11sec"L"

I am sure this question is all about opinion, but I am curious as to some of your thoughts here.
I just recently got my C4 (96 CE LT4) and love the car. When I went to buy a Vette, I bought the newest one in best shape I could find (and afford ~$18K).
What I get tired of hearing is people ask me why I didn't get a C5 or why I don't rush out and trade mine in on a used C5????
People ask me things like, "when are you going to upgrade to a C5"?
What is the general concences...is a C5 an upgrade other than in year and a newer body?
Has anyone ever "downgraded" to a C4 from a C5?
Seems like the same car in a C5 with comprable miles (56K) and same condition would have cost me almost $5K more...I know I get a newer body design and overall newer car...but is it "in large" a worth while upgrade...should I be looking for an oppertuinity to trade my C4 and cash for a C5 or do the C5 guys wish they had kept their C4's???
Sorry if this is a stupid question, just not sure the hype of the C5 and want someone to explain it.
Now, obviously I can appriciate that a Z06 in my mind would be an upgrade, but the "standard" C5...is it??? if so, Why?
How much more is it really worth?
Just curious
Thanks


[Modified by 11sec"L", 6:20 PM 3/26/2004]

eddieL98

are the guys asking you to upgrade car guys or just regular peeps? just my .02 I wouldn't trade a good condition LT4 CE for a bottom line C5 coupe

Red90Coupe

Well IMO, going from a CE LT4 to a stock C5 would not be an upgrade, but that's just me. I love LT4's!!!!! You should ask these people why they think a C5 would be better. :cheers:

smokeyburnouts

With a c5 you do get alittle more hp (LS1), plus a smoother ride. I guess technically the c5 is a slight upgrade, but speed-wise I didnt see much diffence between my c4, and my buddy's car (LS1 trans -am). his T/A is stock and when he is at the track he said his, c4s and c5s run all about the same stock. I personally like c4s better. I think the body styling is sleeker and faster looking. Im only 22, but when I come across some more money, my goal is to either upgrade my current c4 or UPGRADE to a ZR1, rather than "upgrade" to a c5.


[Modified by smokeyburnouts, 1:41 PM 3/26/2004]

11sec"L"

These guys are car guys but seem to be hung up on the body design and even remark with crap like, "Those Vett's (C4's) are played out".
They give the LT4 it's props but snub their nose at its age?
When asked, almost every one (1 exception) says they would rather have a base C5 as a daily driver than an LT4 C4...almost all agree it should be a stick for sport and a automatic for trafic.
Seems that at the track, preception is reality, (mostly because Z06's are what they see) the C5's are PRECEIVED as faster and better handling and as having more "mod potential".
I honnestly don't know, I see reports that show the 96 LT4 and the 97/98/99 base models with the same (13.3) 1/4 mile times and in some reports even SLOWER....who knows.
I do like the body looks of the C5, and would have bought one if I had the extra cash but did not want to finance another car so picked up the best one I had cash to cover....maybe I should save for a few months and swap it out with a C5 :confused: OR... maybe I will just mod the he!! outta this one :rant:

fryguy84

Going from an LT4 to a regular C5 (not ZO6) would be a Downgrade not an Upgrade!! The LT4 will kick the shiznit out of any stock C5 out there!!

Just my .02!! :smash: :smash:

LT-4 CE

Newer is not necessarily better. "Upgrade" is a relative term for where you place value. Somethings about each generation are better than all other generations, so to assume a C5 is an upgrade is silly. I mean, a C2 can be a significant upgrade over a C4 (or C5 for that matter). It's all about what you want.

It does seem like for some useless reason, the C4s and C5s are pitted against each other, but I don't see C1 and C2 guys having such useless conversations.

Get the vette you want and can afford. To some people, the best vette is an older one and to some it's newer.

When I sold my drag race stuff to buy a vette, I was torn between a chrome bumper and a late C4. Both were similarly priced, but in the end, I wanted leather, air, CD, fuel injection - simply as a change for me, not becuase I felt the C4 is inherently a better car.

For what it's worth, I'd boot my LT-4 CE to the curb for a Z06, but not for a base C5. I have auto-x and drag raced next to base C5s and my LT-4 is equal to or better at both types of performance.

I'll shut up now.


