C4 vs C7
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
C7 --- C7Z51 --- C4
2.66 -- 2.97 ---- 2.68 ---- 1st
1.78 -- 2.07 ---- 1.80 ---- 2nd
1.30 -- 1.43 ---- 1.29 ---- 3rd
1.00 -- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---- 4th
0.74 -- 0.71 ---- 0.75 ---- 5th
0.50 -- 0.57 ---- 0.50 ---- 6th
0.42 -- 0.48 ---- ---- ---- 7th
3.42 -- 3.42 ---- 3.45 ---- RearAxle
It looks like 6th and 7th gears are only highway fuel economy gears. To me it seems like the same thing could be accomplished by manipulating ratios on the 6 speeds without the expense of a 7th gear. For me, I sometimes skip a gear on the 6 speeds so having an extra gear doesn't help me much. I never have raced in 6th gear so I don't consider that to be a performance issue either.
As for C4 vs C7 (or others). I like all the generations, but there are definitely performance gains with each generation.
To me the C4's made a big jump in handling and versatility with acceleration and economy.
Right now the C4's and C5's are a great bang for the buck. I expect I will have a C6 and a C7 at some point when they drop in price to fit my budget for them.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Exactly. Look how close the ratios are between the C4 and C7 (base) ratios for gears 1 to 6.
C7 --- C7Z51 --- C4
2.66 -- 2.97 ---- 2.68 ---- 1st
1.78 -- 2.07 ---- 1.80 ---- 2nd
1.30 -- 1.43 ---- 1.29 ---- 3rd
1.00 -- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---- 4th
0.74 -- 0.71 ---- 0.75 ---- 5th
0.50 -- 0.57 ---- 0.50 ---- 6th
0.42 -- 0.48 ---- ---- ---- 7th
3.42 -- 3.42 ---- 3.45 ---- RearAxle
It looks like 6th and 7th gears are only highway fuel economy gears. To me it seems like the same thing could be accomplished by manipulating ratios on the 6 speeds without the expense of a 7th gear. For me, I sometimes skip a gear on the 6 speeds so having an extra gear doesn't help me much. I never have raced in 6th gear so I don't consider that to be a performance issue either.
As for C4 vs C7 (or others). I like all the generations, but there are definitely performance gains with each generation.
To me the C4's made a big jump in handling and versatility with acceleration and economy.
Right now the C4's and C5's are a great bang for the buck. I expect I will have a C6 and a C7 at some point when they drop in price to fit my budget for them.
C7 --- C7Z51 --- C4
2.66 -- 2.97 ---- 2.68 ---- 1st
1.78 -- 2.07 ---- 1.80 ---- 2nd
1.30 -- 1.43 ---- 1.29 ---- 3rd
1.00 -- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---- 4th
0.74 -- 0.71 ---- 0.75 ---- 5th
0.50 -- 0.57 ---- 0.50 ---- 6th
0.42 -- 0.48 ---- ---- ---- 7th
3.42 -- 3.42 ---- 3.45 ---- RearAxle
It looks like 6th and 7th gears are only highway fuel economy gears. To me it seems like the same thing could be accomplished by manipulating ratios on the 6 speeds without the expense of a 7th gear. For me, I sometimes skip a gear on the 6 speeds so having an extra gear doesn't help me much. I never have raced in 6th gear so I don't consider that to be a performance issue either.
As for C4 vs C7 (or others). I like all the generations, but there are definitely performance gains with each generation.
To me the C4's made a big jump in handling and versatility with acceleration and economy.
Right now the C4's and C5's are a great bang for the buck. I expect I will have a C6 and a C7 at some point when they drop in price to fit my budget for them.
different people have different money to spend on a hobby.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Huge technology jump from C3 to C4. Again from C4 to C5. Not so much with C5 to C6, mostly just a restyle job. Another leap to C7 but with styling excesses which may prove out over time to be trendy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
I bought my C4 because to me the C4 epitomizes the Corvette - a light, small, fast ship. The C5 and C6 were disappointing to me as they seemed to get away from that concept, becoming wider and larger - fatter if you will.
