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c5 vs. c4 which is better?

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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 12:55 PM
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Default c5 vs. c4 which is better?

Hey folks,
My wife and I want to own a Corvette. We have narrowed it down for now to a used C4 or C5. This will be our first Vette. The market is great price wise for either body style. Dollar for dollar which is the best investment and the most fun. :confused:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 01:06 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

Don't even think of it as an investment. They are cars and they will contine to decline in value.

As far as fun goes, they will both provide you with tons of that.

Drive both before you decide.

By the way - welcome to the forum :seeya You should get plenty of opinions in this questin.



[Modified by 70L46, 12:08 PM 10/20/2001]
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 01:31 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

Well Since you posted in the C5 section, your probably going to get more C5 support! If you post in the C4 section, you'll get more C4 suppportive answers! As Bill mentioned, drive both and see which you like better.

I just bought my first corvette ever, and its a C5. I've never really driven a C4, so I cant give you a comparison. But I do hope to buy a 96 GS some day if I can find one. Then i'll have the best of both worlds:) Good luck with your decision! Remember, our opinions don't count after you buy the car! Your driving it!

Zack
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 01:34 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (70L46)

For the most part, you should always but the best/most recent you can afford.

A C5 is the better choice in my opinion.

I will own one in the future, but can't part with my C4. I will have to wait until I can have 2 vettes. :)
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 01:56 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (70L46)

Thanks for the input. We have driven both.
I am 5' 11" and 240. My wife is 5 foot nothing and weighs less. A C4 seems cramped for my frame and size, especially with the tranny still bolted to the back of the motor. This is a tight fit for me at the knees. My wife though fits fine in either Vette.

Thanks for the welcome to the forum. It is appreciated.

Jim482


[Modified by jim482, 6:11 PM 10/20/2001] :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :chevy


[Modified by jim482, 6:12 PM 10/20/2001]
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 02:23 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

You should get meny responses from people who have owned both. Our only experience was with a C4 test drive & felt it was too cramped. We love the C5.
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 02:58 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

As far as technology, power, handling, performance. The C5 obviously is the better choice.

As far as looks, fit, aesthtics, you will have to decide which outweighs the other.
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 03:05 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (kewlbrz)

Finances are always an issue, but I strongly prefer the later C5's with Active Handling, and of course all of them have ABS and Traction Control. The runflat tires make for a rougher ride but turn a flat or even a blowout into an non-event. The targa top is also much easier to remove and store. I love Zack's comment posted previously, "our opinions don't count after you buy the car". Either way, enjoy it!


[Modified by Gearhead Jim, 1:07 PM 10/20/2001]
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 03:24 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

jim482 -- I've owned both. I drove a '95 C4 until this year, and now I have an '01 C5. Objectively (i.e., styling issues aside), the C5 is a better car, but it also costs more. As an "investment," they both stink.

Improvements on the C5 include power, handling, braking, lighting, safety (active handling), quietness of ride, and storage capacity.

I enjoyed my C4, but found myself using my wife's car for short, comfortable rides. Now I only drive my wife's car when she want me to put gas it in! :D

Good luck. :cheers:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 06:14 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

I own both and the C5 is by far the best Corvette ever made :smash: :cheers:

As far as an investment LAY THE CRACK PIPE DOWN AND BACK AWAY AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: .....Investment :cheers:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 06:23 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (RHILL)

Investment was the wrong choice of words :rolleyes:
The Corvette, which ever style is bought, we be a better car dollar for dollar
vs the Camaro my wife originally wanted.
Barring unforseen circumstances, I hope to keep the car in my "Collection" to go along with my Pro street 67 Chevelle and SS 67 Chevelle :cool: :flag
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 06:29 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

C5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 06:43 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

I had a 95 C4 and loved it!! Then the C5 came out and it was called "The Best Vette Yet" and they were right. I would own both if I could convince my wife that I needed two Vettes, but I haven't found a good reason.
Like others have said "Buy the the newest Vette you can afford" Good Luck!
:D
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 06:52 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (l2vette)

Thanks...We hope to buy a Vette soon.
You have a vert. I see. Any complaints vs. a coupe
We test drove one the other night. The dealer was to high on price for us.
I guess we will keep looking.

My dream Vette is a new Z06. Torch Red.....Loaded. and NCM Delivery( so I can meet Adam at the museum.) :yesnod:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 07:01 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)

My C4 was a coupe and it was ok, but I always wanted a roadster. The C5 is very quite and comfortable with the top up and a total blast with it down!! Ya know what they say "When the top goes down, the price goes up". :cool:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 07:14 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (l2vette)

Oh my God...My C5 is in the shop so I'm driving the GF's C4 today.

I can't begin to list why the C5 is better than the C4! Her's is an excellant C4, a 94' with only 40k miles but you name any topic regarding the 2 cars and I can tell you why the C5 is better.

There is not 1 thing on the C4 that I like better. Nothing! Don't get me wrong the C4 is much better than other cars but we are comparing C4/C5 head to head.

from the chassis to the radio the C5 has improved on, and improved to function better and not just for the sake of change.

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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 07:30 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (jim482)


My C5 is my first vette. Although I never owned a C4, I sat in some before buying the C5, and felt cramped; sort of wedged in place. (I'm 6'3", about 260) The C5 is quite comfortable for me, even on relatively long drives.

As others have said, drive them both & see what they're like.

Steve.
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 07:32 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (Gary2KC5)

There is not 1 thing on the C4 that I like better. Nothing!
I do like how the C4's lights would rotate (180 degrees) to the on position :yesnod:
Also, with the hood up the front "meats" are exposed! :D
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 07:59 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (RUGBY)

Rugby,

thank you for finding something, I knew there was probably something...the headlights are kind of trick, I'll trade off the front cowl comming up all together for structural integraty but it is another trick deal on the C4.

Also C4's being less complex are not as problematic.

I'm still thinking and I can't think of anything else I would like to have on the C5 that's on the C4. anyone else?

BTW: I sold investments to pay for my C5 and even though when I look at the future value of those investments, I value the investment I made in owning a C5 Corvette more in personal satisfaction. In 20 years that cash should've been worth $250k but I might not be around in 20 years...so what's the value of that.

The C5 is not a financial investment it is a quality of life investment :yesnod:
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Old Oct 20, 2001 | 09:19 PM
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Default Re: c5 vs. c4 which is better? (l2vette)

I am torn between a coupe, roadster, and hardtop z06....
This will be mainly a car for my wife to drive. It will be her toy more than mine.
She had a blast in the convertible. :cool:
I know how she is in the summer time. Full blast A/C.... :mad
I believe the convertible would be unappropriate for the hot summer months and winter time driving :confused:
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