A few years ago I had a 94 LT1 C4 as my first corvette, nothing fancy, no gofast parts, just a white base model C4 with a black stripe down the middle and maybe an aftermarket muffler. I absolutely loved that car, I daily drove it to work, I drove it up through marble falls, and just about every weekend I sat and put 200-300 miles on it. I even took it to the TCA's 26th annual open car show in Boerne back in 2018 and, surprisingly, won a class award for it. I probably put a few hundred hours and a couple of grand into working on it, but as first corvettes go, it was an amazing experience and I have regretted having to sell it pretty much every day since sold. I'm finally at a point where I can start looking at getting back into a corvette, and while I really loved my C4, I've been thinking about getting into something a little newer. I rented a 2007 C6 out in Austin for a weekend last year to get an idea of how different the LS drivetrain felt from the LT and had an absolute blast. I drove it around downtown, drove it down from Leander to Kendalia, and took it through Marble Falls too. I got up early and drove it as much and as often as I could, and it was friggen fantastic. As much as I loved my C4, I think I'm hooked on getting into something LS powered, and I'm thinking a C5 would be a pretty good blend for what I loved from my C4 and what I really liked from the C6. I also am just a really big fan of the C5 styling, both for the exterior and interior, and I'm a sucker for popup headlights. I guess the point of that whole story is I loved my C4 and am looking at going to a C5 next, and was curious to see if any of you C5 owners had come from a C4 before or have both now and could give me an idea of how you liked one vs the other.

Thanks!
~Ken

 

Had one C4 (and six C3's), no regrets moving to a C5.

 

I've never owned a C4, but driven dozens of them, and to me a C5 is a night and day difference as far as usability and comfort is concerned. They are still raw feeling, especially compared to what's on sale today, and much more civil than a C4. Lots of quality of life improvements - such as no longer needing a torx bit to take the top off, for instance.

And the power difference is nice. I love LT1s (I come from the B-body world) but the difference is really night and day. I don't think you'd be disappointed at all, especially if you liked the way the C6 drove since the C6 is more of an evolution of the C5 than it is an all new car in the way that C4 to C5 was.

 

Went from a C4 ('96 CE) to my '99 FRC & have had no regrets! Still have the C5 & still enjoying it every mile. I lived in Houston & remember the places you talk about. Go for it!

 

After shopping around and settling on a C5, I'll admit I originally wanted a C4. My impressions between the two are still fresh in my head, and haven't been dulled by time or bias. I'm not sure if they're relevant to you or not.

What I prefer about the C5 includes increased cargo space, better interior ergonomics with buttons and switches in logical places. The LS1's performance is fine for my needs, and will still hold its own compared to many cars on the road today. The frame's increased rigidity feels obvious compared to the C4 and the car's measurements result in a sports car that is a joy to drive. The interior of the C5 feels practical and livable, noise isn't too harsh and the plastics seem to age decently. My chief complaint is that the interior design is uninspiring and pedestrian, and not all that much different compared to other GM cars from the same era.

The later C4's with the revised dashboard, however, reminded me of no other car - and is my favorite looking Vette interior until the C7. It felt like a unique cockpit that offered an experience within itself - although, the ergonomics didn't feel second nature to me and overall comfort felt compromised because it felt like my body required positioning that didn't feel natural. Rear cargo wasn't horrible, but it wasn't generous. Certain design elements simply didn't make sense to me - such as the switchable lights above the door handles which happened to look borrowed from a S10 Blazer. I'm also not a huge fan of controls placed on horizontal surfaces, such as the power seats.

Ultimately, I think the C5 corrected all of my gripes about the C4. I could get behind the wheel of a C5 and there was very little to figure out or adjust to. The car handles great, has adequate power for my needs and it's comfortable on long drives. While I enjoy the way a C4 looks inside and out, I think I'd prefer a Z28 or Trans Am WS6 from a similar year because I find them to be more comfortable and practical, even though the C4 has the performance edge and better looks. The C5, however, checks all my boxes and it is one of the most pleasurable cars I've owned.

 

I had a`95 before our C5. It was a totally different animal. I loved how it handled and drove like it was glued to the road. The C5 I absolutely love also. It has much more room and rides a bit different too. I'm in the process of changing the suspension up to make it handle a little better, but from the factory it's just fine too. I wouldn't go back to the C4 for anything after having both. I love the C5 way more then the C4's.

 

I've never owned a C4, but I drove my friend's C4 a couple of times before I bought my C5. The C5 is so much better. The C4 has sort of a go cart feel. The C5 is just smoother and quieter, yet also faster. I also prefer the styling on the C5. With all that said, you've owned a C4, and driven a C6. What you really need to do, is test drive a C5 for yourself. That will likely tell you all that you need to know. Read through the sticky posts at the top of the forum so that you have an idea of what issues to look out for. Good luck with your search, and let us know how it turns out.

