Corvette C4: is it difficult to drive?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Milano, Italy
Corvette C4: is it difficult to drive?
Hi everybody.
I have had my wonderful '91 vette since May 2003 and I am extremely happy about it.
I don't write very ofter in this forum but I always like to read it when I have time.
As I have always driven European and Japanese cars i noticed that my corvette is not very easy to handle.
It is automatic with no traction control and I really have to dose gas, specially when it is raining..
I also noticed that even the smallest imperfection in the road has to be "coorected" with the steering wheel.
Could it be due to the very big tyres?
Any tip for driving my corvette in the best way, especially facing curves?
Thanks!
Pietro
I have had my wonderful '91 vette since May 2003 and I am extremely happy about it.
I don't write very ofter in this forum but I always like to read it when I have time.
As I have always driven European and Japanese cars i noticed that my corvette is not very easy to handle.
It is automatic with no traction control and I really have to dose gas, specially when it is raining..
I also noticed that even the smallest imperfection in the road has to be "coorected" with the steering wheel.
Could it be due to the very big tyres?
Any tip for driving my corvette in the best way, especially facing curves?
Thanks!
Pietro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
The width of the Corvette tires will make it feel like it follows some road imperfections.
I know what you mean, because I was used to a pontaic grand prix before I got my Vette. Totally different experience. In the GP, you can zone out a little and still stay on the road. In the Vette, you have to pay attention because the car will go exactly where you tell it to. It's a tight car and there is not a lot of room for driver error.
Get an advanced street alignment and really experience what these cars can do.
I know what you mean, because I was used to a pontaic grand prix before I got my Vette. Totally different experience. In the GP, you can zone out a little and still stay on the road. In the Vette, you have to pay attention because the car will go exactly where you tell it to. It's a tight car and there is not a lot of room for driver error.
Get an advanced street alignment and really experience what these cars can do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Driving my 84 Z51 was never an issue in my early ownership until making some fast turns off of a exit ramp one day and the back let go and I almost lost it. It really scared me as I was going pretty fast.With some new rubber it feels a little better but since that day I admit I'm nervous about taking fast turns. i would love to get this car on a track and learn to get the feel of it because i think its a extraordinary handling car, its just learning how to drive it thats hard. Usually on public roads you don't get a second chance it you make a mistake, your probably going to hit someone or something.Most imports that I have driven do not have the responsive steering the Z51 has and yes it can get you into trouble if you forget just how fast it steers. I remember when my daughter was test driving her new Mazda 3 touring edition the sales men was showing her how fast the steering was on the parkway. If I had turned the wheel like that on my 84 I would of been in the bushes.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo CO
Compared to other "sporty" cars I've owned, (Toyota MR2, Celica, Honda CR-X, Prelude, Integra, Ford Probe GT, etc.) the Vette requires much heavier inputs in clutch, shifter and steering. It seems rather hard to drive compared to the other cars,but the reward is also much greater!:o
I intend to remedy the shifter, but the heavy clutch pedal feels nice, and I'm thinking the heavy steering is probably a good idea, as I feel it acts as a damper, smoothing out overly quick inputs that could have you spinning around.
I'm glad I have the ASR! I did see the "active" light come on once when I exited a sharp corner on the gas. :o
I cannot wait until I become one with the car, and can use it's power and handling better.
I bet a Corvette is a rare site in Italy!
I intend to remedy the shifter, but the heavy clutch pedal feels nice, and I'm thinking the heavy steering is probably a good idea, as I feel it acts as a damper, smoothing out overly quick inputs that could have you spinning around.
I'm glad I have the ASR! I did see the "active" light come on once when I exited a sharp corner on the gas. :o
I cannot wait until I become one with the car, and can use it's power and handling better.
I bet a Corvette is a rare site in Italy!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Milano, Italy
Thank you very much!
The Corvette is a very rare site here in my Country.
Our small roads and our mentality don't help the Corvette expanding here..
But, I can guarantee, everybody looks at mine and admire her every time I ride her..
But damn! It is very difficult to drive..
I had a toyota celica before and an Alfa Romeo 155..these seem toys compared to the Vette.
I think the secret is to learn how to drive it for serious.
But, anybody knows if the C5 and the C6 are so difficult to drive? Because I will be another Corvette next year (and, of course, I will never sell my C4)
The Corvette is a very rare site here in my Country.
Our small roads and our mentality don't help the Corvette expanding here..
But, I can guarantee, everybody looks at mine and admire her every time I ride her..
But damn! It is very difficult to drive..
I had a toyota celica before and an Alfa Romeo 155..these seem toys compared to the Vette.
I think the secret is to learn how to drive it for serious.
But, anybody knows if the C5 and the C6 are so difficult to drive? Because I will be another Corvette next year (and, of course, I will never sell my C4)
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I use the "Advanced Street" aligment specifications for my 1987 coupe. The biggest change I have noticed is easier "turn-in" which is simply a reduced effort in the steering wheel when beginning a turn.
This particular alignment setup has not resulted in any increasd tire wear that I have seen but the one downside is that the car "tracks" if the road surface is not flat and even. Here in the states, some roads develop ruts due to heavy truck traffic or just lots of traffic ove a period of years.
