C4 - 95 vs. 96
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Columbia, IL ( near St. Louis , MO. ) Illinois
C4 - 95 vs. 96
Was looking for comments / opinions / advise on the differences between the 1995 and 1996 C4 cars. I am looking to buy my first C4 , and focusing on the last 2 years of production. I am also just focusing on standard coupes ( non convertibles ) , with the LT1 . Are both 95 and 96 free of the Optispark issues? Any other considerations between those 2 years? Thank you in advance for any and all comments.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 36
From: Waynesboro, PA
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Was looking for comments / opinions / advise on the differences between the 1995 and 1996 C4 cars. I am looking to buy my first C4 , and focusing on the last 2 years of production. I am also just focusing on standard coupes ( non convertibles ) , with the LT1 . Are both 95 and 96 free of the Optispark issues? Any other considerations between those 2 years? Thank you in advance for any and all comments.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
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From: San Marcos CA
Besides the obd-2 system and the LT4 option, The rear trailing arms are different and the area between the turn signals and side markers is painted body color instead of black.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 36
From: Waynesboro, PA
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Besides the obd-2 system and the LT4 option, The rear trailing arms are different and the area between the turn signals and side markers is painted body color instead of black.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Columbia, IL ( near St. Louis , MO. ) Illinois
Thank you guys for the input , appreciate it very much. There is a nice 95 coupe with 65k miles in my area that I am looking at. A lot to learn about these cars !! But , wow , what a nice resource this forum is !
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
They should have less optispark issues, as 95 was the first year for the vented one. 96 was the first year for obd 2,so if you get into tuning, there are some differences in programs and such. If your state has emissions testing, it may make a difference. In Maryland, 95 and older still gets the tailpipe sniff test, where on 96 and up they just plug in to the diagnostic port and check for codes.
Many states use this inspection method, if the CEL is not on you pass, earlier years go under the sniffer. OBD II also makes troubleshooting much easier, as it can point to specfic sensors or systems that are not working properly.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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Besides the obd-2 system and the LT4 option, The rear trailing arms are different and the area between the turn signals and side markers is painted body color instead of black.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
The optional adjustable shocks are a one year only part that is super expensive to deal with on 96's.
If you can find a 96 with the F45, remove that crap, buy the sensors' plug, and install Bilsteins on all corners.
Good luck finding bushings for those trailing arms, I threw mine away and bought the other kind.
The 96 has 4-O2 sensors, the 95 has three.
The 96 has a softer suspension, not a lot, but its there.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
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From: Longmont Co
For your purposes the main difference is probably the engines. In 95 you got an LT1 (we will not consider the ZR-1 (95) or the GS (96)for now) and an auto or 6 speed. In 96 you could get an auto LT1 or a six speed LT4. So if you want a six speed LT1 you are confined to 95.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
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From: South-central Missouri
OP:
Some states (IL for example) have obd-1 exempt from emissions requirements; at least in some counties. So, if you're looking for an LT1 car, I'd go for the 95 (Both the 95 and 96 are real cream puffs!
)
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, IL ( near St. Louis , MO. ) Illinois
Hello OP here :
thanks again for the input - I am learn much here.
Well I have found another very nice 1995 , 50k mile , standard coupe . No LT4 , no AQ9 ( sport seats ) , no FX3 ( selective ride ) , no UJ6 ( low tire pressure lights ) . Does have U1F ( Bose ) .
So I have researched and found out that in my state of Illinois , emission testing stops at model year 1996 ! So if I get a 96 = emissions testing ; if I get a 95 = NO emissions testing . I even confirmed this by calling my local license office twice .
So , after reading some of the comments about the different OBD of the two year ( 95 & 96 ) , I am wondering which is best for me ?? It seems as though several are suggestion that the 96 OBD is a plus , but .......... if I get the 95 , I will never have to mess with it passing emissions ..
thanks again for the input - I am learn much here.
Well I have found another very nice 1995 , 50k mile , standard coupe . No LT4 , no AQ9 ( sport seats ) , no FX3 ( selective ride ) , no UJ6 ( low tire pressure lights ) . Does have U1F ( Bose ) .