 

I had four C4s ('84, '89, '94, '95) before I bought the first of my three C5s ('99, '00, '03) and while I liked each of the C4s, the C5 was just a much better car, at least to me. Better handling, much better ergonomics, less parts to worry about compared to the C4, and better performance. Plus the styling of the C5 is what I feel will be a classic. Throw in some tech improvements, especially the HUD, and the car was a nice leap forward.

Just go out and test drive a few examples of the C5 - hopefully all three models that were available, and decide for yourself.

 

My first Corvette was an 86 C4 convertible. Nest, I owned a 98 C5 convertible. The C5 is improved in so many ways, including exterior appearance/style, interior space, performance, build quality, etc. The one thing I miss is that the C4 had a spare tire. Subsequently, I have owned a 98 C5 coupe and my two currently owned 2000 C5 coupes. I think the C5 is great "bang for the buck".

 

Owned 3 C4s...at the time that black 6 spd 02 SS Camaro I wanted couldnt be found in my price range...so discovered C4s. Super cheap fun. Good beaters for small money; the C5s are falling into that range also. I think once you get used to the C5 and drove a C4 again youll find you werent missing anything.

 

Owned a base 94 and 2 91 ZR-1s. Loved them all. Now I'm in an '04 Z06 as my daily driver and it's really a very good car. The C4s were a lot of fun - and I daily drove one of the ZR-1s for a few years back in the 2011-2012 era - but the C5 is just so much easier to live with. Fewer parts, better structural rigidity and build quality. I'd probably still buy another C4 ZR-1 if the right deal came along but it would be in addition to my Z06, not instead of.

 

I had a 1990 C4 for about 14 years. It went from a stock street driven car to a fully gutted track car. It had a 430hp engine, full heim joint suspension, big sway bars, etc. I sold it last year and bought a 2003 Z06 in December. The C5 is just as fast on stock bushings, springs, and full interior, but it is more comfortable and still street legal. The C5 platform is SO much better than the C4 in every way.

 

I had a C3, C4 and my present Vette C5, I agree with alot of the other posts , big difference with the C5 but I really miss the C4 interior but as I get older it's definitely easier on my body, 1 thing that made a big difference too was I switched the suspension and went with C6 Z06 shocks and better anti sway bars, happy hunting

 

Loved my C4. The C5 was an amazing step up in every way. Then went c6, then c7. Now I've gone back to a C5. That says something. C5 is my favorite so far.

 

I own a C5 but I kept my old C4, both are Convertibles.

I kept my C4 Convert, purchased her in 1999 for many reasons. Primarily she's a blast to drive, Rough, Rude & a Bit Loud and she drives like a true Sports Car,,, Go Cat was mentioned - I agree.

I purchased her from a good friend, she had a blown engine and sun damaged from the LA Sun. We gutter her and installed a new Fast Burn ZZ4 w Hot Cam, new Doug Nash and rebuilt the Diffy but with 3:73 gear ratio. Plus the interior, paint etc.... Best of all When we rebuild the suspension polyurethane bushings were used along with other suspension upgrades, making for a rather stiff ride. My Dad was involved in this build another very good reason I've kept her and besides She's wouldn't sell for much $$$...

My C5 is a '98 (no badges) IPC, Convertible, love the Trunk. I bought her for a Song with very low miles and in mint condition. After many years of great driving and still only 51k miles. A Dealer made a diagnostic error telling the owner at the time that the Diffy, Trans and Clutch were needed to be rebuilt. She's is a wonderful Vette, but a very different Breed from any C4. The driving experience is vastly different,,, for me anyways. Smooth, Stable, Great Seats and much quieter - esp for a Convert. The seemingly linear acceleration I think is the most notable change in the LSX engines, not to forget the 6 speed trans. A great feature for me is My C5 is much easier for me to exit than My C4 , the Radio still Sucks. I have a trashed right knee and ankle, so the exiting is more Graceful. .

My son has a '04 FRC ZO6 Le Mans Commemorative Edition,,. A significant more HP. and a very beautiful Car. Oddly though the ride is very different even the steering.and the traction control is more aggressive. And both C5's had Nitto NT05's and ZO6 wheels..

I love the LSX engines and 6 speed trans combination. To expand we installed a LS1, Tremic T-56 & 9 inch Diffy in my '56 Chevy in early 2007. She's got the same acceleration feel and has been extremely reliable . LSX power, acceleration, No Leaks and or repairs since the installation upgrade. Plus I've never had to Tune the engine just start and drive.

I've very happy with my C5 and doubt that I will ever sell her. My C4, C5 & '56 are all reliable , low miles and the insurance policy is very low. If I stepped up the a C6 or C7 I'm certain that would cost more for insurance. .


My 2 cents

 

I had a 95 w/auto and 3.08 rear gear. New shocks and tires and it was a much nicer ride. Longer road trips and I got saddle sore It was a bit too noisy inside.

I Now have a 2004 Z06. It is significantly better in every way.
Performance, comfort, ease of working on, modding and power improvement potential... its just simply better.

The only point up I'd give the 95 was the styling of the rear end. Its got the right proportion. Where as the stylists of the C5 CLEARLY had a fettish for big booties.