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C4 versus C5

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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 06:13 AM
  #21  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (LT5FIRE)

The C5 is a quieter, more comfortable ride. Its easier to get in and out of. The interior ergonomics are also wonderful and the LS1 is the best mass produced push rod engine in the world. But most of all it wasn't for me........I needed a raw, screaming beast. I didn't care how comfortable it was or how difficult it was to live with. Thats why I picked the ZR1. I've never driven anything like it and I think its everything a sports car should be. And theres something about that clamshell hood..........
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 08:35 AM
  #22  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (LT5FIRE)

I needed a raw, screaming beast. I didn't care how comfortable it was or how difficult it was to live with. Thats why I picked the ZR1. I've never driven anything like it and I think its everything a sports car should be. And theres something about that clamshell hood..........
Since it's inception, I have wanted a ZR-1. Took me 12ish years to get one( thank you crappy C4 market). I can't imagine a better driving expirence (well, maybe if we port some there and polish some here, and lets open up the exhaust... :D ) This thing just does everything right, and mine is running a bit rough too. (weak coil). The clamshell hood is freaking amazing looking. An I love the subtle C4 styling cues.
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 10:09 AM
  #23  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Aaron71771)

I have driven every generation of Vette, and out of all of them I enjoy C4s the most. Each gen has it's own personallity & quirks which make them all special. As far as C5s go, I would love to have a Z06. They are wicked fast, yet comfortable enough & not so rare to drive frequently. I want a ZR1 as well, but I'm affraid it would sit in the garage most of the time & just get rubbed with a diaper. The C5 is a great car, but (and this is not to flame any C5 owners) it feels to plastic like to me. When I borrowed my friends Z06 I hand washed it for him. I just couldn't get over how the panels felt weak to the touch. The rear bumper could be pushed in by just pressing lightly, and the hood(I know it's lightweight for the Z06) would bend when opening favoring one side. It's a great car that really feels like a rocket, but I prefer the solid feel of my C4. Especially that clamshell hood! Again this is not bashing the C5 in any way. I'll quite probably own one as soon as the C6 comes out & prices really tank. Even when I do I will still love my LT4 the most of any Vette I've owned. It will just sit in the garage more than it does now (if I can keep my wife out of it :lol: ). That's my HO. That & $75 can get you a 7:00 tee time. :lol:
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 10:15 AM
  #24  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Aaron71771)

Man, I'm impressed with how this has stayed so civilized :cheers: Love a factual debate. I have driven both and own a C4 (87). I agree with the others who feel the C5 is easier to get in and out of, feels smoother, and is more friendly to drive.
I also agree that in the C4, you know what the car's doing (if you don't, it'll remind you :lol: ).
Drove my buddies C5 recently. Pushed the go pedal and off we went, smooth as silk, relatively quiet (mine has duals and flowmasters so go figure), was a breeze to get into and out of and felt...well...comfortable! Around 50-60 I looked down at the speedo! :eek: Holy :jester batman!...90 and rising... :D
I like the look of the body, especially when customized.
My C4 has a great stance to it and looks good (IMHO :rolleyes: ) from just about any angle. It's rough as heck and hard to get in/out of. With the duals and flowmasters, certainly lets me know when things are happinin' :lol:. I feel every bump in the road yet feels totally under control and at home in the curves (at least until this alignment thing recently came up).
Both are great cars and if I could afford it, I'd have one of each.
:yesnod:
Good luck in your decision. You can't go wrong either way.
:cheers: :seeya :flag
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 10:21 AM
  #25  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (96 LTRex-4)

Somebody once told me you put on a C4 and get into a C5....that pretty much sums it up. Both great cars and you would enjoy each for their own merits. You will have to get and drive each to decide. Good luck!! :)
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 12:11 PM
  #26  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (GDP)

LT-1 and LS-1 share the same block? Not on this planet!
Totally different block. Totally different engine.
The C-5 is a totally different car with a short history. Except for the Z06 there all the same.
No collector C-5's except for the Z06.
The C-5 is a very sucessful car some 35,000 units.
It has its share of problems. No Corvette is perfect. No other car will ever come close to the performance of a Corvette, for the money that is.
Corvette's all Corvettes are super cars.
As far C-4's C-3's being unrealiable :bs
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 12:40 PM
  #27  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5

Oh well, I might as well chime in with my opinion. I'm actually considering selling m2y 92 right now for a Z06, but I'm still having a hard time with it. As many people have pointed out, the C4 just has a raw edged "true sportscar" feel to it. You put it on, you don't just get in. The C5 is a incredible car, and the styling has grown on me (although I still think it's got a big but :D ), but I love the look of the C4 (especially when lowered and with big wheels out back). As far as performance, I've dropped maybe $2k in suspension mods on my car, and I outran 80-90% of the C5s that showed up at our last highspeed event at Hallett here in Tulsa. Granted, my car is a good example of an LT1 with 270RWHP stock, but it also cost a lot less than a C5. As to reliability, my car has not stranded me anywhere and at 78K miles it's still running great on the original optispark. It gets driven everyday over our really rough Oklahoma roads, and doesn't have too many squeks and rattles. Of course, maybe I just don't hear them over the exhaust and radio. :lol: Anyway, I find myself thinking more and more that I should just keep this car and wait another year or two and then get a Z06 to go with it. That way I can have the best of both worlds.
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 03:02 PM
  #28  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (VQT88Vette)

