Should I buy a C4 or a C5?
10-04-2018, 01:25 PM
#42
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When I read this thread in the C5 section, I didn't figure that the C5 crowd would mention it. But here? How is it possible that no one has brought up the enormous rear end on the C5? The C5 would be banned at a drive-in for blocking the movie. Big rig drivers can't see around that rear. We're talking huge.
That Kardashian *** on botox is the deal killer.
That Kardashian *** on botox is the deal killer.
10-04-2018, 10:09 PM
#43
Team Owner
That's all I am saying. FWIW, take the C6 or C7 to the C5 and we have the same thing. C5 owners could say that about C6 and C7 while C6 can also say that about C7 and C8 when it comes. My C4 was a fiberglass body (less rusting) and relatively simple platform to take the wrecked F-body's motor and trans for transplant. IOW, it is a good platform for what I wanted to do. I'd be fine with the 750HP C7 if it looked like the weinermobile as long as I don't plan to sell it.
10-05-2018, 03:06 AM
#45
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
question. Take a fully functional c4 and a fully functional c5. Dollar for dollar, which do you think i will get more power for the money spent? Assuming you can find a competent c4 tuner nearby otherwise you are having to drag it somewhere which increases the cost.
Absolutely. The king is dead. Long live the king
Absolutely. The king is dead. Long live the king
10-05-2018, 07:54 AM
#46
Team Owner
10-05-2018, 09:20 AM
#47
Race Director
Depends what you're looking for and what you want to lose. The c5 ia on the downward slide value wise, and a lot of the parts are getting harder to find, just like the c4. They both have their quirks. The c4 ia the better sports car, the c5 ia the faster car and better touring car.
You cant fo wrong with either. If it's just a fun cruiser, I dont know that you're getting much more for your money with a c5. That said, 3 grand is nothing, hardly a difference at all. I'd buy whichever you liked more and was in better condition.
You cant fo wrong with either. If it's just a fun cruiser, I dont know that you're getting much more for your money with a c5. That said, 3 grand is nothing, hardly a difference at all. I'd buy whichever you liked more and was in better condition.
10-05-2018, 10:28 AM
#48
It seems based on answers some say they are driving C4's due to looks, even though the C5 is better, faster, stronger, more comfy, etc....
For me, I don't love the looks of my C4, but it was cheap, and it was not too complex, cheaper to build, cheaper to insure, cheaper to repair, and less to worry about.
if I could have a C5, not worry about emissions and stuff I would rather that. A C6 for sure.
Apples to apples build on my car the same a s a c5+ would be insane, because the power I have in a c4 is decent, but nothing for newer cars. The C4 being less competent is what makes mine feel more fun. Feels more out of control. A c5+ would make it easier to use the power and get faster times etc, but not as fun or raw.
Some base this on builds other base it on prices, apparently most base it on looks. I'd be most is price in the end. (even if you have "money")
For me, I don't love the looks of my C4, but it was cheap, and it was not too complex, cheaper to build, cheaper to insure, cheaper to repair, and less to worry about.
if I could have a C5, not worry about emissions and stuff I would rather that. A C6 for sure.
Apples to apples build on my car the same a s a c5+ would be insane, because the power I have in a c4 is decent, but nothing for newer cars. The C4 being less competent is what makes mine feel more fun. Feels more out of control. A c5+ would make it easier to use the power and get faster times etc, but not as fun or raw.
Some base this on builds other base it on prices, apparently most base it on looks. I'd be most is price in the end. (even if you have "money")
Last edited by pologreen1; 10-05-2018 at 10:29 AM.
10-05-2018, 04:29 PM
#49
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C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Also I am not talking about which is more "fun" to race .... but rather which is more fun to drive 10,000 miles a year in.
10-05-2018, 05:04 PM
#50
Team Owner
Having owned both I do not see C5 electronics being any harder to work on than a late C4, and I would be tempted to say C5s would be easier thanks to OBD2 scanners. In my opinion thanks to C5s being the new hot thing in the age of youtube and forums (rather than Vettenet emails with the C4) many issues and fixes are well documented and easier to find than good C4 info. Bill Curly deserves a special recognition for his pasts here on C5 wiring.
