C4 compared to C5?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Is this a serious question?
Night and Day for sure. Its night and day between the LT1 and LT4 let alone.
Just about everything is better when it comes to chassis, and powertrain.
Go drive one!
Night and Day for sure. Its night and day between the LT1 and LT4 let alone.
Just about everything is better when it comes to chassis, and powertrain.
Go drive one!
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
The C5 is a major upgrade over the C4 in almost every way:
- Stiffer chassis (really noticeable when you remove the targa)
- Smoother ride, yet handles somewhat more accurately (really notice on bumpy turns)
- Emergency brake is where it belongs
- Better brakes
- Much roomier, including hatch space
- Better fuel economy
- Starts off with 45-50 more HP than an LT1; maybe a bit more than the LT4. Torque at lower RPMs is similar
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 11
From: Il
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
If you haven't had a 'muscle' car or whatever you want to call it, since the early 70s, you will enjoy the power of the LT1. I had nothing but Pick ups, SUVs etc. for 20 years.
Getting into the C4 with the LT1 felt like I had some power and decent handling (compared to trucks) but it's an Auto Vert, so it's more of a cruiser that you can give it a punch and it feels like it moves pretty good, but nothing specatular. Off the line, it gets up slowly. Cruising at 70 and give it a punch and it does love to rev out and get you to 120 fairly quick (not that I've ever done that)
.. Getting into the C5 6spd, it feels like I now have a serious Muscle car, similar to the last one I had (power wise) which was a 66 SS 4spd 396 Chevelle back in 78'.
Overall- the C4 is a cruiser with a bit of power, won't hold anyone in their seat.
The C5 likes to roar and can make leaning forward a task when you 'get on it' (for the passenger)
Of course, the 66 SS I used to make lunch money betting people they couldn't lean forward. I never paid for lunch my Senior year in HS.
Getting into the C4 with the LT1 felt like I had some power and decent handling (compared to trucks) but it's an Auto Vert, so it's more of a cruiser that you can give it a punch and it feels like it moves pretty good, but nothing specatular. Off the line, it gets up slowly. Cruising at 70 and give it a punch and it does love to rev out and get you to 120 fairly quick (not that I've ever done that)
.. Getting into the C5 6spd, it feels like I now have a serious Muscle car, similar to the last one I had (power wise) which was a 66 SS 4spd 396 Chevelle back in 78'.
Overall- the C4 is a cruiser with a bit of power, won't hold anyone in their seat.
The C5 likes to roar and can make leaning forward a task when you 'get on it' (for the passenger)
Of course, the 66 SS I used to make lunch money betting people they couldn't lean forward. I never paid for lunch my Senior year in HS.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
The opti, is a one time fix if done right.
The CLB fix it forever issue, sliding seats, oil sending unit, leaky butts......... ah, nevermind.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
I had a 1991 Vette which basically had the new body, old interior, and l98 engine. 92-92 had new body, new engine, and old interior, 94-96 got new everything including some lt4 action.
Honestly my L98 was a nice step up in power from my 98 firebird V6, and even the stock vert Trans am I drove wasn't too much faster. The downsides were the interior was extremely expensive to replace and there were lots of little plastic parts to break. The C5 has WAY FEWER interior pieces total. The suspension on my 1991 was the FX3 and it was STUPID stiff. Driving it home the first time I hit some railroad tracks at 40 mph like I did in my Firebird and it slammed my head into the roof hard enough to see stars. Always had overheating problems, and from what I hear opti was a PITA.
Overall if it is all you can afford definitely go for it, but no comparison with a C5 really. Although I feel anyone who has owned a C4 will miss the seats and driver's compartment, ESPECIALLY those tall people among us. I loved the leg room. Getting in over the walls takes a little getting used to, but overall they are nice cars. I think they also help you appreciate the C5 even more though.
Honestly my L98 was a nice step up in power from my 98 firebird V6, and even the stock vert Trans am I drove wasn't too much faster. The downsides were the interior was extremely expensive to replace and there were lots of little plastic parts to break. The C5 has WAY FEWER interior pieces total. The suspension on my 1991 was the FX3 and it was STUPID stiff. Driving it home the first time I hit some railroad tracks at 40 mph like I did in my Firebird and it slammed my head into the roof hard enough to see stars. Always had overheating problems, and from what I hear opti was a PITA.
Overall if it is all you can afford definitely go for it, but no comparison with a C5 really. Although I feel anyone who has owned a C4 will miss the seats and driver's compartment, ESPECIALLY those tall people among us. I loved the leg room. Getting in over the walls takes a little getting used to, but overall they are nice cars. I think they also help you appreciate the C5 even more though.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,140
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
I've owned a 93 LT1 for a few years and just bought a 2004 6 speed coupe. Both cars have their high points. The C4 is a blast to drive and is more of a driver's car. The C5 is much more powerful and I was really surprised by how much better the brakes were, big difference. I enjoy the power of the C5 but the seats don't hold you in like the C4 seats do.
All I know for sure is they both look great in black..........
