C-4 Qualities
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 138
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C-4 Qualities
As a soon to be C-4 owner (96 Conv), I was wondering what it is about the C-4 generation that folks prefer over the C-5. I was in a position to afford either a higher mileage 97 or 98 C-5 or a real nice 6 Spd Conv /LT-4. I opted for the C-4.
I happen to prefer the C-4 body style and I feel the interior of the C-5 is kind of very plastic looking. This is not to knock the C-5 in any way, just a matter of preference and affordability.
I happen to prefer the C-4 body style and I feel the interior of the C-5 is kind of very plastic looking. This is not to knock the C-5 in any way, just a matter of preference and affordability.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,101
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From: Dewdney BC
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
Congrats on your new C4. I think you've made the right pick.
:cheers: :cool: Never driven a C5 but only sat in one. Did'nt like the way it felt, did'nt hug me like my 90 does. The C5 is a great car (it is a corvette)
and it looks really :cool: except for that rear end, not a big fan of big butts :jester If I ever get another Vette,you've picked one of the ones I want. LT4 vert :yesnod:
BTW welcome to the forum. :seeya
[Modified by mid life 90, 3:02 PM 12/1/2002]
:cheers: :cool: Never driven a C5 but only sat in one. Did'nt like the way it felt, did'nt hug me like my 90 does. The C5 is a great car (it is a corvette)
and it looks really :cool: except for that rear end, not a big fan of big butts :jester If I ever get another Vette,you've picked one of the ones I want. LT4 vert :yesnod:
BTW welcome to the forum. :seeya
[Modified by mid life 90, 3:02 PM 12/1/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
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From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: C-4 Qualities (kittmaster)
Welcome to the C4 side :cheers: you will find lots of qualities when it comes to the C4 the ride is the best in my opinion. You have a total feel of the road and what the car is doing, not like a luxury car that you can't feel when the car is starting to slip and slide. Other qualities are the looks, the way you sit in the car like a jet cockpit, the awesome power of the LT4 :yesnod: , the way the hood opens to revile the whole engine and suspension.
I just hope you enjoy your LT4 as much as I enjoy mine :)
I just hope you enjoy your LT4 as much as I enjoy mine :)
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Re: C-4 Qualities (kittmaster)
You climb into a C-4 like you climb into a jet fighter. It fits around you like you're wearin' it. It also resembles a fighter in it's own way. The C-5's are more luxurious, and perform great, but the C-4's just seem to have more 'grit'. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,246
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From: Mountain Home AR
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
Welcome to the forum. Nice year (96) by the way. I picked mine because it was the last year for the body style. The body style change did nothing for me. I guess the big rear turned me off. I think the C4 keeps the Corvette sports car theme the best.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
Congratulations! IMHO you made a rock solid choice :D You will have the next one I have on my list (LT4 six speed), which will be the one I keep forever. The C4 is just what all has said here, and there are many threads that go into further detail. And the 96 LT4 is the epitome of C4 power! And handling is unsurpassed, in fact many think its a bit better than the C5. I share that feeling, as I've test driven a 98 and didn't like the way it felt compared to my 90. Plus I love all the rattles & sqeaks! :crazy: :D :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
Facts be known....it's the only vette (C4) that I can afford.......thats my reason....other wise I would buy a C5..
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
tony
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
tony
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
All of the above plus it was the only way to get an LT5 :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,227
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From: Corona CA
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
The C4 offers the opportunity to own a car that is unique. You can get an LT4, a ruby, a ZR1, a Collectors Edition , early body style, late body style, etc...
All the C5s seem to be the same (Except the Z06). Great car but yours is just like everyone else's.
Welcome to the club!
All the C5s seem to be the same (Except the Z06). Great car but yours is just like everyone else's.
Welcome to the club!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,398
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From: Loveland Co
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: C-4 Qualities (rcolling)
C4s definately feel more sporty than a C5 as far as ride, and I like the lines and look better. A C4 is no slouch either, they are right up there with a C5, and take away the power advantage of a C5 on a small auto-x and the C4s are laying down the same kind of numbers.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,507
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From: Easton CA
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
You don't get in a C4, you "put it on".
C4's have a "slimmer" butt.
C4's have a clam shell hood.
