LT4 LT4 Vette or 4th Gen Camaro?

[Nick S]

I currently own a 1999 Z28, but I have the opportunity to buy a 1996, Purple Metallic, LT4 Corvette. The Vette has 55,000 miles and was previously owned by a collector that took the car to shows and drove it to NASCAR races. The car is in excellent shape. After my trade and money down the car will end up costing me $6,000. Should I keep the Z28 or go with the Vette? Surprisingly (said with sarcasm), the people on the Camaro related bulletin boards think I should keep the Z28.

Thank you for your input.

Nick

 

[JEFNLSA]

It depends on what you are really looking for. I'd rather have a Vette over Camaro any day. Keep in mind, the Vette is a two seater. Also, chances are, you've kinda got the Camaro set up the way you like and running right and, from experience, you will probably have to put a little money/time into the Vette to get it where you really want it....but that's the "joy" of owning one, you're never "done"!

I raced an LS1 Trans Am and was "all over it" in my LT4.....BUY THE VETTE!!

 

[B17Crew]

Nick S,
What a coincidence, I was in your shoes back in December 1998.

I had a ’94 Bright Aqua six-speed coupe at the time and was wanting to trade “up”. I had been looking at LT4s for some time but the ones I had come across had rough interiors/dirty engine compartments.

I had an open mind and thought I’d look at a new Camaro SS. It was in the same price range of the LT4’s I was looking at, roughly $27,000. I test drove a Navy Blue Metallic SS coupe; it was a nice car, but the handling was not as predictable as the Corvettes (IMHO). On the test drive, what made me decide to stay with Corvette was the way the Camaro “danced” and sidestepped over bumps. The Corvette had none of these characteristics, I attribute it to the Camaros rear axle setup.

In the same showroom was a pristine 96 Polo Green LT4, 15,000 miles and no kidding, the engine, under carriage and interior were spotless. I already knew how the C4s handled, so I went with the LT4, bought it for $27,000, it was the nicest LT4 I had seen for sale after a full year of searching. LT4’s are fast too... I’m not the greatest dragstrip driver and I was able to run a 13.3 @ 107 (elevation 890 ft above seal level). Bone stock all but for a K&N air filter.

Drive them both and see how the two feel, the Purple Metallic that you mentioned is also a low production color run, not going to make you rich, but a novelty.

B17Crew

 

[toby]

A year or so ago when I was trying to decide between a Z28 and Corvette (I had mid-60s GTOs and early-70s Trans Ams in my youth -- I'm 47 now), several factors caused me to come down on the Vette side. As others have mentioned, the Vette's cornering is noticeably better. It seems to be easier to find a Vette that hasn't been thrashed; perhaps the lower cost of Z28s gets them into the hands of more ... shall we say ... impetuous drivers. Vettes hold their resale value much better than F-bodies, which works against you at purchase but for you at selling (if you can bring yourself to sell ).

Personally, I prefer the looks of the C4 to the 4th gen F-bodies. In fact, I prefer the look and feel of the C4 to just about anything I have ever driven. My wife would not be caught dead in an F-body -- too 'boy-racer' -- but she loves the Vette (we can argue about whether that is good or bad!).

For me, the LT4 seemed like the best combination of performance, affordability, and uniqueness available in a C4 convertible. I found a 1-owner (lawyer in his 50s, on his 6th Vette) SoCal LT4 convertible in Polo Green, and my wife and I drove it back to Seattle along California Hwy 1. The LT4 is absolutely as good as everyone says -- considerably more grunt than the LT1 cars I drove. The LS1 cars (Z28, C5) I have driven were very impressive, but I don't feel like I'm playing second string with the LT4 at all.

There are quite a few nice LT4 cars out there. Right now, with winter nearly upon us, the deals should be outstanding.

Toby

 

[Vettelt193]

I currently own a 1999 Z28, but I have the opportunity to buy a 1996, Purple Metallic, LT4 Corvette. The Vette has 55,000 miles and was previously owned by a collector that took the car to shows and drove it to NASCAR races. The car is in excellent shape. After my trade and money down the car will end up costing me $6,000. Should I keep the Z28 or go with the Vette? Surprisingly (said with sarcasm), the people on the Camaro related bulletin boards think I should keep the Z28.

Thank you for your input.

Nick

Strictly from a money standpoint, in 5 years the 'vette will still be worth more than the camaro... in 20 years the vette will still be worth more... Camaros just don't hold their value like Corvettes do.

On the other side of the coin, which one do you like more? If you really love Camaros, then don't get the 'vette... 6 grand is enough to supercharge your Camaro, and blow the doors off of corvettes all day long (if racing is your thing).

If style is up your alley, the style of a C4 vette is like no other... nice clean lines, and unlike other cars on the road. a purple LT4 vette is one of the rarest of them all too on top of the fact that LT4 'vettes are sweet, rare, fast, fun, and desirable.

Whatever choice you make, make it for yourself!

 

[Nick S]

Thank you for taking the time to make the well thought out responses. These are helpful. Please feel free to continue giving me your thoughts.

