Should I buy a C4 or a C5?
10-06-2018, 03:04 PM
#61
Tried Torquehead. Nothing as yet on the L98 and certain years of the LT1. 94-96, IIRC. Earlier years are being checked for feasibility last I spoke to them. PCM for less doesn't seem to do datalogging so it is dyno for him or "guess a tune"
And they have fewer service facilities too. Not sure I want to be in that group either.
And they have fewer service facilities too. Not sure I want to be in that group either.
Did you try working it Bjankuski we went on the cruise with?
10-06-2018, 09:51 PM
#63
Team Owner
I will just as soon as I get my AC lines flushed and sealed and recharged. AC Compressor spit metal into the lines. And of course the CAT broke at the point the pipe welds to the cat itself so time to get another one. It snapped on the way to Cabela's the other week. The CAT is in the garage just need to get it up to install and I have a long overseas trip in a couple weeks.
10-07-2018, 01:42 AM
#64
Le Mans Master
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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
Nothing wrong with a cruiser that packs a kick. I completely agree with your C4/C5 assessment, I’m actually getting the C4 ready for a ride to a local “cruise-in” tomorrow. I don’t particulary find the term cruiser offensive, I see it as a have a good time, enjoy the drive & view kinda thing. I see the C4 more of a cruiser because of the tight, personal feel of the cockpit/ride - has nothing to do with power to me.OP - If you’re just going to performance and horsepower chase then go to a C5 but it won’t last as soon you’ll need a C6, C7 then C8me etc if you’re going for the looks/body then have at it with your favorite look Vette, then mod it to your liking/performance and enjoy it.
Some people fall in love with cars while others fall in love with chasing numbers (hp, 1/4mile, top speed etc).
10-08-2018, 03:43 PM
#66
Race Director
That's exactly my point. The older it is, the harder it is to find. 91 Corvette non-engine parts are going to be harder than say a 2000. Older it is, the more reliance on junkyards to maybe yield something. Point is, the newer it is, the less chances of "Obsolete" being heard at the parts counter. If my motor dies say within the next 5 years and I were to get another Vette, I'd probably look at the C6 and skip the C5 altogether.
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
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
These are "could be" issues. They're not things that "are" issues. You think C3 and Cw guys have issues finding people to work on the cars or getting parts? They don't. These are chevys that they made a ton of, not hand built mclarens.
10-08-2018, 04:49 PM
#67
Melting Slicks
I've owned a 92, a 94 and an 02 Vert...
Assuming you think BOTH are beautiful looking...(and they are)
If you want more of a "Sports Car" feel while driving - stick with a C4
If you want a Sports Car type cockpit - stick with a C4
If you prefer more of a "classic" look - stick with a C4
If you want speed - go with a C5
If you want handling - go with either but I lean towards C5
If you plan to commute in your Vette - go with a C5
If you want comfort / ease of getting in & out - go with a C5
If you want to gets parts easier - go with a C5
If you want to turn heads - go with either (but I got a few more compliments with my C5 than I did with my C4's)
I absolutely loved loved loved my C4's - I regret selling them everyday...until Im drove my C5...
Go drive a C5 - the choice will be obvious to you the second you drive them...Good Luck!
Assuming you think BOTH are beautiful looking...(and they are)
If you want more of a "Sports Car" feel while driving - stick with a C4
If you want a Sports Car type cockpit - stick with a C4
If you prefer more of a "classic" look - stick with a C4
If you want speed - go with a C5
If you want handling - go with either but I lean towards C5
If you plan to commute in your Vette - go with a C5
If you want comfort / ease of getting in & out - go with a C5
If you want to gets parts easier - go with a C5
If you want to turn heads - go with either (but I got a few more compliments with my C5 than I did with my C4's)
I absolutely loved loved loved my C4's - I regret selling them everyday...until Im drove my C5...
Go drive a C5 - the choice will be obvious to you the second you drive them...Good Luck!
10-08-2018, 04:57 PM
#68
Team Owner
Body computer and ABS parts are likely easier, cheaper, and more repairable on the '91 than the '98. If it it were an '01 to '04 I'd agree.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
I've enjoyed my C5s and C4 and been around this place since about the beginning, C5 gen is not the place to look for tech advice, especially from someone that has owned _____ and never had a problem. I have also helped maintain ax ex's 97 never will I own a '97'/98.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
I've enjoyed my C5s and C4 and been around this place since about the beginning, C5 gen is not the place to look for tech advice, especially from someone that has owned _____ and never had a problem. I have also helped maintain ax ex's 97 never will I own a '97'/98.
Last edited by 93Polo; 10-08-2018 at 05:02 PM.
10-08-2018, 09:02 PM
#69
Team Owner
Theres nothing for my.car I've been unable to source. Ayes so.etimes that means used parts, so what? It's a used car. I've also never had an issue with people being willing to work on it, though admittedly I do most of the work myself.
These are "could be" issues. They're not things that "are" issues. You think C3 and Cw guys have issues finding people to work on the cars or getting parts? They don't. These are chevys that they made a ton of, not hand built mclarens.
These are "could be" issues. They're not things that "are" issues. You think C3 and Cw guys have issues finding people to work on the cars or getting parts? They don't. These are chevys that they made a ton of, not hand built mclarens.
