vetteguy8

I have owned several C4's and I do love them! the dash and the hood are nicer in my opinion , even the seats on the newer C4's are much nicer than the C5's but the room and ride quality inside the C5's alone is worth ever penny , not to mention getting in and out if it is easier. I would never go back to a C4.

1993C4LT1

Step 1: 96 GS
Step 2: Never look back

F&Yb0dluvr

Loved my C4's especially my 94 and 95 compared to my C5's I would say

Pros-
generally several thousands cheaper( my 100kmi 95 cost $6k total)
Sportier cockpit feel
Wideback seats
low end throttle response
rear end styling
Easier access to engine bay
Cons-
OPTISTRAND distributor
PITA top removal(coupes)

C5's
Pros-
easier entry/exit
quieter/Smoother ride
Better mpg
mid range and top end power
Lower stance and more contemporary styling
Heads up display
Larger trunk/hatch
Cons-
EBCM and column lock problems
Good examples more then double price

Paulchristian

To me, the C5 coupe is the worse design in corvette history. Too much roundness everywhere in its design. The bumper area behind the rear wheels is ginormous. It may have been different and exciting in its day, but that is one corvette I have zero interest in owning.

The 1991-1996 vettes were the best C4s. Their visual updates were subtle but significant against their 1984-1990 brothers. I also think the clamshell hood makes C4 a bit unique. They represent a period, in my opinion, when the corvette actually became a true sports car.

No doubt, the C5 was/is a better performer, better daily driver, etc, but the C5 coupe exterior design just has not stood the test of time.

If someone gave me an option to choose between a C5 ZO6 and a C4 grand sport convertible, this would be a harder decision, but I would choose the C4 grand sport convertible.

I'll add also that the C5 ZO6 is probably the best bargain track car on the planet.

Six862m6

By "C5 Coupe" are you referring to the FRC and Z06 or do you actually mean the base coupe? Because if your complaint about the exterior styling is largely based on the bumper area behind the rear wheels then the FRC/Z06 is even WORSE in this regard due to the loss of the hatchback.... That styling reason alone is what kept me from buying a C5Z instead of the '04 Coupe I currently own as I just do NOT like the way they look. Because the C5 does definitely already have a big a$$ but it looks absolutely enormous on the FRC/Z06s.

Paulchristian

In terms of the aesthetics of the rear, I am actually referring to them all (Base Coupe, FRC, and ZO6). However, I do like the roofline of the FRC and ZO6 and that is why I did not include them as my candidates for "worse design." IMO, the FRC/ZO6 roofline adds a unique, aggressive, and sportier element to the C5. That said, you are correct, it still does not help the rear bumper area behind the wheels. Overall though, I can live with the FRC and ZO6. I cannot say the same about the base coupe.

Six862m6

Fair enough, looks are subjective. I'm the opposite, I hate the FRC/Z06 roofline and how it makes the already large rear end look even larger. To each their own.

F&Yb0dluvr

I would hope so since a GS vert is a $40k car in today's market compared to a C5 Z06 that's a $20k car...and my have the numbers changed since an 01 Z06 was a $50k+ car in 2001 and a GS vert was an under $30k car

To me a GS vert is a hard to beat Corvette in the looks department for any year

MavsAK

C5's *** is definitely not photogenic.

I like the rawness of the C4.
The looks, and ease of working in the engine bay (clamshell hood...how many cars do you own that you can change the shocks and not get dirty on...or even really need to jack the car up for?).

C5 looks best as a convertible in my opinion. Which would probably be how I'd get one... as a vert.

The C4's engines also with the exception of the cross fire intake, ALL look kick ***. way more so than the C5.

For me the highpoint of the C4 design was definitely the early cars in styling.

All that aside... I want a vert C5. And a coupe. it's on my list. I want a C4 (already got that one)... a C4 ZR-1, a C5 coupe or vert, a C3, and a C7...those are my faves.

myredhead1

I personally think that my C5 2000 coupe with the top off is next level great looking.

f6john

Alot more C4 guys visiting the C5 section than I realized. Kool

MavsAK

We're all vette guys

1993C4LT1

There are GS verts below $25k on the market. Not with high miles either.

89 Vett

The article was on the front page, posted to the C4 section, and on the CF Facebook page.

Mike98SilVert

First I love every generation Corvette. That said, the C5 is light years ahead of the C4 in every way. You are comparing a car designed in the late 70's to a C5 which is structurally superior (hydroformed) and aside from exterior appearance, underneath the structure and layout is very similar to the C7 which is an updated C6 and the C6 is and updated C5. I have owned three C4's and would not consider going back. You can get into a decent C4 real cheap though. The C5 is still my favorite, we have 2 and the only other Corvette I am considering is a C7 to replace the 2000. I will always keep my '99. In addition, I just can't get past the look of the short wheel base of the C4's. The huge front and rear overhangs just make them look dated.

89 Vett

0-60 times were dropped by .3 seconds and 0-100 by 1.2 seconds.
1/4 mile was reached in .4 less seconds.
It also dropped 48 lbs despite growing several inches longer, wider and an inch taller.

While these are all good steps forward, "light years" is over stated.

C5 and C6 are similar, both have a hydroformed steel frame, the C7 however uses a multicomponent all-aluminum chassis.

Wheelbase isn't all that different, the C5 is taller, wider, and longer but the changes are to scale with the dimensions of the C4.

C5 is a bit shorter at the ends... particularly in the rear, but not significantly.

XLR8 C4

I own both a 93 supercharged C4 and an 03 ZO6 and love them both for different reasons. You will never get the raw sports car feeling in the C5 but you will never get the quiet comfortable ride in a C4. Both have pro's and cons and yes the C5 is better in so many ways and to modify them is so easy. My advise is to drive both and decide how you want to use it then make a decision. Like it's been mentioned before the both are Corvettes built and designed in different era's. Just appreciate the design of both and don't put down the C4 just because it doesn't have the cool factor of the new ones.

Corvette#2

It's funny, I remember when the C5s came out. I didn't like the rear end either. Thought it looked too big etc.

But over time, I have really grown to like the C5 body style. I think it's much more timeless than a C4. Actually I think a C5 appears less dated today than a C4 looked back in the late 90's. Shows you how subjective it is, since i know a few have stated the opposite opinion.

And I hold the opinion that Ferrari took some styling cues from the C5 Corvette's rear end for the 360 Modena.

That's another design I think has aged pretty well. IMO 360 looks better than the 430.

89 Vett

The 360 came out 2 years after the C5, so I doubt there was much influence. It was commonly stated when the C5 first came out that the lines were more like a Ferrari... I don't really see that though.

1993C4LT1

School them!