Well this comes up so many times herfe and also back on the C4 forum where it comes up just as often Yet I enjoy expressing my views for your consideration. You realize by now that there are a lot of truths about both gens. I am lucky enough to have one of each:

A basically stock but hot-camed and tuned 95 that I’ve put 90,000 miles on over the past 6 years and a very nice 04 coupe that I’ve put 6,000 miles on since last Christmas.

I’m very fortunate because I get to drive a corvette 50 miles to work every day and I can drive one on the weekends as well so both cars get driven a lot. I think that the C5 is an improved in most any category over the C4…. save one…. The feel of the road.

As each generation becomes more powerful they also become more refined. A C6 on a smooth road can race along or feel as smooth as a Caddy. Its almost what we would call in the olden days of the 80’s a personal luxury vehicle albeit one with 400+ hp. The C4 however is a different driving experience than a C5.

1) The ride is a bit ruffer ….. though it goes around corners like a gocart you still have to be careful because there is quite a bit of torque back there and one can easily loose the rear end around a corner if your foots into it. It rains here ..... a lot


2) The seats …. The late model sport seats 95 – 96 are the best seats in any corvette and I ridden or driven C2, C3, C4, C5 & ZO6 and C6 and ZO6. (I have a lot of acquaintances who drive vettes). The C4 seats are very comfortable and hold you in very well particularly with active bladders even you have broad shoulders due to the shape of the top of the back. If I could find a way to put a set into the 04 I would do it and get a brand new set from Al Noch.

3) But the sound of my LT1….. small cam and stainless works headers and a stock dual exhaust…. this car sounds low and heavy more like a big block particularly at idle and at about 2200 rpm under load it just sounds superb.

To me the sound (due to firing order and I think some other differences) of my C5 is more high pitched more like a rear engine European sports car particularly above 4000 rpm and more so with an aftermarket exhaust system such as a corsa. My 04 has only been touched with a vararam and a set of Ti axel backs. Nothing of serious fun yet. The car is 50 horse more to start out with stock to stock ..... and where my 95 had 295 rwh on a mustang dyno at 70K when the work was done, now at 130K it doesn’t feel as quick as the 04 but it has no squeaks and no rattles the build quality on both are good.

Both cars are autos the 04 with a 3:15 and the 95 with a 3:07 and a 3200 stall tc. Both cars are old, 18 yrs and 9 years … both are totally reliable. They start right up every day. My wife prefers the nicer ride of the 04 and prefers the blue but I wouldn’t hesitate to drive the 95 on a 1000 mile drive with my son. I like the dark LMB but I think that Polo Green metalic is more of a clasic color. I was into red in my motorcycles but not in my cars.








As you can see both cars are nice. Both cars have nice curves and lines. It fun to wash either of them and I like to keep them clean.

As I own both cars free and clear I get to keep them both, an supposed advantage of having to buy used, The C5 is a pleasure to drive and I feel cool driving it.

But you can’t buy my 95.

 

Ditto. I love the stock sound of my C5Z.

 

 

Sounds like you just bought a lemon ! Even GM shot down the C4 when they talked comparisons. It's not every day that you hear a company talk down a previous product of theirs.

 

Someone's never heard the LS6 with headers, X pipe and GHL's

 

Of cource the C5 has better build quality than a C4, it should. Just like a C4 is better than a C3 with quality. Still, C4 is a GREAT Corvette.

 

i second the long tubes headers and x pipe..but don't have the GHL's yet..and the car sounds amazing at wot

 

I love my C5 no doubt! I also really enloyed my 1996 C4... Had it for 5-years with absolutely no problems. It was fun to drive, and I actually liked the digital dash. Looked great, and was not my choice in color, but the deal could not be passed up!
I too miss the above mentioned clam shell, flip headlights, and center fuel door. I was really sad to see it go... maybe some day another one???

 

May get flamed for this but ...
I never have liked the looks of the C4.
Probably the only generation I've never liked.
To me, the ride, feel of the road, etc etc doesn't matter if I don't like the looks of it. To each there own, right.

Gary

 

You are right

 

The one thing I have never liked about the C-4 is the sill you have to
climb over to get to the seat. And the seat sits lower than the sill!!

 

I was very seriously considering a clean, late C4 Vert (94-96). I actually was trying to buy one the same color Aqua as the OP's car. But the guy had it in storage, never did get me good pics and it was long distance. Last I heard from him, the clutch hydraulics were out. I was ready to fly & get it but he couldn't get it together.

Anyway, I got the 99 and as they say...the rest is history. Now that I have learned more about Corvettes, I'm really happy I got what I did.

 

I had a 90 6 speed convertible w/ headers, Borla, HOT cam and tune. Normal driving felt faster than my 98, very torquey, trans felt better too. C5 is smoother, better ride for sure

 

It's funny you say that, because my C5Z isn't that perky to me just DDing around with the ETC. Sink your foot down and it doesn't seem to slam you in your seat, but that speedo sure gets past 100 in a hurry.