All I know for sure is they both look great in black..........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 859
Likes: 8
I've owned 3 C4s including a ZR1. I currently own a C5Z. The C5Z feels much more powerful than any C4, including the ZR1. But beyond that, the C5 as a platform is leaps and bounds ahead of the C4. The C4 was an amazing car for it's time, and still holds up pretty well today, especially for a car that was designed in the late 70s. The C5, firstly, just feels more solid and drives smoother. The frame is much more rigid, so you don't have to worry about rattles. The car just feels a lot tighter and more substantial going down the road. Kind of hard to explain until you experience it. Braking is lightyears better in the C5. Handling is better. The interior is much more modern and easy to get in/out of. You have some newer features in the C5 such as the HUD. The styling is much more modern and sleek compared to a C4. People still think my C5Z is a new car, while any year C4 is pretty much going to look like an 80s car. Bottom line, as someone who's owned several C4s and currently owns a C5, I could never go back to a C4, except maybe for a project car or second vette. The C4s are definitely cool cars, but like I said, the C5 is a step up in every aspect you can imagine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 33
From: Morristown TN
I have the C5 and my wife has the C4
They are different cars, hers is an 86with an L98
that engine is the the intake runners looks good,
I like the center fill fuel cap, the clam shell hood,, and the cup holders are far superior to the C5 cup holder.
The C4 actually drives and handles more like you would expect a race car.
I have driven the NASCAR school and the C4 had a much closer feel to the race car than the C5, Now the c5 will leave the C4 sitting after on handling and top end but some C4s will surprise you on launch at the track.
if I want to feel like Richard petty I take her C4 for a cruise, if I want to just blow off some steam the C5 is the way I go, I have never driven a C6 do I cannot comment.
But I recently borrowed my moms Caddy CTS with a northstar and was very surprised at the smoothness and power, I embarrassed a kid in anew mustang when he made some remark about grandpa's car. He went home with tail between his legs but was nice enough to admit defeat and waved as turned out of the parking lot back to the road.
I may go look for a Cadillac xlr to drive just to see what it feels like.
They are different cars, hers is an 86with an L98
that engine is the the intake runners looks good,
I like the center fill fuel cap, the clam shell hood,, and the cup holders are far superior to the C5 cup holder.
The C4 actually drives and handles more like you would expect a race car.
I have driven the NASCAR school and the C4 had a much closer feel to the race car than the C5, Now the c5 will leave the C4 sitting after on handling and top end but some C4s will surprise you on launch at the track.
if I want to feel like Richard petty I take her C4 for a cruise, if I want to just blow off some steam the C5 is the way I go, I have never driven a C6 do I cannot comment.
But I recently borrowed my moms Caddy CTS with a northstar and was very surprised at the smoothness and power, I embarrassed a kid in anew mustang when he made some remark about grandpa's car. He went home with tail between his legs but was nice enough to admit defeat and waved as turned out of the parking lot back to the road.
I may go look for a Cadillac xlr to drive just to see what it feels like.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
I have the C5 and my wife has the C4
They are different cars, hers is an 86with an L98
that engine is the the intake runners looks good,
I like the center fill fuel cap, the clam shell hood,, and the cup holders are far superior to the C5 cup holder.
The C4 actually drives and handles more like you would expect a race car.
I have driven the NASCAR school and the C4 had a much closer feel to the race car than the C5, Now the c5 will leave the C4 sitting after on handling and top end but some C4s will surprise you on launch at the track.
if I want to feel like Richard petty I take her C4 for a cruise, if I want to just blow off some steam the C5 is the way I go, I have never driven a C6 do I cannot comment.
But I recently borrowed my moms Caddy CTS with a northstar and was very surprised at the smoothness and power, I embarrassed a kid in anew mustang when he made some remark about grandpa's car. He went home with tail between his legs but was nice enough to admit defeat and waved as turned out of the parking lot back to the road.
I may go look for a Cadillac xlr to drive just to see what it feels like.
They are different cars, hers is an 86with an L98
that engine is the the intake runners looks good,
I like the center fill fuel cap, the clam shell hood,, and the cup holders are far superior to the C5 cup holder.
The C4 actually drives and handles more like you would expect a race car.
I have driven the NASCAR school and the C4 had a much closer feel to the race car than the C5, Now the c5 will leave the C4 sitting after on handling and top end but some C4s will surprise you on launch at the track.
if I want to feel like Richard petty I take her C4 for a cruise, if I want to just blow off some steam the C5 is the way I go, I have never driven a C6 do I cannot comment.
But I recently borrowed my moms Caddy CTS with a northstar and was very surprised at the smoothness and power, I embarrassed a kid in anew mustang when he made some remark about grandpa's car. He went home with tail between his legs but was nice enough to admit defeat and waved as turned out of the parking lot back to the road.
I may go look for a Cadillac xlr to drive just to see what it feels like.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 0
From: Sonoran Desert of Arizona
I have a C4 and C5, there truely is no way the C4 compares as equal to or better in any aspect other than the subjective one of appearance if you are a C4 guy.
I get far more compliments on my C5 than the C4 when out and about.
A one day drive in a C5 and your C4 will seem crude in comparison.
I get far more compliments on my C5 than the C4 when out and about.
A one day drive in a C5 and your C4 will seem crude in comparison.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,648
Likes: 24,870
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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The C5 is a major upgrade over the C4 in almost every way:
- Stiffer chassis (really noticeable when you remove the targa)
- Smoother ride, yet handles somewhat more accurately (really notice on bumpy turns)
- Emergency brake is where it belongs
- Better brakes
- Much roomier, including hatch space
- Better fuel economy
- Starts off with 45-50 more HP than an LT1; maybe a bit more than the LT4. Torque at lower RPMs is similar
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 41
From: MEMPHIS TN
I got a C4 and a C5. 1993 and 2001. No comparison between the two cars. C5 has a lot more power and is much smoother to ride in. Regardless, I still love the C4. Driving the C4feels as if you are part of the car. The C4 doesn't have as much power as the C5, but is still pretty powerful. C4 is more difficult to get in and out of, but the seats are more comfortable and they hold you better.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I also have owned both and could never go back to a C4.Parked side by side the C4 looks absolutely dated and clunky,not to mention the C5 will tromp it in any sort of competion you may dream up.