Whats more valuable 96 GS LT4 (red interior) or a 95 zr-1
05-30-2018, 12:41 PM
#41
Some tout the '95 ZR-1 as being more rare than the GS because there were only 448 of them, but the '93 and '94 ZR-1s were (except for the '93's different wheels) virtually identical to the '95s, so the real number would be between 1400 and 1500 cars. Other than the '93's wheels, are there any other differences between a '93 and a '95?
As someone else noted - the interior also changed. Having driven both, 93 and 95, I can say that the later seats are far more comfortable than the 93 and earlier seats. I would go so far as the say that the 95 sport seats (and 94 and 96) are the best seats I have EVER had. The 93 seats to me feel like you are being forced into a padded race car seat that is not perfectly formed. The 95 seat just envelops you. My opinion.
Last edited by bb62; 05-30-2018 at 12:47 PM.
05-30-2018, 02:01 PM
#42
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I'll have to check out the interior differences in the '93. I wasn't kidding about those turbine wheels 'making' the car. It's like the knock-offs on a C2...the cars just look better with those wheels and, unlike any other car that I can recall, each corner of the car got its own unique wheel with the correct-direction twist to the spokes.
95 dash
@ bb62 I preferer the 91-93 seats for the close fit but I'm not a big guy
Last edited by FASTAZU; 05-30-2018 at 02:06 PM.
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1993C4LT1 (06-02-2018)
06-02-2018, 09:54 AM
#45
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06-03-2018, 06:19 PM
#47
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One is all show, the other all go.
I do love the looks of the GS with red guts and would buy one if I had the $$$. That blue is stunning on any C4. I'd expect them to hold their value. But lets be honest here, the GS is a paint job and some (sorry) cheap looking stick-on fender flares. A unique VIN number is a selling point?
I've got a selling point for you and it comes with 32 valves.
The other has a world class DOHC engine and rear end that is the most beautiful of any C4 produced. There is no substitute for an LT5 at 7,000 rpm's. Music to the ears and the seat of your pants.
The GS will continue to hold it's value for all the reasons listed. I'd recommend buying a ZR-1 soon if you want one as the prices are still near bottom.
I do love the looks of the GS with red guts and would buy one if I had the $$$. That blue is stunning on any C4. I'd expect them to hold their value. But lets be honest here, the GS is a paint job and some (sorry) cheap looking stick-on fender flares. A unique VIN number is a selling point?
I've got a selling point for you and it comes with 32 valves.The other has a world class DOHC engine and rear end that is the most beautiful of any C4 produced. There is no substitute for an LT5 at 7,000 rpm's. Music to the ears and the seat of your pants.
The GS will continue to hold it's value for all the reasons listed. I'd recommend buying a ZR-1 soon if you want one as the prices are still near bottom.
Last edited by Aaron71771; 06-03-2018 at 06:20 PM.
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FASTAZU (06-03-2018)
06-07-2018, 07:58 AM
#49
Le Mans Master
A LT4 is on par with a LT5 in the performance category at least in 0-60 and 1/4 miles times, not sure about top end although both are rated at 180MPH. Redline is 6300 RPM, I like both cars but stating the GS is for show and not go is not a completely accurate statement.
Although with the rarity of the GS I guess in some ways more and more of them are becoming show cars as attrition takes its toll. There was a time when I'd see a GS at least a few times a year, now I don't recall the last time I saw a GS on the road!
Although with the rarity of the GS I guess in some ways more and more of them are becoming show cars as attrition takes its toll. There was a time when I'd see a GS at least a few times a year, now I don't recall the last time I saw a GS on the road!
Last edited by bac22; 06-07-2018 at 08:04 AM.
