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C5 big change??

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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 10:47 PM
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Default C5 big change??

Hey guys I have a stock 96' coupe with 14k original miles auto torch red its in mint condition. I paid 16.5k I could probably sell it for 19k.
Would it be wise to sell this vette and get into a 1999 or 2000??
Is there that big of a change for the better????
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 10:58 PM
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Wise ?
If you want a C5 go for it. The car is sweet. Any problems on your C4? Or are you just looking to upgrade?
Also.....and dont quote me on this....if you can get 19K for that car.....take it and run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 11:04 PM
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There is quite a difference between the '96 and the C5. Better ergonomics, more power, more high tech features, and generally better fuel economy. It also feels tighter and a more comfortable ride. I had a '94 and '95 and could tell a world of difference when I got my '99. The '96 is a fine car, but the best thing you can do is to go and drive a C5 and experience the difference for yourself.
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 11:07 PM
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The jump from a C4 to a C5, IMHO, is huge. A friend had a '96 coupe and didn't really think there was that big of a difference when the C5s first came out.

One afternoon, he took my car out for a short drive and within two days, traded in his '96 for a '98 pace car.

If you're not attached to your '96, can flip it and make $2500, I say go for it.
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 11:15 PM
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Who really cares? The C5 will put you in a new league. I had a C4. No dought the C5 made the C4 obsolete.
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 11:19 PM
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I had a C4 (see the bottom of my Sig) and there is NO doubt in my mind you would be 1000 times happier. I miss the C4 sometimes, but then I go for a drive in the C5 and forget all about her Easier to get in and out of, MUCH smoother ride, better handling, no comparison on the brakes - I had the HD brakes on the C4 and the C5 stock brakes would outstop them by FAR. The C5 is also more comfortable inside. Also, the thing I really loved was that on the C4 when you see it coming down the road at night, the headlights look like just any other car.... the C5's are so distinctive and wider apart than most cars

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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:02 AM
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I had an 85 then a 94 when i traded my 94 for the 98 vert it was as much diffrent and better than the 94 than the 94 was from the 85 by all means go for it and get the c5
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:20 AM
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I don't think that you'll be able to believe the difference in the 2 cars!
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:24 AM
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I have both right now and though I love my C4 I do have her for sale. So I can get cash to modify the C5...... Yes, I can keep both if I wanted but the C5 is just an amazing car.

Brakes are definately the first thing you notice, then all the extra room-almost too much!! If you get a coupe, the top comes off so much easier. I went from a C4 with auto and 2.59 gears to a C5 with MN6 and 3.43, big difference!!!!! Speaker placement in the C5 is great with plenty of room for modifying, the C4 left little to play with on the audio end. And I still see C5s on the road and think to myself "Wow, that's a sweet car!" -even when I'm in mine....I love all Corvettes but the C5 was love at first sight to me.
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:49 AM
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I had a C-4 previously and I must say that I really liked that car, but here are some of the differences.

The C-4 had better bottom (low rpm) torque.
The C-4 "bumped" steers more on corners with bumps.
The C-4 had better seats that were more comfortable and they did not "rock" like the C-5s.
The C-5 gets slightly better gas mileage. Both cars were Mn6
The C-4 was harder to climb in and out of (due to higher rocker panels)
The C-5 is faster.
Instrument panel on C-5 is much better.
The C-4 had better front end turn in due to larger tire footprint.
The C-4 had a mechanical reverse lock-out which is WAY better than the lousy C-5 unit.
C-5 rides smoother.
C-5 is easier to work on.
C-5 has a much better interior.
C-5 has a better sound system.
No cool HUD on C-4.
C-4 had a better "feedback" on clutch engagement.
C-4 had really bad grounding for electrical.

The lists goes on and on..... But, I do like the C-5 more.

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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Darth Vader
Hey guys I have a stock 96' coupe with 14k original miles auto torch red its in mint condition. I paid 16.5k I could probably sell it for 19k.
Would it be wise to sell this vette and get into a 1999 or 2000??
Is there that big of a change for the better????
Very wise move especially if you can make a few $$ on the transaction. You don't mention whether or not you've driven a C5... My guess is that you have not. Otherwise, I think you'd already have traded that C4 for one.
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 12:58 AM
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Good luck with the decision!
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 01:04 AM
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C4 = Early 80s tech

C5= Mid 90s tech

No comparison.
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Tom73
C4 = Early 80s tech

C5= Mid 90s tech

No comparison.

