So, I would first like to apologize to anyone that I may have been a bit of a ***** to when I first popped up around these forums, I will admit that certain social groups (audizine comes to mind) may have encourage such 'kill or be killed' mentality in the 'sorry, someone is wrong on the internet' responses that followed.
I might also have also been accused of being a bit of a Judas, willfully insulting my own car that I paid probably more than I should have for,

but.. my perspective has changed over the last 7 months of ownership, and I have to say, that I get what all the fuss is about now.

I owned sports sedans all my life (miata excluded, given it was so brief an ownership) , and I only recently started to buy american RWD sedans on a frequent basis, from a G8 to my ATS I own now. Even with those cars though, still, I prefered my Audi's and other imports.

They're all very nice cars, drive well and have few faults.

None of them however, can hold a candle to how I feel about my C4.

I have to say that it's really starting to come together for the C4. There's something just purely enjoyable about how simple the car is and how it has no problems with being a 25 year old car with 25 year old problems.

You know what though? I'm okay with that. I of course will be in an never ending battle of replacing and adjusting parts, but unlike the brand new cars, somehow it just doesn't bother me that much, it's something to do rather than to stress over. She sounds good, she looks good-- the C4 body style has grown on me in a way I hadn't imagined. Even the 'problems' I'm having now just enhance the relationship I have for this car.

It reminds me a lot of my B5 S4, probably the car I have the most fond memories of. She sounded great, looked great, and I had my hand on nearly every part of that car and it was on jack stands for half my ownership, so I knew she was great(by the end) too.

the C4 is no German twin turbo Sport sedan, but she's something just as good that I've never had, she's an American V8 sports coupe that makes no apologies for what it is. It's not perfect, it's not particularly fast, but, as I continue to make it my own, it's my own, and the community support of all corvette people is something rare to find in my opinion, which makes it all just that much more a pleasure to own.

Regrets? Maybe that it's not as practical as I'd like, but with the top down, those complaints quickly are left behind me.

so it is with great humility I say, a tip of my hat to you gentlemen (and ladies) I only wish I had picked one up sooner and I look forward to many years of ownership!

 

Glad you're enjoying your C4!

 

Sounds like it may be the first of many to come. It always starts with just one.

 

Wait until you take it out west. Deals Gap, The tail of the Dragon comes to mind or in the Shenandoah Valley on a crisp fall weekend. After those rides you'll want to be buried in it.

 

Most people that dog on the C4 have never driven or even sat in one for that matter, once you do, it becomes apparent that these cars are truly a sports car.

 

Yes they grow on you. I've owned this one for 15 years. I just spent the last three month totally restoring or upgrading it so I can have it for another 15. It now rides smoother than ever, it handles better than ever, and it is quicker than it ever was. You say they are not fast which says to me you haven't got things right yet. Mine does 165mph and gets there quite fast. It is stock with new injectors and a catback exhaust. All I know is it will be with me till the end.

 

I hear ya brother, i bought an old 86z51 to use as a beater, now im all in love with corvettes.

 

I never thought you were out of line. Enjoyed your posts a lot.

 

Everything you named is not out west, it is East coast. To those of us out here in the "Real West" everything on the other side of the Rocky Mountains is east.

 

I feel you brother. Take the top out (or down) and go driving on a warm summers night and I swear it becomes an ethereal zen thing. Sometimes I leave the house with a million things on my mind and I always return in peace.

Whatever "it" is about these cars, I get it and consider myself better because of it.

My name is Jeff, and I am a c4 addict.

 

I'm on my 2nd C4 and I'm not bored with it at all.

 

This is my 2nd C4 , I can't imagine being vetteless !!! The car and the corvette community made a lot of change in my life.

 

I have had my car since 1985 and I pulled into the garage a couple of days ago and looked at it and thought, "That's a really nice looking car". It's apart right now, but will soon be back on the road.

I'm driving a 2013 Grand Sport in the meantime. A friend of mine who has one told me, "You're going to love that car". He was right.

 

Uh, yup!

 

We learn quickly to grow ''thicker skin''

 

I want to see the update to your thread once you drive a ZR1 C4.
I have liked Vettes since the first time I saw one. I have a C3 and A C4 now, and for the the past 21 years I have never imagined being Vetteless at home.
Glad to see you are enjoying yours.

 

nice thread.

 

Filling the shoes of a 500whp CTS is tough is all I'll say. I have modest plans for the car sometime in the future, right now though it's in a happy medium of not too slow to get out of it's way, and not too fast where I can actually listen to the engine run without endangering my drivers license.

It's funny you mention that, because while I've considered doing a ZF swap in the convertible, I've also briefly considered an LT5/LT4 as well.
Right now I'm on the tipping point of no return, I only have a few grand into it over the price I paid, so It might be worth it to see what else is out there before I start talking big money .
There are still many pros/cons to decide upon, of which I could ramble on about in a whole thread itself.

 

On both counts.

 

Touche" someday I would love to drive the PCH up into Washington State and see the islands in BC.