If you visualize a long line of cars following each other for years at a time, the tires eventually cause wear on the road surface and form shallow ruts. Cars with very wide tires tend to get caught in these ruts and the tire edges will grab the slanted edges and actually pull toward that edge. The advanced street alingment specs will makes the tracking issue more noticable but for performance driving the specs make a difference in how the car steers.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
But, anybody knows if the C5 and the C6 are so difficult to drive? Because I will be another Corvette next year (and, of course, I will never sell my C4)
My c5 is not as bad on the roads as the 89 i have. The ride is a lot smoother but you still get the rut effect on the roads imperfections.
My c5 is not as bad on the roads as the 89 i have. The ride is a lot smoother but you still get the rut effect on the roads imperfections.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo CO
The C5 is much wider than the C4 though. You would probably take up both lanes! I'd go for the C6.
I thought I had read that there was much criticism for the size of the C5 from the European press, so that is why the C6 is smaller. Can anyone verify?
I thought I had read that there was much criticism for the size of the C5 from the European press, so that is why the C6 is smaller. Can anyone verify?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Milano, Italy
The C5 is much wider than the C4 though. You would probably take up both lanes! I'd go for the C6.
I thought I had read that there was much criticism for the size of the C5 from the European press, so that is why the C6 is smaller. Can anyone verify?
I can confirm this aspect.
This is the main reason for which all the Corvettes before the C6 have never had the place they deserved.
But I tkink there is much more electronic on the C5 that should make it easier to drive, can you confirm?
Do you also think that a manual shift would make it easier to drive too?
I thought I had read that there was much criticism for the size of the C5 from the European press, so that is why the C6 is smaller. Can anyone verify?
I can confirm this aspect.
This is the main reason for which all the Corvettes before the C6 have never had the place they deserved.
But I tkink there is much more electronic on the C5 that should make it easier to drive, can you confirm?
Do you also think that a manual shift would make it easier to drive too?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo CO
I've never even sat in a C5, but from what I hear, it sounds like when driving, the road feel is not nearly as harsh. So I would say that it would be easier to drive simply because the car isn't shuddering around corners on a stiff suspension like the C4.
Hopefully someone who actually owns one can add to this.
I do not think the manual transmission would make the car easier to drive. I enjoy running through the gears when accelerating on wide open American highways, but I have driven the car in stop-and-go traffic in a city, and I was getting tired of shifting. If you don't get the chance to open the car up on the Autostrada often, I would say the automatic is a better choice.
But, I think an upgrade to a car with ASR might be an improvement for you. So maybe upgrade you C4 to a '96!
Hopefully someone who actually owns one can add to this.
I do not think the manual transmission would make the car easier to drive. I enjoy running through the gears when accelerating on wide open American highways, but I have driven the car in stop-and-go traffic in a city, and I was getting tired of shifting. If you don't get the chance to open the car up on the Autostrada often, I would say the automatic is a better choice.
But, I think an upgrade to a car with ASR might be an improvement for you. So maybe upgrade you C4 to a '96!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
C5 is easier to drive, and it rides better. C6s were shortened and are not as wide, so they are better suited to european driving.
A C4 responds very sensitively to alignment settings, but it will still follow road imperfections....just to a lesser degree. I have the alignment settings given above as well.
A C4 responds very sensitively to alignment settings, but it will still follow road imperfections....just to a lesser degree. I have the alignment settings given above as well.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,963
Likes: 708
From: WI
Take it on a track with an instructor and learn how to corner, without instruction it's possible to not be driving correctly. Here is a book that may help to:
http://www.amazon.com/Going-Faster-M...4711299&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/Going-Faster-M...4711299&sr=8-2
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
The C4 ASR is primitive compared to modern cars. If you wish to have such a thing in your car (and it can be a good thing in rain) maybe you should consider more modern solution. Check Racelogic's adjustable tracktion control system: http://www.racelogic.co.uk/?show=Traction_Control
Also, C4's lose their correct wheel angles quite easily so it is smart to get them checked and adjusted quite often if necessary.
Also, C4's lose their correct wheel angles quite easily so it is smart to get them checked and adjusted quite often if necessary.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
A lot of this depends on tire type and shock condition too. The advanced alignment already mentioned makes a big difference in cornering confidence and feel. I would think that your secondary roads over there probably tend to be a bit narrower too, which would add to your uneasiness sometimes. When you get the chassis tweaked to where it's comfortable to you and for your driving style, the straight line tracking and overall "feel" will become a non-issue.
Some say that the camber brace helps with the tracking too. But I already had the car set up to suit me before I added it, so I noticed no difference from that standpoint. I still considered it a worthwhile addition though.
Some say that the camber brace helps with the tracking too. But I already had the car set up to suit me before I added it, so I noticed no difference from that standpoint. I still considered it a worthwhile addition though.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: SpringHill florida
when me and friends go to a local airport to film donuts and stuff ive found that my car does it way eisier then my friends car (350z,g35's.cobra) and i've learned how to control it alot almost like in drifting when the point is to lose traction without losing control,so if your able to go to a closed track i would try to learn how to lose traction but gain control,so when u do loose traction on the road you'll know how to control it(happens countless times it the rain)