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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Scubanme
I had a C-4 previously and I must say that I really liked that car, but here are some of the differences.

The C-4 had better bottom (low rpm) torque.
The C-4 "bumped" steers more on corners with bumps.
The C-4 had better seats that were more comfortable and they did not "rock" like the C-5s.
The C-5 gets slightly better gas mileage. Both cars were Mn6
The C-4 was harder to climb in and out of (due to higher rocker panels)
The C-5 is faster.
Instrument panel on C-5 is much better.
The C-4 had better front end turn in due to larger tire footprint.
The C-4 had a mechanical reverse lock-out which is WAY better than the lousy C-5 unit.
C-5 rides smoother.
C-5 is easier to work on.
C-5 has a much better interior.
C-5 has a better sound system.
No cool HUD on C-4.
C-4 had a better "feedback" on clutch engagement.
C-4 had really bad grounding for electrical.

The lists goes on and on..... But, I do like the C-5 more.


Everything above is true!

I have a 96 automatic coupe and a 2000 m6 coupe.

The C5 is indeed easier to get in and out of.
I can fit two full size acoustic guitar cases flush on the floor of the C5's hatch/trunk and still have tons of room for bags and suitcases.. The 96 C4 will fit a single guitar and then a few bags and a suitcase.

I had to drive one before I decided I wanted to move into the 21st century with my Vette. The raw power of the C4 is not missed in the M6 of the C5. Everything is indeed more refined in the 2000 but I can still pin myself back in the seat with ease.

Good Luck
Rain
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 01:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Scubanme
I had a C-4 previously and I must say that I really liked that car, but here are some of the differences.

The C-4 had better bottom (low rpm) torque.
The C-4 "bumped" steers more on corners with bumps.
The C-4 had better seats that were more comfortable and they did not "rock" like the C-5s.
The C-5 gets slightly better gas mileage. Both cars were Mn6
The C-4 was harder to climb in and out of (due to higher rocker panels)
The C-5 is faster.
Instrument panel on C-5 is much better.
The C-4 had better front end turn in due to larger tire footprint.
The C-4 had a mechanical reverse lock-out which is WAY better than the lousy C-5 unit.
C-5 rides smoother.
C-5 is easier to work on.
C-5 has a much better interior.
C-5 has a better sound system.
No cool HUD on C-4.
C-4 had a better "feedback" on clutch engagement.
C-4 had really bad grounding for electrical.

The lists goes on and on..... But, I do like the C-5 more.

Good list. C5s have mechanical reverse lock-out too though. Try to put the car in reverse with the ignition off sometime. Pretty fricken tough.

Dope
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Scubanme
I had a C-4 previously and I must say that I really liked that car, but here are some of the differences.

The C-4 had better bottom (low rpm) torque.
...................
C-4 had a better "feedback" on clutch engagement.
C-4 had really bad grounding for electrical.

The lists goes on and on..... But, I do like the C-5 more.

agree, the C5 is a much better car. the only 3 things i miss are the:

- clamshell hood/front end (being able to lift the whole thing to work under the hood, i really liked that).

- the higher quality seats/leather on the C4 (the C4's seats were far superior).
- the pull out cover, on the coupe, to cover items placed in the back that you want hidden from view (although i think there is an optional GM cover that i could buy & install)

Last edited by 66427-450; Dec 27, 2004 at 10:24 AM.
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To C5 big change??

Old Dec 27, 2004 | 10:51 AM
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This is a definate no brainer, C5 all the way! You wont be sorry!
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 10:59 AM
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I have an 01 and a 92 . No doubt the 01 is a better, more refined car but I still enjoy that real sports car feel of my C4.
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 03:51 PM
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With only 14k miles on my 1996 would be a good idea to keep and drive it another year and then when it hits 30k miles get into a C5?
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