Looking at the specs and possible purchase candidates for both C4 (1995) and C5 (1997).
I've listed the Front & Rear suspension, and Body construction. Are there any pros/cons that I should consider since there are differences?

1995
Front suspension
Single fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar

Rear suspension
Fully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly

Body construction
Fiberglass; separate ladder frame with cross-members

1996

Front suspension
Independent SLA forged-aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset.

Rear suspension:
Independent five-link design with tow and camber adjustment, forged-aluminum control links and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel tie rods, stabilizer bar, and tubular U-joint aluminum driveshaft

Body construction
Fiberglass; separate ladder frame with cross-members

1997

Front suspension
Independent SLA forged-aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset.

Rear suspension
Independent five-link design with tow and camber adjustment, cast-aluminum upper and lower control arms and knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel tie rods and stabilizer bar, and tubular U-jointed metal matrix composite driveshaft.

Body Construction
Fiberglass; integral perimeter frame with center backbone/all-welded steel body frame construction

 

The C5 frame is more precise, as it is hydroformed (one piece).

The C4 frame is 26 pieces (if I remember correctly) and is welded together, and is not as accurate, which is why the C4 is prone to squeaks and rattles (everything does not line up as well)...

 

Ingress/egress on the C4 is way more of a PITA. Like climbing into/out-of a bathtub.

 

No question the C5 is the better car, by far. Even in the C4 section, I think you'll find they agree.

I've heard though that the suspension on the C4's was better at eliminating wheel hop, even though they look similar on paper. Still, get the C5.

 

You gotta be kidding with this post I had an 84 loved the car (Still do! Sold it to a family mamber and its still going stronger than ever)and it was quick. The seats are great fitting. But stepping into a C5 is a different world. All the problem issues from the C4 years were addressed in the C5 platform. Thats the how they evolve. each generation bilds on the strengths of the last generation. I still thing the C4s are a great car , and I keep seeing a C4 Grandsport about 2 mornings a week where I live and the car looks bad ***. But in all fairness to that generation you can not compare them.

 

Not to mention the C4 is butt ugly...

 

haha thats the best way to explain it.

 

No similarity between the C4 and C5 rear suspensions. On the C4 the two rear trailing arms on each side did not properly address geometry changes as the wheels went up and down. On the C4 as the wheel travels upward it swings in an arc and is subject to more camber change while the two trailing arms are twisted as it travels in that arc. The C5 design with upper and lower control arms which is very similar to the C5 frong suspension is much better in keeping the knuckle vertical and reducing camber change as the wheel swings through its arc.

Not sure why the OP showed the 95 and 96 as different since they were the same.

The C4 frame wasn't a ladder frame. The main body frame was a tub that was welded out of quite a few parts. That is one of the reasons the chassis wasn't as stiff as the C5 or the C2/C3. The engine compartment was based on two sub frame style horns that came forward from the main tub. The car was originally designed as a T Top similar to the C3 but a GM President wanted it to be like the Ferrari 308 so the T Bar was removed. This very late design change reduced chassis stiffness and resulted in the door openings being raised to combat the lack of the T Bar. If you look at a C4 door opening you can see where the original sill would have been if the design hadn't been changed. As described in GM's C5 introduction literature there are 1400 fewer parts in the C5 than the C4. A large number of these parts were in the C4 chassis. The C4 is truly a mid 1970s design while the C5 was a revolutionary development that is from the late 80s/early 90s.

Bill

 

I had an 85 Coupe auto. I purchased it in 88. I LOVED the car! Best car I EVER had until I drove a C5 The C5 is SO much more car than the C4 ever was! Its so much more connected to the road, better handling, more HP/Tq and more roomier interior, and quieter!

I have NOT looked back since I sold it. From the 98 I purchased a ZO6. My wife now has a C6. Another step in the improvement direction BUT the C6 is NOT a revolutionary improved car. It just improves on the C5 design. I call it a Lexus Corvette.

Drive a C4 and a C5. My guuess is,,,you will pick the C5 hand down!

BC

 

I also owned a C4...a 1990 'vert. You cannot compare the two cars; they are that different. I love the C4 for what it is and will give it a slight edge in road "feel", but that's about it. Everything objective goes in the C5's favor...

 

Having owned both.. and I was not your average C4 owner... Had the car for over 10 years and did just about every mod imaginable (500+ hp psycho car). Bought a new C5 in 2002 and *never* looked back. Just bought another C5 last week. The C4 is a magnificent car, but the C5 is that much better.

 

If I had to pick one, it would definitely be the C5

 

thankx for your input guys. Looks like I should be looking at C5, just knowing that way I am. The body construction is my main concern and I thought was interesting to me when I dug out the spec differences.
I previously had owned a 63' split window, 75, and 76 coupe in my early years, where the 76' I bought new. I was seriously considering chasing down this particular 95' conv: http://www.rogerscorvette.com/carNew...=inv/95r_06662.

But, maybe I think I'll hold on and keep looking for a C5. Think I will go back to a stick, and can go either way on coupe or convertible if the $$$ is right. The dealer in the above link really has prestine low mileage cars. I found this dealer through a guy I met here in Rhode Island who drove down and purchased a 93' from them and was very happy.

IWill use my next purchase as a pleasure car only. I get to work wither on my Harley or take the bus and ride my bicycle. So, now I can have another nice ride to drive around town with and not drive it into the ground getting to/from work every day...

 

No question here at all. C5 is much better. C4 series was the ugliest Corvette there ever was. So doesn't matter if there is some detail in the suspension that may be better if there is a choice C5 for sure.

 

C5 >>>>>> C4

 

I had a 95 or 96 C4 cant remember now, but sold it after 3 months. Not bashing C4's but I hated it.

 

Hi ronyd -

Although the owners of each generation will be somewhat polarized on their particular gen, I don't think there is much argument against the fact that the C5 is a much better CAR than the C4 -

Either one is a Corvette, so it is up to you to decide what you want and then learn as much about that car as you can.

If you do decide on a C4, I would search for Gordon Killebrew.

best regards -

mqqn

 

I had a 1985 and now a 2004.

 

Ok, I would like to get opinions on $$$ for this gem. It's a 2000, magnetic red metallic, with 18,025 miles: Private owner asking $28,500 negotiable:




his write-up:

Options include 6SPD.MANUAL Polished aluminum wheels, 6-way power adjustable sport bucket seats with leather trimmed surfaces, active handling system, heads up display, A/C-electronic dual zone, steering column-power telescoping & manual tilt, 6-way power passenger seat, 2 driver memory package, AM/FM stereo with CD player & BOSE speakers, fog lamps, twilight sentinel, color-keyed front floor mats with carpeted inserts, body colored side moldings, rear window defroster, passenger key theft deterrent system with horn alarm, power heated outside mirrors, electronic traction control, & power door locks & windows.

This car was ALWAYS garaged and covered, NEVER driven in RAIN and ALWAYS stored during Winter. All oil changes with Mobil 1.
This Vette is PERFECT!!!

Ball Park new: $45,320 base price + $4,000 in options -> $49,320

I got a ball park from Kelley Blue book:

retail: $25,445; private: $22,020

 

Its a nice looking car, but the price does seem a little high.