C4 vs C5

. . . it's not good for you. The C4 is a VERY WELL REPSECTED car. The second longest run in Corvette history. If it was so bad. . . why did they produce it for more than a decade. .
Why is this the busiest forum on corvetteforum?I remember when the C4 came out with the new body style. . . .everybody wanted one. The C5 has one of the shortest production runs in corvette history. The C6 from the front doesn't say "corvette." It is a nice car however...
But that shouldn't diminish the C4.The C4 is the last "HOT ROD" corvette that you will ever see. My 1996 is a great looking, awesome performing vehicle that is an envy on the road. I don't know many 6 bangers that can mess with it when it was stock. Not even the stock WRX, or 300 series Nissans could hang with a stock 1996 LT1. The only other cars that would give my former stock Lt1 are mostly exotics, a run for it's money in stock form, 100,000+ v8 AMG sports mercedes, dodge viper, C6, C5 Z06, C4 LT4, C4Lt5, Grand National.
Even my neighbor's brand new Z350 with a turbo, cannot beat my Lt1 in the quarter mile.. . . .which raises a question. WHERE'D YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THE C4???


I think it is your opinion.

it's a freakin' two-bit car, as most any car is, which means its a next to nothing on the ladder of importance in life. please stop taking those comments personally. a car is not a reflection of your soul, unless of course you've completely misplaced your values and priorities.
for the umpteenth time, this is a forum which means its a public place which means dissenting views will exist. this group-think idea that it's all to sugar plum fairies and roses is simply unrealistic, unreasonable and downright undesireable.
and by the way, of course i agree with him. the c4 is the laughingstock of the entire corvette community, and high time you simply get over it. no sweat, no big deal, turn the key and just drive. the C5 will never book looked upon as negatively as the C4 because its a much better car, plus its more powerful -- and in corvetteland and any other carland, power counts major and that's the trump card.
. . . it's not good for you. The C4 is a VERY WELL REPSECTED car. The second longest run in Corvette history. If it was so bad. . . why did they produce it for more than a decade. .
Why is this the busiest forum on corvetteforum?The C3 is the longest run, but realistically the power was gone after 5-7 years into that 14 year run. Length of the run doesn't really impress me, nor does it really matter. I believe that the C4 is the busiest on the forum because we work on our cars. C3 and older cars are mostly in great shape needing little(much refurbishment has already occured), going through a restoration. The C5 and C6 crowd are mostly still new enough that work isn't really needed. The C4 is at the age that most need some work now and then, more so than the C5/6.
I remember when the C4 came out with the new body style. . . .everybody wanted one. The C5 has one of the shortest production runs in corvette history. The C6 from the front doesn't say "corvette." It is a nice car however...
But that shouldn't diminish the C4.The C2 holds the honor of shortest run; I don't hear anyone using that against it. The C6 is a little different, but so has each generation looks a little different relative to their previous generation.
The C4 is the last "HOT ROD" corvette that you will ever see. My 1996 is a great looking, awesome performing vehicle that is an envy on the road. I don't know many 6 bangers that can mess with it when it was stock. Not even the stock WRX, or 300 series Nissans could hang with a stock 1996 LT1. The only other cars that would give my former stock Lt1 are mostly exotics, a run for it's money in stock form, 100,000+ v8 AMG sports mercedes, dodge viper, C6, C5 Z06, C4 LT4, C4Lt5, Grand National.
Given that you listed the Grand National, I assume you are talking straight line performance. A late LT1 is good for a mid 13 sec 1/4 in full stock trim. Off the top of my head I can mention: Porsche 911(many variants from many years), Toyota Supra, many Mercedes models, even several S-Classes. This in addition to what you listed.
Even my neighbor's brand new Z350 with a turbo, cannot beat my Lt1 in the quarter mile.. . . .which raises a question. WHERE'D YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THE C4???


I think you mean 350Z that has been turbocharged. He may not be tuned right, given that the Turbo isn't stock. With a properly tuned Turbo setup, he should easily best a stock LT1.
I think it is your opinion.

To add:
I like my early C4 vert. I know it isn't able to keep up with modern cars, but I have fun with the total package of what it is. The C4 gets dogged more than it deserves, but there are correct criticisms that are lodged against it.
The C5 and 6's facilitate a less than excellent driver and gives them advantages that will only in the end get them in trouble. As it was said before the C4 is the last of the hot rod's. They still require some feel and knowledge of what is going on and what is about to happen. I have driven a brand new C6 and was not really impressed. It felt like an overpowered Lexus. Yes they are FAST! They are also made for the sporty feeling trophy wife. I have never driven a car that takes better care of you as a driver, or that makes you as lazy.
I'll take my C4 and love it. We have a road course out here in Lubbock that I will be seeing in the spring. I'm sure there will be plenty of C5/6 baby sitters out there to prove my point. That said of course there are those who are truly fine and experienced drivers in these cars that make them a lethal race weapon.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
My '65 is coming off the lift this weekend and should be able to start driving it more.
I am REALLY leaning towards the '96 CE LT-4 however, would like to drive one first before I really get agressive in my search.
Question, is there anybody in the Riverside Ca area who has a '96 that I could drive? Does not have to be a CE or, LT4.
Thanks again for all the comments.
Now, if I could just post photos, I show my shop with the '65 on the lift and my '56 Hardtop below ('32 Cadillac is in the house garage for now).
Eric
C4 rules

To add:
I like my early C4 vert. I know it isn't able to keep up with modern cars, but I have fun with the total package of what it is. The C4 gets dogged more than it deserves, but there are correct criticisms that are lodged against it.


The bikers accept you no matter what kind a bike you ride.
Corvette people seem so stuffy about which vette is "the best"
I like all years of vettes. You would not have your "b*tch*n vettes if it were not for the ones before yours.
OP just wanted to know which is going to hold value better not which car is better. Now we even have someone bringing in imports to the equation? saying its stomping l98's in a straight line? lol they dont even stomp 305 tpi engines in a straight line
anyway like i said, neither car is really a better investment.
i've hit enough local f'd up shows where i've learned "never again". i swear there are 100x the a-holes who own corvettes than any other useless hobby there is. every dick thinks their car -- and therefore (and for some god unkown reason) THEY are the sihinazz above all else.
f' em all.

I usually found that the older the owner group, the less clicky they were; that isn't the case with Vettes. Some owners make me wish I bought an SL.













Got the same reaction when I used to ride.

