C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Styling or Performance?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 02:26 AM
  #1  
12 inches's Avatar
12 inches
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Default Styling or Performance?

Which do you prefer from your corvette? I think the C4 is a combination of heavy on styling 50% performance 45% and affordability 5%.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 07:53 AM
  #2  
3JsVette's Avatar
3JsVette
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Default

As far as being affordable you can't buy more Corvette for the money. 30 years ago the car's performance and handling were world class. The bar has been raised a lot higher over the last 30 years. With some common go fast parts the L98 will wake up. The LT1 and LT4 really don't need much. As far as handling goes the C4 was great in it's day but everybody complained about the harsh ride. Till this day it's still good especially with some sticky tires. The styling some people think is dated others think it's classic. Styling is subjective so it's a matter of opinion. Considering you can find "nice" driver quality C4s for less than 10K IMCO I don't think you can beat a C4 if you're looking for a Corvette bargain.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
Paul Workman's Avatar
Paul Workman
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Default

The ol' WARRIOR vs. WAXER 'debate'...

Personally, I lean toward WARRIOR (and have the motor and mods to prove it). HOW SOME EVER, I have enough WAXER in me to need to look good while kickin azz!




Last edited by Paul Workman; Mar 29, 2014 at 08:55 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 09:10 AM
  #4  
TractionControlOff's Avatar
TractionControlOff
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 29
From: Bergen County, New Jersey
Default

I'll say this: I wouldn't have become interested in Corvettes when I was a kid if they didn't look good.

Nowadays, a larger percentage is based on the driving experience for me. I won't say just performance, because there's more to a car than performance. I enjoy throwing it into a corner on back roads, WOT and listening to the V8 working the whole time. I wouldn't own the car if I didn't love the way it looks and drives.

As an example, I know lots of people who praise the Nissan GTR. I'm sure it's a great car, but I could never own one because I don't like the way it looks or sounds. I could buy a used Ferrari 550, which wouldn't keep up with a GTR on a track, because I would enjoy it more.

I think the C4 is a good sports car, even by today's standards. It looks great (timeless, in my opinion) and for a majority of people, has plenty of power (or can easily be modded up to their standards). The fact that you can get one for these prices makes it the best bargain out there right now.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 11:28 AM
  #5  
JD Shredds's Avatar
JD Shredds
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
Default

Originally Posted by TractionControlOff
I'll say this: I wouldn't have become interested in Corvettes when I was a kid if they didn't look good.

Nowadays, a larger percentage is based on the driving experience for me. I won't say just performance, because there's more to a car than performance. I enjoy throwing it into a corner on back roads, WOT and listening to the V8 working the whole time. I wouldn't own the car if I didn't love the way it looks and drives.

As an example, I know lots of people who praise the Nissan GTR. I'm sure it's a great car, but I could never own one because I don't like the way it looks or sounds. I could buy a used Ferrari 550, which wouldn't keep up with a GTR on a track, because I would enjoy it more.

I think the C4 is a good sports car, even by today's standards. It looks great (timeless, in my opinion) and for a majority of people, has plenty of power (or can easily be modded up to their standards). The fact that you can get one for these prices makes it the best bargain out there right now.
Pretty much exactly my thoughts.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 12:09 PM
  #6  
hooked073's Avatar
hooked073
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by Paul Workman
The ol' WARRIOR vs. WAXER 'debate'...

Personally, I lean toward WARRIOR (and have the motor and mods to prove it). HOW SOME EVER, I have enough WAXER in me to need to look good while kickin azz!



Paul that is a sweet car
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 12:20 PM
  #7  
hooked073's Avatar
hooked073
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
Default

My engine was dyno before installed at 352 hp I forget the tg but even with this I am no where close to the new things out there. And for me that is ok even in stock form they give you enough umph to have fun and get into trouble. I like the looks of the C4 and I also think like my bike and other things you should personalize them to be your own. Im lve flames and this platform let me do just that. To me it is more about the looks then other things as long as there is enough there to have fun with
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 12:38 PM
  #8  
murraybob's Avatar
murraybob
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

I went for a ride in my friends C3 (L88) (oops L82) yesterday. So it's kind of natural for me to compare the C3 with my C4.





His C3 is a beautiful car, and impressive to look at. My daughter prefers the older generation to the C4s. I like their looks a lot and his exhaust sounds awesome with a deep rumble. I think the C4 looks just a little tame in comparison.

However, I prefer the C4 because they are a much better car:

1. His car sounded good but when he stepped on the gas he got more sound than he got acceleration. My car is much faster.

2. His great sounding exhaust got very noisy at highway speed. You could hardly hear yourself think.

3. The handling of the C4 is still very good. You get that "go-kart" feel and I love it.

4. His car probably would cost more than mine.

I also took a 2000 Porche 911 for a test drive the other day. They wanted $20,000 for the car and it had double the miles that my car has. It had a nicer interior (more leather) than mine but it was like sitting in a VW Bug with a faster engine. My car is faster than the 911 and felt more roomy. I like the feel of the Vette better.

For the money there is no way you can get a better sports car than a C4 that is in good shape.

Last edited by murraybob; Mar 29, 2014 at 01:31 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 12:47 PM
  #9  
Paul Workman's Avatar
Paul Workman
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by hooked073
Paul that is a sweet car
(In my best Elvis voice) Thank you....Thank you very much!
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 01:14 PM
  #10  
ynot d's Avatar
ynot d
Instructor
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Lower Burrell Pa.
Default

Isn't that C-3 an L-82?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 01:26 PM
  #11  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

I'm trying for both...



Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 01:29 PM
  #12  
murraybob's Avatar
murraybob
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by ynot d
Isn't that C-3 an L-82?
Probably. My bad

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Styling or Performance?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:09 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE