Well Im debating about selling my 96' C4 in the spring and getting a
2003-2004 C5. What are the pros of going to a C5?

 

There have been a lot of members that came from a C4 to a C5 and none of them ever looked back, It is all pros and no cons, Find a dealer in your area and drive one, You will be convinced.
jmo.
Bill K

Here you go.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2148546

 

Tons of threads on this subject - for a really subjective view point - try searching on the C4 forum too. You'll read all kinds of negatives there (some real - mostly opinions) and then read the threads here.

The search function - while not the best, will yield results.

 

Having just done that last month, I can point to a few items that are better and some worse. Went from a C4 87 Z-52 coupe to a 2003 convert.

1. Rear vision out the convert (with the top up) is terrible (unless you are 6'4").
2. Run flats are noisy, hard, and like to track in ruts. They still had 1/2 life left, but dumped them for inflatables which negated all the previous problems. Now I added a air pump and repair kit - just in case.
3. Certainly better ergonomics than a C4 with the side humps. More adjustable too.
4. Performance is better (even with no tinkering, which I did a good amount with in the C4).
5. Brakes far better than original C4 brake system, and still better than C4 J55 brakes.
6. Cup holder sucks in the C5 (get an add on).
7. I still like the full tilt hood on the C4 for repair, but hated it come show time.

Many more to come, but got to go.

Plasticman

 

I just did it myself. I totaled my c4 ( 91 A4) @ the end of September and just brought home my C5 ( 6 speed) on Tuesday. I love the ride, power and options of the C5. I'm starting to like the looks as much as the C4. I'm not glad that I totaled the C4 but am glad I now have a C5 instead. I just can't get over the difference in power on the C5. i realize I just had a L98 so you might not be so impressed coming from and LT4.

I you have any questions from some-one that just barely made the switch feel free to PM me.

Good-luck with your choice i really don't think you can wrong with either .


PatsFan

 

My brorther in law had a 96 C4 vert and for the first time he was a passenger in my C5 vert and his first words were ....wow there are "no rattles" followed by...."this is a really nice ride"...........

 

All pros

There are many improvements in the C5 over the C4 in ride and handling, comfort, quality, interior space and technology. The C5 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, and although I enjoyed them very much at the time, there is no comparison in structural rigidity between the two. The C4's always had a lot of rattles and creaks but I haven't had any in the C5's that I have owned, and I have had convertibles, coupes, and FRC and a Z06. You can lift a C5 and the structure will not flex at all anywhere!

The C5 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts, is lighter in weight and has a much longer wheelbase contributing to a superior ride with better handling and feel. The longer wheelbase of the C5 has virtually eliminated the tendency that the C4 had to skip when going around a turn on a rutted or irregular road surface, another one of my gripes with the C4 and C3 as well. Also, the longer wheelbase of the C5 is much more pleasing aesthetically as well.

 

Take one for a drive, and then start looking for a new ride.
Take your time and find a nice late model 03-04, and enjoy yourself.

 

Ok... How about a C5 vs C6

 

I made the jump from C4 to C5, and the performance difference is remarkable. That said, the C4 seats are awesome and I wish I could retrofit them to the C5 without looking ridiculous. And I have the sport seats on my C5, but still, no comparison to the C4.

I personally prefer the C4 steering, too. Granted, mine was an early C4 (87) before the General started playing around with the suspension, but I love the "right now" aspect of the C4 steering. The C5, while perfectly competent, seems just a tick slower on turn-in and has less road feel. My C5 is a Z51, but the C4 steering feel and response still suit me.

But other than those elements, every other aspect of the C5 is superior.

When I made the jump, I looked for a 2002 through mid-model-year 2003. Why? All the refinements to the C5 were there by 2002, the sometimes oil consumption of the 01 was fixed, but mainly because the EPA required a running change in mid-03 that placed the fuel filter inside the fuel tanks and also downgraded the fuel injection system (less spray pressure). The latter won't make any difference until/unless you mod your C5 for mind-blowing HP. However, having changed a few fuel filters in my decades of owning cars, the idea of draining and dropping the fuel tanks to do so seems silly and needlessly costly.

 

Pretty much the same structure. Just a matter of preference of body style, more gadgets, more stock HP and newer or new car with warranty.

 

I went from a c4 to a c5 and Ive never regretted it you will be very happy and not look back

 

Do some of the 2003 models have the fuel filter in the gas tank??
I thought it was just the 2004s?

 

I came from a C4, Like night & Day
.

.

 

FROM 2004 - sorry for the long read!

