mat1227

My brother had a 94 C4, had to let it go (I have it now) because he couldn't get in and out without a lot of difficulty, can you tell me if the C5 or maybe a C6 would be easier, mainly the biggest issue is the foot well area is tight on the C4? He's a disabled Vietnam Vet, and has had 4 back and neck surgeries flexibility is not there any longer.
Thanks
Mark

LoneStarFRC

NIGHT...AND...DAY...DIFFERENCE.

There's a reason parking valets would fight each other over assisting the pretty ladies exiting out of the passenger side when a C4 drove up. Since the c5s and C6s came out, their photo-ops are over. Just another sports car.

workmanw

C5 and C6 have narrower door rails which definitely makes them easier to get in and out of than a C4. The auto exit option also moves the seat all the way back and pulls the steering wheel in which helps a lot. As sports cars go, they are probably one of the best in this regard. That being said, they are still low cars and therefor will be difficult with someone with the condition you describe above. As soon as you are sitting close to or lower than your knee height, much stress is put on your back, especially exiting the car. As much as I hate to say it here, a current gen Challenger would probably be the best option. To stay in the family, a current gen Camero would be an improvement, but they are fairly low also.

mat1227

He was supposed to go look at a C5 today, he's tried a new Camaro, can get in easy, but can't bend his head over far enough to get out. the Camaro has short windows so the roof line is close, I have hit my head getting in and out of our Camaro. I've not tried the Challenger, he did try the Mustang and said it was actually easy in and out, but didn't really like the car. seemed to be very cheaply made, but it could have been the one he looked at. not sure think it was a used Mustang he looked at.

roadbike56

Tell him to try a C5/C6 vert as well as a coupe. There are small differences that may make it easier for him to get in and out.
Also, please thank him for his service to our country.
EDIT: BTW, I bought a C5 over a C4 in 2012 for the very reason discussed here. I'm just too old to try to bend my body like a pretzel to get in and out of a C4 when a C5 is soooo easy.

4XLR8N

As noted above - C5 is night and day difference from C4 - much easier to get in and out of...

MikeWyatt

The door sill is both lower AND narrower on the C5. And... the C5 has a handy little "hump" in the door frame where you can plant your left palm to push up:






Was this on purpose?? Maybe.

striper

Another tip. If buying the C5, get a window valet from Top Down Technologies. If you open the window prior to getting in, it makes it much easier. The valet allows you to open the windows remotely when approaching the car. Also lets out hot air in the summer. I use mine all the time. BTW, it will also close the windows.

mat1227

All great info, thank you all, I really like the window valet idea.

Vetteman Jack

Had four C4s and now on my third C5 and the C5 is much more ergonomically friendly than the C4 was. Easier to get in and out of and a lot more footwell room in the C5.

Have your brother try out a C5 - I'd bet he will be surprised at how much easier it is to get in and out of the car. And thank him for his service to our country.

73Corvette

Sure would like to give the person responsible for it a BIG HUG I use that thing every time I get in or out

Velocity_Vette

One thing I really like about the C5 in addition to the rather low door sill and entry point is the C5 has an extremely handy feature "easy entry/exit" that is controllable by the DIC. If the C5 is equipped with the memory option, you can set the steering wheel and the driver's seat to fully retract when the key is removed, allowing for near unobstructed egress. When you insert either key 1 or key 2, the seat and wheel will adjust themselves to each corresponding setting set by the pad on the driver's door.

It really helps me because I'm not physically handicapped but I'm a rather short guy that with the seat adjusted forward makes it difficult for me to enter the car due to the steering wheel. I also don't want to damage the driver's side bolster or under the steering wheel.

66dts-v

Getting out of my C4 was like being born.

The C5 was a HUGE improvement in that and MANY other areas. I loved my C4, but it was half the car my C5 is.

Phanni

I suggest finding a fellow Vette owner that has a C-5 and asking him to 'borrow' a few minutes of his time and his car to allow your brother to see if it's workable for him to enter and exit. I'd help out in a heartbeat, as would most Vette owners I know.

The Rabbi

RoninC5

Would love to know if this was on purpose... "Discovered" it after I realized I was stressing the seam in my drivers seat getting out. So not only is it a great exit technique, it can save (or at least delay) the infamous ripped seam...

57hardtop

C5 for me is much easier to get in out of over the C6. We have both the C5 has more room and for me the seat sits lower which makes it easier to get out of.

SG Lou

with what Lonestar said...................NIGHT AND DAY...

williame3590

No short skirted girls getting out of Vettes???


Bill

sierra 43

I have a C5 convertible, C4 coupe, and 2 C3 coupes. The C5 is easier than the C4. I have the window valet and easy entry exit. Also spinal cord surgery, and multiple knee surgeries, I fully get the lack of flex issue. Add that I am 6-4 and it gets even worse. The C3s are the easiest for entry and exit. But once in any of them I am happy.