So I have researched and found out that in my state of Illinois , emission testing stops at model year 1996 ! So if I get a 96 = emissions testing ; if I get a 95 = NO emissions testing . I even confirmed this by calling my local license office twice .
So , after reading some of the comments about the different OBD of the two year ( 95 & 96 ) , I am wondering which is best for me ?? It seems as though several are suggestion that the 96 OBD is a plus , but .......... if I get the 95 , I will never have to mess with it passing emissions ..
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
If you get a vehicle in good condition to begin with, it's hard to go wrong with either one. You will always find people who say one is better than the other but it depends how you are going to drive it.
My opinion: the LT4 is only a little stronger than the LT1 and (IMHO) definitely not worth the premium or "exclusive" bragging rights. I have a 1995 LT1 6-speed with only a couple options and it's a pure joy to drive. It had 56,000 miles when I bought it March 2014. It runs great, is quite pristine and everything works, with the exception of the stereo display backlight (yes it's a real cream puff LOL).
I paid more than market value, but in exchange, I haven't had to fix a single thing. Maintenance only. So I suggest buying the nicest example you can afford.
If you are looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, reliable, stylish, and reasonably efficient, don't rack your brain too hard, any late-model C4 in good condition will fill the bill nicely. Best bang-for-the-buck you'll find in the $7000-$10000 range.
My opinion: the LT4 is only a little stronger than the LT1 and (IMHO) definitely not worth the premium or "exclusive" bragging rights. I have a 1995 LT1 6-speed with only a couple options and it's a pure joy to drive. It had 56,000 miles when I bought it March 2014. It runs great, is quite pristine and everything works, with the exception of the stereo display backlight (yes it's a real cream puff LOL).
I paid more than market value, but in exchange, I haven't had to fix a single thing. Maintenance only. So I suggest buying the nicest example you can afford.
If you are looking for something that is fun to drive, affordable, reliable, stylish, and reasonably efficient, don't rack your brain too hard, any late-model C4 in good condition will fill the bill nicely. Best bang-for-the-buck you'll find in the $7000-$10000 range.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, IL ( near St. Louis , MO. ) Illinois
Thanks for your input DGXR . Interested in your comment " with the exception of the stereo display backlight " .....
One of the 1995 cars that I am looking at , has absolutely nothing wrong with it --- EXCEPT this vary problem that you stated . The stereo system works perfectly, the display is visible during the day , but at night the display of the Bose head end unit is not visible .
What is the fix for that ? How much am I looking at for the fix. I really want to keep the system stock and original , as opposed to replacing it .
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 696
Likes: 73
From: Columbus, OH
By ’95 & ’96, the C4’s were dialed-in as much as GM could get them. If you find a quality, well taken care of example, either year would offer a rewarding ownership experience.
If you go ’96 six-speed, you have the added bonus of the LT4. I had two 6-speed LT1’s prior to my LT4 and saw a significant decrease in trap times/speed with the LT4. My bone stock LT4 is half a second quicker and 5 mph faster in the quarter than the LT1’s I had (and I’m far from a drag strip super star).
’96 LT4 - no EGR valve to worry about either!
B17Crew
If you go ’96 six-speed, you have the added bonus of the LT4. I had two 6-speed LT1’s prior to my LT4 and saw a significant decrease in trap times/speed with the LT4. My bone stock LT4 is half a second quicker and 5 mph faster in the quarter than the LT1’s I had (and I’m far from a drag strip super star).
’96 LT4 - no EGR valve to worry about either!
B17Crew
Last edited by B17Crew; Jul 15, 2015 at 06:56 PM.
Pro
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From: Columbus, OH
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B17Crew
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Vestal New York
Some 96's had problems with the vents not operating correctly because some vacuum fittings were changed to rubber and would collapse. I heard it is a pain to fix. You can modify a 95 and not worry about emissions at inspection time in the state I live in. OBD1 will not plug into DMV.