Ok, so i keep hearing that a c4 is a better drive than a c5

being in west Aus i have never been able to drive a c5 before due to the fact that the total amount of c5's in this state is under 10 and at a cost of 80,000 plus dollars, you can see why!

i guess what i would like to know is the difference in feel and ride between the two cars. i know the difference on paper, but what about the other stuff you have to just expirence to understand the true difference?

does a c4 really handle better around corners? is the accelaration of a c5 in a whole other class to a c4?

 

Handling.....not really,thats a toss up depending on what years your compare but for the most part the C5 is more like a cadillac ride at all speeds. The C4 is much stiffer in most all years.Period! I've driven probobly 10-15 C5's and more than 20 C4's from work. Much nicer in a C5 for comfort by far IMHO.

The Hp difference is much better compared to a L83crossfire and L98 TPI motor. The LT1 isn't much behind in performance and the LT4 is very simular to power to a stock LS1.....LS6 C5's vs. LT4's is a different ballgame. LS6 will walk on a LT4. So....yes stock v.s. stock the C5 would win in acceleration.

 

They are really different cars. They all need mods in my opinion so the factory horsepower isn't worth a whole hell of alot to me. The C5 is a better daily driver Corvette. The C4 is more fun to drive as long as you aren't driving it across country. I like them both but for different reasons.

 

ok, i can see that, the c5 is more comfortable ride wise.... almost the sporty luxury type car (with awesome power)

but what makes the c4 "more fun to drive" ? what is less fun about a c5?

they are good in different ways, so just say the c4 and c5 came out for the first time on the same day, looks aside, what would be the bigger seller at the end of the day after both track and round town test drives?

hope my questions arent too impossible to answer

 

The C4 in my opinion feels more like a sports car. The cockpit style interior that is about impossible to get in and out of gives it more of a sporty feel. It also makes it less suited for everyday use. Bigger seller depends what C4 to C5 comparison and at what price ? A LT4 car will run with a LS1 car or beat it in the 1/4 mile. The C4 is the first Corvette with modern handling and braking that is still rude, crude and loud. It's all about what you like. C5 Z06 vs 84 C4 no comparison there at all. A C5 Z06 vs 93-95 ZR1 ? I like them both very much they are just very different. Try comparing a 68-72 to a 92-96 both great cars just very different.

 

i got a feeling its all gotta come down to personal preference.... in that case i either have to con someone into letting me drive there pride and joy weekend cruiser.... or..... con my lady into getting an 80,000 dollar piece of fibre glass (which i cant see happening as she already has evil thoughts towards me for buying the c4 )

 

Myself and a member went go karting the other day and it struck me SO similar to an early C4 .
Instant turning response, rough ride, and tucked in.....In short, lots of road feedback and fun. If you want the smooth, comfy ride and a little more room get a C5. And yeah, overall the LS motors cant be beat.
People buy them for different reasons.

 

I never thought about that.

 

The C4 is more fun to throw around (as mentioned, the go-cart feel). It gives the sensation of being faster in the corners although I don’t think it is. Of course this is comparing an auto C4 and MN6 C5. There is a huge difference in size. I like them both for their own reasons and each creates a big . If I could only keep one, it would be the C5. Yes the big butt can grow on you. :o

 

the C4 feels faster, better turning, and all but the C5 really is.

 

just go for the LS conversion c4...best of all worlds in my opinion
thats what i want.



CJ

 

Thats what I love most about C4's, they're a cross between old tech and new tech like he said...
As far as flat out performance, my '85 can keep up with an LS1 in the 1/4 mile. I may not win, but i'm right there with him. You can always add more power with a 383 or similar setup. The LSX engines will require more wiring

 

Ive got an '89 stock c4, and a blown '01 c5.

The '89 is more fun to drive on the street in general. It slides around corners, rides stiff, and feels like a sports car.

The blown C5 is rediculous when you hit the gas, but jam it into a corner, and it just goes around it. Jam it too hard, and the active handling will whip it around even faster.....(yawn)

I thought when I bought the C5 I would sell the c4.

No way.
If my '89 didnt have 150k on it, Id start thinking about a blower kit and mods....but the interior is gettin ratty.

 

IMO, I have driven C5's, and C4's. The C4 feels more like a sportscar. Its not a car I would want to take on a 20 hour roadtrip mind you. This is where the C5 comes into play. There is more interior room and its so much more refined compared to the C4. I am keeping my C4, but I would like to get a C5 or a C6 in the near future as well for the garage.

C5 is a better car, there is no way around it. It has more power, more efficient on fuel, and handles amazing. The C4 is a better bang for the buck still IMO. Clean C4's in the future will always catch ppl's eyes. I have been told by many that they like the C4 body style the best!

 

I was gonna sell my '95 but drove a couple for sale C5's and in the final analysis while I felt the C5 was quicker the ride and in-cockpit experience reminded me a lot of a GT type car more like a Camaro SS I guess. Not at all a slight against the C5, just the way it felt to me. In the end it wasn't worth the difference in what I could sell my 6/10 C4 for get a 6/10 or better C5 which would have been at least 8000 extra bones. At least not with a kid 2yrs from going to college...

 

I have both. My wife is just nuts about the C4, I'm more preferential to the C5.

The cars are completely different.

The C4 has the best manual transmission of any car I've ever driven. The ZF 6 speed is just incredible. Smooth, easy to drive, positive engagement, etc. The C4 also has a much tighter cockpit. Every piece of glass is much closer to you. The A pillars are super thin - better visibility. The ride in a C4 is rough, sort of loose, and stiff.

The C5 is large. It feels like a much larger car. The interior is roomy and spaceous. The wheels are further out in the corners of the car and the frame flexes WAY less over uneven pavement and bumps. It's a more solid feeling. The C5 has the Z51 option, while the C4 does not. The C5 brakes are way better - all the way around.

The manual trans in the C5 is OK. It's a linkage shifter that is notchy and the effort to move the shifter is infinately more than the ZF.

The LS1 is an RPM monster. The LT1 has incredible torque, but the LS1 pulls farther into the RPM band. The LT1 has not been reliable (for me) with water pumps, opti sparks, oil leaks, etc - but then again it's a 14 year old car.

I honestly like both of them. The C4 feels more like a rough race car, while the C5 is much more comfortable. Fuel economy is slightly better in the C5.

 

Damn, you must have one strong L98

 

Great feedback guys

as for l98 to ls1, i totally agree with it being possible to keep up and in some cases, beat. i know its a different car and all, but my pretty stock c4 against a monaro (your GTO) or clubsport (4dr GTO) will keep up no problems, ive even done some in.... in controlled conditions of course

 

Feel this, feel that....the C5 is a better overall car. Ask GM or C5 gen

 

I'm assuming your 85 is far from stock. If not, .