C4 vs C5

Just put 1700 miles on my new to me C5 in the last 30 days. Traded my 95 A4 coupe for a 99 6 speed coupe. I bought the 95 with about 13,000 miles on it back in January of 01, 29,030 when I traded it in. The 99 had 20,000 miles when I bought it on 7-31-04.

Over all the C5 is a better car, but I still miss my C4.

Ride quality – The C5 wins hands down. After driving the C4 on any less than perfect road surface my teeth would feel the bumps. I really enjoy driving with the roof panel off, and on the C4 it makes a very noticeable difference in ride dynamics. The C5 ride does not seem to change with the roof panel on or off.

Even though the C5 rides much softer than the C4 it still gets around a corner just as fast. The C5 feels more nimble than the C4 did. After a long trip in the C5 I don’t feel as fatigued as I did in the C4. Taking the roof panel off in 15 seconds is real cool compared to using a tool to unbolt the roof of the C4.

Power / performance – My C4 ran a best of 13.4 and a consistent 13.5. It topped out at about 162. It may have gone a few MPH faster but I didn’t try it again. With the automatic it was a breeze to drive. The C5 feels faster but I need more practice with the 6 speed. If I switch off the ASR and roll out first gear and floor it, than shift to second quickly the rear will break loose and I will have to back off. The mid range and top end feels much stronger in the C5, 4th gear is good to 140, 5th to about 160. When I hit 162 in my C4 I really felt like I got away with something, my adrenaline was pumping. In the C5, my wife doesn’t even get ****ed until about 130, it’s almost anticlimactic to go really fast.

The brakes are better in the C5, less pedal effort for quicker stops. (I may have used up the brakes in the C4).

The C5 is more complex, just looking over the service manuals (3) to find the fan relay wiring so I can run a fan switch was a chore. It’s a good thing I am a computer literate person with access to a scan tool. When my car tells me it needs to "Establish serial communication with right hand door control module" I know its time to consider that Mid-Years I have been wanting.

The finish on the C5 is more prone to scratches, as if the clear coat is thinner. The fiberglass on the hood, fenders, doors and quarter panels seems thinner on the C5. The clam shell hood on the C4 was thick and tough enough to press down on one side if it didn’t latch. Looking at the bodywork on the C5 in the door openings it just looks much thinner.

The stereo sucks in my C5, the rear speakers only produce muddled bass, the C4 stereo was fantastic.

More cargo room in the C5, though not having a spare tire takes getting used to. The tires that came on the C5 were very loud, I replaced them with Firestone Firehawk Sz-50, way better.

I got between 25 and 27 MPG with the C4, the best I got with the C5 was 25. That may be due to my driving. Also I did gain 1 to 2 MPG on the C4 by switching to a 160 thermostat and installing the manual fan switch and keeping the coolant temp under 190.

SO – overall is it worth it to go from a late model C4 to a C5? – My answer is – maybe. My C4 was mechanically as close to perfect as a 9 year old car could have been. It ran strong for its configuration (basically stock LT1, auto trans, 3:07 rear) and I still think the C4 is a better looking car (It looks good from every angle, unlike the C5 with its fat ***.)

Lastly, my wife loves the ride and the seats in the C5, so complaining is almost non existent.


__________________

 

Any idea on what VIN number they made the change? Mine is 1148XX (a tad less than mid pack).

Edit - found the answer by GrayC5 as follows:

Partway through model year 2003 (starting with 2003 VIN 35114929 produced on 11/25/02, so I've read), GM totally redesigned the C5 fuel system. For 2003 Corvettes only, this system was designated by RPO code FFS, which can be found on the car's Service Parts Identification (RPO) Label. However, the name "FFS" has been unofficially applied to all vehicles with the new system.

For those C5s with the redesigned FFS fuel system, the fuel filter as debmwb mentioned above is inside the left fuel tank and is part of the left fuel sender assembly. Too, the tanks do have to be dropped to replace the sender assemblies. According to the GM Service Manual, there is no service interval for fuel filter replacement for the FFS fuel system.

For those interested, you can read more about the redesigned FFS fuel system at the following link:

2003 - 2004: Service Information: Fuel Tank System Corvette and Cadillac XLR

I am on the good side (early, with replaceable filter) by about 120 Vettes!

Thanks,
Plasticman

 

Go for it!

 

You'll never look back!

 

Are the C5s just as reliable as the C4?

 

I agree totally with Bill K. Just made the move two weeks ago...and don't regret one single second (BTW...that's a link to my thread, above)