C3 VS C4,C5 cornering
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa Pa
C3 VS C4,C5 cornering
I want to hook my wife on driving a Corvette. I have owned a 1992 and I now own a 2000 FRC, both were stick shift. My wife only drives automatics so she never drove either car. She loves the way they corner (as a passenger) and I have her talked into letting me buy another Vett as a fun car for her to drive. (Her daily driver is a Chrysler Sebring)
I always loved the quickness in the steering and the way the C4 and C5 handle. I have never driven a C3, thus my question. How does the C3 compare? I have read that each generation handled better than the previous generation. I like the C3 body style, however I know I only have this one shot at hooking her. If I buy a C3 and she hates the way it corners and handles I`ll never be able to talk her into a C7 ten years from now.
All opinions welcome as C3`s and C4`s and even C5`s seem to be similar in price.
Now I`m not talking about racing, just taking twisty roads with gusto.
I always loved the quickness in the steering and the way the C4 and C5 handle. I have never driven a C3, thus my question. How does the C3 compare? I have read that each generation handled better than the previous generation. I like the C3 body style, however I know I only have this one shot at hooking her. If I buy a C3 and she hates the way it corners and handles I`ll never be able to talk her into a C7 ten years from now.
All opinions welcome as C3`s and C4`s and even C5`s seem to be similar in price.
Now I`m not talking about racing, just taking twisty roads with gusto.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Lehighton PA
Speaking from no experience driving a C3 or C4, I'd have to say that C5 will outperform either easily (stock for stock). As with anything, if you throw enough money at it, I'm sure a C3 could be made to outhandle a C6. Probably the best thing would be to take a ride in each one (or drive if a theres an owner out there kind enough) and make your decision based on that.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence KS
Yes the C3 has very good handling but you've got to understand where your coming from. It has very good handle for when it was made but of course its no match to either the C4-C5. My uncle has one, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
I've owned them all at one time or another. Even the C5 is already starting to feel archaic compared to a C6. There's no way a C3 or a C4 with their flimsy frames, creaks, rattles and countless unreliabilities will keep her interest. I say you have to have at least a C5. It's a whole order of magnitude better than a C4. jmho.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 3
From: New fairfield Connecticut
I have also had all 3.
I think the handling of a C3 is terrible, would never go back. I love the handling of my C5 Z06, much more steering feel than any C6.
I also felt the C4 handled great for that time.
I think the handling of a C3 is terrible, would never go back. I love the handling of my C5 Z06, much more steering feel than any C6.
I also felt the C4 handled great for that time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
I've owned them all at one time or another. Even the C5 is already starting to feel archaic compared to a C6. There's no way a C3 or a C4 with their flimsy frames, creaks, rattles and countless unreliabilities will keep her interest. I say you have to have at least a C5. It's a whole order of magnitude better than a C4. jmho.
A arms different? sway bars different????? or ??????
direct from corvette museum:
Extensive racetrack testing reveals that a C6 equipped with the Z51 suspension almost equals the lap time of a C5 Z06 – marking a major advance in the overall performance of a Corvette Coupe by nearly approximating the extreme performance capabilities of the vaunted Z06 at a remarkable value.
why is it not a lot different?
Last edited by rustyguns; Jan 12, 2008 at 01:20 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
I believe the C6 just has a much stiffer chassis/tub. The tunnel plate is much thicker, but that can be improved on the C5 (not sure of the results yet as I am still observing the difference with my 3/8" tunnel plate).
The front cradle (from what I could see) is nearly identical, but the rear changed a bit.
Other than that, the Z51 improves the brakes, shocks, sways and springs over the C5 coupe (z51 or base) and C6 coupe (base). I don't really know what EXACT aspects made it track better. Probably the whole lot combined. My guess is that the FRC/Z06 is still a more rigid design that the C6 coupe, but just guessing.
- Colby
The front cradle (from what I could see) is nearly identical, but the rear changed a bit.
Other than that, the Z51 improves the brakes, shocks, sways and springs over the C5 coupe (z51 or base) and C6 coupe (base). I don't really know what EXACT aspects made it track better. Probably the whole lot combined. My guess is that the FRC/Z06 is still a more rigid design that the C6 coupe, but just guessing.
- Colby
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Remember guys this is his wife. She may not be able to tell the difference between the Z51 and Z06 suspension.
She would be very happy with the Stock C5 suspension and an automatic. The stock suspension works wonders on back road twisties. No need to go looking for a used C5 with Z51.
We love cruzing back roads in her vert. Heck my wife takes her 85 year old mother for 2 hour curses. Both come back with
My wife loves her Stock C5 automatic. She first had a 88 Camero then 94 C4 automatic. She says that the up grade to the C5 was 100 fold better in handling and ride comfort. She wants the run flat tires for safety. The only thing she has allowed me to do was change the brake fluid from DOT 3 to DOT 4. But she is eying a set of my CCWs with black centers for her White vert.
