Would you rather?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 336
From: Greater Cincinnati Area.
Honestly, I love the C1 and C2 also.. They're beautiful cars.
But they'd have to be waxers and I couldn't enjoy them. It's really better if someone else owns them. I'll appreciate them when I see them at the car shows.
But they'd have to be waxers and I couldn't enjoy them. It's really better if someone else owns them. I'll appreciate them when I see them at the car shows.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Said another way, there are worse corvettes out there and many have no problem saying the C4 is better or more desirable as a toy compared to those. We seem to always compare to newer stuff.
EXCEPT for DIZZWIZZ not liking the c2 most would prefer the LEGEND that was corvette, most would prefer that.
Early C3's had their place, all corvettes get attention as "corvettes" but the mid to early 80's might have well been station wagons to me. I'm still glad they hung in there though.
I like the 80-82 over the mid/late 70's, but... unless it's tube frame I don't want one.
I am sure there are some that just love the C3, but driven next to and compared to a C4 it would suck and they would still say they love the 74-79 vettes for some reason or another.
I could not post this in C3 and get real responses they would have all been saying it's trolling. I think this thread here is a little bias, but overall no.
IMO Even if Joe public liked the looks of a late c3, the c4 experience would trump it.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If smog laws were enforced, ZR-1
No Smog, C3.
The Z overall is a better everything (except for looks) but just not fast enough.
Dont think for a second any vette is too valuable to drive around, they are just cars. Mystique? Take one apart that will disappear, they are all just nuts n bolts.
Id get that a lot, "how could you risk an investment drag racing/driving it?" Its a money pit like the rest of them.
Thats what its for, to drive and enjoy, Leno drives some pretty rare stuff?
You can chip your paint with it sitting in a garage, insure it and get some use out of it..pics are cheap?
Dont want to sound like a dick I just dont understand treating a production car like a hope diamond.
Worried about value? Get good insurance.
No Smog, C3.
The Z overall is a better everything (except for looks) but just not fast enough.
Dont think for a second any vette is too valuable to drive around, they are just cars. Mystique? Take one apart that will disappear, they are all just nuts n bolts.
Id get that a lot, "how could you risk an investment drag racing/driving it?" Its a money pit like the rest of them.
Thats what its for, to drive and enjoy, Leno drives some pretty rare stuff?
You can chip your paint with it sitting in a garage, insure it and get some use out of it..pics are cheap?
Dont want to sound like a dick I just dont understand treating a production car like a hope diamond.
Worried about value? Get good insurance.
Last edited by cv67; Jun 19, 2018 at 02:11 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
I am fortunate enough to own both and 86 convertible (auto) and a 78 coupe (5-speed) and they are completely different cars. While a ZR-1 would be a lot of fun, I actually would prefer my 78 coupe.
The C4 was a major advancement in refinement, and the seats are amazing, but I get a lot of refinement from my daily driver.
The C3 is very primal, especially with a good amount of horsepower, and can convey a sense that you don't really have control. The C4 is just too good of a chassis to do that to the driver.
Besides, at the risk of getting flamed here, I think the C3 body style is way sexier than the C4. Even though the aerodynamics are horrible, that body just looks fast standing still.
But while different, they each are great experiences.
The C4 was a major advancement in refinement, and the seats are amazing, but I get a lot of refinement from my daily driver.
The C3 is very primal, especially with a good amount of horsepower, and can convey a sense that you don't really have control. The C4 is just too good of a chassis to do that to the driver.
Besides, at the risk of getting flamed here, I think the C3 body style is way sexier than the C4. Even though the aerodynamics are horrible, that body just looks fast standing still.
But while different, they each are great experiences.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Boy...ain't that the truth!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 114
From: Bang Bang Chicago Illinois
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
1990 zr_1
I would really love to have a 1990 ZR-1 with the same color combo as as my 1990 base coupe L98
I just don’t have the room...yet
I would really love to have a 1990 ZR-1 with the same color combo as as my 1990 base coupe L98
I just don’t have the room...yet
Last edited by Yukon Corleone; Jun 19, 2018 at 11:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
First of all, except for the LT5, the rest of the car is essentially still C4. And, the LT5 was conceived as a high-performance motor, designed by Lotus famous for their racing and competitive engineering, and built by a company skilled in building all aluminum motors designed to be run at full throttle for most of their life. They don't break much...is the point.
Where LT5 support is concerned, a combination of exclusive LT5 parts suppliers (e.g., Jerrys Gaskets, etc) have stepped up to procure parts or re-manufacture some parts.
And, there are a number of individuals scattered across the country who make the ZR-1 their specialty.
And, perhaps best of all is the ZR-1 Net Registry club. It's an organization made up of scores of individuals who by necessity have become skilled at troubleshooting and modifying these engines, and make it a point (just as folks on this Corvette Forum do) to help each other out and keep these classics running.
If anyone wants to own a piece of Corvette history and experience the car that set the table for Corvettes that followed, he/she needn't lose any sleep over the ZR-1.
Last edited by Paul Workman; Jun 20, 2018 at 10:38 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
I shared those concerns BEFORE doing some research. Turns out, it is NOT an issue AT ALL!
First of all, except for the LT5, the rest of the car is essentially still C4. And, the LT5 was conceived as a high-performance motor, designed by Lotus famous for their racing and competitive engineering, and built by a company skilled in building all aluminum motors designed to be run at full throttle for most of their life. They don't break much...is the point.
