C3, how does it ride compared to a C4??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,631
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From: Union City CA
C3, how does it ride compared to a C4??
I have never ridden in one before, but how does it ride? Are the stock spring rates too hard or too soft? DOes it roll into the corners too much? :confused: I really like the looks of a C3 and I'm pretty sure not that many of them go into auto-x, more likely the drag strip.
Plus does it have the cockpit feel like a C4, or does it have the openess feel like a muscle car? What would you C3 Owners say your car does best besides looking good?:D Handling, acceleration? What about the BIg Blocks? :confused:
Plus does it have the cockpit feel like a C4, or does it have the openess feel like a muscle car? What would you C3 Owners say your car does best besides looking good?:D Handling, acceleration? What about the BIg Blocks? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,187
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From: Rotterdam
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (Light84vette)
It highly depends on the year....the later years are imho the better drivers,where the early years are the more sensational ones in performance.
I drive the 82 as a daily driver,and it feels more comfortable to me then the early C4's.
Doesn't have the performance,but never let me down in the last 16 months either.
I personally wouldn't trade the sexy looks of the C3 for the better handling of the C4..... :cheers:
I drive the 82 as a daily driver,and it feels more comfortable to me then the early C4's.
Doesn't have the performance,but never let me down in the last 16 months either.
I personally wouldn't trade the sexy looks of the C3 for the better handling of the C4..... :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (Pete Z)
Early C4's rode pretty harsh. By the early 90's they were much improved. 92's up have a much nicer interior. Bose strereo is great. AC works great. 28-30 mpg on the highway. 17 in town. The car handles excellent. Excellent brakes.... Here's what I found that I didn't like. C4's are much harder to get into due to the high sill. With the roof panel off C4's feel like rubber, ..as a matter of fact the first time I drove the 92 I had without the roof panel in , I thought something was wrong with the front end . Also.. Parts are very expensive. I replaced ONE shock and the motor that controlled it, $400. Everything is controlled through the computer. Learn about it or pay big bucks getting work done. I trader a real nice 92 for my 69 3 years ago.. Would I trade back.?.. NOT a chance.
[Modified by bluevetteman, 5:45 AM 7/27/2003]
[Modified by bluevetteman, 5:45 AM 7/27/2003]
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (bluevetteman)
(Blue; I think he has a C4)
The early C3's have Solid body mounts and ride pretty stiff.
They corner pretty flat out of the box but can be made better.
They are even more cave like than the C4 IMHO
The early C3's have Solid body mounts and ride pretty stiff.
They corner pretty flat out of the box but can be made better.
They are even more cave like than the C4 IMHO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (Light84vette)
I guess I mis-read the question. C3's are not nearly are comfortable on longer trips, noise level is higher, they don't handle as well as C4's but you will get a lot more attention in a C-3.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
As mentioned above, it varies HUGELY by year (and engine). My 68 bigblock rides pretty much like a buckboard with wooden wheels..... I feel bumps in the pavement that don't exist and I watch the car in front of me very carefully --- if it dips sharply than I better slow down or I might bottom out (ouch!!!). I seem to be able to go around corners better than my volvo wagon, but I wouldnt want to push it. I think the late 70s sharks ride much nicer (I bet they actually feel like a car) and probably corner better too. :) MJ
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: London Ontario
Re: (MNJack)
:iagree: It doesn't take much to bottom out my 68 and I find after a long drive I'm exhausted. My 73 drives nicer and doesn't bottom out near as easy, it corners better and I don't feel as drained after a long cruise.But I enjoy driving the 68 with the top down the most it just has that classic car feel so its more than worth the little discomforts :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: (73Stingraycoupe)
I have a 71 BB and GF has a 96 LT4. When I bought the 71 it was not a joy on the bad roads here in Dallas. Previous owner installed a glass spring and the thing bounced like crazy. Over the years I have slowly improved ride & handling. Edelbrock IAS shocks, late C3 steel spring. Bigger swaybars. 73-up rubber body mounts. 17" rims and high perf Z-rated tires. Now it handles REAL well. Ride is tremendously improved. The 96 is still better on really bad roads, but the 71 is not too far back. As it sits now it is enjoyable even on bad roads. After the IAS shocks I don't bottom out nearly as much.
A late C3 will ride better than an early C4, though.
A late C3 will ride better than an early C4, though.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (Marc80)
A late C3 will ride better than an early C4, though.
I have taken my 78 on several long trips and thie biggest difference is cockpit heat and noise which are high in the C3 and low in the C4 otherwise it can be a comfortable ride.
As a general rule of thumb the newer C3's starting in 77 or 78 were more civilized ride wise, culminating in the 82 which was a very comfortable riding car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,631
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From: Union City CA
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (fauxrs)
I like the Chrome Bumbers better then the Fiberglass ones. So that Pre 1974 right? :confused: ALso could one take out the carpet and install some padding or the heat sheild material of some kind to stop the excess heat and noise? :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: C3, how does it ride compared to a C4?? (Light84vette)
I like the Chrome Bumbers better then the Fiberglass ones. So that Pre 1974 right? :confused: ALso could one take out the carpet and install some padding or the heat sheild material of some kind to stop the excess heat and noise? :confused:
