96 lt4
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
96 lt4
Hi All,
I am in the market for a new toy now that the pad is paid off.
Ive had my heart set on a 2006 or newer but my budget is about 2006 which i really like.
but I just checked out a 96 LT4 green beauty absolutely mint
with 56000 kms thats like 30000 miles.
Older guy owned since new all docs GM service guide all keys
window sticker only mod is cat back.
Now I have a delema I always liked the C4.
It is 1/2 price any 2006 I can find unless it had mega miles.
How much better is the 2006
Ride wise, performance wise, reliability.
It is 20 yrs old almost what about parts?
I tell ya for 1/2 price and the way this thing sounds and pulls
altho I dont care for the cluster but I think
I can get over that about the first time i hit redline in 3rd.
What you think should I blow the bank or spend half.
might be the wrong forum for this question but im sure the
c6 guys will say the c6
I am in the market for a new toy now that the pad is paid off.
Ive had my heart set on a 2006 or newer but my budget is about 2006 which i really like.
but I just checked out a 96 LT4 green beauty absolutely mint
with 56000 kms thats like 30000 miles.
Older guy owned since new all docs GM service guide all keys
window sticker only mod is cat back.
Now I have a delema I always liked the C4.
It is 1/2 price any 2006 I can find unless it had mega miles.
How much better is the 2006
Ride wise, performance wise, reliability.
It is 20 yrs old almost what about parts?
I tell ya for 1/2 price and the way this thing sounds and pulls
altho I dont care for the cluster but I think
I can get over that about the first time i hit redline in 3rd.
What you think should I blow the bank or spend half.
might be the wrong forum for this question but im sure the
c6 guys will say the c6
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Drive both, step back and look at each of them from different angles and distances. Which one "cranks your tractor". Go with your heart and gut.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
If you want the C4, then by all means get it.
But don't even try to "compare" the two cars.
The C6 will win in every category that you could actually measure.
I have an LT4 and absolutely love it. It is 100% reliable and I do not hesitate to take it on 3,000 mile trips every summer.
But it will not be up to the same level of performance as a C6.
But don't even try to "compare" the two cars.
The C6 will win in every category that you could actually measure.
I have an LT4 and absolutely love it. It is 100% reliable and I do not hesitate to take it on 3,000 mile trips every summer.
But it will not be up to the same level of performance as a C6.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Buy the one that puts a bigger smile on your face. As long as a C4 has been properly maintained, it can be a daily driver. Of course, the C6 is a better performer. With that said, a C4 is no slouch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
I 've had my 96GS since 01. Along side it over the years I've had a 03coupe, 02Z06, 08coupe, 10GScoupe, and now a 13 60th GS coupe. (notice a trend?) I will never sell my 96GS.
Your best bet is to drive them like said. I like the seats better in my 96 then all of the others, but I've only had the 13 for a week and the seats seem better than the 10 was.
when my 96 was stock or lightly modified I drove it all over (5-6 hour trips) and it never let me down and was always dependable. I love the looks of both cars. Now my 96 is mainly raced and only driven occasionally on the street and I take the C6 for the long drives.
The 96 is getting older so you may need to do some regular maint like belt, hoses, flush all fluids ect but if it's mechanically sound now it should be good.
depending on mileage of the C6 you may need to start doing the same thing, plus there are a ton more electronics in them. You can't go wrong with either car!!
Your best bet is to drive them like said. I like the seats better in my 96 then all of the others, but I've only had the 13 for a week and the seats seem better than the 10 was.
when my 96 was stock or lightly modified I drove it all over (5-6 hour trips) and it never let me down and was always dependable. I love the looks of both cars. Now my 96 is mainly raced and only driven occasionally on the street and I take the C6 for the long drives.
The 96 is getting older so you may need to do some regular maint like belt, hoses, flush all fluids ect but if it's mechanically sound now it should be good.
depending on mileage of the C6 you may need to start doing the same thing, plus there are a ton more electronics in them. You can't go wrong with either car!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
The LT4 is no slouch, in it's time I pulled a 12.9 in the 1/4 mile and runs 0-60 between 4.5-5.0 seconds. Newer cars (generally) are better so I would have to say go with what others have said buy the one you like best.
The nice thing about Vettes is that they do hold their value and LT4's hold values better than most other C4's (with some exceptions), so if after a year you decide the C4 is not for you, probably be able to sell it for minimal loss and pick up a C6.
As for parts, you'll have no problem getting parts, since Vettes have a strong following, it's easy to get parts for C1's still! But the LT4 and C4's are fairly well built.
Of course the money you save buying the LT4 you could easily use to build up the LT4 that would give a C6 a run for its money!
The nice thing about Vettes is that they do hold their value and LT4's hold values better than most other C4's (with some exceptions), so if after a year you decide the C4 is not for you, probably be able to sell it for minimal loss and pick up a C6.
As for parts, you'll have no problem getting parts, since Vettes have a strong following, it's easy to get parts for C1's still! But the LT4 and C4's are fairly well built.
Of course the money you save buying the LT4 you could easily use to build up the LT4 that would give a C6 a run for its money!