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1993C4LT1 (07-24-2019)
06-07-2018, 09:26 AM
#50
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06-07-2018, 12:05 PM
#51
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IMO, both are awesome cars. In the case of a red interior GS (coupe, vert is a different story) vs a 95 ZR-1 I would think they would be neck and neck. I had the pleasure of owning GS #982 and loved the car. Did not want to sell her, but needed the garage space and had a friend begging me to sell him the car. The drawback with the GS even though they only made 1,000, GM in an attempt to send out the C4 with a bang labeled them as the C4 to own and collectible. My car had 53K miles on it and it was a high mileage car for a GS. People bought them and put them up on a shelf. Just guessing, I would say 20K to 30K miles would be about average for these cars, and there are examples for sale right now with 5K or less (they've been for sale for a while $40K+). My point is I don't see the GS appreciating that much because the supply of low mile pristine cars is too high.
In time I feel the 95 ZR-1 has more potential to appreciate, but the drawback here is even though once touted "The King of the Hill", the performance can't compare to C5Zs, C6s or C7s. So I'm pessimistic as to the future appreciation of these cars as well.
Don't get me wrong I loved owning my GS, but if you were interested in either car, I would buy the one you like more and enjoy it. I was happy to get my money back out of my GS, and I don't think either have much investment potential.
In time I feel the 95 ZR-1 has more potential to appreciate, but the drawback here is even though once touted "The King of the Hill", the performance can't compare to C5Zs, C6s or C7s. So I'm pessimistic as to the future appreciation of these cars as well.
Don't get me wrong I loved owning my GS, but if you were interested in either car, I would buy the one you like more and enjoy it. I was happy to get my money back out of my GS, and I don't think either have much investment potential.
Last edited by GS982; 06-07-2018 at 01:26 PM.
06-07-2018, 01:04 PM
#52
IMO, both are awesome cars. In the case of a red interior GS (coupe, vert is a different story) vs a 95 ZR-1 I would think they would be neck and neck. I had the pleasure of owning GS #982 and loved the car. Did not want to sell her, but needed the garage space and had a friend begging me to sell him the car. The drawback with the GS even though they only made 1,000, GM in an attempt to send out the C4 with a bang labeled them as the C4 to own and collectible. My car had 53K miles on it and it was a high mileage car for a GS. People bought them and put them up on a shelf. Just guessing, I would say 20K to 30K miles would be about average for these cars, and there are examples for sale right now with 5K or less (they've been for sale for a while $40K+). My point is I don't see the GS appreciating that much because the supply of low mile pristine cars is too high.
In time a feel the 95 ZR-1 has more potential to appreciate, but the drawback here is even though once touted "The King of the Hill", the performance can't compare to C5Zs, C6s or C7s. So I'm pessimistic as to the future appreciation of these cars as well.
Don't get me wrong I loved owning my GS, but if you were interested in either car, I would buy the one you like more and enjoy it. I was happy to get my money back out of my GS, and I don't think either have much investment potential.
In time a feel the 95 ZR-1 has more potential to appreciate, but the drawback here is even though once touted "The King of the Hill", the performance can't compare to C5Zs, C6s or C7s. So I'm pessimistic as to the future appreciation of these cars as well.
Don't get me wrong I loved owning my GS, but if you were interested in either car, I would buy the one you like more and enjoy it. I was happy to get my money back out of my GS, and I don't think either have much investment potential.
Just to note, the 67 big block coupe with the dramatic stinger hood was also supposed to be a stop-gap measure since the C3 launch was delayed by one year. The 67 (and C2s in general) became popular in part due to the cleaned up styling, partly because the 68 quality was perceived poorly, and partly due to the significant drop off in performance as the 1970s progressed.
As for the ZR-1 performance not comparing to the later cars - agree fully. The question is whether or not collectors in the future will view the C4 ZR-1 as historically significant as "the" car that brought high performance back to the Corvette brand. Clearly the jury is out on that one.
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GS982 (06-07-2018)
06-07-2018, 01:24 PM
#53
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I mostly agree with everything you said. I don't, however, think GM touted the 96 GS as "the C4 to own". The ZR-1 was still considered the top of the performance heap until the C5 Z06 was introduced. I remember being at GM's proving grounds in 1995 when the 96 GS was launched. I was there with the Michigan NCRS chapter. The story from the GM people was that they had to have something available to spur sales in 1996 otherwise people would wait for the new C5 in 1997. The GM people we spoke with considered it a stop-gap measure.