[Modified by LT-4 CE, 2:42 PM 3/26/2004]


[Modified by LT-4 CE, 2:43 PM 3/26/2004]


[Modified by LT-4 CE, 2:53 PM 3/26/2004]

93aqua

I just "upgraded" I still like the way my C4 feels when i drive it. The C5, I love it but not as great as I was expecting.

VR'92

Your buddies are car snobs. :yesnod: Or Corvette snobs take your pic.


Yes a C5 is better than my 92 C4LT-1 but I dont have a LT-4 Collectors Edition. The LT-4 is a very very good motor and I would rather have one of those than a base model C5.


You have the nicest version of a C4 out there besides the mighty ZR1. With that being said I think a stock C5 is a downgrade. Your car in good shape will be worth more than base C5's in a couple years. You own a collector. :yesnod:

VR'92

Honestly though nothing and I mean nothing is a good as the look on a C5 driver face when you pull past him in a C4. Nothing :reddevil


They look like this :nonod: "Do you have nitrous on that thing? a blower?"

:rofl:

86_RedRider

many people believe that gm downplayed the HP of the LT4 because the LS1 was coming out with 345HP. i don't think it would have looked good if it made more HP then a brand new generation engine. just look at what some people have gotten on stock dyno's.

JerryR

I personally think the body style of the C4 is much nicer than the bigged azzed C5. That's why I choose the last year of the C4 as my vette...so I could get the last of the best (IMO) :cheers:

Zix

Let's not go overboard, a 6-speed C5 and an LT4 will be nck and neck, it WILL come down to the driver...no question. But the LT4 will NOT "kick the shiznit out of any stock C5"...I know because I have an LT4 and my roommate has a 2000 6-speed C5...stock for stock we were very close. But when you start the mod the cars, the LS engine runs away, period. We both have heads/cam/exhaust mods done...I'm putting down 372RWHP, while he is at 426RWHP...and his upgrade was actually easier to do than mine.

The LT4's are certinaly not slow, and can be made to go as fast as your wallet will allow. Personally, I just like driving the C4 more than the C5...but they are both great cars.

j3studio

Get both!

:)

Seriously, I think the difference between a 96 and an early, mildly equipped C5 is relatively small. However, by the time you get up to a loaded 2003 or 2004 with magnetic ride, etc. I think you have a widening gulf. By the time you are talking a 2003 versus a 1985, it's night and day - but I love them both...

:seeya

rocco16

:iagree:
...but only if you qualify that with "LS1". I would not even try going up against an LS6, it's all I can do to hange close to the LS1.

Larry
code5coupe
:seeya

The Dingo

To answer that question for yourself, find a C5 that is available in the price bracket you would be looking in and drive it. If you prefer it over your C4, then it is an upgrade.

wildman738

i have a 95 vert and my dad has a c5 99 vert. There both great carsas we all know but me and him both agree we like driving the 95 more it has more of a vette feel to me the c5 is a bit big to have ever beenand corvette and theres not much of a differece in power you can FEEL even though it has 45 more hp.

people tell me i should trade mine in for a c5 all the time i tell them true i could mine has 32k miles on it and a vert i could easliy buy a c5 if i sold mine but i truly like the looks of the c4 more.

I do like the c6 more than the c5 if i ever see me in another gerneration as of right now the c6 is what i think of. Get and c6 then tell the c5 guys why don't THEY upgrade :lol:

Mr Mojo

It's all a matter of opinion. Stock for stock, there isn''t much more a C5 can do then my C4 and vice versa.

I bought two C4's because I like the way they look and perform and at the time, they were half the price of a C5. Now with the C6 around the corner, the C5's are dropping below what I paid for my C4's.

Will I move on? Probably not since I've got too many memories in my C4's to ever get rid of them. Will I add a C5 to my collection? Possible, but not likely anytime soon.

Nathan Plemons

To the non-vette owner they are seeing your car as something that is 8 years old. Most people don't keep a car 8 years and wouldn't even consider buying something that old. To them it's an old car. What they don't realize is that your 96 is probably in better shape than their 1 year old family car. Vettes are just maintained better, typically anyway.

As for the C5 being an upgrade? Well like you said that's just personal preference. In my opinion it would be a downgrade, even a Z06. The only upgrade my C4 needs is a ZR-1 :cheers:

bizaro

drive what makes you happy, :cheers: