C4 Vs. C5
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30
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From: Plymouth Minnesota
C4 Vs. C5
Not sure if I should post this on the C4 or C5 forum so I just put it on both, hope that is OK.
Looking for a convert and like the C4s (esp. the price) except for the dash and lack of a trunk. I like the C5 dash (and interior) much better and of course, the trunk.
Now the $64,000 question...are the C5s a better car? Is it a totally new car from the ground up or just a re-worked C4? Are they worth another $10k? I know a lot is personal preference and opinion but being a rookie corvette shopper, I need all the advice I can get.
Thank you to all,
Joel B.
Looking for a convert and like the C4s (esp. the price) except for the dash and lack of a trunk. I like the C5 dash (and interior) much better and of course, the trunk.
Now the $64,000 question...are the C5s a better car? Is it a totally new car from the ground up or just a re-worked C4? Are they worth another $10k? I know a lot is personal preference and opinion but being a rookie corvette shopper, I need all the advice I can get.
Thank you to all,
Joel B.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If you have the money get a C5, they are a better car overall.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I'm gonna have to agree there too. The C5 convertables have as much trunk space as a C4 coup. It'll be worth the extra $$$. The C5 was also (EDIT: designed) as a vert first, then the coup, so it's a much more ridged frame and will ride MUCH better than a C4 vert. Coup to coup, I'll take a C4, Vert to vert I think the C5 wins in nearly every catagory (except the dash).
Last edited by shakedown067; Aug 24, 2006 at 12:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by shakedown067
I'm gonna have to agree there too. The C5 convertables have as much trunk space as a C4 coup. It'll be worth the extra $$$. The C5 was also built as a vert first, then the coup, so it's a much more ridged frame and will ride MUCH better than a C4 vert. Coup to coup, I'll take a C4, Vert to vert I think the C5 wins in nearly every catagory (except the dash).
I agree, the backbone hydroformed frame makes all the difference in rigidity, and there actually is luggage space in a C5 vert.
I love my C4 coupe and would like a vert to go with it. But most people would be much happier with the C5. All around the C5 is softer than the C4, and unless you are into hard core driving and old type Vette feel, the C5 is the better choice.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
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On paper the C5 is technically an improved car over the C4, but I would suggest driving each to see what you prefer. Personally, I don't care for the styling of the C5, especially the chopped rear, compared to the flowing grace of a C4. I've driven C3s, 4s ,5s and 1 new C6 last summer....now that car was IMPRESSIVE! OTOH as I'm way to cheap to put $55-$60K in a car the bargain basement pricing of C4s looks good, too.
Ultimately it is up to you and what you like. I just purchased my second C4, a '94 LT1 coupe and was very impressed with how much better it rode and handled compared to the pristine, low mileage '87 C4 drop top I had. Enjoy! DFO
Ultimately it is up to you and what you like. I just purchased my second C4, a '94 LT1 coupe and was very impressed with how much better it rode and handled compared to the pristine, low mileage '87 C4 drop top I had. Enjoy! DFO
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Originally Posted by Joel B.
Now the $64,000 question...are the C5s a better car? Is it a totally new car from the ground up or just a re-worked C4? Are they worth another $10k? I know a lot is personal preference and opinion but being a rookie corvette shopper, I need all the advice I can get.
Thank you to all,
Joel B.
Thank you to all,
Joel B.
The C5 was a totally new car: body, frame, engine (LS series vs LT), drive train layout. I think the only item interchangable between the two models is the air in the tires.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
If you have the money get a C5, they are a better car overall.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
too!Not to disrepect the 4th generation, but the C5 is a ground up improvement all the way around.
And there were no 97 Verts, they didn't come out until 98. Unlike the 4th generation the verts have a cross bar frame support that makes them more stable then the coupe with the top out. The C5 is a whole new chassis design minus the problems inherit with the 4th generation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
My suggestion is to drive a C4 and a C5. See which is more suits your need, because both drive and ride different. Is it worth approx 10g more for the C5???maybe??but that's for you to decide.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
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From: Phila., PA burbs
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Read Post #8
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1263045
If this will be your daily driver, go with the C5. Much better car. If this is going to be your toy car, either one is fine. But drive both. Tops up and down. The C5 is a much stiffer car top up or down.
Best of luck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1263045
If this will be your daily driver, go with the C5. Much better car. If this is going to be your toy car, either one is fine. But drive both. Tops up and down. The C5 is a much stiffer car top up or down.
Best of luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
If you have the money get a C5, they are a better car overall.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
Better engine/performance
No cooling problems
Hydroformed frame
Nice gauge set
Better mileage
Parts availability
Thta is, unless you like the C4 body better.
Compared to let's say the latest year C4 convertible, '96, to say a '00 C5 convertible, that might make a big difference in price. Still, for many reasons, I'd say it could very well be worth the difference you will pay for it.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,396
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From: Mickleton NJ
Having owned both, I would say the C5 is far superior to the C4. owned 2. Having said that, I got rid of my C5 for several reasons. I didn't drive it enough to justify the money sitting in the garage. (I'm retired), just go to local shows, and cruises. The C5 cost me almost $5K in repairs in the last year, I'm handy with wrenches, but with the C5, you need special equipment. The C4 I have now, an 87 , I do most of the work myself, which I enjoy.
If you do get a C5 , you will love it, but I would strongly recommend you get one with a warranty. All Vettes are fun, I don't care what year,they are. The young guy's don't like me saying this , but here goes. The C5, and C6 is an old man's car with power, good luck, Jim.
If you do get a C5 , you will love it, but I would strongly recommend you get one with a warranty. All Vettes are fun, I don't care what year,they are. The young guy's don't like me saying this , but here goes. The C5, and C6 is an old man's car with power, good luck, Jim.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
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From: Cleveland OHIO
The C5 is a different car, you need to go and drive both. They are very very different. A C4 is a different car than a C3,not necessarily better though. It all depends on what you want. For a daily driver that you are going to leave stock for example buy the newest car you can afford.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
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From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by RRT vette
My suggestion is to drive a C4 and a C5. See which is more suits your need, because both drive and ride different. Is it worth approx 10g more for the C5???maybe??but that's for you to decide.
Well said