Where LT5 support is concerned, a combination of exclusive LT5 parts suppliers (e.g., Jerrys Gaskets, etc) have stepped up to procure parts or re-manufacture some parts.
And, there are a number of individuals scattered across the country who make the ZR-1 their specialty.
And, perhaps best of all is the ZR-1 Net Registry club. It's an organization made up of scores of individuals who by necessity have become skilled at troubleshooting and modifying these engines, and make it a point (just as folks on this Corvette Forum do) to help each other out and keep these classics running.
If anyone wants to own a piece of Corvette history and experience the car that set the table for Corvettes that followed, he/she needn't lose any sleep over the ZR-1.
First of all, except for the LT5, the rest of the car is essentially still C4. And, the LT5 was conceived as a high-performance motor, designed by Lotus famous for their racing and competitive engineering, and built by a company skilled in building all aluminum motors designed to be run at full throttle for most of their life. They don't break much...is the point.
Where LT5 support is concerned, a combination of exclusive LT5 parts suppliers (e.g., Jerrys Gaskets, etc) have stepped up to procure parts or re-manufacture some parts.
And, there are a number of individuals scattered across the country who make the ZR-1 their specialty.
And, perhaps best of all is the ZR-1 Net Registry club. It's an organization made up of scores of individuals who by necessity have become skilled at troubleshooting and modifying these engines, and make it a point (just as folks on this Corvette Forum do) to help each other out and keep these classics running.
If anyone wants to own a piece of Corvette history and experience the car that set the table for Corvettes that followed, he/she needn't lose any sleep over the ZR-1.
I’ve heard that one reason for ZR-1s having running issues is that owners leave the valet key in place and baby them. The ZR-1 would rather be driven HARD every now or then, if not most of the time.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 656
Likes: 79
From: Jackson Wisconsin
I've had my 73 for 21 years and the95 3 years. Both are base model coupes and manual trans. The C3 is cheap and easy to work on. Many of the parts come right from the local NAPA as its pretty much just plain old chevy parts. Everything fits and there's a lot of interchangeability among years parts. Some things are just not available like rear window latches. Its fun to drive and I can beat the crap out of it and it just doesn't break. After a 4 hour drive I'm exhausted. It just beats the **** out of you. Wind noise is bad, controls are crude and the ride is rough. The C4 is far more powerful, smoother and still pretty tough. Its is decidedly more difficult to work on with the electronics and emissions but mechanically its ok. Of course a ZR-1 is in a different category.There are plenty of nice C3's available for under $20k whereas ZR-1's in nice shape command more.
Your question is sort of like "would you rather have a pizza or or watch a movie. Both are satisfying but they address different needs. C3 is a hot rod, a show stopper. C4 is a damn nice driving car.
Your question is sort of like "would you rather have a pizza or or watch a movie. Both are satisfying but they address different needs. C3 is a hot rod, a show stopper. C4 is a damn nice driving car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
I've had my 73 for 21 years and the95 3 years. Both are base model coupes and manual trans. The C3 is cheap and easy to work on. Many of the parts come right from the local NAPA as its pretty much just plain old chevy parts. Everything fits and there's a lot of interchangeability among years parts. Some things are just not available like rear window latches. Its fun to drive and I can beat the crap out of it and it just doesn't break. After a 4 hour drive I'm exhausted. It just beats the **** out of you. Wind noise is bad, controls are crude and the ride is rough. The C4 is far more powerful, smoother and still pretty tough. Its is decidedly more difficult to work on with the electronics and emissions but mechanically its ok. Of course a ZR-1 is in a different category.There are plenty of nice C3's available for under $20k whereas ZR-1's in nice shape command more.
Your question is sort of like "would you rather have a pizza or or watch a movie. Both are satisfying but they address different needs. C3 is a hot rod, a show stopper. C4 is a damn nice driving car.
Your question is sort of like "would you rather have a pizza or or watch a movie. Both are satisfying but they address different needs. C3 is a hot rod, a show stopper. C4 is a damn nice driving car.
I agree with everything but this.... Not really acurate. There are many sub 20k dollar ZR-1's out there that are in fine shape... like mine for example.... with all the typical ZR-1 issues addressed to boot.
33,000 mile 90
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
That is an easy fix as new replacement parts are readily available, if one desires to keep the car running in stock configuration. .
HOWEVER, many of us have eliminated the entire secondary port throttle (SPT) system if favor of added reliability and performance enhancements. And, in fact Lotus did the same on their gen-III version of the LT5. (I removed mine in 2009 without any downside effects whatsoever, In fact, as result, the throttle response is much more responsive, and I've never experienced a single problem as result. Parts that don't exist don't break, and they don't cost much!)
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,865
Likes: 67
From: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, L.A California
Thats a fine ZR1. I've found a couple sub 20K as well .it's ******* tempting lol.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,865
Likes: 67
From: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, L.A California
This would be the holy grail for me.
my favorite c4 color, zr1, and black interior. Just more than I want to spend right now .
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ctd/d/1992-corvette-zr-1-in-bright/6611655176.html
my favorite c4 color, zr1, and black interior. Just more than I want to spend right now .
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ctd/d/1992-corvette-zr-1-in-bright/6611655176.html
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,087
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
