I respectfully disagree, based on my experiences as well. I believe the C5 is superior.

 

Interesting. I thought about picking up a cheap C4 as a daily, but I can't convince myself to get two cars of the same type. I will probably go with an old sedan, station wagon, or truck for the added usability.

 

I think it's the first time I read about anyone believing that a C4 has better build quality than a C5. I mean it's not even close. The C4 has horrible build quality and it shows even right up to the last year of production. The chassis flexes like wet lasagna when compared to a C5. Fit and finish is also way below C5 level. But, I still like C4's probably because of all it's imperfections.

 

they are expensive to make handle well. the rear ends by design like to unload. when i was racing c4's a basic suspension package was something like a 750lb front spring, 500lb rear spring, poly bushings and koni sports and or bilstein xtremes. this is around 2k and a full weekend of labor...those bushings suck to install

if you spend say 6-7k on a nice 92-93 car you'll be in one at least 10 to have it race worthy, and that's just suspension, tires and brake pads. more if you want engine mods.

i would absolutely buy a 10k FRC to turn into a track car before a c4

c5 has MUCH better rear suspension geometry and a lot of upgrades, the frame being a big one along with the engine.

you can argue that the c6 is a minor improvement over a c5 and that's true, the c5 however is a MAJOR improvement over the c4.

 

I'll tell you why. Because it costs too damn much.

My C4s both sounded awesome with factory exhaust. Especially my 84 oddly enough. The low burble sound just isn't there in the C5. I despise the way my C5 factory exhaust sounds, but I don't have a disposable $1k to make it less annoying.

The other finer points:

Clam shell hood that meant I didn't have to worry about paint while wrench turning.
Clam shell hood to display the AWESOME look of the control arms and massive tires.
I felt 10 times more confident throwing my C4 into a hard turn than my C5. The transition from straight to turn is superior by seat of the pants testing.
Seats - as mentioned. Held me firm in place and allowed for more gymnastic driving as opposed to holding on for dear life. Also, I find myself sliding forward on hard stops. Not enough slope in the C5 seat.
Cool dash display
Door panels didn't come unglued


Downside of the C4:

Horsepower and leaks

 

Indeed it does. Corvette Tax at it's finest!

 

Thanks for the info! So, I guess I should look for an older C5 (preferably FRC)? It will probably be cheaper to race in the long run. I will definitely keep that in mind.

Thanks again!

 

If its only sound you're after then there are many cost effective cat-backs being sold used online available. And if it's new you strive for then there are some around $550 that are around as well. My SLP powerflo for instance.

 

I am going to say to each his own I guess. There were some very good points brought up about both cars. I had a 84 for four and half years and absolutely loved it, brought a everytime I drove it. Would I go back to a C4 if I had chance...yes I would, but would I give up my C5 to do it...nope...would like to have one of each. Both generations are unique in their own way and thats the nature of one generation to the next. In the end they are all corvettes.... One other thing my 84 with true dual exhaust, no cats, and muffler eliminators actualy sounds better than my 98 with Borla Stingers.

 

Got both, love each, ............. My C5 hands down better in every aspect. Sound? I know my C5 has better. Handling? C5 all the way!

C5 is MAJOR miles way ahead of any C4.

 

Nice 5.0 you have there!

 

I loved my '96, but the C5 is an all around better vehicle. I never had one problem with my C4 and wouldn't hesitate to strongly give it the to anyone who wants a Vette but has a limited budget.

 

doesn't really matter if it's an FRC or coupe. the FRC tends to sell cheap on craigslist vs the coupe and also is a z51 6spd car. there's one either 98 or 99 FRC on my craigslist for 9k with 107k miles. looks to be in pretty decent condition and has sat for a few weeks.

to race one you would be looking at

1. a new radiator if it hasn't been replaced
2. inspect bushings for dry rot, replace if needed
3. change all fluids
4. something like an HP+ pad for autocross or a DTC or HT10 for lap days
5. new air filter and plugs
6. extra set of wheels with either approved tires for your class or something like a kumho victoracer if you're just doing lap days.

all of this combined is under 2k and it keeps you stock

ideally the car you want is an 02-04 z06 but they are also a good deal more money starting around 16k for an 80-90k mile car

 

I love my C6, Loved my C5 until it burned up.....burned to the ground. I STILL wish I had not sold my 96 Collector Edition LT4 convertible. I would rather have my C4 back than my C5.

 

No offence but $550 is not my idea of being cost effective! I wish you could just buy two mufflers and be done with it.
But as mentioned before, the LS motors sound different by design. Doesn't mean it's bad just different, and I prefer the old school sound!

Thanks! It's my gf car. She inherited it last year from her dad (yesterday was the one year anniversary of his passing). The car means a great deal to her. Right now it's a good 20 footer but we are hoping to bring it back to it's former glory.

 

The build quality between my C4 and my C5 is night and day. The C4 wins hands down.

I could make a list of trouble spots on both and the C5 list would be twcie as long.

Heck they couldn't get the seats right on the C5. How long have they been making seats for cars? A very long time.

 

C5 is as we know a better car.
When i see a C5 going down the road though it doesnt get my attention like a C4, not many C4s around here but C5 are all over.
I thought about getting a C5 but im not sure i will get another Corvette but I will always be a Corvette fan.

 

The C5 is a totally different car from the C4 in every way. There were huge improvements made in the C5 over the C4 in technology, ride and handling, quality, interior space, comfort and foot and leg room.

The C5/C6 chasis is a completely new design from the ground up using one piece hydroformed frame rails. The C5 was designed and built right from the beginning as a convertible, although the first convertibles were not produced until late 1997 as 1998 models.

The C5 uses a transaxle design. The transmission and differential are in a combined case at the rear axle connected to the engine via a torque tube. The LS1 and LS6 engines of the C5 are completely new all aluminum versions of the Chevy small block V8 and offer more HP and TQ stock for stock, in a lighter car than the C4.

The C5 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts, which along with it's lighter weight and much longer wheelbase contributes to a superior ride with better handling and feel.

I had 3 C4's and and although I enjoyed them very much at the time, there is no comparison in structural rigidity between the two. The C4's always creaked and rattled a lot. The C5 and C6 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, I could actually see the car flex as I drove it with the targa panel out. My C5's, including the convertibles never flex or rattle one bit. You can lift a C5 at any lift point and the structure will not flex at all anywhere.

The C4's inferior Opti-Spark ignition system was done away with for the C5.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/frame.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/.../01061997.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1061997_2.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/.../02071997.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...27s+LS1+Engine

 

I like my C5 no doubt, but I bonded with my C4. As was posted earlier, I would not trade my C5 for a C4, BUT, I do see another C4 in my future. Probably arctic white / red like my 95.

 

I have heard that the last couple years of the C4 that they were a better car , but I had an 87 convertible that I always had to limp home on three legs due to electrical problems that the dealer tried numerous times to correct and couldn't , and the digital instrumentation was junk, always something burning out. The only thing that I liked about the car was the styling. It was a beautiful car to look at. I often thought about just gutting the dash and installing analog gauges and stripping all of the wiring and rewiring it with a street rod wiring kit without a computer , eliminating all of the electrical problems , but it was just easier to get rid of it and buy a superior C5.