I don't even know what to say to that assanine remark, so I'll let a picture speak for me.

I'll take my "lowly" C4 over any C5 made any day of the week. It's a true sportscar. To me, and yes I've owned 2 C5s, a C5 is a Lexus with horsepower.

As far as a clean slate, agreed...maybe that's why they had so many problems with leaking rear ends, column lock, gas tanks going from full to empty, seats that constantly rattled, etc...

C5>C4. Depends on who you ask, but I'll take my C4s.

 

I have both, the C5 is is easier to get i and out of and has more cargo space. It is faster and has a much better interior. It also handles better.

The C4 is more fun to drive because you can feel the road more. I sometimes think if I hit a lady bug I could feel it. It also drives more like some race cars I have driven.

The C4 has better access under the hood because of the clamshell.
I think a C4 is a more American sporty looking car where the C5 and C6 look more like imports.

I now drive the C5 more and my wife the C4 but the C4 seems to attract people who want to pull up and race you more than the C5. That may be because my C4 has a small rear wing that almost looks rice. I would have taken it off but she likes it and its her car.

 

I had an early C4, an 86 vert, and generally loved the car. The old L98 had great low end torque and the car felt more "sporty" than my C5 does. The digital dash was a nightmare as I had to send mine in twice to get it fixed when it crapped out. The clam shell hood made it really easy to work on the engine, but boy was it heavy I love my C5 as it's much more refined and drives like a dream but I wouldn't hesitate to get a C4 again some day. For some reason the C4 seems to get bashed, especially in OT, but for the era they were hard to beat.

 

Come on, I'd never compare any Corvette to Rosie O'Donell (unless it was totaled)

 

Food for thought, IMO it all depends on what you plan on using it for. I had a 94 Roadster for 5 years and currently have a 00 Roadster for the last 2 years. We enjoyed the 94 (Excellent cornering felt more like a go cart) but, with all the previous mentioned issues. My biggest reason for purchasing the 00 was we wanted to travel and trunk space does not exists in 94 so we were limited to 2-3 days of travel time compaired to "normal" travel distances....the 00 was an excellant choice for us......

 

The C5 is a totally diferrent car from the C4 in every conceivable way. There were vast improvements made in the C5 over the C4 in ride and handling, comfort, quality, interior space and technology that make the C5 superior to the C4 and a much better car overall than the C4.

The C5 chasis was a completely new design from the ground up using one piece hydroformed frame rails. It was and as far as I know still remains the stiffest production automobile structure. It was designed and built right from the beginning as a convertible, although the first convertibles were not produced until late 1997 as 1998 models.

The C5 uses a new for corvette transaxle design. With a transaxle design the transmission and the differential are located in a combined case at the rear axle and is connected to the engine via a torque tube. The LS1 and especially the LS6 engines of the C5 are all new versions of the Chevy small block V8 and offer more HP and TQ stock for stock, in a lighter car than the C4, and are all aluminum; block and heads.

The C5 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts, which along with it's lighter weight and much longer wheelbase contributes to a superior ride with better handling and feel over any C4 model. Despite that some think the C4 feels sportier, they confuse harshness and rattles combined with a tight cockpit as sporty.

I had 3 C4's and and although I enjoyed them very much at the time, there is no comparison in structural rigidity between the two. The C4's always creaked and rattled alot. The C5 and C6 Corvette’s structure (hydroformed chasis) is a far more rigid structure than the C4 which translates to a much stronger and much more durable car. There is no flex in any body style C5 whereas the C4 has a lot of flex, especially in a coupe when you take the targa top out. That was my biggest gripe about the C4, I could actually see the car flex as I drove it with the targa panel out. My C5's, including the convertibles never flexed or rattled one bit. You can lift a C5 at any lift point and the structure will not flex at all anywhere.

One more thing, the C4's inferior Opti-Spark ignition system was done away for the C5. The C6 structure is essentially the same as the C5 with even more powerful LSX engines.

links:

http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1997-3.php

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

http://www.idavette.net/facts.htm

 

Hey 96LT4, You say you'll take your c-4 any day! Around here you don't have to take one, they practically will give them to you just to get rid of them! In the past I have owned many c-4s over the years but in all honesty compared to a c-5 the c-4 is pretty much "CRAP"! I do love all Vettes however but am just being realistic...

