96 vs 97
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
96 vs 97
Hi,
I'm looking at a 96 vert (very pretty car) and wondering if I shouldn't jump to a 97 instead. Any opinions on price/quality comparisons?
Please don't beat me up if this is an idiotic question.
Tnx
I'm looking at a 96 vert (very pretty car) and wondering if I shouldn't jump to a 97 instead. Any opinions on price/quality comparisons?
Please don't beat me up if this is an idiotic question.
Tnx
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,833
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The 96 Vert is a nice car. The 97 is much nicer. However, the 97 only comes as a coupe. If you want a Vert then you need to look at a 98 or newer.
The C5s had about 1400 fewer parts in them than the C4s. The frame is stiff and not flexible like the C4 tub. The C4 Verts are especially flexible. Drive train on the C5 is better also. Starting with a modern engine compared to the 41 year old engine design in the 96.
C5s handle better, drive better and are a truly world class automobile.
Before you buy see if you can find the book titled "All Corvettes are Red" by James Schefter it will give you all the reasons why a C5 is so much better than a C4. I read this book in eraly 97 just after I saw my first C5 while the dealer had it under covers in the show room waiting for the first sale day in early March. I knew then I wanted a C5 and ordered one then made preparations to sell my 86. I really liked that 86 but I found out the C5 was so much better of a car once I started driving it.
The C5s cost less to insure since they are easier to repair than the C4s. My insurance went down by several hundred dollars per year when I went from the 86 to a brand new 97.
Bill
The C5s had about 1400 fewer parts in them than the C4s. The frame is stiff and not flexible like the C4 tub. The C4 Verts are especially flexible. Drive train on the C5 is better also. Starting with a modern engine compared to the 41 year old engine design in the 96.
C5s handle better, drive better and are a truly world class automobile.
Before you buy see if you can find the book titled "All Corvettes are Red" by James Schefter it will give you all the reasons why a C5 is so much better than a C4. I read this book in eraly 97 just after I saw my first C5 while the dealer had it under covers in the show room waiting for the first sale day in early March. I knew then I wanted a C5 and ordered one then made preparations to sell my 86. I really liked that 86 but I found out the C5 was so much better of a car once I started driving it.
The C5s cost less to insure since they are easier to repair than the C4s. My insurance went down by several hundred dollars per year when I went from the 86 to a brand new 97.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 783
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Randall MN
I love my 97, nassau blue. Driving this car is like nothing else I have ever
owned I have had 2 camors 69 and a 68, a 67 chevell and a 70 nova
the 68 camaro was my last car b-4 the vette and I loved that car. I have only driven one C4 and I liked it but the 97 was just so much more
impressive and I gotta admit it's looks don't hurt eather. Going from muscle cars to a refined vette was an eye opening experance if I were you I would go for the 97 no question.
owned I have had 2 camors 69 and a 68, a 67 chevell and a 70 nova
the 68 camaro was my last car b-4 the vette and I loved that car. I have only driven one C4 and I liked it but the 97 was just so much more
impressive and I gotta admit it's looks don't hurt eather. Going from muscle cars to a refined vette was an eye opening experance if I were you I would go for the 97 no question.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Tnx for the info.
My 85 is really fun to drive and gets the looks but it always could use a repair of one kind or another and the glass top is a pain to remove and store. Thats why this 96 vert caught my eye.
I haven't driven or priced the C5 but will do both now.
If you recall the 84 was the first year of the C4 and was riddled with problems and sub-standard designs. A lot of those were corrected in 85.
I was wondering if a similar evolution took place with the C5.
Tnx again.
My 85 is really fun to drive and gets the looks but it always could use a repair of one kind or another and the glass top is a pain to remove and store. Thats why this 96 vert caught my eye.
I haven't driven or priced the C5 but will do both now.
If you recall the 84 was the first year of the C4 and was riddled with problems and sub-standard designs. A lot of those were corrected in 85.
I was wondering if a similar evolution took place with the C5.
Tnx again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Tnx for the info.
My 85 is really fun to drive and gets the looks but it always could use a repair of one kind or another and the glass top is a pain to remove and store. Thats why this 96 vert caught my eye.
I haven't driven or priced the C5 but will do both now.
If you recall the 84 was the first year of the C4 and was riddled with problems and sub-standard designs. A lot of those were corrected in 85.