I don't know about newer C4, but to compare between an older C4 to a C5,I'll would say. You get to drive a C5 more often than fixing it. With an older C4, you'll be fixing it constantly :mad
I like to add that I'll never sell my 88 Corvette even though I have to spend time to fix it. When C5 get old it break down just a often as the current C4:)
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 04:01 PM
  #29  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (LT4_383)

I have a 92 and have been following the C5 prices. C5 prices are falling. You can get a coupe in the low to mid $20's. The hydroformed sills do make it easier for "big guys" to get in and out and they do drive well. Whenever I work on my C4 I feel that each part is made of at least 50% more parts than it has to be. I do like the looks of my C4 vert but with 154K on the odo I don't know how much longer it will last. :chevy
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 04:20 PM
  #30  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (c4md)

C5 have better cup holders and hold more golf clubs. Soother ride, etc.....

If you like/need that kind of stuff get a C5....or a SUV. ;)


[Modified by Ruff Ryder, 8:20 PM 10/18/2002]
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 09:51 PM
  #31  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Ruff Ryder)

Well. It was money that determined the year of my vette. For style in my opinion and many others the c4 is better looking. As far a a better car, well we have to expect newer to be better. The C5 is faster, tighter, more advanced and from what im being told easier to work on ,I disagreed too, but the guys that say im wrong do it for a living. I wonder if C3 guys like their rides better. There less refined, slower but I bet they like theres better than ours. People tend to like what they already have. This is a choclate vs vanilla question.
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 10:00 PM
  #32  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Ruff Ryder)

This thread is very interesting and accurate. :D You C4 guys sure are civil compaired to, aah, never mind. :cheers:
I still prefer the looks, size and the overall feeling of the C4. The C5 definitely needs the mid 90's sport seats, I keep rolling around like I'm sitting on a bench seat with a big hump in the middle. :D By the way Ruff Ryder, the cup holder still sucks. ;)
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 10:14 PM
  #33  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (LT4_383)

Hot topic - drive both and you decide. There is no comparison in my opinion as they are two different cars. I love my C-4 and would not have a C-5. I have had a C-2, C-3 and C-4 but there is no C-5 in my future. In my opinion they have gone too far and the C-5's are more like a luxury sport car. But then I am old and stuborn and have too much money in my car to ever sell it. Plus it beats C-5's all day long and you have to love that.. :cheers:
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Old Oct 21, 2002 | 12:17 AM
  #34  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (GDP)

LT1/4 and LS1/6 really have no relation, as has been stated , they are totally different engines, though both good designs.

As for the C5's being so much lighter, not really. If you take a 96 and 97 and option them similarly and weigh them full of all fluids, they are actually usually within 100-125 lbs of one another. Factor in that the 96 has a physically larger engine with an iron block and heavier/stronger tranny and diff and that weight difference is NOT so big. With an aluminum block alone , the two would most likely be within 30-50lbs of each other, pretty close.

Thats comparing the HEAVIEST (non ZR1) C4 as well......early ones were quite a bit lighter.

BUT , the C5 is MUCH more rigid than the C4 even though it is close in weight, impressive. :seeya
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Old Oct 21, 2002 | 11:14 PM
  #35  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Phil-tha-Rush)

Phil-tha-Rush has the right idea. If you want to have the best of both worlds, buy one of each. :chevy :flag
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Old Oct 21, 2002 | 11:48 PM
  #36  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (LT4_383)

How's this for C5 vs C4?

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Old Oct 22, 2002 | 12:04 AM
  #37  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Mr Mojo)

I guess the C5 wins afterall! :jester
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Old Oct 22, 2002 | 12:06 AM
  #38  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (Bones LT1)

LT-1 and LS-1 share the same block? Not on this planet!
Totally different block. Totally different engine.
Hmmm, I've been told differently; that the difference between the two blocks is the material it's made of. LT1 is iron, LS1 is aluminum. Guess whoever told me that is wrong? :confused:

EDIT: I know the engines themselves are different, the heads, cams, etc. I'm just talking about the block, all by itself, without anything else.


[Modified by GDP, 10:07 PM 10/21/2002]
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Old Oct 22, 2002 | 12:21 AM
  #39  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (GDP)

LT-1 and LS-1 share the same block? Not on this planet!
Totally different block. Totally different engine.

Hmmm, I've been told differently; that the difference between the two blocks is the material it's made of. LT1 is iron, LS1 is aluminum. Guess whoever told me that is wrong? :confused:

EDIT: I know the engines themselves are different, the heads, cams, etc. I'm just talking about the block, all by itself, without anything else.


[Modified by GDP, 10:07 PM 10/21/2002]
The LT1 block incorperates reverse-flow cooling(I've heard it was used to get away with using such high compression)LS1 block does not. Every other aspect of the LS1 is superior.(correct me if I'm wrong)
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Old Oct 22, 2002 | 10:46 AM
  #40  
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Default Re: C4 versus C5 (bowtie911)

Luv em both. Fortunate enough to have both (steel blue 91 and mag red 01). Wife enjoys the 01 because of the creature comforts and not as loud. I like the 01 for the outright power it has when I nail it.
All siad I still enjoy my C4 for its beauty and because it is not as comfortable. It is more the sports car.
All said they both have great attributes and love to drive either. :D
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