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If things go as planned I'm picking up a C5 next week, but driving my C4 recently has me wondering honestly. Would pretty much all of you get a C5 if you could, or just in love with the C4, even over the next gen? I guess I'm asking if there is any reason to keep a C4 over buying a C5?
The main benefits I like is its a more comfortable regular driver, a higher level of perfromance to start from, and less rattles?
In all honesty asking others about a choice like this isn't the best way to buy a vette. You need to test drive a vehicle your interested in and see if it matches your needs and expectations. I hurt my back in Viet Nam and one day while my mint 96 Polo Green roadster was in the shop I wondered in to the show room to look at the new cars. There was a new (99 then) C5. I opened the door and slipped in without fighting that high sill but more importantly I was able to exit without pain. I also liked the fact that both my feet were now properly positioned. My right foot in the C4 would always start to hurt. The goofy angle of the accelerator.
Bottom line I would never make a decision like this based on others preferences. Plus it seems like you have already made up your mind with the statement "I'm picking up a C5 next week".
I'm not going to advise you one way or the other. Good luck.
Sure, if I could I would like a C5, but of course the C4 was corvette for 12 years.....and I think that there is a lot that can be done to neatly get 400hp out of them. When I do get a C5, I hope to be able to get a Z06...but if space, money, and the wife permits, I will try to keep my C4.
Not a very good opinion, I know, to help your quandry. If you could only have one, and need it as a daily driver, and yours is getting older, then I could forsee switching to a C5 to have a more "comfortable" daily driver though.
haha Wasserott, I wish. I mean I could, the C4 is paid for, but don't have the room for two vettes, plus my other daily driver and the fix er up car I get every now and then
The deciding factor for me was reliability. If my C4 didn't always break (mega horsepower will do that to a car. :D) then I never would have considered my C5. As it happens, I wanted a Corvette that I could drive every day without mechanical worry.
I could have gotten a low milleage 97-99 coupe, or 98 vert for the same price that I payed for mine. I got a C4, because C5s are SOOO common. Everyone has one, and I like standing out. How many LT-4 Convertibles do you see driving around? :lol:
Get what YOU want. Like they said. Test drive both. C-5s are superior in almost every aspect, but will depreciate faster (duh, like any new car). I just like the more of a race-car feel of the C4s :yesnod:
I love my C4 :yesnod: ...and would never sell it. But, there is No doubt the C5 is a better more friendly everyday driver. Oh yeah......Quicker and Faster too! Stock of course :yesnod:
Since my 91 is paid off now, I am thinking about another Vette. If I get another one, it will probably be a C5. I like the power, looks, structural integrity, and reliability. To each his own, though.
Kind'a scratching my head over these daily driver and reliability issue's>>>>>Drive mine everyday and reliability has'nt been a problem...hell, I'm still grin'in........Love that race car kind'a feel man...... :yesnod: but again I'm gonna get another too...not a replacement have you ,but a C-3 to park beside my C-4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
Believe it or not, I actually like most of the things that people dislike about the C4. I like the oversized bolsters on my sport seats, and the overall feel of "getting in" the car. You can just fall in a C5, they kinda remind me of a camaro. I think I'll stick to the C4's for now. Besides I know that I can do a hell of lot to a C4, including buying one for around 45,000. I don't have that much in two C4's. At least that's what she thinks.
Thanks for all the helpful posts. The Vette I'm thinking of is a 98 with less than 30K miles, very clean, and did 12.1 (at about seal level) with only a few bolt ons (gears, intake, ship and corsa exhaust) I'll be paying under 27K and have a Wife and a 1 year old, so I'm already "pushing" its with one vette, where I have seen several sell theirs when the child pops up right here on this forum :D
I'm waiting 2 :eek: what that C6 will look like be4 I get the C5 :D . I will be getting 1 or the other that's 4 sure :yesnod: but gonna keep the C4, no way am I getting rid of this baby :nonod: .
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: To C5 or not (35th)
I have one of each, both verts. The C5 is better for a road trip; trunk, more comfort. The C4 is still nice for what it is and I've enjoyed mine for almost 12 years now. I doubt I would have traded it for a C5.
The C5 is lighter, roomier, faster. The C4 seats are way more comfortable, the C4 is better looking, and the drivetrain is tougher(in 6 speed form anyway). I thought the C5 was too nice and soft(not CORVETTE feeling) untill the Z06 came out(its a bit rougher, louder, and definitely a CORVETTE) so I moved up. I've been lucky, no one wanted to buy my 92 vert for a reasonable price, so I kept it, and to tell the truth, if I HAD to, I would now part with the Z06 first.
You know, one thing that kept me away from a C5 for so long was it seemed really dumb to trade a perfect 20,000 mile 92 vert, plus $30,000, for a new one. So I traded a 19,000 mile Yukon and $13,000 for a Z06. If gonna drive expensive, might as well ENJOY THE DRIVING!!
PS I've driven the 92 vert twice cross the USA and back, and I prefer it to the Z06 as far as the comfort of the seat and driving position.
The C5 has it hands down everyday in town and getting in and out of it on short go to work drives though.