When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am looking for opinions on what is the better buy. 1996 lt-4 vert for around 16K with 45k miles or 2000 c5's for that same price with 70k miles. To me it seems like the c4 will hold its value better than the c5 will.
I've always read buy as new as you can afford but the lt-4 seems to stand out as a car that will be a more sought after than the c5. Yes I know that a car is not an investment, but if I sell in 5 years I think the lt4 will be easier to sell. I know this is apple and oranges when comparing but just looking for opinions.
Try both and make your own choice...
My choice will be for the LT4 but it all depends on color combo and if the C5 is auto or 6 speed... Anyway it all depends on maintenance and condition of the cars and as you said in 5 years they will have about the same resale value with a little advantage for the LT4 IMO!
If you are a "car guy" you can get a lot right now for 16K.
If you are looking for vettes specifically there are some nice C3's for that price.
If you are looking at C4's for that price ZR1 is the ONLY C4 I would be considering for that price.
If you are looking at C5's mileage and mods should be considered for that price.
Like any major decision it's nice to get people's input but real research is the decision maker. Pick a car brand, pick a year, pick a model, pick a car.
The only real things the C4 and C5 have in common you are looking at is price range.
I'd ask, what do you want? Which car makes you feel good? We all know the C5 is better potentially and getting parts is easier for the C5. The LT4 was only made for one year. Ten years from now, it maybe hard to find any parts for the LT4. You are right in saying that buying a Corvette should never be done as an investment. It's a money loser, but they sure are fun to drive. Vettes are a hobby. If you are a wrench kind of guy, and you want to modify your Vette, I like working on the C4 over the C5. But the C5's engines have so much more aftermarket items available. So if you are not a wrench head, buy the one that runs like you want as it is. I would guess that most mechanics for hire, would rather work on the C5 because information is readily available. Remember, it's your choice.
Have you driven both models? What is it you want to do with the cars?
You know cars aren't an investment but you insist on making this an investment issue. IMO, if you buy that C4 for 16 you are overpaying by as much as 4 or 5 grand.
Thanks for all the input. A lot of good points to look at. I guess I like the c4 the best. Like it was pointed out I do think that 16 is overpriced for the car. He will not move on the price. It seems it is hard to find one that is well taken care of and not over priced that some one is looking to sell. That is why I looked in the c5 section and see them for the same price. So that is what prompted my question.
This would be my first vette, so I want the perfect car. I do not plan on driving the wheels off it, but will sit in the garage more than driven.
THANKS
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time