C5 ride
All Men Die, but Few LIVE
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Comparing the C4 to the C5 is like comparing Apples to Oranges...both are great, but they are totally different time periods. I also have several 'Vettes, a C3, C4, and a C5...I get a lot more looks in the C3 because it is more of a 'Classic', I hot rod the C4 a lot more because it is the least expensive to fix of the 3, and the C5 is my Driver...ALL of them are Corvettes...this is like comparing Sputnik to the Space Shuttle, yeah...both will take you on a hell of a ride, but ones going to do it a lot more comfortably and carry a lot more gear with a lot less effort. 
~Maverick
~Maverick
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
By this logic you should sell your C4 to buy a dump truck. You'll be happy to know that it REALLY rides like sh*t! Who cares witch one is faster and handles better, right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,883
Likes: 518
From: Bergen County NJ
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
My '01 is 10-15 years of advanced engineering over my '93. There truly is no comparison.
Drive what your happy with.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Last summer, I traded my 93 for my 03. One ride in that 03 was all I needed. No comparison in my opinion.I loved my 93 when I first got it, and the lines are still amazing to me when I look at the photos I have of it. HOWEVER, as far as the ride quality and the power, I'll take my 03 any day.But, that's just me, and I still wave at everyone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
The base C-5 suspension to me feels too soft, it floats too much. Z-51 PERFECT! Now, I drove a few C-4's before I bought the C-5, these words come to mind, rattly, noisy, bone-jarring, axle hop. Still I loved the body, hated the interior, and in a perverse way kinda liked the crudeness of the car, kinda reminded me of 'vettes of old, plus, decent 6-speed cars were selling for $6-$8K, perfect for a toy project! I agree, no comparison, The C-5 is an awesome car! I'm so die-hard Ford, my friends were BLOWN AWAY when I bought the car, they were ready to have me committed, this car, and I'm sure the C-6, is just an incredible car! I'll always have one of these cars in the stable!
John
John
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ukiah CA
The different generations of the corvettes all have their good and challenging points. Being a past owner of a few, here is what I saw.
A 65 convertible, 4 speed with 327 ci was like a go cart. Light, quick and responsive but, would shake your back teeth out on uneven road. 13.1 in the quarter mile at 101 mph. Top end about 125, much more and the pointed front end would lift.
My 79 coupe with a 350/auto was a heavier, longer wheel base and smoother car. Not as quick but, had a higher top end at 135. Both got about the same mpg 15-20.
My 2002 C5 seems to have both worlds, one of good handling and lots... of power, while preserving a smooth ride. Like was stated above, more refined and better fuel economy 22-28 mpg. Top end yet to be deteremined, any thoughts? As I get older, I like the smoother ride.
A 65 convertible, 4 speed with 327 ci was like a go cart. Light, quick and responsive but, would shake your back teeth out on uneven road. 13.1 in the quarter mile at 101 mph. Top end about 125, much more and the pointed front end would lift.
My 79 coupe with a 350/auto was a heavier, longer wheel base and smoother car. Not as quick but, had a higher top end at 135. Both got about the same mpg 15-20.
My 2002 C5 seems to have both worlds, one of good handling and lots... of power, while preserving a smooth ride. Like was stated above, more refined and better fuel economy 22-28 mpg. Top end yet to be deteremined, any thoughts? As I get older, I like the smoother ride.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia pa
I've owned a 74,84 and now I have a 99 and at this point if I can't own a c-5 or a c-6 (maybe still not sold on that car yet) I don't think I'd want a Vette. I loved the 2 other cars when I owned them but I would never want to go backwards which I feel i would be doing if I went C-4 again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
The first Corvette I ever drove was my neighbors brand new 86 C4, my Dad sold his 67 vert before I was old enough to drive.....bastard 
, anyway I was blown away by the C4 and felt like a million bucks for the 20 minutes I was behind the wheel. Now I own a C5 and I feel like a million bucks every time I get behind the wheel. All Vettes have their own unique virtues and comparing one to another is like comparing a Monet painting to a Picasso. Is one better than the other or where they both equally talented and it simply boils down to personal taste?
, anyway I was blown away by the C4 and felt like a million bucks for the 20 minutes I was behind the wheel. Now I own a C5 and I feel like a million bucks every time I get behind the wheel. All Vettes have their own unique virtues and comparing one to another is like comparing a Monet painting to a Picasso. Is one better than the other or where they both equally talented and it simply boils down to personal taste?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,075
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I liked each of my four C4s and yes, they handled well, but I still think the C5 is a much better platform for handling and performance. That's just my opinion and others may agree or disagree.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 472
Likes: 1
From: looking for my insanity state of confusion
I took my first drive in an 04 the other day, smooth ride( for the most part because of the ruts in the road) and fun to drive. The c5 didn't have the same seat of the pants holy crap launch feel like my 92, but it sure does accelerate pretty darn quickly
. I love the brutality feel of the older ones but appreciate the comfort of the newer ones.
. I love the brutality feel of the older ones but appreciate the comfort of the newer ones.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
that's what we've been trying to say.C6 has lots of newer and improved... over C5, regardless of personal opinions, they had another ten years of newer s/w and tools, and more road time and all the experience they gained from the C5 and C5R.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
I had an 87 C4 and I thought it was the coolest car in the world, until I drive a C5. No comparison.
If the C4 is a better performer and the C5 is too much like a luxury Town Car, everyone should disconnect their power steering... if you demand a better feel for the road.
Maybe if I couldnt afford a newer vette, I would put the better model down to my fellow underachievers also.
If the C4 is a better performer and the C5 is too much like a luxury Town Car, everyone should disconnect their power steering... if you demand a better feel for the road.
Maybe if I couldnt afford a newer vette, I would put the better model down to my fellow underachievers also.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
There isn't one thing I like better about the C4 over the C5.
You're nuts man.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
I also owned a c4 vert. and it was a rattlebox. On small bumps in the road it felt like parts were flying off the car. I really couldnt enjoy it for that reason. The c5 is roomier, more solid and rattle free, and more reliable than the c4. As for saying you are not impressed with the performance, the LS1 is much smoother than the LT1 so it does not seam fast but it will whip an LT1.