C4 vs C5 other then body style what are the major differences?

 

This is a recent post in Tech - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2067142

 

The differences are night and day! Just drive a C5 and you'll see!

 

Until last year I had both. They were my DDs so I have a lot of 'feel' experience. The C5 is hands down a more refined car. It handles better and is faster (unless you have a C4 LT4). It is smoother and much easier to get into and out of. The LS1 seems to have a much greater varity of add-ons and upgrades than the LT1/L98.

Some people like the rougher feel of the C4 and say it has a better feel for the road. I agree. I love the C4 clamshell hood. That is by far better than the standard C5 hood. It seems you either love or hate the C4 dashboard. I can't decide.

The final test: I sold my C4 and kept my C5. 'Nuff said.

All Corvettes are cool.

 

I had a 1994 C-4 for over 8 years. It was a great car to drive, had lots of fun, handled well and had some ba**s.
This February I traded up to a 2002 C-5. What a world of difference. More room, more comfortable, more power, better handling..the list goes on.
You will not be disapointed with the C-5. Drive one and you will see.

Plus there are sooo many aftermarket add-ons, etc that are not available on earlier Vettes.

 

Had A 95 For Two Years. Fun Car. Engine Has About A Thousand More Parts To Go Bad Than The C5. The Water Pump Is A Problem. The Optispark Is A Major Problem.
The C5 Is So Much More Refined. It Is Like Night And Day.

 

There are vast differences between the 2 cars.

The C5 is much better.

 

Power and torque for me, went from a 1994 6 speed competion yellow coupe to the Millennium Yellow 2002 Z06, I had 4 C4's previously to the C5 Z06 and loved them all, but I love the C5 Z more then the previous C4's, just my opinion, I also would not want a C6 really, I like the C5 Z's looks more, and other things about them

 

I think they got the balance of sports car feel but refined perfect with the C5. The C6 is almost too civilized for me, but each person is different and some feel that way about the C5 over the C4.

 

The C5 was a totally new car from the ground up, and except for a few fasteners, nothing was carried over from the C4.

The C5 employed a completely different architecture. The manufacturing processes were totally different, around 1300 fewer parts to assemble on the C5, so the noise, vibration and harshness on the car is much less than the C4. Also, the C5 was designed from the ground up in the beginning to be a convertible, so the chassis is much stiffer, the use of hydroformed frame rails made it's production debut on the C5. In fact the C5 was the most torsionally rigid car made when it came out.

The C5 also uses a transaxle arrangement, meaning that the transmission is located behind the driver and is connected to the engine via a torque tube. The new for '97 LSx series engines are all aluminum.

My suggestion is that you do a little research on this car - there is a ton of information available on the internet. Here are a couple of articles that you can start with.....

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/frame.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...27s+LS1+Engine

Also - a very good technically oriented book was written on the process of the new design - All Corvettes Are Red by James Schefter. This book goes into the details how the C5 came to be and almost didn't come to be....it's an interesting read.

The newest generation of Corvette - the C6, is a continuation of the engineering break-throughs that were developed on the C5. The C5 was the most radically new Corvette ever made.

Does that answer your question?

 

I love my 03,more refined,more power,nicer ride.But I still get a bigger kick out of my 88 z51 with the fast ratio rack and stiff ride in the twistys,kicks the 03 in the corners but stock lacks the horse power.Every year newer is better for some one.

 

I've owned a C4 for 10 years. Bought it new in 1985. Great car. But my 2004 is a better car, more hp, more speed, better gas mileage, more comfortable, ... The C5 wins.

 

Better ergonomics, more room, more HP, better fuel efficiency, stiffer chassis, more high tech items like the HUD and active handling, etc.

 

you hear about the phrase clean slate. the C5 started as that.

I am still amazed at the lack of squeaks and rattles. especially with the roads around here.

 

I have an 87 c4 coupe and a 03 c5 coupe. For a fast, fun drive I take the c4, great fun and loads of torque. For flash I take the 03, more refined, looks and drives great. Which one is the best? I can't decide, they are both excellent machines but with very different personalities. You need to check them both out.

 

differance? I don't know! Whats the diff between Rosie O' Donell and Salma Hyack? [about the same I'd say!!!]
Ole Dave

 

Completely different motor, and drive train layout. C4 has a traditional old style small block with the trans mounted to it with traditional drive shaft to traditional corvette rear end! C5 has the new LS family motor design with a torque tube to a trans axle package in the rear for better weight balance/distribution!! the C5 coil pack ignition is lightyears ahead of the optispark nightmare of the C4!! These are just some of the main highlights!!

 

If your post didn't answer the OPs question, I don't know what will

Nice post, BTW

 

 

Just recently returned to Corvette ownership with the purchase of an '04 C5 coupe. Previously, I had an '89 C-4 Roadster from '91-'01. I was looking for a fully-depreciated occasional driver, and so was looking at C4 Roadsters again. Drove a ton, and was just about to buy a '94 Roadster when I chanced upon this '04 C5. The price was right so I bought it, and I'm real happy with it. HOWEVER, like an old pair of shoes, I miss the C4 Roadsters and kinda wish I had bought one instead. Yes, C5s are faster and handle better, but for all practical purposes, the difference on the street is negligible and can be overcome with a few cheap intake mods, a shift kit, exhaust a set of shocks and tires/wheels, all of which are much cheaper for L98-powered C4s.