C4 versus C5 ????????????

[kingman]

Hi

My quest for a C5 will start after the New Year when l put my C4 up for sale.

I have a couple of questions directed to people who have owned both. Keep in mind that l have a 96 Lt1 auto coupe.

Forget the numbers what l only care about is how it feels;

1) The braking

2) performance

3) handling

4) gear shifting (auto)

5) maintenence

6) cargo room (under hatch)

7) insurance difference

Thanks, l really appreciate your input and l understand that the best way to tell is to drive one but l would love a heads up.

Alan

p.s. I am hoping to sell my vette to a friend or relative first or even a person in my town.

 

[6 Shooter]

I went from a 1996 Z51 LT4 to a 2000 Z51 MN6 Roadster. It handles well rides much smoother and has more interior room. As stated by several C4 people it is a larger car and not as darty or quick as the C4. The frame design is superior and electronics have advanced as 1 would expect.

The LS1's Performance feels the same as the LT4 - GREAT !!!

A few of the C5 maintenance items you hear about are column lock, and rear differential leaks.

After keeping a C4 engine bay/wheel wells clean/spotless, it's almost like the C5's has a person in there doing it for ya! :L

A C5 Roadster has less storage space than a C4 Coupe.

Insurance was a few dollars more, nothing to really talk about.

My LT4 was/is a great Corvette except for the electronic temp control that seemed to need a lot of attention (female tendencies).

If ya do sell your C4 enjoy your C5 hunt!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[sorbet02]

my first vette was a 94 LT1,and my only big complaint was when i took off the top because it felt like the the whole car was falling apart when i took a turn.the c5 does not have that problem.even though i miss my 94 and i would buy another one if i had more$$,my c5 is the best car i have ever had , and i had a lot of cars.....its big,wide,fast,and i always,turn heads with it, and its great on a long trip.the car begs to be driven!!!!
good luck in your hunt

 

[motorman]

my first vette was a 94 LT1,and my only big complaint was when i took off the top because it felt like the the whole car was falling apart when i took a turn.

 

[motorman]

my first vette was a 94 LT1,and my only big complaint was when i took off the top because it felt like the the whole car was falling apart when i took a turn. that is why i never bought a ZR-1 because i loved the engine but hated the car because it was so "loose". my wife worked for a dealer so i got to drive them anytime i wanted to

 

[motorman]

I went from a 1996 Z51 LT4 to a 2000 Z51 MN6 Roadster. It handles well rides much smoother and has more interior room. As stated by several C4 people it is a larger car and not as darty or quick as the C4. The frame design is superior and electronics have advanced as 1 would expect.

The LS1's Performance feels the same as the LT4 - GREAT !!!

A few of the C5 maintenance items you hear about are column lock, and rear differential leaks.

After keeping a C4 engine bay/wheel wells clean/spotless, it's almost like the C5's has a person in there doing it for ya! :L

A C5 Roadster has less storage space than a C4 Coupe.

Insurance was a few dollars more, nothing to really talk about.

My LT4 was/is a great Corvette except for the electronic temp control that seemed to need a lot of attention (female tendencies).

If ya do sell your C4 enjoy your C5 hunt!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

when i got insurance for my new 97 C-5 my agent showed me where it was cheaper to insure the 97 C-5 vs 96 C-4 because of the costs of repairs since the C-5 has bolt on fenders and did not have that expensive clam shell hood.

 

[rwpeders]

Hi

I have a couple of questions directed to people who have owned both. Keep in mind that l have a 96 Lt1 auto coupe.

Forget the numbers what l only care about is how it feels;

1) The braking

2) performance

3) handling

4) gear shifting (auto)

5) maintenence

6) cargo room (under hatch)

7) insurance difference .

I had a 96 LT4 convertible and now have a 2000 automatic. The braking is better on the C5 as is the overall handling. Performance is hard to judge because the LT4 was a six speed with a performance axle, but the C5 runs very well. The auto trans snaps through the gears with nice firm shifts. My 2000 is also a convertible and it has a lot of cargo room where the C4 had next to none.

The interior in the C5 is roomy compared to the C4 with a better ride AND better handling on those twisty roads. The engines after 2000 gradually increased in horsepower and different problems were fixed and improved. The best year would be the 2004, just as the 96 was the best of the C4s.

Good luck in your search.

 

[warren s]

1. C5 -
2. C5
3. C5
4. Dont know - my C4 was an auto , C5 manual
5. C4
6. C5
7. Nominal differance

 

[vette747]

1) The braking. A lot better on the C5.

2) performance. A lot more power on the C5.

3) handling. I track, road race, both. The C4 handle very well and is closed to the C5. I do faster track time in the C5 mostly because of the HP and brakes. C5 is more comfortable. Looks like less sportive since I do not feel all cracks on the road. My C4 is like driving a Kart.

4) gear shifting (auto). C5 is a lot better. If you put it in first it stays in first. If you put it in 2, it starts in 2 and stay in 2. good for autocross. Also, if it is on D and you are in 2, then you apply full throttle and you release, it compresses instead of shifting in 3rd. Very nice. You can make the shift point more firm and fast with a hypertech of predator. Tranny more difficult to replace. Each time you want to remove the tranny, all the rear suspension and torque tube has to come out.