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
I bought my C4 because to me the C4 epitomizes the Corvette - a light, small, fast ship. The C5 and C6 were disappointing to me as they seemed to get away from that concept, becoming wider and larger - fatter if you will.
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
The pictures just seem slimmer looking - but part of that has been my dislike of the wide a$$, and the new one seems to have slimmed a bit.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Back in real life, I had my C4 parked next to a new Charger the other day - same thing - from across the parking lot the comparison was stark. The Charger, Vette and Mustang have all become very large.
..somebody supersized my sportscars!
As someone else mentioned, no doubt it's from all the Supersized Americans we're raising.
Last edited by MaxDaemon; Oct 30, 2014 at 01:13 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 369
Likes: 2
I bought my C4 because to me the C4 epitomizes the Corvette - a light, small, fast ship. The C5 and C6 were disappointing to me as they seemed to get away from that concept, becoming wider and larger - fatter if you will.
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
However - the C7 to me at least has brought back that "light, small, fast" concept. I'm a little in love with the C7, but since I won't be buying one for about 20 years, I think I'm safe. <chuckle>
My only objection .. in the dark, those taillights in front of you look WAY too much like the new Camaros. Is that just me?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I had my C4 parked next to a new Charger the other day - same thing - from across the parking lot the comparison was stark. The Charger, Vette and Mustang have all become very large.
..somebody supersized my sportscars!
As someone else mentioned, no doubt it's from all the Supersized Americans we're raising.
..somebody supersized my sportscars!
As someone else mentioned, no doubt it's from all the Supersized Americans we're raising.
Gotta raise the doors for side impact protection. Then, to maintain the lines of the car, somewhat, and keep visibility, up goes the roof, and the rear of the car. Now the rear 1/4 panel is a HUGE SLAB, so you're pretty much forced into using a 18" wheel or larger, so the wheel doesn't look ridiculously tiny.
Keeping things to scale. add HUGE tail light fixtures, big headlights and grills...and you have a car of today...which ends up looking like an appliance, a caricature of a car from 20 years ago, or a combination of both.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
All cars have become huge...not just sports cars. I don't think it's b/c of supersized people either...I think it's for crash standards. <snip> ...and you have a car of today...which ends up looking like an appliance, a caricature of a car from 20 years ago, or a combination of both.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
Exactly. Look how close the ratios are between the C4 and C7 (base) ratios for gears 1 to 6.
C7 --- C7Z51 --- C4
2.66 -- 2.97 ---- 2.68 ---- 1st
1.78 -- 2.07 ---- 1.80 ---- 2nd
1.30 -- 1.43 ---- 1.29 ---- 3rd
1.00 -- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---- 4th
0.74 -- 0.71 ---- 0.75 ---- 5th
0.50 -- 0.57 ---- 0.50 ---- 6th
0.42 -- 0.48 ---- ---- ---- 7th
3.42 -- 3.42 ---- 3.45 ---- RearAxle
It looks like 6th and 7th gears are only highway fuel economy gears. To me it seems like the same thing could be accomplished by manipulating ratios on the 6 speeds without the expense of a 7th gear. For me, I sometimes skip a gear on the 6 speeds so having an extra gear doesn't help me much. I never have raced in 6th gear so I don't consider that to be a performance issue either.
As for C4 vs C7 (or others). I like all the generations, but there are definitely performance gains with each generation.
To me the C4's made a big jump in handling and versatility with acceleration and economy.
Right now the C4's and C5's are a great bang for the buck. I expect I will have a C6 and a C7 at some point when they drop in price to fit my budget for them.
C7 --- C7Z51 --- C4
2.66 -- 2.97 ---- 2.68 ---- 1st
1.78 -- 2.07 ---- 1.80 ---- 2nd
1.30 -- 1.43 ---- 1.29 ---- 3rd
1.00 -- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---- 4th
0.74 -- 0.71 ---- 0.75 ---- 5th
0.50 -- 0.57 ---- 0.50 ---- 6th
0.42 -- 0.48 ---- ---- ---- 7th
3.42 -- 3.42 ---- 3.45 ---- RearAxle
It looks like 6th and 7th gears are only highway fuel economy gears. To me it seems like the same thing could be accomplished by manipulating ratios on the 6 speeds without the expense of a 7th gear. For me, I sometimes skip a gear on the 6 speeds so having an extra gear doesn't help me much. I never have raced in 6th gear so I don't consider that to be a performance issue either.
