986 Chevrolet Corvette 5.8 14.4
1986 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 6.0 14.5
1988 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 6.0 14.6
1988 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 6.0 14.6
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ??? 5.7 14.3
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 4.4 12.8

Source:
http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 08:08 PM
  #37  
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C4's were merely design stepping stones for the C5 and C6's. Aside from that, they were worthless and sterile looking disgraces, unworhty of the corvette name. To think that GM actually thought they would be beloved after following the C3 is mind boggling. The first time I saw a C4 I thought it had to be a joke. Now, I merely enjoy the sight of their horrific low values. They are the least desirable vettes ever and will hopefully remain that way. I also hope that Chevy won't make that mistake again. Judging by the swoopy lines of the new Z06, I think they have learned their lesson.

In summary, it is fair to say that C4's were to corvettes what Jimmy Carter was to the presidency of the USA. We all know it happened but it was a terrible embarrassment that we would rather not talk about or repeat.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:00 AM
  #38  
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c'mon...tell us how you really feel
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 07:55 AM
  #39  
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That last one knocked the wind out of me. I'm spent.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:24 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by chevy69
...C4s might be roomier....
Nope. My fiancee and I can pack more into her '71 convertible than we can her '96 convertible. There is actually more usable space in the C3.
Whoodathunkit.
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