Not a big fan of the C5 look but I definitely like the C6.

My C4 has an awesome look as well and I get a lot compliments.

 

im puzzled.........how does one not like the look of the C5,yet like the look of the C6 ? the C6 is a facelifted C5 with more stock hp ! is it the C4 taillights ?

 

If you compare the C5 and C6 side by side (side views) the tail has definitely been “cleaned-up”, “refined” if you will. The front over hang is less on the C6 also, but in my opinion the tail end is the biggest improvement.

I’m still trying to get used to the exposed headlights of the C6.

I wouldn’t have believed this if I hadn’t test driven a C6, but the C6 is much improved in handling and “feel” over the C5. The C6 suspension has been refined with a complete redesign. (C6 still uses an upper and lower “A” arm suspension in front and rear) Seems easier to push the limits.

 

I owned a gorgeous modded 96 A4 coupe. It was fast, 13.4 in the 1/4. I traded it on April first for an 03 coupe. I had to trade the C4 and give 18K to get into the C5. I loved the C4, but I have no regrets at all on trading it plus the money for the C5.

I don't want to hijack this thread with pics, but here are a couple links to the cars if you care to see pics.



My C4:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...lowered007.jpg


My C5:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...lishing014.jpg

 

cleaned up ? i think the air difuser on the C6 resembles every car out there now. the Vette is supposed to be "different". less overhang means what specifically ? doesnt really mean anything. of course the cars engine and suspension should be better, was it supposed to stay the same or get worse ? thats the whole point of the C6. the Corvette moves on

 

I think your links are backwards.

 

Thanks.

I fixed it.

I should have capped that post off with the fact that both the C4 and C5 are great cars.

 

I agree

 

IT is all about the MONEY!

 

I had a 96 LT1 and loved it. When the C5 vert came out, I had to have one, so I "traded up". I kept the C5 for a couple years, but it was just too much money at the time. When I got the vette bug again recently, I looked hard at both vintages. Within my budget range, I could get a late model C4 with decent mileage...or pay several thousand more for a higher mileage C5. I went with a 96 LT4...thought it was a good compromise.

Obviously a matter of taste, but for me, I thought I got better bang for the buck w/the C4. As others have mentioned, drive both. Very different vehicles in many respects.

 

Less overhang because the car has a longer wheelbase. It's also lighter. The C5 rear is universally ugly, don't take it personally.

 

The C6, from everything I've read plus driving one is definately a new car, not a "warmed over" C5. While a C5 strikes me, dynamically, as better than my C4 the C6 is in another league. Vast improvement in feel and performance. However, for me given the classic design of the C4 versus the butt ugly and fairly generic shape of the C5 along with the $$ difference...make mine a C4. The C6 still doesn't strike my Industrial Designer eyes as being a timeless beauty (like the C4 is) but given that the Pontiac AzDREK designer is given "credit" for it, well certainly a major visual improvement over the C5. LOL! Really hard to beat the excellent design work credited to Jerry Palmer (C4 among others...). DFO

 

I have owned both and when I owned my 2 Z51 C4's I could not believe the new C5 could out handle my Z51's. I hated to admit it after I test drove a C5 which did not even have the handling package that the C5 was so good. I think what helped the handling more than anything was the 1 foot longer wheel base, having the 2 gas tanks in about the middle of the car and a slightly more advanced rear suspension. They are both equally good looking designs and as far as I am concerned and should not be compared- like comparing a beautiful blonde and beautiful burnette. I really like having more leg room in the C5 for long drives but for short drives the smaller cockpit of the C4 is more jet fighter-like. Maybe the C5 I drove had a stronger than normal engine, though it was stock, because it feel faster than my friends LT4. I was so impressed with the C5 that I did something I never thought I would do and that was sell both my C4's and buy a Z06. For just 1 regualr C5 I think I would have kept my 2 C4's but the C5 Z06 is just a league above the standard C5. You must drive it to understand. 300 lbs of less weight (and with the lighter wheels which because of the decrease in rotational mass is like taking off ANOTHER 50-60 lbs) ,55hp more and the along with the different 6 speed which is geared differently than the regular C5, for acceleration you have an exciting car. It ran head to head with my friends F430 and I think it sounded nicer with its Ti exhaust. I see no reason to sell this one as it goes fast enough for me- the only reason I would sell it is if I lose my drivers license because it breaks the speed limit in seconds.
Really you need to drive both and listen to you pulse. I do suggest you get the handling package no matter what Vette you get.

 

Are they a Better car ? YES

Totally new car? YES

Worth another 10k ? YES

Would i buy a c5? NO. I love my c4 BUT I only love it modified the way it is. if it wasn't modified the way it is i would never own a c4 . Even though it has an aged chassis I still love the interior and the body and that was the basis for choosing a car to build up . if and when i sell it my next car will not be a corvette for sure. c5s and c6s to me are fugly.

 

That's a pretty good analysis with observations!

 

I just went to see a 99 black convertible last week. Exterior appearance, I liked them both the same. Overall, I like my 95 black convertible better. This is just my opinion. You should really test drive them both to see what is right for you.

I liked about the C5:
-The added truck room
-Convertible top can be raised and lowered with out having to walk around the car
-Added leg room.
-LS1
-Frame was noticeably stiffer.
-The waterfall between the seats

I disliked:
-The gauge cluster Hump was way too high. I had to raise the seat an uncomfortable amount just to see over it.
-Seats are uncomforable. I like my 95 sport seats best out of any other car I've ever been in.
-No clamshell hood. Lifting the C5 hood didn't look any more special than a camaro.
-Ride felt more like a Cadillac. I like the c4s muscle car feel better.
-Gas fillup moved to the drivers side from the rear center. I love being able to fill up on any side.
-GM went back to that odd ball 1.5 Din radio where as the 90-96 car have a double din perfect for a navigation system. yes, I know they make single din navigation systems but they always look out of place where the double din looks factory.
-The rear truck/deck has ugly ripples in it like where the rear glass would have been if it was a coupe or something. IMO . I like the C4s straight smooth look better.
-Whats up with that ugly handle on the passenger side dash? Whose stupid idea was that. This is a corvette not a Tahoe.
-Steering wheel looks like the pillsbury dough boy without a head.
-The Emergency brake handle looks out of place. It looks ok from the drivers side but look at it from the passenger side. It looks like they forgot it when they designed the car and added it in in the last minute.

 

We did 18 days straight on the road with our 2003 'vert last year - methinks it would have been much tougher with a C4 'vert, lovely as they are...

 

I had a 87 vert, that was awesome, blue with blue leather seats, very nice. I it traded for a like new 94 coupe. The 94 was faster, newer, and drove better, but just not as fun. The vert was just a nicer looking and more eye catching car. Sold the 94, went without a vette for years and now I have my 98 c5. The c5 is way above the c4's in confort, style and power. No doubt, a better car... BUT, damn, it should be for what they cost. I still have pictures of my 87 vert and 94 coupe and when I put them next to my c5, I must say. the 87 vert is still very eye catching on it own.

 

The late C4 Verts (and maybe all) have a stiffened crossmember frame set-up...very stable platform IMO & IME.. I prefer the C4 cockpit to the C5 ... but I would like the trunk space.

Drive em both, determine how you will use it and decide

 

thats mild.......you should have heard what the C3 crowd said about the C4 when it was first introduced. Chevy couldnt make the C4 forever(even though they tried) i think the progression of the Vette has been great considering how the company that makes them operates overall. the C4 is a classic,such as the C5 is and the C6 will be,move on