I was wondering if a similar evolution took place with the C5.
Tnx again.
My 85 is really fun to drive and gets the looks but it always could use a repair of one kind or another and the glass top is a pain to remove and store. Thats why this 96 vert caught my eye.
I haven't driven or priced the C5 but will do both now.
If you recall the 84 was the first year of the C4 and was riddled with problems and sub-standard designs. A lot of those were corrected in 85.
I was wondering if a similar evolution took place with the C5.
Tnx again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Likes: 38
From: ATX
I have to say that while I love my C5 (for all the reasons stated above), it has been a huge lemon. In fact, it's parked right now waiting for me to order some fuel hoses 
My vin is 0000xx; it is literally one of the first C5's sold, and I think a more than a few probs I've experienced are due to that.
I'd at least go for a later '97 or '98, and I'd definitely steer clear of the C4's. I've driven both; the C5 is just a much better car.
My vin is 0000xx; it is literally one of the first C5's sold, and I think a more than a few probs I've experienced are due to that. I'd at least go for a later '97 or '98, and I'd definitely steer clear of the C4's. I've driven both; the C5 is just a much better car.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
Unless it's a ZR1 (cant remember if they were still making them in 96) get the 97.
Those ZR-1s will be barret-jackson material one day, but I wouldnt have one as a daily driver, not after having a c5.
Those ZR-1s will be barret-jackson material one day, but I wouldnt have one as a daily driver, not after having a c5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 2
From: Akron Ohio
95 was the last, but I like the 96 GRAND SPORT better anyway, though I would still pick my 01 vert over any C4. I had a 91 previous to it and wow, C5s are so much better it is scary.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington Illinois
I sold my '96 and bought a low mile late-build '97 about 2 years ago. The '96 is the most refined C4, but the '97 beats it in every way. I have had no problems whatsoever with the '97. By the way, there were relatively few running changes made during the C5 generation, at least compared to the C4s. Always buy the newest 'Vette you can afford, but you are not giving up much by buying a '97.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
C5s handle better, drive better and are a truly world class automobile.
Before you buy see if you can find the book titled "All Corvettes are Red" by James Schefter it will give you all the reasons why a C5 is so much better than a C4. I read this book in eraly 97 just after I saw my first C5 while the dealer had it under covers in the show room waiting for the first sale day in early March. I knew then I wanted a C5 and ordered one then made preparations to sell my 86. I really liked that 86 but I found out the C5 was so much better of a car once I started driving it.
The C5s cost less to insure since they are easier to repair than the C4s. My insurance went down by several hundred dollars per year when I went from the 86 to a brand new 97.
Bill
Before you buy see if you can find the book titled "All Corvettes are Red" by James Schefter it will give you all the reasons why a C5 is so much better than a C4. I read this book in eraly 97 just after I saw my first C5 while the dealer had it under covers in the show room waiting for the first sale day in early March. I knew then I wanted a C5 and ordered one then made preparations to sell my 86. I really liked that 86 but I found out the C5 was so much better of a car once I started driving it.
The C5s cost less to insure since they are easier to repair than the C4s. My insurance went down by several hundred dollars per year when I went from the 86 to a brand new 97.
Bill
The prior owner of my C5 gave me the book (All Corvettes are Red) with my car. I read it cover to cover, excellent reading if you like Corvettes or are looking to get into them. The book also has a lot of great info about R&D and why the C5 is such a different vehicle than the C4. I honestly love my C5....I have the 303'd one ever off the assembly line...and I haven't had any problems that someone in a 2000+ hasn't had! I'm at 125k mi and still going strong...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
[QUOTE=They did bump the hp up and softened the suspension.QUOTE]
My intention was not to "dis" any Corvette. Some years were a little better than others. The introduction of the Z51 and L98 along with other items in 85 were welcome improvements, but as you stated, a maintained 84 served just fine and there are still alot of them on the road today.
Certainly no offence was intended.
Looking forward to test-driving a C5 tomorrow.
My intention was not to "dis" any Corvette. Some years were a little better than others. The introduction of the Z51 and L98 along with other items in 85 were welcome improvements, but as you stated, a maintained 84 served just fine and there are still alot of them on the road today.
Certainly no offence was intended.
Looking forward to test-driving a C5 tomorrow.
