From c4 to c3 any difference..?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
True info about driving both and seeing what you like better.
I've had both, and the C4 was WAY more car than my '81 ever thought about being.....for about the same $$$$..
But.....I like the C3 body better than the C4.
You choose.....but drive 'em both! They're way different animals.
I've had both, and the C4 was WAY more car than my '81 ever thought about being.....for about the same $$$$..
But.....I like the C3 body better than the C4.
You choose.....but drive 'em both! They're way different animals.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
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From: Belmar NJ
I'm in the middle of upgrading my C3. The goal is to be able to hang with the C4-5 crowd (at least the stock ones) in the ride/performance arena. So far, VB & P transverse leaf front suspension w/tubular A arms and Koni shocks, Steroids, Hydroboost, 79-82 seats, new steering wheel, and stereo w/iPod (but with the sidepipes, that's probably a wasted item).
Still to go are the Guldstrand 5 link rear susp, 5 speed (hope to buy at Carlisle) and the serious motor (NEXT YEAR).
Still to go are the Guldstrand 5 link rear susp, 5 speed (hope to buy at Carlisle) and the serious motor (NEXT YEAR).
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The only thing similar between a C3 and a C4 is the name "Corvette". I've owned both, and the only parts that were the same were the Cross-fire engines in '82 & '84. They are totally different vehicles.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fisher, IL
The only time they ever met as I was selling the 96 the day it came out of storage.
1: The C4 was MUCH easier to get into than my C3 is.
2: The C4 will have more power, handling, comfort, mpg....
3: The C3 dominates C4 in the wow factor 100 times over.
I'm trying to get my C3 closer to the C4 specs but it's going to take a while and a lot of $$$. The thing i hated about the C4 was I never worked on it till something broke(which for me was not very often). Even if i wanted to work on it the tight space and electrical in everything didn't make it fun. Working on the C3 is nice(aside from fighting rust).
1: The C4 was MUCH easier to get into than my C3 is.
2: The C4 will have more power, handling, comfort, mpg....
3: The C3 dominates C4 in the wow factor 100 times over.
I'm trying to get my C3 closer to the C4 specs but it's going to take a while and a lot of $$$. The thing i hated about the C4 was I never worked on it till something broke(which for me was not very often). Even if i wanted to work on it the tight space and electrical in everything didn't make it fun. Working on the C3 is nice(aside from fighting rust).
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 389
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From: Austin Tx
Loved my former '92 LT1 6-speed 'vert, but have always been a C3 man at heart (I've had three of them over the years). Original build quality, ride and handling may not have been as good as that of the C4 generation as a whole, but IMHO sharks just look better and are easier to work on / modify to one's liking. Of course, I shouldn't expect you'll get many responses here in the shark tank which disagree...
As for outright performance, with a little work a properly setup C3 can more than hold it's own in the twisty bits, and big horsepower can be installed in most anything. Whether it's pulling G's or pulling wheelies you're after, it really just comes down to how much you are willing to spend.
Anyway, hope you decide to dive in.
As for outright performance, with a little work a properly setup C3 can more than hold it's own in the twisty bits, and big horsepower can be installed in most anything. Whether it's pulling G's or pulling wheelies you're after, it really just comes down to how much you are willing to spend.
Anyway, hope you decide to dive in.
As an owner of both I totally agree!! I use the C4 as a DD and the C3 as my weekend warrior.
IMO you won't regret buying a C4.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
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Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jun 17, 2010 at 12:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Santa Ana CA
There is definitely a certain "technique" to getting in and out of a C4 with high door sills. But it is easy to learn and after 19 years, my interior, including the seat bolsters, looks as new.
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It's hard to paint either generation with a wide brush. A 68-72 big block is a far different car than a 74-82. Just as an 84 is a different animal than a 90 to 95 ZR-1.
On balance, the C4 is a far better handling car than any C3. The C4 is more fuel efficient and a far better daily driver. I prefer the older C3's over the C4 but you need to drive the C3 and see for yourself.
On balance, the C4 is a far better handling car than any C3. The C4 is more fuel efficient and a far better daily driver. I prefer the older C3's over the C4 but you need to drive the C3 and see for yourself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
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From: Syracuse NY
Drive a few C3s before you form an opinion on the series.
Big difference between one that's been maintained well or better yet had a body off restoration and one that has just been prettied up to turn a quick buck.
Fresh paint, interior,and a new set of tires have been the cause of too many nightmares.
Good luck with your search.
Big difference between one that's been maintained well or better yet had a body off restoration and one that has just been prettied up to turn a quick buck.
Fresh paint, interior,and a new set of tires have been the cause of too many nightmares.
Good luck with your search.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 367
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From: Christchurch Canterbury
If you want a classic muscle car, old tech, go C3, easy to modify, looks cool
If you are going to buy a driver, perhaps a C5 would be the deal, LS gen engines are fantastic, economical and make great power whilst being user freindly.
My mate has a C5 Z06 with a blower, runs on pump gas, makes 700hp at the flywheel and he can drive it everyday, and its fast.
If you are going to buy a driver, perhaps a C5 would be the deal, LS gen engines are fantastic, economical and make great power whilst being user freindly.
My mate has a C5 Z06 with a blower, runs on pump gas, makes 700hp at the flywheel and he can drive it everyday, and its fast.