Hello all,
I currently have a 86 C4 and i do love it, but i would like to
know from someone out there how much better the handiling
is on a C5 compared to what i have. I know having the trans
back over the rear tires must help, but the two cars overall
what are some of the pro's - cons ?

 

The C5 is more refined than your 86. Better ride and better handling at the limits. It will accelerate much better, especially at higher RPM's. Your L98 tends to run of breath after 4,500 RPM's. I have had two C4's and 2 C5's. I really think the C4 feels more like a sports car. I like the quick handling of the C4, especially the early Z51/Z52 cars. The C5 is more fuel efficient, especially with a 6 speed. Great touring car with plenty of luggage space in the coupe.

Parts availability is becoming an issue with the C4. GM has discontinued alot of the C4 parts and vendors don't want to pay for the tooling to make parts for a car that owners don't want to pay for.

I like them both, but overall the C5 is a superior car.

 

The C4 has superior handling compared to the C5.

 

I love the way the C4 handles. But, at the limits on a road course it simply will not handle with a C5. The C4's quick steering ratio makes it feel like it handles better until you get to the limits. The C4 will lose traction long before the C5.

 

Hi

These are two different vettes more so then the differences between the C1 & C2 & C3 & C4 for sure.

Each group was a leap ahead but nothing like the C4 & C5. The 1989 C4 was in my opinion the last of the true sportscar even though that term is a stretch! From the 1990 up until the 1996 in my opinion were more GT's the sportscars.

When the C5 came out it was like night and day and it almost became a real GT but that didn't happen until the C6. And the difference between the C5 & C6 was nothing major except an upgrade in the cabin and of course under the hood.

The only way for you to appreciate the C5 is to drive it period. The first thing that you will notice is that it's much easier to get in and out of!
The only thing that you lose in the C5 is the cargo area sq footage.

I know because l watch my dog cramped in the back.

alan

 

I love both my c4 and my c5 for very different reasons. c4 is stock vert auto, love to go to car shows with it. c5 is a modded 6 speed vert and I love to get on it!!!!

 

Sold two modded C4s for two C5s (now modded ) and in all due respect, there's just NO WAY I would go back.
Power, handling , ride, looks and overall quality are a giant leap over the C4 in my opinion

 

Having owned both, I can honestly tell you that the C5 is not only easier to get in and out, but is much more comfortable to drive, ie; less noise, more comfortable seating (although this may be subjective for some), and better performance. Although I still like the body lines of the C4 and consider it to be a major improvement of the C2 and C3 generations, the technology has continued to improve, so the latest version will be superior in many aspects to the previous years. I really enjoy both my C5's, and will keep them around for the immdediate future. Drive both; that is the only way to truly decide.

Bronk

 

Owned both, the C4 before the C5, thought the C4 was worlds ahead of the C1, 2 and 3 and it is; it is an awesome car. However, I drove and now own a C5 and there is no comparisson as far as I'm concerned. The C5 is the ticket in my world.

 

The c4 rides & feels like a go cart on rails while the c5 feels like a Cadillac. As far as handling I have c5 rims & tires on the c4 so that throws it out of wack (handling wise) I drive the c5 more mellow so I have not really pushed the handling sorry not much help

 

I currently own one of each and I have to say that I drive the C5 a lot and the C4 rarely. Last year the C4 was driven 55 miles compared to 7,000 miles in the C5.

 

Sorry to those of you who like C4's..but IMO was the uggliest of all the Vettes. Boring boring body style, and they are a dime a dozen having run from 84-96. IMO the C5 saved the corvette..C4 almost killed it. Other than the C4ZR1.

 

Thanks for all the coments,
I like my C4 but i want more power, less rattles newer vette.
I dont want to part with the 86 if there was not a big difference.
one member said the c4 felt more like a sports car while the
c5 felt like a cadillac, is that with "selective sespention" set to
firm? like to have both, but the sheriff (wife) wont go for it!

 

i had 7 c-4s before I bought my first c-5. Just drive a c-5 and you will quickly answer your own question!
old Dave

 

I'm 6'2",,with a little more of the height in the torso. I have problems fitting in a C4,,lots of room in a C5!!

 

The LSx powerplants alone is worth the change.

 

I forget the exact number of parts different but I heard the C5 has significantly less parts.


I had two C4 coupes. I now have a C5 vert.

Major difference after you drive them a bit. The first time I test drove a C5 it was an auto anniversary model. When I got back in my C4 to go home I thought, "hmmm my C4 is still not too bad." Then I drove two other C5's it really is a different sight out the front.

In a C4 you have a pretty good idea of that long hood out front and the flares of the fenders. One thing you notice right away is how it's difficult to see much of the hood of the C5 as it is shorter and falls away quickly. Now when the headlamps are up you really notice those peaks of the inside tips sticking right up there. It was awkward the first few times but after that I rarely think about them.

You will notice a major difference in throttle as you first move out in a C5, because it has a fly-by-wire accelerator as opposed to the C4's mechanical linked accelerator pedal. It feels very sensitive at first but you get use to it fast. If you only drive a Vette and happen to have to drive another car like a rental, its feels very weird and takes some getting use to. The C5 changes your way of how the vehicle feels to you.

Another major difference is the HUD. As soon as you get use to it you will wonder why other vehicles don't have this! A real difference between the two on technology too.

The C5 is a more stable chassis vs the C4's chassis. It's also light, at the Corvette Museum they have one on display, with a handle to lift it, you can lift the entire frame with one arm. Amazing. A stable chassis that is specially mounted to the body to take
out some of the vibrations. The near 50-50 weight distribution gives it a much better feel on the road.

The C5 is more of a pain to lift and work on. Requires some different shop accessories. The C4 is more conventional. The LS1's bat-wing style oil tank is a major difference. The LS1 is 7 qts with a filter on change. LS1 had individual coils, NO MORE OPTI-SPARK. I know your '86 had the different engine. But I had two with opti-sparks hated them.

The C5's active handling/traction control system ABS, takes the basic ABS of C4 to a whole new level. And at '01 it got the second generations software for the Active Handling system. Now I believe beginning '90 or '92 ASR came to C4 which C5's active
handling takes that to a whole new level as well.

Just tons of new improvements all the way around. However, the same motor system is used on the head lamp doors, so expect that repair at some time unless it has already been done.

 

If you are less than 5' 10" then you can fit in the C4. If you are over as I am then the difference in comfort is large. You should drive both and you will make the best decision. Owing a Corvette is a great decision.

 

I own both a 1985 C4 and a 2002 C5... I have said it many times the C4 IMO feels like a real sports car... The C5 is really fun to drive and there is many benefits to the C5.. Although The C4 is IMO the best Corvette Model...

 

An 86 rides like a dump truck compared to a C5.