I admit that when I owned a Merkur it was kinda cool the first few times to hear "Obsolete" and find it somewhere. As time passed and I kept having to do dumpster diving, it kinda got old and sickening. OTOH, I have 3 MBs and it is so easy to find parts relatively. I have no issue with dumpster diving. I hate being forced to dumpster dive. I prefer to have the choice of just getting the part to get moving again or waiting it out to save a few bucks. THAT is what pisses me off. I own a Corvette. It is NOT a lifestyle for me. It is a platform for my modified engine that gets annoying when things break. I chose the C4 because it was, at the time a good platform with some support that didn't have as much of a rust problem as the F-body. I understand that for many, it is a passion so they don't mind some inconvenience scrounging for parts and support.
10-08-2018, 09:43 PM
#70
Team Owner
Times are changing with the use of electronics. OBD2 I believe actually helped some in more standardizing reading the diagnostics but autozone hand held scanners can not get all EBCM codes. I can have a hydraulic shop make a power steering hose, a gel coated circuit board may not be repairable or available from any place other than a junkyard. The good news with Corvettes is junkyards will strip and inventory parts and charge whatever price they climb to. It would not surprise me if some dealerships do not have the equipment to read all of the diagnostics on C4s but you stand a better chance of repairing what you have with the older less complex electronics.
10-08-2018, 10:07 PM
#71
Team Owner
Times are changing with the use of electronics. OBD2 I believe actually helped some in more standardizing reading the diagnostics but autozone hand held scanners can not get all EBCM codes. I can have a hydraulic shop make a power steering hose, a gel coated circuit board may not be repairable or available from any place other than a junkyard.
The good news with Corvettes is junkyards will strip and inventory parts and charge whatever price they climb to.
It would not surprise me if some dealerships do not have the equipment to read all of the diagnostics on C4s
but you stand a better chance of repairing what you have with the older less complex electronics.
The good news with Corvettes is junkyards will strip and inventory parts and charge whatever price they climb to.
It would not surprise me if some dealerships do not have the equipment to read all of the diagnostics on C4s
but you stand a better chance of repairing what you have with the older less complex electronics.
Yes but the bad news is they might not have what you want today and you sit till someone does. As I said, hopefully it is in better shape than yours or "So sorry. We will refund you money." and you go digging again.
Or they might not even want to screw with it and say "Oh, that tool is broken and we haven't got another one." or name some ridiculous number so you go away.
Maybe but on my other more complex cars, it has been usually the hard parts like the plug getting stuck in the head, AC compressor breaks, etc as opposed to electronics. My seat heater stopped working because I sat on something that pierced the wire and I had a bad speaker and they couldn't follow the diagnostics laid out by Ford, etc.
10-08-2018, 10:26 PM
#72
Le Mans Master
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To the OP....Go test drive both a C4 & C5... Buy what you like most. Aesthetics are a huge part of the Corvette experience. I often stop and just look at my ZR-1 in the garage.... I love looking at it s much as I love driving it. I've owned 9 Vettes to date. i haven't had one sit in the garage because I couldn't find a part that failed for it. Don't worry about it. Find a well cared for, lowest mileage example you are willing to pay for and just drive it man....
10-08-2018, 10:28 PM
#73
Race Director
I read real time info using the 1320 electronics obd1 Bluetooth adapter and aldl droid app. For 100 bucks total, you really can't beat it. Actron(I think) makes a pretty impressive obd1 scanner. Also believe it reads abs and asr codes.
And the paper clip meothod for 90-96 owners is awesome. It's like a built in code reader. I don't know of any other car that will let you read codes like that.
And the paper clip meothod for 90-96 owners is awesome. It's like a built in code reader. I don't know of any other car that will let you read codes like that.
Last edited by 1993C4LT1; 10-08-2018 at 10:30 PM.
10-08-2018, 10:31 PM
#74
Race Director
To the OP....Go test drive both a C4 & C5... Buy what you like most. Aesthetics are a huge part of the Corvette experience. I often stop and just look at my ZR-1 in the garage.... I love looking at it s much as I love driving it. I've owned 9 Vettes to date. i haven't had one sit in the garage because I couldn't find a part that failed for it. Don't worry about it. Find a well cared for, lowest mileage example you are willing to pay for and just drive it man....
10-08-2018, 10:45 PM
#75
Racer
I wanted a C5 I test drove a C5 and it wasnt bad. I had a C4 fall into my lap and never looked back. The best suggestion is to drive it your self. I Love my 90 to death but its lacking power hard. So bad my LT1 firebird that I daily is faster by a lot. If you plan to race on a regular base I would say C5 all day long, its a better engineered car. But for weekending you will only know with good test drives. Good luck and enjoy what ever you buy. 
10-09-2018, 08:08 AM
#76
Drifting
I read real time info using the 1320 electronics obd1 Bluetooth adapter and aldl droid app. For 100 bucks total, you really can't beat it. Actron(I think) makes a pretty impressive obd1 scanner. Also believe it reads abs and asr codes.
And the paper clip meothod for 90-96 owners is awesome. It's like a built in code reader. I don't know of any other car that will let you read codes like that.
And the paper clip meothod for 90-96 owners is awesome. It's like a built in code reader. I don't know of any other car that will let you read codes like that.
First time I'd ever seen or owned a car with a computer that would read its fault code to you on built-in L.E.D.s Worked brilliantly and nothing else to buy.
10-29-2018, 03:31 AM
#77
C4 or 5
I have both. If you get a C5 get an 01 or newer. (Flame suit on). If you get a C4 I think the later years would be better. I guess I'm saying get the newest one you can afford!
10-29-2018, 10:22 AM
#80