C4 vs.C5 - an Objective Comparison
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Picking one based on "what makes sense" or stats doesnt always work. Its what you like.,
These arent practical period its all about how you feel when youre in it. Like the C4 for what it is, hard to beat for the money.
Ill take aging C4 electronics over C5 any day. Ride and interior in the C5 is nicer, lx is great and all but havent driven one that really called my name..even a TT
Just didnt have enough character. If it doesnt feel like its going to break down its not for me.
Choices in women arent any different.
These arent practical period its all about how you feel when youre in it. Like the C4 for what it is, hard to beat for the money.
Ill take aging C4 electronics over C5 any day. Ride and interior in the C5 is nicer, lx is great and all but havent driven one that really called my name..even a TT
Just didnt have enough character. If it doesnt feel like its going to break down its not for me.
Choices in women arent any different.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,586
Likes: 972
From: Communist Colorado
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,407
Likes: 6,537
From: Melbourne, FL
There are a ha dful of times this isn't the case. The ctsv tonct5v for example, but that's because they decontented the v so they could make a top level above it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 2,251
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
That goes for every new version of every new car 99% of the time. The c3 has no onjective edge over the c4. The c5 no objective edge over the C6. The 996 no objective edge over the 997. The whole point of the new car is its "better". If it's not better, why not just keep the old one?
There are a ha dful of times this isn't the case. The ctsv tonct5v for example, but that's because they decontented the v so they could make a top level above it.
There are a ha dful of times this isn't the case. The ctsv tonct5v for example, but that's because they decontented the v so they could make a top level above it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Are you sure the "classic feel" things ended with the C4? Could the C5 or C6 owners argue the same point with the C7 or C8 owners? How about C3, C2 or C1? That is almost like asking "What is a pervert?". Depends on where you are drawing the line.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 2,251
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
In our family we have '58 fuelie, '65 327 roadster, '67 427 4 spd roadster, '69 427 4 spd roadster, '74 coupe, '84 coupe, '98 roadster, and '13 427 roadster. I guess the 58 thru 74 seem more classic, the 84 more slot car / toyish, and the '98 and '13 very plush and fast.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,407
Likes: 6,537
From: Melbourne, FL
There's a clear line between a 96 and a 97. The steering feel is massively different. In the 96, you've got heavy and analog steering feel. In the 97, it's overboosted, super light, and very little feel.
Inthink that's what most people will say about drawing the line. I could see a day when people say the line is when stuff gets speed depending variable steering, but I think right now, most compare heavy direct steering to light overboosted steering.
Inthink that's what most people will say about drawing the line. I could see a day when people say the line is when stuff gets speed depending variable steering, but I think right now, most compare heavy direct steering to light overboosted steering.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
In our family we have '58 fuelie, '65 327 roadster, '67 427 4 spd roadster, '69 427 4 spd roadster, '74 coupe, '84 coupe, '98 roadster, and '13 427 roadster. I guess the 58 thru 74 seem more classic, the 84 more slot car / toyish, and the '98 and '13 very plush and fast.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 2,251
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
As someone who presently owns C4s, a C5Z and a C6Z, have for almost 19 years, here is my rating for the VETTE discussion. Based on looks
.
.
.
.
.
10. base C5
I don’t own a C4Z, wish I did, maybe someday. My C4 gets far more compliments than my C5Z and I LOVE the FRC body shape. All my cars have “tasteful” mods, including suspension/wheels/tint/paint upkeep so taking care of the ride has to factor into the discussion, I’ve seen some trashed C5s and pummeled C4s as well so all things being equal. All my thoughts above are on looks solely, both my C4s and C5Z are as reliable as the other, would probably trust the C4 LT1 on a longer road trip than my C5Z. In the past I e driven my 87 from Seattle to Texas, to Cali in a month, very comfy in the sport seats. Power just takes effort and cash so no argument on stock power levels, it’s irrelevant but the C5Z is pretty strong. Handling, ehh I’m not running slaloms or a time attack on the way to work, if I did the C5Z again wins.
