C4 or C5..which is better to get?

Sorry Ive been posting to much here but want to know all the info I can before a purchase. Ive been looking at c4's and relized the only ones worth owning imo would be a ZR1 (but to spendy to fix) or a GS or any 96 with lt4. So I went looking at used ones and found out that I could get a 97 or 98 c5 for about the same price as a Lt4 vette. I would like to know the pros and cons over each. Im looking for a automatic car. I heard that the c5 has a rear mounted trans is that only with the manual trans? What makes the c5 better over a c4? Which has better handling? Which will be better in the 1/4 mile? Which would you get if you had a choice of a 96lt4 or 97 c5 that cost the same price and has same mileage?

I would definately go with the c5... I've owned both and the c5 is lightyears ahead in respect of power and handling, I also like styling better too. I own a Z06 and the handling and power is just awesome and it's a surprisingly smooth ride to, it doesn't break your back. The c4 has a very harsh ride compared. Just my opinion anyway.....

:rofl: :rofl: This kind of question stirs up the pot so much
between the C4/C5 ranks. :rolleyes:

There is no doubt a base C5 has better technology than the C4.
The oft-used line is that not-one-part of the C4 was carried
over to the C5 from 1996 to the 97' debut.

Then again you're talking about the cream of the crop C4's in
the ZR-1, Grand Sport, and any other C4 with the LT4 motor
which got a VERY conservative HP rating of 330. Why...? Easy.
The C5 was comming out the next year at 345HP, so there is
no way the 'old' model could have more HP than the all-new.
The tranny is rear-mounted for all C5's regardless of the gear
box. You get 3-options so to speak. An auto either comes with
the dreaded 2.73 gears or the performance axle of 3.15, while
all 6-speeds come with 3.42's.

Styling...so subjective. The C4 is pain to enter/exit, because
of that tall sill, that doesn't exist on the C5, but man the
cockpit feel of the C4 is starfighter nice. There is the clamshell
hood, a big favorite of Corvette lovers.

The ride...is nite and day between a C4 and C5, however, some
diehards like the certain raw attributes that the C4 delivers. The
C5 rides like an everyday car..until you put your foot in it. Very
refined. Hardly any rattles and much more usable room for
feet, toes, and luggage.

Which is faster... :iceslolan Kinda hard to answer that with a
simple generalization. I've seen all the models you mentioned in
the 12's for the quarter mile, it only depends how much you wanna
spend and how much practice you can do at the track.

I've got friends that own each of those cars, and I'm not sure you
can go wrong with either a C4 or a C5, it's really just a personal
preference.

Good luck!!! :smile:

You mentioned you wanted an automatic. The LT4s were 6 speeds. I had a friend that had a 96 Collectors Addition and he had lifter problems with his LT4 that the dealer never resolved. But back to C4/C5 delima. I just went from a 95 coupe with an automatic to a 2002 roadster with a 6 speed. I really liked my 95 however the down side was it is tough to get into and if you removed the top it rode like crap. It had a better sound system than my 2002 and the power seat controls were easier to use. The 2002 is much tighter, much more powerful and much easier to get into. If you are looking at the same price I would recomend the C5 hands down. I would also suggest you reconsider a 6 speed. I have found it to be a lot of fun and the clutch, being hydrolic, is very easy on the leg. One more thing:

Torch Red - Black Interior. My plate # is 2FASTTTT
Murph

heres another vote for the c5 vette, stable from 0-150+mph, plus much more refined. And deffinately go for the six speed. with the torque on tap that comes with all american v8's, you dont need to worry about shifting until about 70. one draw back to the closed versions(coupe and hardtop) is wind noise.

as for the top speed test, dads 99 vette on a blank piece of highway. :evillol:

Not an easy call as some people might think. As mentioned the C5 is bigger and better than the C4 in many respects:

- more passenger room
- twice the cargo space in back
- its wider, taller, yet with a lower hoodline
- much more rigid chassis
- better weight distribution
- targa top is SOOOOOO much easier to take off than the brutal 4-screw C4 top

Stuff like interior/exterior styling is up in the air. I personally think the C5 is the greatest Vette style to date, and I plan to own an LS1 C5 some day. Nevertheless, I have a very soft spot in my heart for my old neighbour's '96 A4 Collector's Edition (LT1) which I had the unbelievable privilege at 17 to drive. I miss climbing into the "torpedo tube" cockpit with the crazy digital dash, and lifting up that wicked reverse hood to show people what a Corvette engine looked like (all nice & dressed with the fuel rail covers and composite valve covers).

As far as engine go, the LT4 will hold it own against the LS1 - but the two engines act very differently. The Gen II V8 feels much more old school - tough and brutish - and with certain mods like a higher lift cam will really feel & sound like a "hot rod". The Gen III by comparison is a much smoother engine due in large part to its reverse firing order and signle coil per cylinder ignition. I've seen LS1 Vette's running .590 lift cams that sound as smooth as a NorthStar V8 at idle and high rev.

The C5 is the much more refined Vette, and I agree that it makes for a better daily driver. Question is if you really care about that?

Test drive and C4 and then any C5. If you are like me, it's hard to consider a C4 again.
I would buy a high mileage, low optioned 1997 over a low mileage, high optioned 1996.

But it is a matter of taste, and yours may be not like mine.

I had a couple of C4's and drove a C5. The C5 has a much better ride and more room.

It comes down to the money. A 92 C4 still has 300 hp and may not cost too much. Such a car has traction control and will handle well. So for not too much money you have a sports car that's pretty fast.

I just can't see bothering with a late C4 and spending big bucks on one.

I'm also in the market for my 1st 'Vette. I can't decide on buying a lower mileage C4 or a low-priced (and consequently higher mileage) C5. What kinds of maintenance and ownership differences are there between the two? Any other advice for a 22 year old looking to get into his first Vette? Thanks.

Autocrossers like the C4 platform better. Check out some of the articles in vette magazines, and see how many custom-builts use parts from C4's. I've owned only a C4, so I'm biased. But like I said, do a little readin'..., and decide for yourself. AND...
look how many C5's are on the road.