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C4 better performance than C5?

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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 09:44 PM
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Default C4 better performance than C5?

I am likely to get bashed for this but (oh well). I was out today really performance driving my C4 (93 Vette) and I could not help but notice that the handling performance seemed better versus the C5. I have had 4, C4 and have driven (hard) the C5 model from 98-02 and I still feel the performance difference, now this could be just my personal belief, but I doubt it. I found extreme handling control and comfort beyond my expectations today, while performance driving my car. I have not been more confident in any other car (vette) I have driven, I did not hit high mph, I just tested curves, roads and tight steering. I was at an all time high at this cars performance. I hit wet spots, etc. and never lost traction. Is the experience just my own or what? :cheers:
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 09:53 PM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1 Hot C4)

IMHO: The C5 doesn't "feel" like it's going as fast. It "feels" softer and more sedan like. But, stock to stock and equivalent drivers, the C5 will out perform a C4. SOTP can be missleading.
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 09:54 PM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1 Hot C4)

C4's are awesome. I love mine, and I am content with the way it performs. I have not driven a ZO6, so it would not be fair for me to compare. I keep hearing that once you drive a C5, you will want to trade in your C4. So I just have not been ready to make that leap.
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 10:39 PM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (John Row)

But, stock to stock and equivalent drivers, the C5 will out perform a C4.
Depends on the C4. :D
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 10:42 PM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (Scoob)

I've outhandled a stock '97 with just the rim and tire upgrade for handling. He was behind me and went off the road. Could just be driver but still they can't be that far apart.
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 11:23 PM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1 Hot C4)

Nawww....you wont get bashed...at least not in THIS Forum ;) Who knows what might happen in some of the less civilized forums elsewhhere though. Ive heard a bazillion times how people say the C4 is closer to the true sports car corvette experience than the C5 is. The C5 is more "refined and civilized". Maybe thats so...maybe its got a newer higher tech more HP motor too. Me personally...I dont want refined and civilized. I want a seat of the pants thrill ride that doesnt stop. If I want civilized and refined Ill buy a caddy. But I didnt buy a caddy I bought a by-gawd vette with a big ol' honkin' V8 out front. In all fairness I didnt drive a C5 before I bought my C4. The reason being Ive been in love with the C4 since I saw the first one back in mid or late '83. *THAT* was the vette I wanted to have someday. My '91 is hard to get in and out of. Its tight and cramped inside. The tops a pain to get on and off. My back kills me after a couple of hours non stop on long drives. But I wouldnt change a damned thing. Like I said before I want a non-stop seat of the pants thrill ride and thats what my ol' L98 powered '91 gives me every time I slide into the cockpit. Heres to our C4's!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 12:10 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1 Hot C4)

Each "C" has a different feel for me. If I want to go out, bang some gears, and have some fun, I take the C4. It's just a blast to drive.

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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 12:38 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (78Vette-SA)

All I can say at this point is that I miss my 94. Totally different feeling in the C5 which I still can't get used to after driving a C4 for nine years.
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 01:13 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (GT's58)

It's tough to say whether my '96 handled any worse than my C5. They both handle great. I think what makes the C5 seem better to some is that you get that world class handling without the harsh ride. Sometimes after a good spirited drive in my '96, my teeth felt like they were gonna fall out. My '97 just feels nice and smooth. Also, my '97 feels a whole lot more stable at high speeds (140MPH+).
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 01:15 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (QuickSilver97)

man, you guys are princesses... the 96 z51 rides like a caddy.
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 07:34 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (Kale)

man, you guys are princesses... the 96 z51 rides like a caddy.
:lol: :jester
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 07:53 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (Scoob)

supposedly the 1st corvette to pull 1 g since the 84 model was the zo6 so id say the c4 suspension isnt all that bad now to get that 1g on the 84 it might drive like a brick compared to a zo6 but dont know didnt drive either one just what i am told :D
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 10:01 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1 Hot C4)

The C5's run in a faster SCCA Solo II class than the C4's.
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 10:16 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5?

IMHO: The C5 doesn't "feel" like it's going as fast. It "feels" softer and more sedan like. But, stock to stock and equivalent drivers, the C5 will out perform a C4. SOTP can be missleading.
Very true, the C5 is a better handling, faster car(for the most part) It just doesn't feel like it.

All I can say at this point is that I miss my 94. Totally different feeling in the C5 which I still can't get used to after driving a C4 for nine years.
This is the exact same reason I bought another C4 vs getting a C5. The C5 is an awesome car, but it just didn't make my blood boil. Plus it wasn't fast enough for me. Daily driver? C5 More fun? C4
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Old Sep 18, 2002 | 10:31 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (SurfnSun)

This is the exact same reason I bought another C4 vs getting a C5. The C5 is an awesome car, but it just didn't make my blood boil.



I've bougght 3 vettes in the last year or so.. all of them C4's... I could of easily bought a C5 this time around... but they just don't do it for me. I'm lovin the LT4 and can't wait to get next to a C5 at a light. :D
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Old Sep 19, 2002 | 01:44 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (Springer's LT4)

I've driven both. Stock for stock the C5 will "usually" be faster. That being said, they are both completely different cars. The C4 "feels" faster whether it actually is or not compared to a C5. I've had C5's up in the 100's and they "feel" like your doing 40. I wouldn't give this one up, but I wouldn't "mind" having a C5 either.
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Old Sep 19, 2002 | 01:52 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (R94 LT 1)

IMHO I would without a doubt take a 96 over a 02. I just love the look of the C4, much sexier than the C5.
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Old Sep 19, 2002 | 02:39 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (1bad85)

Its all in the eye of the beholder... I prefer the '93 to our '64 but thats not the issue.. I've drivin a few C5;s and like them but they feel like buicks.. I am at a crossroads in this discussion.. Whereas I am considering a new car purchase within the next 8 months.. options I have considered:

Ferrari 308
Ferrari 328
Viper (Gen II)
'02 ZO6
'95 ZR1
Mod the '93


After driving the Ferrari's (too small of a cockpit for my height - 6'1") , the viper (too rough), the Z06 (Ugly notch back).. my options have been narrowed to a '95 Black on Black ZR1 or modify mine... for the money I can make mine outperform the ZR1.. so it looks like ol' Sallie Mae will be with me for awhile.. (with a new engine, suspension, brakes and forced induction!!
:yesnod: :yesnod:
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Old Sep 19, 2002 | 09:30 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (CORKVETTE1)

Actually it was the '85 vette(.98-1.01 with a Z51 option).. Z06 is 3rd..
Only a few % softer than the '84 C4.
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Old Sep 19, 2002 | 09:34 AM
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Default Re: C4 better performance than C5? (BluByU)

So of course I had to track down some pics to see what a 328 looked like: http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...=234552&page=1 Check out the last pic on that page...its a hoot. And Id say either mod the current vette or go for a ZR-1. :blueangel:
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