C4-C5 Comparison
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 1
From: PALM COAST Flordia
C4-C5 Comparison
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...errerid=330295
This was a pretty interesting thread posted on the C4 section- what do you think?
This was a pretty interesting thread posted on the C4 section- what do you think?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I have both a C4 and a C5 and I believe over all the C5 is better, although I personally think the body style of the C4 the best. I love the way the car drives and I love everything about the C4.... The C5 win over all but the C4 is a great car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
I LOVE my C5, but I do think that the seats and steering feel of the Z51 rack in the C4 were better. The other thing I preferred about the C4 was the narrower leg area for the driver. In the C5 it feels like you have no knee support and have to sit bow-legged to rest your knees. Overall, those are minor things and as far as ride quality, power, smoothness, comfort, mileage and style, the C5 is still the hands-down winner.
Last edited by mcm95403; Mar 30, 2011 at 11:36 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
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From: Belleville Il
Looks,,,The C4 has ALWAYS been my LEAST favorite!! Room,,I'm 6'2",,and I cannot even fit in the C4 passenger seat,,drivers,not much better!! And after helping a friend do headers,full exhaust and plugs and wires,,,you couldn't GIVE me a C4(well maybe a free one,,might make an exception
),,a NIGHTMARE to work under the hood!!! Optispark
!! For me NO comparison!!C5 all the way,,but I DO also have a C3,,,a fun play toy,,but hitting the road,,,it's the C5!!!
),,a NIGHTMARE to work under the hood!!! Optispark!! For me NO comparison!!C5 all the way,,but I DO also have a C3,,,a fun play toy,,but hitting the road,,,it's the C5!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,548
Likes: 928
From: Communist Colorado
C4 is a great car in every way. C5 is also a great car in every way. Theyre just great in their own ways. I owned both C5 & C4's with a ZR-1 included. They both do what they were meant to do well. Two totally different animals and both would be appreciated by any true car enthusiast.
- I don't think so 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 813
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From: Middle Tn
We have both right now, a 91 convertible and a 2000 convertible. The 91 is stock and the 2000 is built. For looks, I will give it to the C5 all the way as it is my favorite Corvette body style. Not saying the C4 isn't a beautiful car, ours turns heads everywhere we take it. The handling on both is really good IMO though I still rank the C5 higher, the seats on the C5 have no support in them at all where the C4 does, on the flip side of that getting into the C5 is very easy where getting into the C4 is just a major PITA!!! I love both gens a lot and always will. Like I have said before though, the C5 has always been my dreamcar and the C4 was good substitute until I could buy my C5. Now, that we have the C5 we never drive the C4 anymore.
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I've owned four C4s and now three C5s and I'd say he's pretty accurate on his assessment of the two generations. I liked each and every one of my cars, but I'd have a hard time going back to a C4 at this point (unless it was something like a '96 GS).
Team Owner
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I wrote that because I have several friends in C4 gen who are thinking of going to a C5. They knew I did and some of them were asking me what I thought. I gave them my best comparison/opinions and also wanted to share my opinions with the others.
As always there will be some testosterone flowing so that's to be expected.
The thing I "personally" don't like about the Coupe is it seems the back hatch draws your attention to the butt of the C5, where the vert and the FRC/Z06 you stop at the roof line and the butt enhances the looks. But that's just to my eye. However there are some coupes, with my color preference I do really like. The NB and Mag red coupes are stunning.
So for me it's now a FRC and I couldn't be happier.
As always there will be some testosterone flowing so that's to be expected.
The thing I "personally" don't like about the Coupe is it seems the back hatch draws your attention to the butt of the C5, where the vert and the FRC/Z06 you stop at the roof line and the butt enhances the looks. But that's just to my eye. However there are some coupes, with my color preference I do really like. The NB and Mag red coupes are stunning.
So for me it's now a FRC and I couldn't be happier.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Mar 31, 2011 at 10:19 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 508
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From: Tallahassee, FL
My last car was a '96 Collector's Edition. Built a beastly LT4, 6 speed and rear gears. Surprised the hell out of a lot of people. The C4 doesn't get a lot of respect, but it has it's place. Held on nicely to some of the C3 lines, but had a modern suspension and quite a few creature comforts. At the time it was a quantum leap for the 'Vette.
I've had a LS5 C3 and now on my second C5 ('03 Z06). The C5 is a totally different animal. Faster and more sure footed, and at the same time, refined.
Oh and i Love this picture.
I've had a LS5 C3 and now on my second C5 ('03 Z06). The C5 is a totally different animal. Faster and more sure footed, and at the same time, refined.
Oh and i Love this picture.
Last edited by FNFastZ06; Mar 31, 2011 at 10:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Have you ever experienced an automatic attachment to a car? Like when I first got my 90 it still seemed like it was the PO's car. As time went by though that did change. But the day picked up the FRC it seemed like I had owned it since it was new. I don't know, kinda weird really.
I am so surpirsed that no one else commented on this.
This, sir, is what makes you an enthusiast. And in my book, it is by far the best reason to choose and own any of the generations of the Corvette.
I will NEVER forget the day I sat in my '69 for the first time. It was dark and the dash and indicator lights made it look like I was in fighter jet. The steering was so tight I had to rest my elbow on the armrest in order to drive a straight line.
I LOVE my C5 but I will never get the feeling I got from my first C3.
Great write-up RetiredSFC 97.
And,oh yea, that Mod bug thing will eat you alive.
I am so surpirsed that no one else commented on this.
This, sir, is what makes you an enthusiast. And in my book, it is by far the best reason to choose and own any of the generations of the Corvette.
I will NEVER forget the day I sat in my '69 for the first time. It was dark and the dash and indicator lights made it look like I was in fighter jet. The steering was so tight I had to rest my elbow on the armrest in order to drive a straight line.
I LOVE my C5 but I will never get the feeling I got from my first C3.
Great write-up RetiredSFC 97.
And,oh yea, that Mod bug thing will eat you alive.
Last edited by jbondfl; Mar 31, 2011 at 11:06 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Middle Tn
I wrote that because I have several friends in C4 gen who are thinking of going to a C5. They knew I did and some of them were asking me what I thought. I gave them my best comparison/opinions and also wanted to share my opinions with the others.
As always there will be some testosterone flowing so that's to be expected.
The thing I "personally" don't like about the Coupe is it seems the back hatch draws your attention to the butt of the C5, where the vert and the FRC/Z06 you stop at the roof line and the butt enhances the looks. But that's just to my eye. However there are some coupes, with my color preference I do really like. The NB and Mag red coupes are stunning.
So for me it's now a FRC and I couldn't be happier.
As always there will be some testosterone flowing so that's to be expected.
The thing I "personally" don't like about the Coupe is it seems the back hatch draws your attention to the butt of the C5, where the vert and the FRC/Z06 you stop at the roof line and the butt enhances the looks. But that's just to my eye. However there are some coupes, with my color preference I do really like. The NB and Mag red coupes are stunning.
So for me it's now a FRC and I couldn't be happier.
