I am in search of my first vette. I love the look of the C4s, however I valued have friends and one GM service manager talking me out of a
C4 and pony up to a C5. Plain and simple they say C5s are better all the way around. I am not looking for a huge investment but also not looking to buy a regret either. Any advice to clear the smoke?

 

If you want newer, faster, more efficient, new reliable, more spacious, and more comfortable then buy the c5. If you just like c4's buy the c4.

 

I have both.

The C5 is better in a lot of ways, but the C4 is still a fun car to drive too.

They "feel" very different. My best suggestion is for you to test drive several examples of each and find out what you like/what makes you smile when you drive it.

Good luck with your choice.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a C4 (I had four of them), but after having three C5s now, I can say the C5 is a far superior platform in many ways. Better ergonomics, more room, better fuel efficiency, more HP, less parts to the car. Best bet for you is to drive several examples of each generation and then decide which one just feels right for you.

 

What are you looking for? The C4 is more limited in the amount of Mods that can be made.
If your looking to stay stock and have a budget the C4 is not a bad choice. If you are looking for more performance and horsepower gains then a C5 is the way to go.
Either way... They are both fun to drive.

 

Five years ago I spent the summer looking at and test driving C4's. I love C4's. But never found one that said buy me. On a lark, in September, I went and looked at/test drove a C5. It was the first C5 I had ever driven. Been in my garage almost five years now...

 

I really liked my C4. I love my C5.

 

OP, Right about this time three years ago, I went through the same decision process, a later model C4 or a C5. Like you, I contacted GM personnel, in my case, a Corvette dealership mechanic, who advised me to buy a C5, but if I bought a C4, to buy an LT-1, not an early C4. He based his comments on the work he had performed on these cars. He pointed out that the computers in the C5 were more reliable than the Opti-spark system on the LT-1, which in turn was a better system than the system in the early C4s.

You have a hard decision to make. To this day, I still remember the rough, raw handling feeling the C4 provides, something I really liked about it and, IMHO, the C5, due to it's design, doesn't have that feel. However, the C5 was designed to specifically exceed the capabilities of the C4. If you have the time, read the book, "All Corvettes Are Red", the history of the development of the C5. It provides much information about how the C5 was developed and the mandates management put on the C5 development team that were all achieved. It will help you understand why many of us believe the C5 is a more refined, and in many ways a better Corvette.
If the C5 was just another "me too" Corvette, a simple re-hash of the C4, I wouldn't have purchased one. The reality is, the C5 is a completely different car with an LS engine, a hydroformed frame, with a front engine and a transmission in the rear for better handling. Interesting that the C6 and the C7 have LS engines, hydroformed frames, and a transmission in the rear for better handling. There are other similarities between the C5, C6 and C7. The C4 does not have an LS engine, or a hydroformed frame and the transmission is directly behind the engine.
Whatever Corvette you go for, find out what model years are the best to buy and what to check out before purchase, typical gremlins to look for. Best of luck to you and, most of all, hold on to your dream to buy a Corvette no matter which model you choose.

 

And you thought this was going to be easy....

 

When I started shopping the best advice I was given: buy as new as you can afford...

Good Luck and enjoy the search!!

 

 

I have both. The c5 is a much improved platform from the c4. The c4 seats (rebuilt with new foam and leather covers) seem to be more comfortable than the c5 sport seats to both my wife and myself. I would still prefer the ride of the c5 other than the seats (new seat foam installed also). If I had to sell one it would be the c4. I would go with the c5. Good luck with your choice.

 

Really?

 

Vetteman Jack sums it up well.

 

My C4, 1996, was the best car I ever owned until I purchased my C5.

 

I have both, my C5 is my daily and the C4 is a backup vette when the C5 is down for repairs or upgrades. The C4 has a completely different feel like a cockpit of a fighter jet and handles like it's an extension of your body and connects you to the road. The C5 is better yet removes that C4 feel. The C5 has much more potential for engine performance upgrades and custom mods. It's defiantly a decision based on your personal goals.

 

One thing to consider is you own body flexibility, the C-4 is much more difficult to enter and leave. The C-5 is easy to get in and out of, even for me, I'm 70 years old, 6'1" 250LBS, and have a fused spine and a knee replacement.

 

The C4 was really a lame Corvette with regard to performance for most of it's production life. The C5 is a different breed and a world class improvement.

Of course they had to make the C5 appeal the 2 door Cadillac types with all the electronic wiz bang features that have no affect on performance.

Just say'n. I guess you can tell I'm not 18 years old.

OK, now you can give me crap. Don't care, I'll still be glad to lend a hand on electronic or electrical issues you may have.

Mr. Sam

 

Mr. Sam:

No crap, but perhaps a slightly different perspective...

I agree, with the benefit of hindsight and having experienced the C5, C6 and now C7 generations - yeah, the C4 pales in comparison.

BUT...when the C4 was in production, it was one of the best sports cars in the world...especially for the money.

 

This may be my one chance to correct you Sam... it's effect not affect.
But, I won't give you any crap about it..