Not sure if I should post this on the C4 or C5 forum so I just put it on both, hope that is OK.

Looking for a convert and like the C4s (esp. the price) except for the dash and lack of a trunk. I like the C5 dash (and interior) much better and of course, the trunk.

Now the $64,000 question...are the C5s a better car? Is it a totally new car from the ground up or just a re-worked C4? Are they worth another $10k? I know a lot is personal preference and opinion but being a rookie corvette shopper, I need all the advice I can get.

Thank you to all,

Joel B.

 

It's a totally new car. It is NOT a re-worked C4. Whether or not it's worth the extra $10k is going to depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. For me, it was worth it to get the C5 (I sold my C3 last fall, and purchased the C5). I think that it is unquestionably a better car than the C4, though, of course, this is the C5 section, so I may be a bit biased.

That being said, C4's are great machines as well. Go test drive both and see which you prefer.

 

The C5 is totally new from the ground up - there were very few if any parts carried over from the C4. The drivetrain went from a front engine/transmission to a front engine/rear transaxle set up. The LT1 while a great powerplant with lots of potential gave way to the LSx engines that were all aluminum.

The interior is a total departure from the C4 - many folks have stated that the C4 seats were a lot more supportive and better bolstered than the C5. But the width of the sills is far narrower in the C5, making the C5 a lot easier to get in and out of.

The chassis introduced hydroformed frame rails which was patented and first used on the C5. As a result - the C5 was the stiffest, most torsionally rigid production car made at the time. Since then, other manufacturers have adopted the hydroformed frame rails.

Here are a couple of articles that talked about the introduction of the C5 and it's groundbreaking design. I haven't even mentioned that the C5 was the first Corvette with a trunk since 1962....

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/frame.html
http://www.idavette.net/hib/C5-First1.htm
http://www.idavette.net/hib/C5-First2.htm
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls1c.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...roadtest1.html

The C5 was a highly "decorated" vehicle, winning many awards for engineering and design, including:

1998 North American Car of the Year
1998 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1999 SAE Best Engineered Car of the 20th Century

I admit to bias - but overall the C5 is an awesome car - my suggestion is to drive a late C4 and a C5 with comparable mileage and decide for yourself.

 

I was originally looking at the C4's, but wound up with a 2000 C5 and would not trade it for the world. I hope to someday also have a 96 (the last year of the C4). But if i could only choose one, go with the C5.

 

From a practical standpoint, you'll like the C5 better!

 

I owned a 1988 C4 vert for 7 years before I went to a 2000 C5 vert. I love both cars, they are completely different though. The 2000 is more refined and a lot faster then my 1988. Like others have said, go and test drive each and see which one you like best. If I had to chose between two, I would definitely go with the C5. I would say go with the newest you can afford and you will more then likely be happy.

 

The reasons are simple:

1. Weight distribution. c5 has a lightweight aluminum engine in front and then the transmission has been moved to the rear for a much more balanced package than the c4's traditional block and front mounted tranny.

2. interior. C5 has much more room on the inside due to the relocation of the tranny, plus builds less heat because there is no transmission heat coming thru the console (much less heat).

3. Looks. Looks are subjective to opinions, and IMO the c5 has a much more modern and flowing look than the c4's 80'sish style.

4. c5 is faster from the box(345-350hp) unless you get a ZR1(375-405hp), but if you got an affordable c5 z06, then you would have 405hp right from the box without the expensive engine (DOHC Lotus designed engine)!!!!!!

5. It has a big butt, and I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny.......

 

I sold my 1996 coupe to buy a 1999 coupe. No comparison. Best move I ever made.

 

The C5 was a totally new platform from the ground up and yes, it is IMO a much better designed car than the C4. Don't get me wrong, I had four C4s and liked each one of them. But the C5 is just so much better. If you can afford the price of a C5, that would be the better choice.

 

C5!!!

 

All the vettes are good looking cars. Honestly it took me years for the C5 to grow on me to the point where it is my favorite body style. The C4 was what I knew as a vette my entire childhood so it stuck with me hehe. Either way you can't go wrong if you love vettes. I also love power so it was a no brainer for me to get a C5 Z06. I'd say base it on what you like best and build it from there.

 

And we have one of Each a 1996 C4 that my wife's car and a 2004 C5 that is mine. I love them both. Both have good and bad points. It comes down to what you really enjoy the looks of and what you want to drive. Drive both and take your time looking and pick the one that you will enjoy the most. I smile no matter which one I'm in

 

I had a beautiful C4 for 4.5 years. I traded it for a C5 earlier this year. I like the C5 much better and think it is worth the additional cost.

My C4:



My C5:

 

I went from a 1990 to a 1999, what a world of difference in the two cars. You will be a lot happier with a C5.

 

One more vote for the C5. Had a 91 C4 and bought my 99FRC. I did think the side support for the C4 seats was better, but other than that the C5 is a much better and faster car.

Larry

 

Speaking from experience, since I own a C3, C4 and C5. If I were you and could only get one and you can pick up a C5 for $25K (assuming 97-99). Then I would buy the C5.

 

I made the mistake of test driving a C5 immediately after driving a C4 (my original target vehicle) and had to up my budget to the C5- The difference is HUGE! Suggest you drive both before making a decision.

 

Read "all Corvettes are Red" by James Schefter - Amazon $16- before you decide. Its the story of the designing and manufacturing of the C5. C4s are great, but the C5 improved upon it in many ways. (I also like the big butt!)

 

Had a 90 vert for 4 years. Traded fo a 01 vert. I loved the c-4, but the c-5 is a lot better ride!

 

I have both. A 93 6 speed coupe , whick I just listed in the C4 section for sale, and an 03 6 speed convertible. The biggest difference is in the ride, and road noise. Both cars are amazing fast, but the C5 is much smoother, and has a lot more room for both the driver and the passenger. I drove the C4 to work this morning, and I am amazed at how rough it is compared to my C5. The C4 has the FX3 ride suspension and the C5 has the F55 ride suspension. Ten years of technology makes a world of difference.
Good luck in your quest.