Opinion....sorry if I got some of you going, but this is just about vettes. I said older because that is what I am. Retirement is 3-5 yrs away and financially I should be in a position to afford a C5 or C6 at that time.
I am curious as to what guys in my position are thinking/doing. Did you move to a newer model and never looked back or did you regret it? Or did you decide to stay with your C4? Why?
I love my stock 95 DRM Coupe and the way it handles/feels. I drove an 09 stick and it was "different" but fast. Thoughts?

 

I wonder the same thing. Retirement for me is 10 to 12 years away and I'm kinda thinking I will upgrade then because I want somethig that I can take trips in that may be a little more travel friendly in my older age.

But I may keep my C4 as well for those fun spirited drives. I don't know yet.

But I keep thinking about getting in and out and all that goes with it.

 

Guy Looking For Older Guy's....When I saw this I thought maybe you had logged onto the wrong site.....WW

 

You really need to change that title

 

I'm old enough I COULD have already retired (Railroad Retirement system lets you retire earlier than SS). I'm happy with the C-4 and we have taken a couple extended trips in it already - one of 6600 miles and the other 2000+. As long as the car stays reasonably reliable we'll stay with it. However, I believe the C-6 has more leg room, especially for the passenger so at some point that could be a factor.

 

From WW7 : Guy Looking For Older Guy's....When I saw this I thought maybe you had logged onto the wrong site.....WW



You could really be putting yourself in danger.....

 

I'm eligible to retire in 5 1/2 months.

Most likely won't but in the meantime I've got my 92 and my 03 to play with. End of October we did a 2,300 mile trip in the 03.

The 92 needs a new fuel filter and possible Opti but I'd take it anywhere as well when that's done. It did 2,600+ miles to Colorado Springs and back a few years ago with no problem.

 

: That's what Im talking about...Hey bunky, I didn't know you had a beard......WW

 

My 4th Corvette was a '92 conveertible after owning three C3's. I thought that the C3 was a nice platform and I really liked them. After I bought the '92, it didn't take long to figure out that the C4 was a quantum leap over the older cars.

I sold the 92 back in 2005 to a fellow club member and started to look for a C5. The primary reason was a desire for more ihterior room, a manual trans, and a smoother ride. At that time I had been retired for 3 years. I drove the 92 across the country for the 50th Anniversary deal and the 6600 mile trip was actually enjoyable in the 92 even with the base seats. The only issue was a lack of storage space in the 'vert, especially with the top down.

I really wanted a Z06 but settled on a '02 6-speed coupe that I bought from a CF member. This car is much more comfortable to travel/cruise in even though it's a Z51 car. While that's fine, the C5 is so much more refined in terms of handling and braking that you don't always realize how close you are to the limits of the performance envelope. With my 92, it was pretty obvious when the car was pushed to the limit. Obviously, good suspension and tires play a big part in driving a C4 (or a C5 for that matter) hard.

I also have an 87 that is primarily my autocross and track day car. It's not really that comfortable to ride in, but it serves a different purpose.

I can't say whether or not a C6 is any different or better. IMHO, there is still some of the C5 feel in the C6. The C6 Z06 is entirely something else and that may be something I would consider in a couple more years.

But if were to go back to a C4 for a touring car, I would look at ZR-1's before an LT1 car. A Grand Sport would be the next choice.

 

I bet it wasn't the beard you were looking at....hahaha

 

I just bought a new Harley, so I'll be keeping my '96 for another year or two.
If I wouldn't have done this, I would probably would have bought a C6 by spring.

 

I have been retired for quite some time. I have owned a C2, C3, and currently a C4. I like these cars because of the sport car feel although not so much with the C3 in the performance category.

I do know people with C5's and I have driven them. That said, I prefer the C4 again because of the sport car feel, a lot of that has to do with the ****-pit interior and the way I feel the road when driving the C4. The C5 is a more comfortable ride with a more interior space, but it lacks the feeling of the C4.

I am not going to bash a C5 or C6 at all. They are great performers.

So I guess the bottom line is, if it is comfort you are looking for the C5 might be what you will want. If you want a sport car feel the C4 will fit the bill. I have taken the C4 on long trips and I do not feel uncomfortable or get fatigued at all.

Hey the are all Corvettes and we should enjoy them for what they are.

 

That picture is too funny!!!! Danger? My job puts me in danger 11 hrs a day for the past 18 yrs. I'm used to it.
On another note, does anyone else's wife have a say in if it's a stick, auto, coupe, or convertible? My wife is a small gal and she complains about the high sill.

 

My wife makes smart comments about getting in and out and that's why I would consider a different car in the future. mainly for her. But also the C4 will be 12 years older as well when I retire and that alone may force me to go to a different gen.

As far as A4 or man, my wife refuses to drive mine so it's no deal to her. But if she did drive it, it wouldn't matter because she can drive a manual as well.

 

I'll be 50 next month and I still like my 53-54's and C4's. I'd love to have a C5 or newer but don't think about it too seriously.

 

My wife was pretty much against a Vette on general principles and has no desire to drive it. She drives a bus for the local school, owns a Chevy HHR and likes to drive the Dodge pickup. Her preference is a more truck-like driving experience. That said, she supported "me" buying the Vette, but made no attempt to suggest that it would be for her.

We took our first extended drive last night in the Vette, 170 miles (there and back) to Colorado Springs for her b-day dinner. She was pretty antsy for the first bit of the drive as she got used to the car and my doing the driving since she always drives when we go places together. By the end, she was very pleased with the ride and commented many times on the comfort of the seats. On the way home, she actually fell asleep as I drove, something she has never done with me or anyone else in years.

Her final comment as we arrived home, "I am glad you bought the Vette, it is really nice". I am pretty sure I won't move to a C5 or whatever, I like this a bit too much. Retirement is a bit in the future though, about 15 years.

 

My wife gets sleepy everytime we go out. The seats and the rumble do it.

Back on topic;

It boils down to what you want. There are a lot of dependable C4's out there. This YOUR time, you earned it. Get what YOU like.

Steve
(I'm 48)

 

I drive what I want now, not waiting for retirement. I keep a "slush" fund for my toys that is not part of my retirement plan. I drive a C5 now because the C3 and C4 while great fun to drive, are not really all that great for daily drivers. I want the Corvette experience every day so I drive a C5. I'm sure that some time this year I'll step into a C6.

 

 

Same with my wife Mike.
She's driven mine about 3 times. She's perfectly content to just ride along.

I was doing some work in our UK office 2 or 3 years ago.
It was March, and you know how nice some of those spring days can be.
Well, I get an email from her saying it was so nice she decided to drive the Vette to work.
I didn't really mind, but the girls in the office over there sure got a kick out of it.