C4 over a C5 ?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland GA
I have had 2 84s, 1 86 and now a 90 zr1. I may eventually get a C5, but not if I had to give up the C4. To me the C4 is everything a sports car should be and most of all unrefined. However, if you find yourself saying things like, this is too loud, I need softer shocks or where is my cup holder, then go with the C5. For me, I will always prefer the C4.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Lets put it this way... My dad had a 2000 Convertible. Very pretty car no doubt. He got in the the museum and drove it home along with a Corvette jacket and other collections to go with it. He LOVED it. He used to drop me off to school in it every day. To this day his favorite gen is the C5's. However I didn't fall in love with Corvette's until I saw a C4 up close. Aside from smacking my knee every other time I get in the car... It wins me over in every aspect.
The feel.. the look.. the way it handles. It just feels right. I got lucky with mine since the previous owner did some work to it. So i'm sitting with just about as much HP as a C5 Z06. I would put thousands more into this car before getting a C5. I see more C4's in my area then any other. It just has the sporty look/feel others have said. I have a 1996 LT4 and I highly recommend finding one. They can hang with the C5's
The feel.. the look.. the way it handles. It just feels right. I got lucky with mine since the previous owner did some work to it. So i'm sitting with just about as much HP as a C5 Z06. I would put thousands more into this car before getting a C5. I see more C4's in my area then any other. It just has the sporty look/feel others have said. I have a 1996 LT4 and I highly recommend finding one. They can hang with the C5's
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I have had 2 84s, 1 86 and now a 90 zr1. I may eventually get a C5, but not if I had to give up the C4. To me the C4 is everything a sports car should be and most of all unrefined. However, if you find yourself saying things like, this is too loud, I need softer shocks or where is my cup holder, then go with the C5. For me, I will always prefer the C4.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Everyone sums it up well. It is just a matter of what you are looking for. I like the trim looks, I like round tail lights, the clamshell hood. I like that it's rough and noisy. I like the tight low interior and the digital dash, I have had more fun in my '89 than I did in my C6. I get more thumbs up in the C4 than I did in the C6.
The C5 like the 6 is a way more refined comfortable car without a doubt. Good luck on your decision!
The C5 like the 6 is a way more refined comfortable car without a doubt. Good luck on your decision!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
If this was a test it would appear to me the C4 is getting the higher mark for a more sought after car, even though it lacks the C5 performance and confort. My question is why then are C4 prices in the basement.? The early ones with all the sports car feel and atari look seem to barely compete with fox platformed Mustangs in retal value?
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,432
Likes: 251
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
If this was a test it would appear to me the C4 is getting the higher mark for a more sought after car, even though it lacks the C5 performance and confort. My question is why then are C4 prices in the basement.? The early ones with all the sports car feel and atari look seem to barely compete with fox platformed Mustangs in retal value?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
If this was a test it would appear to me the C4 is getting the higher mark for a more sought after car, even though it lacks the C5 performance and confort. My question is why then are C4 prices in the basement.? The early ones with all the sports car feel and atari look seem to barely compete with fox platformed Mustangs in retal value?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
If this was a test it would appear to me the C4 is getting the higher mark for a more sought after car, even though it lacks the C5 performance and confort. My question is why then are C4 prices in the basement.? The early ones with all the sports car feel and atari look seem to barely compete with fox platformed Mustangs in retal value?
For my money I'd take a C4 vert over a C3 small block any day.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
What really "sold me" on a C4 was the feeling when I first sat in one back in early 2000; the seat was "made for me"...
I think the clam shell hood looks like a real sports car when open.
I love the "star wars" dash in the pre-90s C4s.
The C4 handles on the street on a par with the C5. When I used to attend Corvette cruizes most cars were C5 and I had no problem following them through the local Bear Mountain twisties.
For styling I prefer the low C4 vs the "big butt" C5 look.
Have fun in selecting your next Vette.
I think the clam shell hood looks like a real sports car when open.
I love the "star wars" dash in the pre-90s C4s.
The C4 handles on the street on a par with the C5. When I used to attend Corvette cruizes most cars were C5 and I had no problem following them through the local Bear Mountain twisties.
For styling I prefer the low C4 vs the "big butt" C5 look.
Have fun in selecting your next Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 182
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Ask the general public and they will ask what a C4 is.
Fwiw the fox body 5.0s of the mid 80s and nice IROCs are climbing up in $ quick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Always liked the lines of the C5 Z06.
If it werent for all the electronic gremlins they can have (which Id be clueless on how to fix) Id have bought one.
Good power reliable drivetrain light quick turning. Yep.
If it werent for all the electronic gremlins they can have (which Id be clueless on how to fix) Id have bought one.
Good power reliable drivetrain light quick turning. Yep.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
You need to read other forums. People with expensive and newer cars are also bitching about their "$50K-$100K POS". There are Z06, BMW, Mustang, Challenger, Jeep, etc owners bitching about their cars.
Was the C4 poorly engineered? You damn right it was but, C4s are not the worst Vettes.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Providence RI
I too agree w Tom400CFI,
I love the feeling of being inside my C4s ..just rolling down the highway, I have an 86 now and a 1994, and I love em both. I have owned prior c3's (one of them a 1969, which as a dumb kid I put Huge Cragar SS on..and fortunately I lived in Florida where the roads are smooth and warm...) and I have not experienced a C5 or C6 yet. I like the wedge of my C4's, but of course the new cars are gorgeous, and honestly, just out of my price range, so I do not torture myself, I try to stay away! My thought is, if you are new to Corvette Ownership, I think a clean C4 is a great way to get into the fold, especially if you can swing a '96, grandsport, or a beautiful '96 collector's, Lt-1, or Lt-4.. Best, Derek
I love the feeling of being inside my C4s ..just rolling down the highway, I have an 86 now and a 1994, and I love em both. I have owned prior c3's (one of them a 1969, which as a dumb kid I put Huge Cragar SS on..and fortunately I lived in Florida where the roads are smooth and warm...) and I have not experienced a C5 or C6 yet. I like the wedge of my C4's, but of course the new cars are gorgeous, and honestly, just out of my price range, so I do not torture myself, I try to stay away! My thought is, if you are new to Corvette Ownership, I think a clean C4 is a great way to get into the fold, especially if you can swing a '96, grandsport, or a beautiful '96 collector's, Lt-1, or Lt-4.. Best, Derek
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Many of the problems these cars have they had brand spankin new.
Remember as a teen reading about all the gripes of BRAND new C4s with rough idliing issues (TPI) dash problems etc etc. Dont forget the endless articles on TPI builds and how to get hp from a torque motor setup.
Most this stuff isnt so much from age, EFI was still kind of new to GM took a few years to sort out. Plus they cheaped out on that godforsaken intake.
Funny thing is their single TBI was flawless(used on vans, trucks etc)
Ill say one thing the leather they used holds up 100 times better than what they are using in todays Vettes.
Remember as a teen reading about all the gripes of BRAND new C4s with rough idliing issues (TPI) dash problems etc etc. Dont forget the endless articles on TPI builds and how to get hp from a torque motor setup.
Most this stuff isnt so much from age, EFI was still kind of new to GM took a few years to sort out. Plus they cheaped out on that godforsaken intake.
Funny thing is their single TBI was flawless(used on vans, trucks etc)
Ill say one thing the leather they used holds up 100 times better than what they are using in todays Vettes.