old jack

I'm still looking for the right C5. Heres my problem, my Grandson came home Christmas and ask if I would would like to buy a 96 C4 with auto,(I'm not crazy about C4s) from his aunt, that hasn't been driven in years and always in garage. I know nothing about the car but I do know that the family always keep very good care of all their cars and trucks. I have a budget of $15 to 17.5 for the C5, I can pick this up for $5,000 because he is family. The wife doesn't know this, will kill me, but I'm thinking buy it and look for a C5 in the $12.5 range. What would you do?

Velocity_Vette

Personally if I had a chance to pick up such a late C4 with an LT1 for that cheap of a price I'd just drive it and wait even longer on another Corvette if that's your prerogative. I wouldn't chance a potentially lower quality car because I had to come in at a lower budget.

The current hot ticket in the C4 market is LT1 cars with a manual, particularly '96 manual cars since manual trans '96 cars all have the same engine the Grand Sport was given (330 HP). The auto cars retained the 300 HP LT1. It's a shame it's not a manual trans car, since you would be sitting on a very interesting marketable prospect being able to pick it up so cheap.

Black 02

Would the family be mad if you bought the C4 and flipped it once you found your perfect C5? At least you could enjoy it some in the meantime until you find what you really want. Who knows, you might end up liking it and decide to keep it. Sounds like a good deal if it's in decent shape.

Vetteman Jack

If the '96 is in really good shape, both mechanically and cosmetically, then that price is a steal, although you don't mention what mileage is on the car. And remember, the car may require some repairs if it has been sitting for a long time (tires, fluids changed, etc.). While the C4 is not as friendly as the C5 is when it comes to ease of entry/exit to the car, it is a fun car to drive. I had four C4s (84, 89, 94, and 95) and enjoyed each one.

What Velocity_Vette said makes sense and who knows, you just might end up liking the C4 a lot.

Shakeydeal

For 5K, I would do it.

Shakey

Pounder

for the money I would buy it, then if I needed to save up for the C 5 !! Two Corvettes are better than one !!! Too bad it's not a ZR 1 !!!!!

JR-01

Buy it. Good way to start a Corvette collection.

66dts-v

I bought my first Corvette about 5 years ago and it was the car I fell in love with. It was a '94 auto I got for $4k and drove the wheels off it (until I wrecked it in some ice).

The main issue is the heater. I would bet $100 it doesn't work and IS NOT an easy fix. I rocked a Harbor Freight 12v heater to defrost the windshield and keep me from freezing.

That being said, the C4 is half the car a C5 is. But for the price, it would be fun for a while (during the summer).

rrwirsi

This is a Tough decision. If my grandson asked me to do something similar it would be difficult. Why is he asking? Is the Aunt having trouble selling the car? Can you give her advice? Is the grandson looking for a corvette gift in the future? So hard when it becomes family issues.

jackjohnson_218

C4s with any wheels other than the horrid stock ones look pretty good imo. I would get into one for 5k no questions asked

the kid C6

Go look at the car first, and then decide.

Pounder

BRILLIANT !!!!!!!

IMXCITD

if it's clean and checks out....sure. might be fun to mess w for a year or two while you keep saving for a nice C5.

449er

My opinion is this... unless you plan to buy the C4 & flip it, stay your course & continue your search for the C5, Corvettes just keep getting better with each model design change, big difference between a C4 & a C5

Evil-Twin

You want a C5 .. did the research and assembles a budget to get one... I don't think you ever considered a C4. So you would be buying something less than your dream.

The next point I make is, "It hasn't been driven in years " this could also be problematic and a drain on your nest egg car budget. even if you had to throw money into it , it would only lessen the amount your budget could use for your C5.

So these are my thoughts, you didn't and don't really want a C4. If you feel it is your responsibility to help family, that's one thing , but the effort to do so would take you away from your ideal dream car a C5.

I would pass. considering, not being driven in years is not a true testimonial for a well kept car.
Just my thoughts

Good luck with what ever you do.
Bill aka ET

zachaeous

I own both a C4 and a C5. If I had to make a choice I would go for the C5. I like my C4 but there is no comparison between the two cars.

You can get a very nice c5 for for your budget. This is just my humble opinion.

Good luck with your decision.

grampi50

Skip it...it's a temporary money pit in lieu of the money pit you want...

George Dickel

I have owned 3 C4s, 2 90's and a 93. Just sold the last one, a 90, and got an 03 convertible. The difference between the C4 and C5 is significant in ride comfort, seating, and ease of exit/entry. So much so with the exit/entry that my wife loves to ride in the C5 as she hated getting in and out of the C4s I owned in the past. The C5 gets better gas MPG. I get better MPG in town with the C5 than I did on the highway with the C4s. Even though the ride is more comfortable I have found no loss of road handling ability with the C5 vs the C4. Definitely look at the 96 first and drive it if possible. A vehicle that has set for a long time without being driven can be a can of worms due to dry seals, clogged fuel filters and fuel lines from gas that has set too long. My vote is definitely for the C5.

David Shiel

I had two C4s which nearly cured me of Corvettes completely. The cowl shake alone was enough to make them feel loose and unhinged. Just not much I could find to like about them. Just my HO and to each his own.

John1990

+ 1

To buy anything pig in a poke is imprudent and ill-advised.

Look at it. Drive it.

Then you will be in a better position to make a decision - an informed decision.

Good luck.