Okay! Just test drove a beautiful yellow convertible '02. I still don't like the way the butt looks...BUT, I gotta say, the rest of the car is great! Loved the lightweight doors, the REALLY comfortable seats, the NICE ride, and the performance was refreshing! Of course, being new, everything was tight and rattle free. So, I don't know boys and girls, i gotta say this a pretty sweet ride. If I had the bucks, I'd be in one.

 

Should test drive the Z06. Only problem that it's not made in a vert.

 

I know what you mean. My roommate has a 99 convertible and its so much more refined then my 1993. Someday i will have a new one but I still love my 93.

 

the only corvette i had ever driven was my fathers 2000 Vert before i bought my 95 coupe. I love both cars for differnt reasons. :yesnod:

 

Now don't get me wrong (get me right)...I still love my 92 vert. But being one of those people who is never totally happy...I'm always looking. I may trade up in a couple of years...maybe to a 99 or such, who knows. Might just keep the sweetie I'm driving now.

 

I bet you really enjoyed that test drive! Make you wonder.....

 

Keep your C4. :yesnod: :U C5. :jester

 

Its kinda funny to me really , I drove 96's and 97's trying to decide what I wanted and what I wanted to afford in my first Vette. The C5's are way more refined , ride nicely ,are very comfy , easy to get in and out of , smoother, have more refined interior and way more luggage space. The LS1 pulls nicely....handling and braking are excellent.

But you know what , the last C4's , like my LT4, are just about as fast, and have WAY more character. Squeeks and rattles are not as bad as earlier models, braking and handling are excellent , you have a MUCH shorter wheelbase, and weight is more centralized without the tranny in the rear (also less legroom though). The C4 is far less compromised as a sports car than the C5. It has a much cooler hood (complete clamshell) for easy accessability. I also have come to realize I like the C4's more pointed , sharp, sleek look to the C5's rounded more bulbous look . The C5 is much more derivitive in its styling resembling RX7's and Supra's as much as C4's. The C4 was much more original.

All of this is , of course, was intentional on the the C5 . It was designed to overcome the "shortcomings" of the C4 which are the difficult ingress/egress, body structure and squeeks/quality control, interior space, stiff ride etc. In the process though, the C5 became much more "main stream". Dont get me wrong , I LOVE the C5's , especially the Z06's (they have more character), but between a 96 LT4 and a 97 LS1 optioned the same and with roughly similar mileage , I actually liked the C4 better, despite its faults, although the LT4 was much less expensive. The C4's just seem more unique and almost exotic compared to the more refined C5....... Just my thoughts......one day I am sure I will probably own a C5 and I am sure I will enjoy it , but for now I really am having fun in my C4........ :seeya

 

I've had the pleasure of a few C5 test drives. While I like my 91, there is just no comparison. One of these days I will have to break down and buy one.

 

quick summary...

Late C4s are performance cars with a few luxury features.
C5s are luxury cars with a few performance features...Z06 being the exception.

Just my 2¢

 

I have a 74 vert and for the last year have been trying to decide between a late model C4 or a C5. I want to keep the 74 but would like another vet that would be better for longer trips. Your observations on the C4 and
C5 comparisons pretty well mirror what I think. I like the looks of the C4 better but would also like the improvenents that are present in the C5.
I am heading to the museum and the forum cruise-in this morning to gather more information!