Just to note, the 67 big block coupe with the dramatic stinger hood was also supposed to be a stop-gap measure since the C3 launch was delayed by one year. The 67 (and C2s in general) became popular in part due to the cleaned up styling, partly because the 68 quality was perceived poorly, and partly due to the significant drop off in performance as the 1970s progressed.
As for the ZR-1 performance not comparing to the later cars - agree fully. The question is whether or not collectors in the future will view the C4 ZR-1 as historically significant as "the" car that brought high performance back to the Corvette brand. Clearly the jury is out on that one.
Just to note, the 67 big block coupe with the dramatic stinger hood was also supposed to be a stop-gap measure since the C3 launch was delayed by one year. The 67 (and C2s in general) became popular in part due to the cleaned up styling, partly because the 68 quality was perceived poorly, and partly due to the significant drop off in performance as the 1970s progressed.
As for the ZR-1 performance not comparing to the later cars - agree fully. The question is whether or not collectors in the future will view the C4 ZR-1 as historically significant as "the" car that brought high performance back to the Corvette brand. Clearly the jury is out on that one.
Agree completely what you said about the stop-gap. The ZR-1 was by far the greater engineering feat. I just find it amazing that there are so many Grand Sports out there with sub 30K miles. Let's hope some day there will be a good market for all C4s. The steel-bumper C3s are finally starting to command some decent money. My point was mainly focused on buy the car you like and enjoy the hell out of it. Whether that's taking it for the occasional cruise, shining her up and putting her back up on that shelf or driving it to work everyday. I think anyone who buys a car and wants to drive it but doesn't for fear of racking up mileage or depreciating the car is missing out on the whole reason GM keeps building Corvettes and we keep buying and talking about them.
06-07-2018, 01:52 PM
#55
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Ok I'll open the can of worms C5 Z06 VS C4 ZR-1 its a drivers game. 
06-07-2018, 03:36 PM
#56
06-07-2018, 05:13 PM
#58
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Why would you say that? The engines before were much worse for Hp... from 75-82 the Vette was not even on the map... The L-98 was a huge jump in performance and did bring the Vette back into the light as a contender.
http://www.corvettereport.com/morris...r-174-885-mph/
Where as Ab Jenkins car was an all-out, purpose-built racecar, the ZR-1 and L98 cars were essentially stock with minor racing hardware and full-out safety equipment. The cars pressed into service had already been used by GM-Europe for record runs and were built in late 1989, early 1990, and had been tested at the Fort Stockton facility in November 1989.
By 3:56pm the L98 had set five FIA Category A records, Group II Class 10 records, and the 6 hour speed record at 170.887-mph. Since the car had fulfilled its objective, it was pulled from the event, certified by USAC, then transported to Dallas and air freighted to Switzerland for the Geneva Auto Show – hot off the racetrack!
http://www.corvettereport.com/morris...r-174-885-mph/
Where as Ab Jenkins car was an all-out, purpose-built racecar, the ZR-1 and L98 cars were essentially stock with minor racing hardware and full-out safety equipment. The cars pressed into service had already been used by GM-Europe for record runs and were built in late 1989, early 1990, and had been tested at the Fort Stockton facility in November 1989.
By 3:56pm the L98 had set five FIA Category A records, Group II Class 10 records, and the 6 hour speed record at 170.887-mph. Since the car had fulfilled its objective, it was pulled from the event, certified by USAC, then transported to Dallas and air freighted to Switzerland for the Geneva Auto Show – hot off the racetrack!
Last edited by 81c3; 06-07-2018 at 05:37 PM.
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1993C4LT1 (06-07-2018)
07-24-2019, 02:16 AM
#60
Pro
Top speed on a GS coupe is 168mph. I expect that a ZR-1 has a definite edge there. I had a hard time believing how heavy an LT-5 is, but it's right there in "The Heart of The Beast". The engine guys at GM actually built an '89 roadster with an iron marine big block with alloy oval-port heads as a proof-of-concept, and it was quicker than a ZR-1 because it was lighter...