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How does the C3 compare to the C4 as far as performance and handling?
...but handling and performance wise, IMO, there is day and night difference. My wife and I have one each, and I get to make that very assessment often. She loves her C3 vert, AND it turns a lot of heads . But, when the hammer is down or twisties are at hand, my C4 will accellerate quicker, corner MUCH better, rides better, and I get over 28 mpg on trips.
But, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That C3 of hers in comparison is "rude, crude, and barely socially acceptable"...and (perhaps) because of that, it has it's own charm. I love it too!
...but handling and performance wise, IMO, there is day and night difference. My wife and I have one each, and I get to make that very assessment often. She loves her C3 vert, AND it turns a lot of heads . But, when the hammer is down or twisties are at hand, my C4 will accellerate quicker, corner MUCH better, rides better, and I get over 28 mpg on trips.
But, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That C3 of hers in comparison is "rude, crude, and barely socially acceptable"...and (perhaps) because of that, it has it's own charm. I love it too!
P.
100% Correct.. I just sold my 79. It had the Complete Vett Brakes F41 Suspension Package, with the spredder bar, offset trailing arms, Koni shocks, built 355 small block, 17" wheels with 275x40x17. Hooker side mounts. It does out handle my c4, however it gets about 10MPG runs so hot on long trips feels like your shoes are going to melt. Car has remote oil cooler and trans cooler.
Engine never runs hot, but the car acts like a heat sink. Can not really hear the radio. When it was stock it did not have a chance.
It is kinda like bringing a shotgun to a rifle range for target practice.
The 79 was fun but not practical. Now that the 79 is gone I have already taken some long road trips with my wife and get over 24mpg.
I plan on modifying the C4 already 18" wheels. Big difference, but I am not going to go overboard like I did on the 79.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I have a 68 big block and an 85 with Z51. The C4 is a much better handling car than the C3. It actually rides a little harder due to the early Z51. If you want handling the C4 is the way to go. If you want attention go with the early C3.
From '73 on up, the C3 got slower and handling in comparision to the C4 is terrible. The C4 ushered in the performance AND handling era for the Vette. But I've got to admit, the C3 IMO has the sexiest body of ALL generations. Can't deny the curves of the C3!
Ive just come from a C3 to a late C4.The biggest difference to me is the precise steering of the C4.The handling is day/night.The C4 is alot tighter feeling.
From '73 on up, the C3 got slower and handling in comparision to the C4 is terrible. The C4 ushered in the performance AND handling era for the Vette. But I've got to admit, the C3 IMO has the sexiest body of ALL generations. Can't deny the curves of the C3!