HeavyHands

I have been carefully looking for a Corvette for sometime. I initially wanted a C5 6 speed coupe, however I have found a '96 Lt4 6 Speed

I know the C4 vs C5 has been done to death, but I'm not specifically talking about performance here, as the above two examples are pretty close. For those who have owned both, what are your observations on comparing:

-Reliability
-Fun to drive
-Pros and Cons of each
-Ect

I'm looking for the objective and the subjective here. Personally, I like the C4 for the styling and included spare. The C5 seems to have the edge with it's non absurd door sills and refinement. But, I've never owned either, so please chime in.

Cool Runnings

It's still an old Corvette ..

HeavyHands

agreed

FWC

I owned a 96 LT1 great car lots of fun to drive and prefer the styling.

I have been in and driven a few C5's and in the sense it is newer and has better features but I find them boring. When I was test driving them in late 2016 I was pretty sure I wasn't a fan after the first drive, doing my due diligence I drove a second car (it was immaculate btw) I knew they weren't for me so I ended up with a C6.

You don't say what year C5 but the early one's had electrical gremlins and have read some parts are no longer available. You also need to say how you plan on using it.

Bottom line is drive each , whatever speaks to you more is the way to go.

Yet remember the tag line you will see here is, buy the newest best taken care of car you can find.

FAUEE

It's been beat to death. The short version is, the c4 will be a more analog and engaging drive, the c5 will be a better grand tourer.

Reliability will be the same. Lt4 has a reliable optispark, c5 has harmonic balancer issues. Both have parts that arent available new at the dealer. Both are old and will need things time to time.

The c5 has more space, but the interior is cheaper. The c4 has better seats, but less easily available mods.

Heres the bottom line though. You can get a good c5 lt4 car in the 10-13k range. A good c5 will be another 5k or more. If your budget allows either with room to spare, then it boils down to the experience you want. Do you want a cruiser, or a car that communicates with you.

Good luck, you cant go wrong either way. Unless you meant to go the other way.

confab

The construction is completely different between them, with the C4 being a traditional drive train layout and the C5 being divorced and moved back into the rear structure of the vehicle.


Taking a look at how they're put together may be the deciding factor.

From what I have seen, repair and maintenance costs on the C4 are lower, here at least. But markets vary..

I have heard about reliability issues with the C5 Transmission, but that is all. I have no firsthand experience with them.

QCVette

I have a '96 LT4 6 speed and a '99 LS1 6 speed. (Obviously I like both)

The comments from FAUEE and confab match my thoughts.

In addition the ease of taking the top on or off is much better in the C5. The rear hatch can hold more and is easier to use on the C5. The gas mileage is better on the C5.

For me it generally comes down to two things. If I want to drive a good handling fast Monte Carlo, I take the C5. If I want to enjoy the drive, I take the C4.

I like the feedback and the more "raw" feeling when driving it. On the street the handling is pretty close (although the edge on the track probably goes to the C5). The acceleration is very close between these two.

My favorite is the C4.

Good luck with your choice.

johno504

my 05 SL 500 makes my CE LT4 feel like an ox cart with square stone wheels. Answer is none of the above........

Mr. Peabody

I've put 100K on my 95 C4 and 50K on my 04 C5 (both Auto) and still drive both every week. Basically the C4 is more fun to drive for a number of reasons but the wife says the C5 is more comfortable to ride in.

Both are great bang for the buck bargains. In each of these generations the last two model years were the best.

Cool Runnings

Put some decent tires on it and I bet you don't have FX3.

ghlkal

These are good points. I swear at the designers everytime I take the targa off my ZR-1.

In addition, if you want to mod the engine, there are many more options of the LSx

LOL. My biturbo V8 E550 is a great cruiser, but it isn't a Corvette

FAUEE

It's also 10 years newer, was 100k more new, and isnt a sports car so...

Y-bodluvr

I’ve owned BOTH and Drive both you will SWEAR the LT4 is the faster car definitely has better SOTP throttle response but they are door to door in acceleration I also WAY prefer the 96’s dash, gauges seats especially the SPORT and cockpit “feel” and LOvE the 96’ digital speedo

I’m split on the higher door sills I like the feel of them once I’m in but the C5’s are just easier to get in and out of course ....about the only thing I like better on the C5 interior is the HEADS UP DISPlAY(if it has it) and it’s better for storage the C5 T56 transmission also shifts “easier” to me

LS1 easier to work on especially changing Plugs LOvE the C4 clamshell hood though LT4 has the Opti C5 LS1 has the EBCM as probably their main problems but that won’t “strand you like the Opti will and Opti and water pump is much cheaper than a 97-00 EBCM but an 01-04 Is much cheaper than an Opti and water pump

C5 gives you a couple better mpg but C4 has bigger gas tank for longer trips the C5 rides better the C4 handles better IMO the C5 DEFINETLY rides better if both are coupes with their tops off and is also much easier to remove of course I give a slight nod to the C5 in exterior styling although I didn’t always feel that way(especially when they first came out)

for me it’s
DAILY DRIVER-C5
Weekend Warrior-C4

turbobuick33

Does the C5 have more electrical problems than the 96 C4?

pologreen1

C4- Fun, cheap, easy to fix.

C5, better driver, able to build power cheaper and easier, .


Both have plenty of cons. C4 probably more depending on who you ask.

If C5 felt like driving a c4 I would have had one..

65Z01

Best advice is to "try on" several of each before buying.

Before buying my first Vette in 2000 all it took was sitting in a C4 to feel that this car was made for me. I love sitting "down" between the frame rails.

Good luck and have fun with your search.

vader86

My general advice is to always buy the newest you could afford. C5 will be more refined as a tourer, C4 will have its own racecar feel.

Y-bodluvr

i would say NO aside from the Electronic Brake Control Module but the C5 is an all around more reliable car with LESS parts...I’ve heard around 1400 less parts and now with the ages of the cars somewhat more available parts...

pacoW

C5 = LS, winner winner, chicken dinner.

FAUEE

it can, or it can be fine. There are more electronic systems in it that can fail, so the odds aren't in your favor with it.