Hello,
I am relatively new to this site and I am in the market for a Corvette. I used to own a '74 so I have had a C3. I have never owned a C4. I know the C4 handles much better and as far as power goes I would modify or change the engine in either car. However, I do like the curves/lines of the C3. I guess I am asking C4 owners why you chose the C4 over a C3, AND which C4's should I look into. (I have already ruled out an '84-'85. Thanks for your input.
I personally prefer the lines of the ’91 – ’96. I like the L98 engine in the ’91 but dislike the Opti-Spark in the ’92 – ’94. I like the entire drive train for ‘95 and the color and performance options of the ’96. Out of the ZR1’s I prefer the ’95 for performance and refinement.
I went from a C3 to my 96 and I couldn't be more pleased. It is a night and day difference in the driveing experience from a C3 to a C4 especially with the Z51 suspension. I mean no disrespect for a C3,I still love the style of them.
Tiger,
I own a '95, '76, and, 69. Each car has it's own personality. I too prefer the lines of the C3. What are you going to use the car for. If it is long distance highway driving go C4. The gas mileage/ reliability is so much better to say nothing of the comfort. If its a week end town driver than choose your favorite. Anything over 100 mile distance I go with the '95. If you choose a C4, go as late as you can afford. They got better with time. I had an '89 which I loved, but the '95 is definitly a better car as far as power, reliability, squeeks, etc. Good luck and enjoy your new car.
Thanks for your replies. This car will be a 2nd car. I have a company vehicle I drive daily and I own 4 other vehicles. It will not be a DD. If I were to go C3 I would probably buy cheap and do a complete rebuild, very nice interior, paint, and stout engine. I want LOTS of power. Even if I went with a C4 I would definitely do some mods to get more power. Would like to see 450+ hp out of either car.
I went from a C3 to my 96 and I couldn't be more pleased. It is a night and day difference in the driveing experience from a C3 to a C4 especially with the Z51 suspension. I mean no disrespect for a C3,I still love the style of them.
I have owned a 68 and a 77 which I sold when I bought my 96. I love the looks of the C3's but everything else is much improved in the C4. There is no comparison in the performance, quality and reliability.
I personally prefer the lines of the ’91 – ’96. I like the L98 engine in the ’91 but dislike the Opti-Spark in the ’92 – ’93. I like the engine in the ’94 – ‘95 and the color and performance options of the ’96. Out of the ZR1’s I prefer the ’95 for performance and refinement.
Aren't there opti-sparks in 94-96's? My brother has a 1995 LT1 Caprice and it has the opti-spark. So did they ditch it in vettes while leaving it in camaros, impalas and caprices? -matt
I grew up in love with C3's. A buddy of mine came by one day and picked me up for a ride in a black 69 coupe. The car of my dreams. It had the rally wheels and chrome bumpers, very cool. Then I started looking at details. The fiberglass had spider cracks in it. There were places where you could see old bad body work coming out. Then he told me about hidden rust damage underneath. There were other problems with the exhaust and A/C heat system. He said it was hotter than ---- in the summer driving. About a month later he was hit in the rear and the car was totaled.
When I started shopping I began with the hopes of finding a nice C3 for a DD. I found for about the same money I could get a nice C4 with better everything. I have had to learn about electronic engine controls. Haven't seen a C4 with the cracking in the body like the C3. I don't think C4's are made of the same old brittle fiberglass. Good luck with your hunt.
Location: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Quote:
Originally Posted by carriker
Aren't there opti-sparks in 94-96's? My brother has a 1995 LT1 Caprice and it has the opti-spark. So did they ditch it in vettes while leaving it in camaros, impalas and caprices? -matt
Optisparks were used in all LT1 and LT4 engines. In 1995 it was improved by venting it which allowed traped moisture to escape. I don't know why he distinguished between 93 and 94, (maybe a typo?) they were both the same.
Optisparks were used in all LT1 and LT4 engines. In 1995 it was improved by venting it which allowed traped moisture to escape. I don't know why he distinguished between 93 and 94, (maybe a typo?) they were both the same.
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I guess I am asking C4 owners why you chose the C4 over a C3,
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I've mentioned this before, but I personally belive that exterior styling peaked in 1969. It's been on a slide ever since.
Seriously, that's my opinion.
After that you got cheeze-grater side coves,then plastic bumpers, then hatch-back glass, then the C4, then the soft-nose C4 in '92, then the C5 and now the C6.
That being said, I think the car has gotten better each year. Exterior styling is only one component, and the car (as a whole) has almost always been better than the year before (except for the smog-years of the 70's).
If I were buying a vette to bring to car shows and look at..... a 1969 would be my first choice. For a weekend cruiser with occasional long trips (cruis-in and Carlisle) I chose a C4. If I were looking for a track car, it would be a C5. If I were looking for a DD, then the C6 just can't be beat.
So my answer to your original question is, "Beacuse the role I was buying my vette to fill was best fit by a C4".
You know its really to the driver and the desire. I have a 75 and a 91. Both serve for different purposes. Nothing beats the lines and curves of a C3 and hey cornering aint bad either. I use me 91 for trips and is more confortable. Also the gas mileage is almost double. The chicks love either though I think the C3 gets better response due to availability. I have to turn the wrench more often on the C3 but if you have too on the C4 you better know the electronics. Either way as a second vehicle you need to find the best nitch. Drive both, older C3 vs younger and on the C4 auto vs 4+3 or 6 speed and l98 vs LT1. I wanted the L98 just easier for me to work on, I just know the motor better. Hope it helps and good luck.
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C4 vs. C3???