If I had both and wanted to go on a mountain run that was fun and challenged me I would get a C4. If I went with looks the C4.
A road trip (comfort and room for luggage), track time, max performance, ease to work on, the 01-04 C5.
If I had both and wanted to go on a mountain run that was fun and challenged me I would get a C4. If I went with looks the C4.
A road trip (comfort and room for luggage), track time, max performance, ease to work on, the 01-04 C5.
Last edited by 93Polo; 10-05-2018 at 05:04 PM.
10-05-2018, 05:07 PM
#51
Team Owner
Depends what you're looking for and what you want to lose. The c5 ia on the downward slide value wise, and a lot of the parts are getting harder to find, just like the c4. They both have their quirks. The c4 ia the better sports car, the c5 ia the faster car and better touring car.
You cant fo wrong with either. If it's just a fun cruiser, I dont know that you're getting much more for your money with a c5. That said, 3 grand is nothing, hardly a difference at all. I'd buy whichever you liked more and was in better condition.
You cant fo wrong with either. If it's just a fun cruiser, I dont know that you're getting much more for your money with a c5. That said, 3 grand is nothing, hardly a difference at all. I'd buy whichever you liked more and was in better condition.
10-05-2018, 05:08 PM
#52
Team Owner
Not sure about "fun to race" but I like my toys as new as it can get, within reason. For a 10K drive, I'd want a C5 if that was the choice given to me over any C4. For a grocery getter, whichever is cheaper.
10-05-2018, 07:55 PM
#53
Le Mans Master
I am looking to buy my first corvette. I have been looking around for a couple of months now. I am not looking for a show car, but something to drive. Not a daily driver, but something fun to drive on the weekends, and an occasional trip with my wife. I have narrowed my search to a 1991 corvette with a 6 speed manual transmission and z07 suspension package. It has 45,000 miles. It is incredibly clean and has been well maintained. The other choice is a 1998, also a 6 speed & 85,000 miles. The C5 is about $3000 more. My question is should I opt for the car that has more horsepower? The 1991 has the L98 engine, which is about 245 horsepower, but I hear is a very reliable engine. I posted this question in the C5 forum, & predictably got most of the responses in favor of the 1998. Thought I should give equal air time to the C4 guys. I'm interested to hear your opinion.
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H. I. McDunough (10-06-2018)
10-05-2018, 09:15 PM
#54
Race Director
I'm not sure it is "just" yet. In the future, absolutely. Also, more people are swapping LS motors so there is going to be more support. IDK if there are that many Miatas, for example that want an L98 or LT1 swap over an LS swap. There will be more mechanics when you get into a tight spot I would imagine also. Even if the parts are a push, which I don't think so, I think the support is going to be better for modifications and at the dealership. Better, not perfect.
Most people dont tune their cars. Most corvette owners just drive them and dont mor ot tune them. So that's just not an inportant factor for most.
10-05-2018, 10:31 PM
#55
Team Owner
Theres a lot more to a car than an engine. Things like EBCMs, ABS modules, etc are no longer available new and repairs are getting harder to find.
Most people dont tune their cars. Most corvette owners just drive them and dont mor ot tune them. So that's just not an inportant factor for most.
Most people dont tune their cars. Most corvette owners just drive them and dont mor ot tune them. So that's just not an inportant factor for most.
Even if you don't tune the car, support is still difficult. I can't physically do everything nor would I want to. Some things, I'm farming out to others but even diagnostics are difficult. I have checked around and the dealerships usually suggest and experienced specialist. I ask the "specialist" about what makes him special and it usually boils down to someone who has worked on the old stuff at some point or someone who gets shafted and has to work on it. They'd much prefer to work on newer stuff and not that knowledgeable on it. Considering many of them are merely parts replacers, it gets expensive but fruitless
10-05-2018, 10:46 PM
#56
Race Director
Well go to an aftermarket ecm/pcm then. Even then, the 94-96 cars can be tuned through pcm forless if nothing local to you. Or, go torqhead.
Just remember, there are much more limited cars from back then(lotus esprit for example) that people tune.
Just remember, there are much more limited cars from back then(lotus esprit for example) that people tune.
10-06-2018, 12:57 AM
#57
Team Owner
And they have fewer service facilities too. Not sure I want to be in that group either.
10-06-2018, 01:09 AM
#58
I have a true built and numbered Lingenfelter edition C4 and a C5 Z06.. Two cars hopefully I'll never have to get rid off. The difference between them is long, so I'll summarize. The C4 is an amazing cruiser. I love taking off the targa, sitting deep inside the jet like cockpit, listening to the constant deep exhaust sound and taking off with electric car like off the line torque. The C4 feels very personal because of its size inside and out. Like an oversized matchbox toy car. And that clamshell hood is as cool as it gets. As raw as the C4 is and as some people have mentioned. There's few cars that are as raw as and as stiff as the FRC C5 Z06, it has hardly any insulation, the windshield is super thin, special light wheels and the exhaust is titanium. All this to save weight. The LS6 motor sounds amazing and screams all the way to nearly 7000rpm. It's my American street legal race car version of the 360 modena. So, if I'm in a mood to cruise I take the C4 and if I want to go Viper hunting, than it's the C5Z. BTW, I too thought after I bought my C4 that the C5 was bloated, but I do like the way the FRC Z06 looks and sounds when you get on it. The one big similarity is that both the C5 and C4 are unique and loads of fun.
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H. I. McDunough (10-06-2018)
10-06-2018, 02:52 PM
#59
Race Director
The people saying the c4 is like a cruiser (aka like a harley davidson) are speaking for themselves.
my c4 puts out 540 rwhp, is stiffened up with a cage and sure isnt any cruiser. I understand 540 rwhp is not anything special today, but is significantly up from stock.
aaron’s (aks racing) yellow 87? Putting out 900 plus rwhp was no cruiser.
the lingenfelter sledgehammer, running 254.176 mph in 1988, was no cruiser (though it did have a/c and creature comforts).
the c4 can be turned into a literbike beating machine, albeit at a lot of effort.( one caveat is it will cost more and take more effort vs c5)
so watch your audience when you say the c4 is a ‘cruiser’ or ‘better for cruising’
seems like the c5, designed to fit golf bags and wider rear ends, is more the ‘cruiser’, or ‘palm springs’ driver. The c4 is more fighter jet.
(and maybe you can have both with the c5)
but yeah to say one is a ‘cruiser’ is like saying one is a harley davidson (an insult) and the other is a literbike.
my c4 puts out 540 rwhp, is stiffened up with a cage and sure isnt any cruiser. I understand 540 rwhp is not anything special today, but is significantly up from stock.
aaron’s (aks racing) yellow 87? Putting out 900 plus rwhp was no cruiser.
the lingenfelter sledgehammer, running 254.176 mph in 1988, was no cruiser (though it did have a/c and creature comforts).
the c4 can be turned into a literbike beating machine, albeit at a lot of effort.( one caveat is it will cost more and take more effort vs c5)
so watch your audience when you say the c4 is a ‘cruiser’ or ‘better for cruising’
seems like the c5, designed to fit golf bags and wider rear ends, is more the ‘cruiser’, or ‘palm springs’ driver. The c4 is more fighter jet.
(and maybe you can have both with the c5)
but yeah to say one is a ‘cruiser’ is like saying one is a harley davidson (an insult) and the other is a literbike.
Last edited by dizwiz24; 10-06-2018 at 02:55 PM.
10-06-2018, 02:56 PM
#60
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C5 for several reasons: aesthetics (even taking into account the C5's rear), comfort, speed, handling, aftermarket (mods and replacement parts) support.
You can make ANY car go as fast as you want; all it takes is money. The OP is comparing stock Corvettes, since he has no interest in modifying his Corvette at this time.
You can make ANY car go as fast as you want; all it takes is money. The OP is comparing stock Corvettes, since he has no interest in modifying his Corvette at this time.
Last edited by rocco16; 10-06-2018 at 02:59 PM.