The C4 is much more refined than the C3, it handles smoother and more controllably. It rides better. :cool:

The one complaint is...the C4 is a WIMP! The C3 is tough, :boxing it can take a serious beating, jumping off corners, physical abuse...etc... the same which will kill a C4. Heck, I slid on a curb with my 87, had to replace both wheel bearing assemblies! WTH?

I hope the C5 is not as wimpy. :confused:

 

c3--Tough yes, precise no. c4--Tough no, precise yes!

Maybe in these vettes, the terms tough and precise are mutually exlcusive.
Is the c5 any better? I bet not.. in terms of toughness. But then, who really expects an indy car to handle right after smacking a wall. Maybe those Mohave racing trucks do better in that regard. Each is a wimp to the other, but for different reasons.
Just depends on what you want. I like the way the c3 looks when sitting in the drivers seat looking out over the fenders. The c4 is wimpy there. In my c4, I just turn my attention to the dash and I feel a little better..
sam

 

The C3 suspension / wheels etc are MUCH better for commuting through the city - construction zones, pot holes etc. My C4 takes such a beating I've taught myself some new cuss words in the 'zones' in the city. ;)

The C4 interior dash and creature stuff is MUCH better for commuting than the C3. The C3 is not nearly as comfortable or leak proof (did they ever really make a vette which doesn't leak?) :D Plus C4s have build in cup holders - they didn't invent those til much later than 1970! :jester:

But I love BOTH of mine! :D :seeya

 

That's funny, I haven't found a cup holder in mine yet. I found a little hole next to the shifter that might hold a kiddie drink, but even that gets in the way when you shift. :cheers:

 

Having owned both...1976 and 1996 >>>>>>I like 'em both!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheers: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

 

I like my '81 as a cruiser (yes, i said cruiser) but it was very slow by my standards.

 

I've had both also, I'm 6'5 and the C3 was a tight fit (I didn't care, because it was my first Vette). The C4 is much more comfortable, and seems to be pretty rugged. I have autocrossed both my 88 and 93. I give them a beating and they keep on ticking. (So Far). Any Vette is a wonder car, I'll put up with any breakdowns, rattles, or water falling into my lap just to be in one.

The roads now a day are horrible for our cars, heck any cars. It sure is sweet when you can find a new piece of asphalt and open up the horses. The C5R seems to be keeping up well on the racing circuit. The regular C5's are based on the same platform. Anyway I love all of them... :)

 

Well, anybody who's followed my posts at all, knows I don't think much of the C4, my '87 was VERY unreliable, worst car I ever owned for the mileage and price....by far....
now my C3 has been updated by me with all the positive attributes of the C4 but without the headaches....
the C4 headaches include, clearcoat, narrow uncomfortable seats, and poor steering rack construction, not to mention myrid electronic/electrical troubles....much less that lousey weatherstripping.....
now the strong points of the C4 were the TPI,( when it did'nt leak into the sump), the O/drive 700r4, and the wheels/tires....
withthe exception of the rack/pinion steering....I see very little to choose between the two cars....both have front coils, rear transverse suspension....C4 don't squat on takeoff though....both cars weigh the same, and all that extra un needed electronic wiring probably weighs as much as the frame on C3....I don't know where else C4 gets the weight from...;-)))
C4's do rust, I worked on an '84 what was all rusted up badly, and the wiring was a corrosion nitemare, tons of bad connections, connectors, fuse block problems, heated wires....the works....
but overall I"d have to say C3 was in fact a better product, in spite of the EFI/o-drive trannies....

GENE

 

uuuuuuuuuhhhhhh....They are front and rear traverse spring.
BTW, an 87 weighs about 140lbs less than an 82.
The c3 does seem to have wider seats than my c4, but they aren't nearly as good for a sports car. They're bench seats in comparison.. and I'm 6'7 280lbs, the c4 seats don't seem narrow to me.
Although my friend's pace car did ride nicer than my 86.
I'm sure the C3 has a much better frame. I dont know WHAT GM was
thinking with the C4's birdcage!!
A c3 would make a nice ride for friday night cruises up and down the local strip, and depending on the c3, the occasional stoplight race.
A c4 makes a nice ride for cruises through an uber-twisty-corner-hugging mountainside adventure.




[Modified by Smash, 2:07 PM 12/23/2001]

 

To each his own :chevy

 

Smash, I royally messed up, your' right of course, Pix in my mind of that C4 race car with coil over in front....which of course was a custom thing....

short term brain fa rt....

GENE