To be honest, it's what I could afford at the time..... but.... today if I had the bucks to buy a new C5, I would look for a ZR1 first... (just love that clam shell hood)
My opinion.
:cheers:
[Modified by Oly, 11:57 AM 12/11/2002]
C4's have a "slimmer" butt.
C4's have a clam shell hood.
To be honest, it's what I could afford at the time..... but.... today if I had the bucks to buy a new C5, I would look for a ZR1 first... (just love that clam shell hood)
My opinion.
:cheers:
[Modified by Oly, 11:57 AM 12/11/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 5
From: ZR1 Gathering '04, '05 Northlake Texas
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
I like the Clam shell hood on the C4, it also feels more like a sports car, and I like the way you have to climb in one. Also I like the look of the late C4 dash.
I just can't get past that big butt on the C5. Also it lost that sport car feel, except for the Z06. That would be the only C5 I would consider.
However I am very happy with my ZR-1 at this point. :D
I just can't get past that big butt on the C5. Also it lost that sport car feel, except for the Z06. That would be the only C5 I would consider.
However I am very happy with my ZR-1 at this point. :D
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,890
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From: Bismarck North Dakota
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
C4s have the coolest popup headlights ever.....or should I say "roll around" headlights. :cool: The Star-wars digital dash in the 84-89 models are sweet too, IMHO.
Good choice on the LT-4! :seeya
Good choice on the LT-4! :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
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From: Rosemount MN
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
I drove quite a few Corvettes before buying, I didn't fit in the C-1/2's look over the top of the windshield. Liked the C-3's but wanted something more agile. Drove the C-5's, liked the trunk, but the ride wasn't what I was looking for, to refined.
That left me with the C-4's, needed a convertible to fit, the ride is just visceral enough to remind you it ain't an Impala and it's got enough snort to make short work of just about anything on the highway. The clamshell hood is the coolest and the flipup headlights are great.
You are making a great choice, LT-4 wouldn't be a mistake, sometimes I wish that I'd have gotten one, but that's about 5% of the time. Biggest problem with a C-4 Vert is luggage space, if you plan on touring, make friends with UPS.
:cheers:
That left me with the C-4's, needed a convertible to fit, the ride is just visceral enough to remind you it ain't an Impala and it's got enough snort to make short work of just about anything on the highway. The clamshell hood is the coolest and the flipup headlights are great.
You are making a great choice, LT-4 wouldn't be a mistake, sometimes I wish that I'd have gotten one, but that's about 5% of the time. Biggest problem with a C-4 Vert is luggage space, if you plan on touring, make friends with UPS.
:cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
I have a C4 because I don't like the C5. To me, the C5 just does not look like a Corvette. I've heard that GM decided to try to make the C5 look more like other sports cars. They succeeded. The body style looks to me like it's trying to imitate other cars... trying to make the Corvette more mainstream looking and less sharky. Imho, the C5 looks like a generic sports car now.
It think a lot of C5 owners see the C4 as a 'poor man's C5'. For some C4 owners, that is actually true. But there's a lot of us (most of us?) that own the C4's because it's what we prefer. Price is not an issue.
Besides... I don't see how anyone could see a 1996 LT4 CE as a second rate car by any stretch. This thing is a driving experience and a half!
I hope I don't insult any C5 folks. I really don't mean to! It's not like I'd sneer at a C5 or any other real sports car. It's just not what _I_ like.
- Skant
It think a lot of C5 owners see the C4 as a 'poor man's C5'. For some C4 owners, that is actually true. But there's a lot of us (most of us?) that own the C4's because it's what we prefer. Price is not an issue.
Besides... I don't see how anyone could see a 1996 LT4 CE as a second rate car by any stretch. This thing is a driving experience and a half!
I hope I don't insult any C5 folks. I really don't mean to! It's not like I'd sneer at a C5 or any other real sports car. It's just not what _I_ like.
- Skant
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Re: C-4 Qualities (steve123)
C5s are to big inside. They feel huge! Also crappy styling and that genaric interior nothing like a sea of plastic to warm you up. The C5 was an attempt to make the car more appealing to non-traditional buyers. I love how you have to practically crawl out of earlier Corvettes! New Corvette is like a Buick. I'd rather sink my money into a nice 6 speed C4 anyday! :yesnod: