Upgrade to C5?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Land o Lakes FL
Upgrade to C5?
I currently own a 1996 c4 with the Lt4 engine. My wife has been on my case to get a c5 she just loves the way the look. You guys think it's the right decision? What factors should I consider?
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Night and day different (on the plus side) way easier to get in and out, More power, the ride is much better, after you drive one for a while you will ask yourself why didn't I switch a long time ago !!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,111
Likes: 304
The only factor you should consider is that your wife is a saint and you better hang on to her.......
Shakey
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
You're in the best position to be in. You have a Corvette to drive while considering a different one and your wife is in support of another one. Take your time to look at and drive a few. If one comes along that fits your wants and desires, go for it. If not, wait.
Me personally, I prefer the C5 over the C4. My brother had a C4. I had a hard time getting in and out and my feet had no room due to the transmission. The C5 and beyond have the transmission in the rear giving considerably more foot space.
Me personally, I prefer the C5 over the C4. My brother had a C4. I had a hard time getting in and out and my feet had no room due to the transmission. The C5 and beyond have the transmission in the rear giving considerably more foot space.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 31
From: Williamsburg VA
I have an 04 C5Z previously I have had a 94 and 96 Impala SS(stroked and highly modified that would do road course or drag strip) and I DO not miss the LT1 engines. Also after them I had an 06 Trailblazer SS and 09 G8 GT. Love my C5Z and the newer GM LS engines by far!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
i had 4 C4's before I changed to the C5 platform and it was a great move. I did like the C4 bodystyle...not the LT1 plateform. Love the LS platform.....so easy to mod and get cost efficitent power. Take a C5Z06 for a test drive. Plus...your wife is encouraging you.....easy decision! 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I've owned previous generations of corvettes, the C5, in my humble opinion, is a huge jump ahead, a better car in every way. If you have the chance see if you can't spend some time in the different C5's and be sure not to leave the Z06 out. Incredible car for the hard core performance enthusiast. A local corvette club will, I'm sure, get you some time in them so you can check out the differences yourself. Best wishes! PS Be sure to read the stickies at the top of the page for tons of pertinent info on C5's for the aspiring buyer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have both and I like both. There is no bad choice.
They are quite different. The C5 will win most objective comparisons but the subjective ones are a toss up. I like the feel of driving the C4 since it is a less refined sports car, but the C5 has a much better hatch/trunk for better use, better mileage, smoother for a long trip, etc.
As for some saying the C5 is faster acceleration, I doubt they have driven too many LT4's. My LT4 is every bit as strong as my LS1 when it was stock. I would probably give the edge in performance to the LT4. If you are planning mods, the LS motors are great and can make a lot of power easily.
The C5 frame/suspension is definitely a better platform with much less twisting etc. The C5's can be a much better handling car and can be improved cheaply with C6 Z51/Z06 sway bars.
Many say the C5 is easier to get in and out of, but for me they seem about the same. I just sit on the side of the C4 getting in and out that makes it pretty easy.
You should drive a few and see what brings a bigger smile.
The best idea is to add a C5 and keep your C4. It is fun trading off between them.
Your wife is a keeper. Maybe "sell" her on both as a C5 for her and a C4 for you.
Good luck.
They are quite different. The C5 will win most objective comparisons but the subjective ones are a toss up. I like the feel of driving the C4 since it is a less refined sports car, but the C5 has a much better hatch/trunk for better use, better mileage, smoother for a long trip, etc.
As for some saying the C5 is faster acceleration, I doubt they have driven too many LT4's. My LT4 is every bit as strong as my LS1 when it was stock. I would probably give the edge in performance to the LT4. If you are planning mods, the LS motors are great and can make a lot of power easily.
The C5 frame/suspension is definitely a better platform with much less twisting etc. The C5's can be a much better handling car and can be improved cheaply with C6 Z51/Z06 sway bars.
Many say the C5 is easier to get in and out of, but for me they seem about the same. I just sit on the side of the C4 getting in and out that makes it pretty easy.
You should drive a few and see what brings a bigger smile.
The best idea is to add a C5 and keep your C4. It is fun trading off between them.
Your wife is a keeper. Maybe "sell" her on both as a C5 for her and a C4 for you.
Good luck.
Last edited by QCVette; Aug 2, 2016 at 03:40 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 343
From: Chicagoland
St. Jude Donor '16
Ive never driven a C4, but from I hear its night and day difference.
I love my C5 in every way.. This was the model I was searching for when I started looking for my vette. It had to be the C5 with the flip-up headlights. The car is great, but like 8vette7 stated, read those stickies..
PS. wife is a keeper
Good luck with your future purchase
I love my C5 in every way.. This was the model I was searching for when I started looking for my vette. It had to be the C5 with the flip-up headlights. The car is great, but like 8vette7 stated, read those stickies..
PS. wife is a keeper
Good luck with your future purchase
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 452
Likes: 159
From: Port Charlotte Florida
I also had a '89 c4, now a 03 c5 anniv....night and day difference (as everyone here says c5 a far better ride). Way back though I had a '59. Sure wish I still had that one. The ride sucked (very harsh), no a/c, extremely hard to depress the clutch pedal, very hard to steer, and the car for some reason got the driver a lot of speeding and excessive show of speed tickets, but that is the real vette to have!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Land o Lakes FL
Great info guys truly appreciated! My wife is a car enthusiast so that helps a lot. Her dd is a Honda Accord sport with 6 speed manual. She won't drive automatics.
I've never driven a C5 back to back with my car which is what I should do. For us we have to have the targa top so the z and frc are out. My car is not the grand sport, I wish it was. The GS is my favorite corvette just too expensive. My car does have the grand sport engine LT4, I can tell you it's as strong if not stronger than a stock LS1.
I've never driven a C5 back to back with my car which is what I should do. For us we have to have the targa top so the z and frc are out. My car is not the grand sport, I wish it was. The GS is my favorite corvette just too expensive. My car does have the grand sport engine LT4, I can tell you it's as strong if not stronger than a stock LS1.
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Drive a C5 then compare it to your C4 and decide. I had four C4s before my C5s and with the exception of perhaps a '96 GS (collector value) or a ZR-1, I doubt I would go back to a C4.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
I've never driven a C4, either, but for what-it's-worth, a friend of mine, who owns a '92, and has driven a Grand Sport of that era, drove my base 2003 coupe the week after I bought it, and within 10 minutes proclaimed it superior in every way:
it is a great car, and I've owned it a year now, but I still miss the Hell outta my '82
it is a great car, and I've owned it a year now, but I still miss the Hell outta my '82