you can't go wrong with the C5 
Which is better?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
I have to ask, have you driven both? Man I can't see how there could be any question. Look at the advances in the C5. Unless your in love with C4 styling, why would you pay the same money for 1980's technology. Just MHO 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 34,062
Likes: 4
From: Evans, GA
The C4 (96) is very overpriced. The C5, as a 98 with high mileage should be had for less; keep looking.
Adn as someone said, drive them both and then deceide on which generation you want to drive. I had 2 C4s, 88 & 96, but am now driuving an 04 C5. The body sttle on the C4 was my favorite but the C5 has the newer technology.
Just educate yourself before you make the plunge.
Adn as someone said, drive them both and then deceide on which generation you want to drive. I had 2 C4s, 88 & 96, but am now driuving an 04 C5. The body sttle on the C4 was my favorite but the C5 has the newer technology.
Just educate yourself before you make the plunge.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,568
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
C5 no matter what 
I have had both , not that there is anything wrong with
C4s , loved having a few in the past few years , but the C5
is above and beyond any C4 IMO
I have had both , not that there is anything wrong with
C4s , loved having a few in the past few years , but the C5
is above and beyond any C4 IMO
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 3
From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by JRG
Need a little advice. With all else being the same, which is a better buy? A 98 with 70,000 miles for $20,000 or a 96 with 21,000 miles at $20,000.
Neither....
Go find a lower mileage C5....
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,245
Likes: 4,576
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
The C5 is a much better platform than the C4, but there is a substantial difference in miles on those two cars. Both are probably a bit high. Now, if you can find a C5 with a lot less miles and at a comparable price, go with the C5.
You should be able to find a C5 for that price with a lot less miles!
Don't settle.That '96 is pretty high, even more so if it's not a fully optioned LT4.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Mar 22, 2006 at 05:38 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
Originally Posted by MYRagtop
All depends on how they have been treated. Personally, all things being equal, I would take the C5 over the C4.
Though I'd probably offer a little less than 20K for the 98. I picked up a loaded 99 coupe with 33K miles for 22K back in the fall.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 3
From: somwhere Texas
Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus
I'm partial to the C5. Just make sure it hasn't been beaten to hell and back for 70,000 miles.
Personally, I would keep looking because there are plenty of vette's out there. Don't buy the first one you see becuase you just gotta have one.
Personally, I would keep looking because there are plenty of vette's out there. Don't buy the first one you see becuase you just gotta have one.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Originally Posted by FrankTank
I will go with the majority here and say go with the C5, but with it being a 98 and having 70k miles, there is no way I would pay 20k for it... trying and get the price down.. 20k is a lot to pay for an 8 year old car with 70,000 miles on it.... if it had 20,000 miles on it like the C4 then I could see maybe paying around 20k.
Check out the C5 carefully.. or wait to see if you can find another with less miles for that price, they are out there.
Good luck
Check out the C5 carefully.. or wait to see if you can find another with less miles for that price, they are out there.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 6
From: Arlington TN
Originally Posted by JRG
Need a little advice. With all else being the same, which is a better buy? A 98 with 70,000 miles for $20,000 or a 96 with 21,000 miles at $20,000.
Well, I happen to have both right now a C4 with only 34,000 miles (wife's car) and a C5 with very low miles as well. I can tell you both are great cars and fun to drive. It's going to come down to what you want. I would drive both. If the C4 is not for you and the C5 is not in the shape you looking for keep looking, there are a lot of C5s out in the market. If you like the look and feel of the C4. Sounds like you might have a good one deal on. One other thing everyone on this forum tells you your paying to much when you post the price
Last edited by Corvette1996LT1; Mar 22, 2006 at 08:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 1
From: atlantic city new jersey
I agree with others a c5 is more car even with the miles.BUT id run the vin and get the cars service history for sure.Theres a vette shop near me. www.contes.com Joe is a straight shooter has a ton of vette exp,when i was starting to look for a car i remember him telling me the diff between the c4 and c5 where night and day.Not just from a driving exp but to service them.Many more prob with a c4.Now having said that my brother in law has a c4 and loves it,im not bashing the c4 its a great car.But just trying to answer your question.If like you say being the same with both cars id take the c5.Good luck and many happy miles to you.Kevin