As for C4 vs C7 (or others). I like all the generations, but there are definitely performance gains with each generation.
To me the C4's made a big jump in handling and versatility with acceleration and economy.
Right now the C4's and C5's are a great bang for the buck. I expect I will have a C6 and a C7 at some point when they drop in price to fit my budget for them.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 57
From: Fort Myers FL
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '20, '23 thru '26
I've seen a C7 parked next to a current Lamborghini and it didn't seem out of it's league. I don't think I could park my C4 next to a 80s supercar and say the same thing, honestly. C7s really do look better in person. There's a metallic blue one in my local club that is just stunning.
Looking at a picture, my eyes get drawn to the circular marker lights around the wheels. They don't seem to flow with the rest of the lines on the car, in my eye. I like the aggressive rear end, certainly much better that the current Camaro.
If I won one in a contest, I'd sell it and buy some more fun cars from the 80s that are at a nice price point right now.
A third gen Z28 parked next to me at a cruise in a few months ago. Our cars looked great together (it was white, too), but again the Camaro looked like a big hunk of Detroit iron next to mine. I think the C4's long flowing hood makes it seem bigger than it really is. That is until it's parked next to another enthusiast car, or when I have to bend over slightly to put the key in the door lock. 
Looking at a picture, my eyes get drawn to the circular marker lights around the wheels. They don't seem to flow with the rest of the lines on the car, in my eye. I like the aggressive rear end, certainly much better that the current Camaro.
If I won one in a contest, I'd sell it and buy some more fun cars from the 80s that are at a nice price point right now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 914
Likes: 277
From: St. Petersburg FL
I drove a Z51, 7-speed C7 today. My comments and C4 Comparison can be found here...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...z51-today.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...z51-today.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Dr Dyno....you'd notice the differences in handling the second you really started pushing the car.
The 7 will still be in control LONG after the C4 has gone sideways and tail forwards.
I drove a C7, and imo, it's lightyears beyond anything Chevrolet has ever built.
The C4 "feels" as good, until you start eyeballing the speedo, while you're giving the C7 all kinds of hell. Then you realize...you're taking corners 10 to 15 mph quicker, braking much deeper. Without any of the C4's compromises of suffering through bumps and rattles.
The C7 is still in Tame mode driven even at the car's full 10/10s. It's alive and responsive in your hands. And you know exactly where the limits are.
The C6 and C5.... are tame..then suddenly you're *** forwards.
The C4...isn't anywhere near either car, once you set them both on a track.
C4 is a great ride, yes. But it's definitely no C7. I do prefer the C4's styling exterior (Wheels aside..but that's easily corrected) to the C7. But only just.
I'm not even going to waste my time getting a Camaro SS. Just going to save a while longer and get a Stingray to park next to the C4.
The 7 will still be in control LONG after the C4 has gone sideways and tail forwards.
I drove a C7, and imo, it's lightyears beyond anything Chevrolet has ever built.
The C4 "feels" as good, until you start eyeballing the speedo, while you're giving the C7 all kinds of hell. Then you realize...you're taking corners 10 to 15 mph quicker, braking much deeper. Without any of the C4's compromises of suffering through bumps and rattles.
The C7 is still in Tame mode driven even at the car's full 10/10s. It's alive and responsive in your hands. And you know exactly where the limits are.
The C6 and C5.... are tame..then suddenly you're *** forwards.
The C4...isn't anywhere near either car, once you set them both on a track.
C4 is a great ride, yes. But it's definitely no C7. I do prefer the C4's styling exterior (Wheels aside..but that's easily corrected) to the C7. But only just.
I'm not even going to waste my time getting a Camaro SS. Just going to save a while longer and get a Stingray to park next to the C4.
Last edited by MavsAK; Nov 1, 2014 at 10:41 AM.