5) maintenance. The C4 hood opens with the fenders. That makes it much easier to work on the engine. Brakes are the same to replace. Oil is the same to change. C5 easier to jack and put on 4 candles. Crank pulley has tendency to come loose and is more complex to change than on the C4. steering rack has to come out. Interior is easier to removed (console- door panel). No spare. You carry a flat toolkit and a small compressor if you remove the run flat. You get addicted to the tire pressure monitor sensor since you now know the psi variation with the external temperature. Rear suspension on the C5 has a better A arm design. Be ready to replace the Oil sensor on the C5. just a couples of hours, but do not be surprised if the gage shows 80 psi. C5 has his own computer network. A lot of safety systems that will reduce the power to 1-2 mph. i.e. bad steering position sensor, disconnected maf sensor. You need to add a digital voltmeter in your emergency tool box. Most of the electrical system are complex, but with the diagram, you can troubleshoot a lot. It is only connectors, pins and voltage or resistance. Well, can be very complex, but manageable to a certain extend. Random electrical problems are more difficult to trouble shoot. I have shop manual for both cars. This is a must for the C5. So much can be done when you have the information.

6) cargo room (under hatch). More room, but the cargo compartments are in the back of the car. Not accessible when you sit in the seats as the C4. I can put stuff in the C4 compartment and access it with my harm. Does not work on the C5. I have to stop and open the trunk to get to the cargo compartment. I think it was improved in the later model, but if it rains and you open the trunk, the water goes into the rear speaker.

7) insurance difference. A couples of hundreds less for the C4.

In summary, I had 3 C3s. I love my C5 and there is no doubt that it is much superior to the C4 and I prefer driving the C5. I drive the C4 only to pull the trailer for my motocross bike, road race and this is also my winter beater.

I was never tempted to modify my C4. I got the mod bug on my C5. I just need the money now. Be care full, you might get the mod bug.

There is no doubt, if you can, buy a C5.

 

[road_racefan]

As the recent owner of a 2001 coupe to keep the 94 C-4 company in the garage let me give you my perspective. First the C-4 is a 6 speed with Magna-Flow mufflers, K&N filters, and 11" rims on the back.The 2001 is stock with 17,000 miles on it.I love both for different reasons. You can hear the C-4 mufflers on the inside. But, there are times when you just want to hear that exhaust scream. However, a long road trip will wear you out. Also, while the handling is great, you can feel every road bump.The C-5 is an auto that is a little more powerful, but the ride and handling are vastly superior. Just drove back from Pittsburgh to Indy today. Because of an accident on I-70 the six hour trip took eight and a half. Got out of the car as fresh as when I got in it this morning. This car is definitely a long distance cruiser, that handles the twisties like they aren't there.For me, the C-4 is my hot rod, and the C-5 is my cruiser that promises to give me many miles of enjoyment.If you would like to discuss in greater detail personal message me with any questions you might have.I know you will enjoy the C-5, and will remember the C-4 with warm memories.

 

[KANE]

...the C-5 is my cruiser that promises to give me many miles of enjoyment.If you would like to discuss in greater detail personal message me with any questions you might have.I know you will enjoy the C-5, and will remember the C-4 with warm memories.

I drove to Berlin (Germany) once in my C5. Oh, it was great! Unrestricted speed limits... lots of great curvy roads... just a great trip. I wouldn't dream of taking another car on that trip!

 

[kingman]

l'm Sold !!

Again thanks for all of your input it is more meaningful to me then any review period.

The only thing that l have to do is get rid of my C4 first because my bride thinks that l will pick up a C5 and also keep the C4 around. She is not far from the truth but l only have a two car garage and her car takes one space..

It really is tough getting rid of my C4 because it cost me nothing to run except normal maint and if l pick up a problem my bride is going to HeeHaw me for years. I know, don't tell her but l get nutso when something is not going right.

Alan

I will keep you posted, my target is 2001 coupe/ auto.

 

[road_racefan]

Color me LUCKY! When I told my girlfriend that I was going to sell the C-4 she talked me out of it. Now that is real woman!!!

 

[vette747]

Color me LUCKY! When I told my girlfriend that I was going to sell the C-4 she talked me out of it. Now that is real woman!!!

Same here. When I got the C5, she refused to sell the C4. She said she was too attached to that car.


Congratulation!

I have only 1 door garage. Her caravan and the C4 are sleeping outside. That’s ok.

She really likes driving the C4 during summer time. Maybe you wife will like that too

 

[6 Shooter]

What's that speedo reading?

180 mph! ​

 

[DRTH VTR]

180 mph! ​

I think it is just shy of 160MPH. The numbers above 100MPH are in increments of 20MPH, aren't they?

6 Shooter- I sent some pictures to my work (business) e-mail to send on to you. I cannot access that mail until tomorrow when I go back in there. Thanks, Jim

 

[6 Shooter]

I think it is just shy of 160MPH.

The eyes sure ain't what they use to be. :eyerole

10-4 on the pictures . . .

 

[vette747]

Do you prefer this one ?

 

[6 Shooter]

Do you prefer this one ?

Yep!

 

[Alex D]

I had a '96 LT4 Vert and a 96 LT1 coupe and now my 04 coupe. There is no comparison ... the C5 is the much more rounded car for performance and every day use. Period. Even though my C4s were technically less problematic.