I own a 99 6 speed coupe and an 86 auto coupe.

The idea that the C5 is "superior" as a car is pretty silly!

The C5 is a nice car, but as many have mentioned, it does not have nearly as much of a sports car "feel" when your inside it as the C4 does. The C5 is very nice, but it is so roomy inside that you feel like you are in a regular car. C4 seats are also significantly nicer, and cradle you better than the C5 seats do. I find these aspect to be important because unless you are trailering your car to the draag strip, fit and feel compromise a large portion of the "car experience".

I can't comment on the LT-1 motor, but an L98 auto has way more "slam" off the line than the 6 speed LS1 does. The LS1 pulls much harder in the upper RPM range, but in a daily driving situation that isn't as fun or useful. Sure, you can go WOT to redline at every light, but see what that does to your driving record and insurance bill. With my 86' auto I can ease away from a light and just tap the pedal and have that low end grunt slam be back, just for an instant. All of my friends who have driven both cars have commented on this.

The 2 cars handle very similarily (the 99' has Z51, I don't think the 86' does) in public road driving, and I have been impressed with the 86' base suspension.

One think you won't miss about a C5 is the tire bill you get for new tires!

The C4 made a lot of milestones in the world of sportscars during it's production, and is still fast by today's standards. To disrespect it says a lot more about the person, than it does about the C4.

Have pity on your cousin. The "Mine's better than your's race is a very expensive one, and can never be truly won.

P.S. - I also have an 83' Supra that I bought in 1989. I still have it and drive it regularly. My wife's mini van could probably take it in a 1/4 mile, but I don't care, I love the little car for what it means to me, not anyone else.

 

get some nitrous, and a lisence plate that reads

"IEATC5"

 

c6 is a more evolved car than the c5 which is a more evolved car than the c4 which is a more evolved car than the c3 which.... you get the idea.
in this sense, the c5 definately is a "better" car... or else we'd be going backwards.
i have both a c4 and a c5 and can see many reasons why someone would say that the c5 is better. i think the styling and performance of the c5 is awesome... and it is a car that does things that a c4 can't or at the very least improves on things that the c4 did well. but then again, the styling of the late c3's and the c4's just stirs something up inside me... probably cuz i remember dreaming about them as a "young corvette enthusiast" aka "child".
c4's are still in the process of recovering from an awkward time in a car's "life" where their age is a bad news/good news scenario. the bad news is the c4 body style is old enough to be dated but not really old enough to be classic. the good news is that the c4 has been around long enough that they are affordable but not so long that they are "vintage". the c4's were also produced in huge numbers, so there are lots of them out there.
the moral of this story is enjoy the car that you have and stop comparing it to newer cars. you have a c4 at a good time to have a c4. you can get a c4 now for a very reasonable price and it is a car that looks and performs at a level of cars with much higher pricetags. the c4 that you have now will probably never be worth less than it is right now. the c6's have come out and as the c5 prices continue to drop, the c4 prices have stabilized and have even been climbing.

so... and and enjoy your car!!!

 

Why not just simply explain to him that you don't really care for the "big butt" look in either your cars or your women.

 

Always going to be somebody with newer, faster, better? As long as the Vette in the garage makes me smile when I walk by it and smile more when driving I really don't care what someone else thinks is better!!

Ike

 

Nothing better than that!!!

 

I had the opportunity to buy either a C4 or a C5. After
test driving both, I chose a 40th Ruby.

The Ruby has a brutal, hard, ground pounding feel, which
suits my particular taste in sports cars. It's less civilized
and less sophisticated.

 

Yup.

I have driven them both. But not since he (we) put the long tube headers on it. That should be even better.

 

I think that says it all.

 

I know.....show him a thing or two ....sell the C4 and get a C3. .....

Sorry just lurking couldn't help myself.....Seriously....dude if you love your car thats all that matters....never apologize for what or who you love theres nothing you can do about it and it's never wrong....

 

The question was presented: "Why do you like your C-4?"
My answer is this: I love every Corvette that has ever come off the assembly line. Why? Because no matter what year it is, it is still America's original sports car. It has been transformed over the years from a little tiny thing with a blue flame straight six to argueably one of the meanest ****'s in the automotive industry. I have only owned my C-4 for about two weeks now, but I fell in love with it the day I saw it. It is 400 horses of ground pounding, thigh slappin', blood pumpin' nuclear brain damage and I enjoy every minute that I am in it. Now I don't make alot of money and the C-4's were right in my price range. Do I want a C-5 or C-6? Of course I do. Do I want a C-3, C-2, C-1? Of course? I'll take any of them. They ALL have the mark----Corvette!!!!!

 

I hate to say it bud, but your cuz is a bit of a jerk. Anybody that has to put down another to build themselves up, has issues that I won't deal with. You've got an awesome ride dude, be proud of it

 

I have always liked the style of the C4s over the C5s - never got used to that rear end, among other things...