She also said out 1500HD suspension is more comfortable then my vettes T1 suspension with aluminum seats and no padding bolted to the floor. Wonder why?
She would be very happy with the Stock C5 suspension and an automatic. The stock suspension works wonders on back road twisties. No need to go looking for a used C5 with Z51.
We love cruzing back roads in her vert. Heck my wife takes her 85 year old mother for 2 hour curses. Both come back with
My wife loves her Stock C5 automatic. She first had a 88 Camero then 94 C4 automatic. She says that the up grade to the C5 was 100 fold better in handling and ride comfort. She wants the run flat tires for safety. The only thing she has allowed me to do was change the brake fluid from DOT 3 to DOT 4. But she is eying a set of my CCWs with black centers for her White vert.
She also said out 1500HD suspension is more comfortable then my vettes T1 suspension with aluminum seats and no padding bolted to the floor. Wonder why?
Last edited by AU N EGL; Jan 12, 2008 at 08:25 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
I had a 75. It creaked, rattled, was hot, the AC and defrost never worked right, it leaked from numerous places in the rain, etc. and something always needed to be repaired or replaced. And that was a relatively decent 1-family owned car (my Dad bought it new) that had about 70K on it when I sold it in 2000. You couldn't pay me to have that car back as a daily driver or even as a part time car for my wife.
I WOULD love to have it back for the looks, the nostalgia, the uniqueness (you hardly ever see c3s on the streets around here anymore) and as a project to tinker with, but not as something to use on any sort of regular basis.
Keep in mind that the NEWEST C3 is about 25 years old, and,unless it's has a lot of upkeep, the handling is going to be far from what it was even when it left the showroom... the bushings are hard, craked and shot, the shocks are gone, there's probably play all through the suspension and steering, etc.
In short, if YOU want a project, get a C3. If you want a Corvette that will make your wife happy and appreciate 'Vettes, get a later C4 or early C5.
I WOULD love to have it back for the looks, the nostalgia, the uniqueness (you hardly ever see c3s on the streets around here anymore) and as a project to tinker with, but not as something to use on any sort of regular basis.
Keep in mind that the NEWEST C3 is about 25 years old, and,unless it's has a lot of upkeep, the handling is going to be far from what it was even when it left the showroom... the bushings are hard, craked and shot, the shocks are gone, there's probably play all through the suspension and steering, etc.
In short, if YOU want a project, get a C3. If you want a Corvette that will make your wife happy and appreciate 'Vettes, get a later C4 or early C5.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa Pa
Thanks to everyone that replied to my question. While I do enjoy working on my cars, I don`t enjoy chasing one problem after another. Soooo, I guess I am no longer looking for a C3. If the car was for me it would be different. ( I have been known to rip a carbureator apart along the side of the road to get a 1955 Belair going again.) But as I stated before, it`s for my wife.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
I like the C4 for its “Go-Kart” type feel when you are throwing it around. My wife hates the C4, doesn’t even like to ride in it. She feels like she is sitting too low in it and scares her. She loves the C5 though.
That's one hell of a rant!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
I believe the C6 just has a much stiffer chassis/tub. The tunnel plate is much thicker, but that can be improved on the C5 (not sure of the results yet as I am still observing the difference with my 3/8" tunnel plate).
The front cradle (from what I could see) is nearly identical, but the rear changed a bit.
Other than that, the Z51 improves the brakes, shocks, sways and springs over the C5 coupe (z51 or base) and C6 coupe (base). I don't really know what EXACT aspects made it track better. Probably the whole lot combined. My guess is that the FRC/Z06 is still a more rigid design that the C6 coupe, but just guessing.
- Colby
The front cradle (from what I could see) is nearly identical, but the rear changed a bit.
Other than that, the Z51 improves the brakes, shocks, sways and springs over the C5 coupe (z51 or base) and C6 coupe (base). I don't really know what EXACT aspects made it track better. Probably the whole lot combined. My guess is that the FRC/Z06 is still a more rigid design that the C6 coupe, but just guessing.
- Colby
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
If it is all about feel, I would suggest the C4. It feels like a go kart the way it turns. But if you want good turning and reliability, think about the C5. The C5 being newer will be more advanced and thus an upgrade and you won't have to deal with the opti experience. I can tell you this though, it is about 50-50 as to which car I like driving more though. The C4 feels totally different than the C5.
PS: It all depends on your budget too. There are some incredible deals on the C4 now but also some pretty good deals on a C5. AS you know, you will be paying more for the C5.
PS: It all depends on your budget too. There are some incredible deals on the C4 now but also some pretty good deals on a C5. AS you know, you will be paying more for the C5.
Last edited by NocarbutaVetteforme; Jan 12, 2008 at 11:59 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
I agree 100% about the Go kart feel. I am not sure if the turning radius is the same but it just feels different than the C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
I think the wheelbase is over a foot shorter. Definitely a difference in turning radius. I liked my C4 a lot and in some ways it handled better than my C5 but there's no comparison in overall.