From C4--- to---C5
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
My first corvette was an 85 an I spent every nickle on repairs and had to eat kraft dinner everyday, so after 3 motors 2 exhausts a tranny and 1000,000 electrical problems and 2 years I sold it for 4500.My C5 asks for nothing other than gas and maintenence.C4's SUCK!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
My first Corvette was a loaded 1992 LT1 coupe. As I've written before, my car did not suffer from 'indifferent build quality,' it was plagued by 'hostile build quality.' 
By '92, every Vette should have been put together like a Swiss watch, but mine surely was not. Too much to list here.
By the summer of '04, I was ready to part ways with the C4 and pursue a different brand. On a lark, I test drove a new 'clearance-priced' C5. I was seriously smitten and the rest is history.
Here are some 92-96 LT1 issues to watch out for: Intake manifold oil leak (very common) and replacement of the opti-spark distributor (big bux and labor intensive due to its goofy-azzed location -- if you need to replace the opti, you might as well replace the water pump at the same time, if the pump leaks on your new opti, it could ruin it.)
Good luck!
PS -- Many have written that it's dangerous to wash the C4's LT1/LT4 engine -- as I mentioned above, opti-spark could get wet and be ruined.
By '92, every Vette should have been put together like a Swiss watch, but mine surely was not. Too much to list here.
By the summer of '04, I was ready to part ways with the C4 and pursue a different brand. On a lark, I test drove a new 'clearance-priced' C5. I was seriously smitten and the rest is history.
Here are some 92-96 LT1 issues to watch out for: Intake manifold oil leak (very common) and replacement of the opti-spark distributor (big bux and labor intensive due to its goofy-azzed location -- if you need to replace the opti, you might as well replace the water pump at the same time, if the pump leaks on your new opti, it could ruin it.)
Good luck!
PS -- Many have written that it's dangerous to wash the C4's LT1/LT4 engine -- as I mentioned above, opti-spark could get wet and be ruined.
Last edited by Virtual Geezer; Sep 10, 2006 at 03:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I had a 96 C4 for 4.5 years. It was a very reliable car. I traded it with 70K miles for my C5. I loved the C4 but love my C5 even more. It is much more comfortable to drive, enter/exit. My wife has a ton more leg room than she did with the C4. Good luck in your decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OHIO
If you want an everyday driver and you do not have mechanical ability buy the C5. I do not like them better personally however for the majority of Corvette owners it's a better fit. The optispark costs $349.99 and can be changed in about two hours. It's really no big deal to me. To the guys who have a difficult time changing oil yeah it would be a weeks worth of work or a thousand dollars at the stealership.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '06
Reliable? c4 over c5? I would vote for c5....
Over 1500 parts less than the c4...
Most answers have stated better ride etc.. How true, the c4 cannot compare to the c5 in any way shape or form...
If you are deciding between the two there can be no question, or thought... the c5 is it...
I have owned both, sold my c4 and still own my c5...
Of course I have heard the same story about the c5 to the c6...
Over 1500 parts less than the c4...
Most answers have stated better ride etc.. How true, the c4 cannot compare to the c5 in any way shape or form...
If you are deciding between the two there can be no question, or thought... the c5 is it...
I have owned both, sold my c4 and still own my c5...
Of course I have heard the same story about the c5 to the c6...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OHIO
Originally Posted by AEVetteman
Reliable? c4 over c5? I would vote for c5....
Over 1500 parts less than the c4...
Most answers have stated better ride etc.. How true, the c4 cannot compare to the c5 in any way shape or form...
If you are deciding between the two there can be no question, or thought... the c5 is it...
I have owned both, sold my c4 and still own my c5...
Of course I have heard the same story about the c5 to the c6...
Over 1500 parts less than the c4...
Most answers have stated better ride etc.. How true, the c4 cannot compare to the c5 in any way shape or form...
If you are deciding between the two there can be no question, or thought... the c5 is it...
I have owned both, sold my c4 and still own my c5...
Of course I have heard the same story about the c5 to the c6...
No piston slap
No oil consumption problems
No steering column lock recall
No leaking batteries
No leaking rear diffs
No recall for piston rings
I sure am glad the two cars don't compare.