I love the feel of the road in the C4s, the (late) C4 or ZR1 cockpits are designed to be like sitting in a fighter jet. I love that setup (my '95 coupe)

I like the feeling of sitting in a cocoon in the C4 - high threashold included.

I like the super flat torque curve of the LT1 - it is no slouch .

Technology and progress is a good thing. But in so far as the C4 was a huge leap from the C3s, it is not so between the C4 and C5s. If you want more performance in any aspect, the C5s can be surpassed at just about any turn - all it takes is $$$ and a C4.

I really like the practical and smooth lines of the clamshell hooded Vette - very cool. Working on the "werks" is a pleasure compared to any "hood car".

Bottom line: It boils down to what you like . In time, you cousin's car will/has been eclipsed. If the latest and greatest is all that will make one happy, then that is what to have - and I'm sure he is feeling the pinch of the C6s, if he could admit it.

If one likes a particular car and enjoys the thrill of driving it, that is reward enough. My fiance' owns a 69 vert. She likes 'em, it is what she always wanted, doesn't even want a newer car - she specifically looked for an early C3, cuz that is what she wanted...period! It is her "baby" and she is thrilled to be driving it. I don't expect my stock '95 LT1 6-speed to be top dog in every fight, but man it does it outshine 95% of every non-Vette out there! It is pointless to get into a pissin' contest w/ newer cars/Vettes. It is apples to oranges and all have their attractions. No real Vette owner would think of putting down another Vette owner's car. Everyone understands that whatever drove the owner to make the choice he/she did, it was a well thought out thing, and the car is the pride and joy for that person and it shows in how it is maintained. I doubt you cousin appreciates that, and I feel sorry for someone so insecure in himself that he can only bolster his ego by dissing someone else. Those kind are miserable inside, and forever frustrated anytime someone else has something he perceives as "better". You can bet you cuz will find fault w/ the C6s too...right up until he buys one and then he'll be dissing C5s - including you too even if you did step "up" to a C5. He's not a Vette lover - just a Vette driver. The Vette is simply a way to get others to stroke his ego .

Enjoy your ride! You are in good company here!

P.

 

Yea, he's a punk. I have an 04 Z06 and I'm currently shopping for a LT1 C4 because I need the "cockpit" peel you all speak of. The C5 performs well and I like the looks of the FRC C5, but the 92 Coupe I test drove and couldn't afford (buy)almost 15 years ago had more of a "sports car" feel to it when I sat in it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm keeping the Z06 but it's a different animal.

 

and this is why I hate most c5 owners.

 

just tell him who cares and drive your car, com on man
its a car not a body part

 

God your awsome

Three things come to my mind:

1. Clamshells are awsome
2. Cockpits are awsome
3. If I bought a Lambroghini Diablo(ultimate Goal in life) I would have the dealer instal the dash from my '90 vette. LCD is a must for any car I drive from now on, its just so awsome! I want to drive an earlier C4 to see how the well the digital RPM's read on the screen. Get some polarized shades and look at the orange screen its awsome. But basicly If it were me, I would put the Loudest Exuast on the vette just to add even more to the experience. Maybe a new paint job. After this let your cousin drive through town and see how many heads turn, bet its more than he ever gets in his overpopulated C5, let me guess, Cherry red? heh see those all the time... those C5 owner's need to wave... maybe three have waved to me.. its sad.

Above all, tell your cousin to

 

Are we in kindergarden or first grade? mine is better than yours My C4 is the what driving is all about.The pit as I call it,is the be-all of drivers seats and the dash is a break through in tech.Me my 94 LT1 is worth ist's weight in gold, And some DICK head will never tell my other wise be it C1,C2,C3,C5,C6.

 

LOL!!! I HAVE made that Palomar trip many, many times - while maintaining radio equipment at the summit. That road is one of the "best kept secrets" for those looking for a really nice stretch of curves and views, beit motorcycle or Vette or whatever. That comment about getting sick on the Palomar run (I never did, but others did) brought back memories over 20 years old.

I used to get pretty white knuckled on that Palomar run as my "ride" was a Toyota Land Cruiser w/ the Kalifornia modification (read: the dang thing would "free wheel" in any gear, i.e., NO ENGINE BRAKING = very bad idea on a drum brake vehicle).

I'd love to take my "little black rocket" up that path someday. I wouldn't want to be doing it in an Impala type vehicle - a nice 5-point seatbelt in the cocoon of my little C4 would be TOO MUCH FUN!!

 

That's what I was going to suggest...

I like the C5, don't get me wrong... I just don't feel too sporty sitting behind the wheel of one... It's about as easy to get in and out of as my Cadillac... What fun is that???