C- DAVE

 

They are both Corvettes!!!!!!!!

Some get wrapped up in the HP# or the speed (mutually exclusive)

Some get wrapped up in looks.

Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, I love C3s and C4s because those were the Vettes I grew up drooling over

Of course I love C5 because I have owned two of them including my current car and it is model series I enjoy. In the future, I'll "upgrade" to a C6 (maybe the Z before I retire from the Army).

My point is... ALL VETTES ARE COOL

Never drove a C3 or C4, but I sure would like to

 

Beautiful car 96LT4!
Every generation of 'Vette is more refined and has better performance than the one before it (even the mid-70s C3s were better than their predecessors in every way except acceleration). I've had a '71, '79, '89 and now an '04. I'd own any one of them today and be happy. I suppose price is a part of the equation, if you have limited funds, I think C4s are much easier and cheaper to work on and modify than C5s.

 

both are great vettes. the 1984 c4 was the most revolutionary. it had the best handling and most refinements of all the models. the c5 are of course better riding and , maybe , has a little better styling..and the horse power the c4 should have had.

 

By the way 96LT4, Your car is beautiful I have owned 7 c-4s over the years so I do know the cars. They were a giant leap over the previous Vettes. I do prefer the c-5 but I certainly appreciate a nice c-4! In a way I'm like you in that I much prefer the c-5 to the c-6 even though it [the c-6] is supposed to be a better car! Lets just say we are both Vette people and heres to you
Dave

 

the c5 is a better car in every area I can think of had a 96 and would not go back to a c4

 

Of course you wouldn't. But did you not feel any love for your '96?

 

That summarizes it. I went from a C4 to a C5 recently and will not look back. I don't get into p***ing matches because the C4 is really a great car -- 4 fun years as a daily driver convinced me of that. But if you like your sports cars to feel "tight" and well constructed, the C5 will define sportiness for you. It's flat-out a much better DD, and mod for mod will outperform the C4 in every way as well -- 1/4 mile or road course.

I still wish it had my cloth C4 seats, though....

 

The 1984 Corvette was just as revolutionary for it's time as the 97 C5 was when it came out. I believe it had the most pieces ever used in a vehicle with the rear hatch being the largest formed glass ever used to date. It brought Corvette back into the spotlight.

It's actually the memory of that 84 C4 that got me back into Corvettes after selling my C3 and waiting until the kids left home.

We went to the Columbus Car Show in 84 and the center of the Chevrolet display was a red 84 with the clamshell open displaying the Cross Fire with those massive (at that time) front tires.

My C4 still gets driven almost every week.

Yes, the C5 is more comfortable and slightly () faster but the C4 is still a great car.

 

96LT4 - Nice looking Corvette. I use to have a 96LT1 roadster but traded it in for the 98 roadster. Still a few months out before I can really see what the new Vette is like.

Here is a link to the 96 and 98 Corvette photos.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...et-photos.html

 

Good point. The azz end on a C5 is about the same size as Rosie's.

 

As a past C4 owner I feel the need to state my opinion on this subject. I miss my 85 C4 because of it's raw sports car feel. I wish I had kept it for a track car. All corvettes are gold, the newer, the more refined. I had a C6 and that was a little too refined for a sports car. I love my FRC but feel like I'm driving a Cadillac on track days. My .02

 

Hey blu 92,The c-5 azz is more like J-lo's than Rosie's I'd say!
I luv big butts and I cannot lie!!!
Dave

 

The C4 gets an incredible lack of respect from some and it shouldn't. The C4 ushered in the modern era. If there had been no C4 there would have been no C5 or C6.

I have had 2 C4's and and am now on my 2nd C5. There are some pretty terrific C4's like the Callaways, Grand Sports, ZR1 and LT4's. I really like the quick handling of the Z51/Z52 cars. I kind of miss the raw sports car feel of my last C4. Drove a C4 all the way across country 8 years ago. I really enjoy my C5 though. They are great cars. Fast, great handling and fuel efficient as well. I have a healthy respect for all generations. No need to look down on any generation.

Corvette has always been the right car at the right time IMHO