Im selling a car soon...the C5Z has drawn the short end, keeping the C4/C6Z
- C4Z
- C5Z
- C4
.
.
.
.
.
10. base C5
I don’t own a C4Z, wish I did, maybe someday. My C4 gets far more compliments than my C5Z and I LOVE the FRC body shape. All my cars have “tasteful” mods, including suspension/wheels/tint/paint upkeep so taking care of the ride has to factor into the discussion, I’ve seen some trashed C5s and pummeled C4s as well so all things being equal. All my thoughts above are on looks solely, both my C4s and C5Z are as reliable as the other, would probably trust the C4 LT1 on a longer road trip than my C5Z. In the past I e driven my 87 from Seattle to Texas, to Cali in a month, very comfy in the sport seats. Power just takes effort and cash so no argument on stock power levels, it’s irrelevant but the C5Z is pretty strong. Handling, ehh I’m not running slaloms or a time attack on the way to work, if I did the C5Z again wins.
Im selling a car soon...the C5Z has drawn the short end, keeping the C4/C6Z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1,583
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
as much as i pretend like i hate the LS
id have a supercharged alum ls3 if i could choose, im just afraid i’ll lose a season with my car down as i fabricate brackets and re-buy expensive exhaust pieces i already have.
i believe you can get in plenty of trouble with either setup
id have a supercharged alum ls3 if i could choose, im just afraid i’ll lose a season with my car down as i fabricate brackets and re-buy expensive exhaust pieces i already have.
i believe you can get in plenty of trouble with either setup
Even a mild cam heads LS3 in a C4 M6 would be a ton of fun!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Considered that but to get an evaluation of the job, I checked with several speed shops with a 4L60E. They said that to get the motor running, it would be expensive and I'd better be in love with the car and be willing to be way upside down on it. To get all systems functioning like stock, they would NOT be able to quote a price other than the hourly rate and stop when I ran out of money or when they were done, whichever came first.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,407
Likes: 6,537
From: Melbourne, FL
Considered that but to get an evaluation of the job, I checked with several speed shops with a 4L60E. They said that to get the motor running, it would be expensive and I'd better be in love with the car and be willing to be way upside down on it. To get all systems functioning like stock, they would NOT be able to quote a price other than the hourly rate and stop when I ran out of money or when they were done, whichever came first.
You want a fuel range? That's pricey. Want a lot of factory digital displays? Adds cost. If you're fine with just a few basic gauges, that's cheap. It's all the extras that gets expensive. Hence it being cheaper to swap an ls into a c3 than a c4. Less stuff to integrate, you just throw some new gauges in and call it a day.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 87
Likes: 18
Have a 96 LT4 manual coupe and a 98 base auto vert. Not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, but close enough. Personally I would take my C4 over my C5. The C4 will tire you out on a long drive, but she just feels so much like a raw sports car that you actually have to drive. The C5 feels more like a touring than sports car to me. I know the auto/manual difference, but I have driven manual C5s and that would not change my mind.
Now, for cruising with the wife, a multi-hour drive, or an early morning drive to work with a cup of coffee...it’s my C5 all day long. The auto trans and much smoother ride make the difference for that in my C5.
Now, for cruising with the wife, a multi-hour drive, or an early morning drive to work with a cup of coffee...it’s my C5 all day long. The auto trans and much smoother ride make the difference for that in my C5.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
That's pretty much how every engine swap into all but the most basic vehicles goes though.
You want a fuel range? That's pricey. Want a lot of factory digital displays? Adds cost. If you're fine with just a few basic gauges, that's cheap. It's all the extras that gets expensive. Hence it being cheaper to swap an ls into a c3 than a c4. Less stuff to integrate, you just throw some new gauges in and call it a day.
You want a fuel range? That's pricey. Want a lot of factory digital displays? Adds cost. If you're fine with just a few basic gauges, that's cheap. It's all the extras that gets expensive. Hence it being cheaper to swap an ls into a c3 than a c4. Less stuff to integrate, you just throw some new gauges in and call it a day.