Nick

 

[vetteguy]

If the Camaro guys told you to keep the Camaro, what do you think we will tell you? I like Camaro's also but if I had to choose the LT4 wins, hands down! Good Luck, Guy

 

[GS Diva]

I have an LT4. It's the 3rd C4 I've had, and there's nothing like it!! In fact, I like it better than Hubby's 2002, and both are 6-speeds. That's just my opinion, of course, but the Grand Sport is the one for me!!

As others have said, you have to do what you feel best about doing...and what you feel best driving. It's true, though...the Corvette will maintain its value far beyond the Camaro...if that's important!

Good luck!

Elaine

 

[Tuna]

A while back I had the chance to test drive a few Camaro's on the same stretch of road that I 'test drive' my C4 and C5. Wow! what a difference the Vette is. As mentioned before by B17, the Camaro is twitchy and nervous compared to the Vette - even an old C4. The LT4 is the match for just about any LS1 in power and performance - I owned a 96 CE LT4 Z51 car a few years back and it compared very well with the new C5's and better than any Camaro it came up against. I even added LT4 parts plus some extras to my first Vette.

Okay, I'm a Vette fanatic. I vote for the Vette - a good C4 LT4 car is hard to beat.

Test drive a few Vettes - they all seem to have different personalities. Take a look and your wants and needs and then let you heart be your guide.

 

[Greg@NASA]

Nick, drive the LT-4.......you won't need my opinion.Find a twisty stretch of road,and satisfy that gremlin that lives in the nether regions of us all.Then decide.

Greg

 

[6 Shooter]

From past experience . . .

I must agree, take 1 for a good fast twisty ride and the decision should be quite easy!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Wake]

I had an open mind and thought I’d look at a new Camaro SS. It was in the same price range of the LT4’s I was looking at, roughly $27,000. I test drove a Navy Blue Metallic SS coupe; it was a nice car, but the handling was not as predictable as the Corvettes (IMHO). On the test drive, what made me decide to stay with Corvette was the way the Camaro “danced” and sidestepped over bumps. The Corvette had none of these characteristics, I attribute it to the Camaros rear axle setup.

Same here... I went from a 4th gen T/A (97), to a 4th gen Corvette (96)... One thing I never liked about the F-Body was the live axle rear and how it, "danced" as described above...

The first C4 I test drove was close to where I live, so I took the ride over the same route I take to work daily... The first impression was, "WOW" when I hit the bumpy freeway on-ramp at speed and the rear didn't jump...

 

[Nick S]

I have driven the Corvette quite a few times now and I think the problem that I am having is that I feel like a moron driving a manual transmission. I have been driving automatics for pretty much my entire driving life. Needless to say, I am not getting the maximum out of the car when I drive it. A friend of mine drove the car while I was in it (he drives manuals all of the time in different cars) and he made the car do things I just can't do yet (like go fast). He was very comfortable driving the car. Automatics are simple, mash the gas and steer the wheel. If I figure this shifting thing out, I'd assume that the Corvette will feel faster/better than the Camaro and more fun to drive?

 

[Vettelt193]

I have driven the Corvette quite a few times now and I think the problem that I am having is that I feel like a moron driving a manual transmission. I have been driving automatics for pretty much my entire driving life. Needless to say, I am not getting the maximum out of the car when I drive it. A friend of mine drove the car while I was in it (he drives manuals all of the time in different cars) and he made the car do things I just can't do yet (like go fast). He was very comfortable driving the car. Automatics are simple, mash the gas and steer the wheel. If I figure this shifting thing out, I'd assume that the Corvette will feel faster/better than the Camaro and more fun to drive?

if you are a drag racer... auto is probably the way to go. But if you like to have fun on the road, throw the car into some turns... manual is the only way to go. With manual, you can always get the car into the right gear for the situation. With auto, you have to let the car do the work, and you can't just mash the throttle to get into the right gear around a corner

 

[jcs44]

Buy the LT4. It a one of a kind. Camaro's may be nice, but they're a dime a dozen just like Mustangs.

 

[6 Shooter]

All 4th Gen Camaros are/were not created equal . . .

Buy the LT4. It a one of a kind. Camaro's may be nice, but they're a dime a dozen just like Mustangs.

LT4 Encore
Once Exclusive to ’96 Corvettes, the LT4 Makes a Final Curtain Call in the ’97 Camaro SS

By Miles Cook
Photography: CC Staff

Since 1993, the Camaro has been the best bang-for-the-buck American-made performance car on the market. Even the base V-6 versions are decent performers in their own right. But the Z28 is the big favorite with most enthusiasts. Combined with the exceptional LT1 engine, it provides one of the best platforms going on which to build a killer modern-tech street machine.

As the fourth generation of the Camaro enters its fifth year, a strong historical perspective already exists that includes the 275hp LT1 getting a jump in its rating to 285 hp for 1996. Also new for 1996 was the SS package that included several tricks--most notable being a cold-air-induction system, 17-inch wheels and tires, a Hurst shifter, and an optional Torsen limited-slip differential.

A Hell-Spawned 330-Horsepower Speed Demon

By Jeff Bartlett
Motor Trend Magazine, February 1997 Issue. All Rights Reserved Petersen Publishing Company

Horsepower-obsessed SLP engineers have made an unholy pact with Chevrolet to concoct a witch's brew of Camaro performance that only 100 fortunate souls will be privileged to own. The revered Corvette LT4 engine, the finest ingredients from SLP Engineering parts bins, and the street-proven SS moniker have been stirred in a bubbling caldron to produce a special anniversary edition that should capture the interest of enthusiasts for generations.

Power and prestige for these extreme street-dominating Camaros come from replacing the standard muscular LT1 V-8 engine with even more firepower: the C4 Corvette's LT4. While official output figures rate the Camaro-fitted engine at 330 horses, that figure likely is conservative for the balanced-and-blueprinted powerplant, even before factoring in the forced-air induction system, ported exhaust manifolds, and the free-flowing stainless steel exhaust system.

The SS LT4 features the full round of go-fast equipment available on the milder SS, plus a few spellbinding original pieces. The most notable change on all '97 SS models is the softened suspension, addressing the coccyx-bruising tautness of previous models. The SS LT4 further benefits from the revised Level II suspension package featuring specially tuned Bilstein shocks, progressive-rate springs, and revised rear lower control arms.

 

[Nick S]

Well, I decided on the Corvette, and I am now spending my time learning how to drive the manual transmission and learning all about LT4 Corvettes.

The more I drive this car the better that it feels. Is this car faster than most 4th generation F-bodys? Once I get the car into 3rd and 4th gear, it just takes off. I mean, I look down and I am doing like 70 or 80 and I've gotta slow down. The LT4 seems to have much more low end torque than the LS1.

I probably should start a new post for this, but are there any must do mods for this car other than exhaust and removing the stupid skip shift? I am familiar with all of the LS1 mods from owning and modifying the Camaro, but the LT4 is new to me. Are there any suspension mods that should be done? This car has the base suspension. It feels pretty good compared to the Camaro (granted the Camaro was lowered with just about every suspension component replaced).

Sorry if I asked too many questions. Thank you for all of the replies so far. You all have been very helpful.

Nick

 

[6 Shooter]

Congrads on the purchase of your LT4 !

Well, I decided on the Corvette, and I am now spending my time learning how to drive the manual transmission and learning all about LT4 Corvettes.

The more I drive this car the better that it feels. Is this car faster than most 4th generation F-bodys? Once I get the car into 3rd and 4th gear, it just takes off. I mean, I look down and I am doing like 70 or 80 and I've gotta slow down. The LT4 seems to have much more low end torque than the LS1.

I probably should start a new post for this, but are there any must do mods for this car other than exhaust and removing the stupid skip shift? I am familiar with all of the LS1 mods from owning and modifying the Camaro, but the LT4 is new to me. Are there any suspension mods that should be done? This car has the base suspension. It feels pretty good compared to the Camaro (granted the Camaro was lowered with just about every suspension component replaced).

Sorry if I asked too many questions. Thank you for all of the replies so far. You all have been very helpful.

Nick

Enjoy your Corvette!

You could do the K&N open air lid mod, it was on my LT4. Mine also had the Z51 suspension option, it was real tight and had almost no roll, it cornered and handled great.

The other 2 mods you mentioned are good 1's also . . . exhaust upgrade & the cags defeat plug.

BTW - Here's An Official Welcome to the
Post a few pics sometime . . .

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Eric]

Congrats on deciding on the Vette. I tested a 96 CE LT4 for sigshooter and was amazed. It was the second time I actually heard the term "pulls like a raped ape" in my head - the first was a 66 427 I drove a few years back.

Since you're in Herndon, you'll need to mark your calendar for August 6 2005. That's when the 16th Annual Corvette Cruise-In is held. It's about 300 Vettes at Best Buy in Manassas. There is a Mid-Atlantic forum here where I'll post details when available.

Drive hard and save the wave!

 

[B17Crew]

The more I drive this car the better that it feels. Is this car faster than most 4th generation F-bodys? Once I get the car into 3rd and 4th gear, it just takes off. I mean, I look down and I am doing like 70 or 80 and I've gotta slow down. The LT4 seems to have much more low end torque than the LS1.

Nick

Congrats on the LT4! It’s a great motor... if there’s a positive about not having one of the 1000 Grand Sports (GS) -- the regular ’96s w/the GS engine option look like LT1s, there’s no way to tell what’s under the hood if you are outside the car and not looking at the tach. I’ve always felt that the LT4 is a wolf in sheeps clothing (if that can be said about a Corvette:L). You are going to surprise a lot of opponents as you run through the gears.

I’ve only added a K&N air filter to mine, but there are a host of performance add-ons that people have done who will chime in here eventually.

Post some pics when you can! We love pics!

B17Crew