I am toying with the idea of buying a C4 or C5 Corvette, mainly looking at 1994-2004 as these seem to be available with low miles at a price range of $9,000 - $15,000. I actually like the looks of C4 better, much sleeker looking cars.

Tell me about reliability, comfort, safety, etc. I am only interested in base coupes, no Z06 or high performance models and no convertibles. Leaning toward a 6 speed manual transmission.

As far as performance, how are these base cars in terms of power? Is this a car that will get away from you or simply has enough get up and go to be fun to drive.

The Corvette Forums probably a better spot to ask than here. They have specific forums for the various generations.

Here's the 5th... https://www.corvetteforum.com/...rvettes-1997-2004-2/

Definitely go with the C5, a lot of refinements and improvements over the C4.

Forget the C4, in my opinion. I don’t think it has parts support anymore. The optispark is a bitch to change.

Personally I would even skip the C5. They’re known for having electrical gremlins and even with low miles you’re still talking about a car that’s 14+ years old. I had a 2003 Z06. It was fun but I worked on that car so much.

I’d rather have an LS3 powered C6 or no Corvette rather than a C4 or C5. C4 has less power than the modern V6 family sedan.

I had a C4 which was a nice car, but only had 185 horsepower. I lived in a county in a state that required a smog check, but not a visual check for components. I dropped a ZZ-4 crate engine in with a Holley three-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts with eighteen inch glass packs. It was over 400 horsepower and passed the smog check with a little tuning. I moved to a state that required visual checks so I sold it before I left.

I bought a C5 there with 345 horsepower. It was far more comfortable and quicker than earlier Corvettes. I moved across the U.S. and sold it before I moved.

I currently have a 2011 C6 convertible rated at 430 horsepower. It is far better than the C5. Older C6 Corvettes are going for not much more than your price range. I highly recommend you get the newest one you can afford.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Definitely go with the C5, a lot of refinements and improvements over the C4.

2000Z-71 is absolutely spot on. The C5 is light years ahead of the C4. Corvettes can be tricky cars to buy used. If you are not very familiar with them take someone along who is. You can't buy a rough one and make a nice one out of it as cheaply as you can buy a nice one in the first place. Low miles, a limited number of previous owners, no modifications, no body damage ever and good maintenance are things to look for. The 2002-2004 are the best of the C5's. Carefully check what options a car has on it to make sure you are getting what is best for you. Options on cars you will look at will vary a lot. Convertibles are usually a bit higher in price than the coupes. I've had more than 60 Corvettes over my lifetime and presently have a C6. I really like the C5's personally. Good luck shopping!

Let's add a wrinkle. Let's say the 185hp is more desirable to me. I want all of the flash with as little of the dash as possible. What years and engine/model designations should I zero in on.


I am looking for at minimum duel airbags, antilock brakes and traction control for safety measures. I think 1996 was the 1st year all were available but not 100% sure. Is there a nuetered version of the C5 or C6?

Had a C4, fun car, difficult to get in and out of as the chassis rails are high on the outside of the cockpit, once in it's great but getting in an out is a PIA.

C5/C6 are similar except for a few important things like the LS engine. I'd opt for an early C6, watching BJ this weekend and the prices reflected that the C6 models were not bringing much more than the C5 and it was the better of the two, almost impossible to tell them apart externally.

C5 over C4 and optimally a C6

C5 all the way, C4 shouldn't even be a consideration.

I have a 2003 C5. I would advise against a C4, old tech. If you get a C5, get a 2002 - 2004. Many pre-2002 parts are becoming unavailable.

They are very reliable. All cars this old will have issues. The C5 issues are known, and relatively inexpensive.

Comfortable? Mine was, until I turned it into a track car. LOL.

Safe? Very. I am completely comfortable running this on the street/track.

You will not be disappointed and it will take years to wipe the smile off of your face.

Had a pair of C5's a red and black one. My last was this black. In summer here in South Florida I can tell you it still got a little warm in the cab stuck in traffic. Also had a few electrical problems that required towing on a flat bed back to the shop because the security steering column locked up at a post office and another time at a shopping center. At that time the rubber offered was Goodyear run flats that the compound would only give 10k miles and because the front and rears are different sized you can't rotate and if I remember they were almost $500 per. They were however a great tire for running when zero pressures if you need a few miles to get home. It was pretty fast, I had the 5sp and ran it up to 168mph on a desolate back road by Homestead AF base. It would get there pretty fast too. A sharp looker at that time.

Save up and opt for a used C6 instead...

The lt1 in the c4 is the problem. Why Chevrolet decided to mount the distributor behind the water pump is beyond me. Get the LS1 and don't look back.

Had a 91 C4 with a 6 speed, I prefer manuals in all my "sports" cars.

However, read up on the 6 speeds, they have some problems. A few "known" mechanics can rebuild them and make them bulletproof.

James

EDIT to add:
Engine was the "base" engine and appeared to be solid-as-a-rock. Enough power to scoot but not enough to get you in trouble. Only had the car for a year or two though. Resale suffers on the C4. Got a LOT for it in trade due to the 6 speed, but tried to sell it in-person and didn't have too many bites.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
The Corvette Forums probably a better spot to ask than here. They have specific forums for the various generations.

Here's the 5th... https://www.corvetteforum.com/...rvettes-1997-2004-2/

Yes, agree. Go the Forum, register and post your questions. Those guys know their stuff. But, of course, owners may have a tendency to bias toward their own model. I have a C4 and like the car. C5's had some betterments in the interiors particularly in the seats (think older fatter guys buying). One of the complaints on the C4 was seat width.

I've had a C4, easy to get in, no easy way to get out.

Also a beautiful black C5, much more refined but after ruining 2 date nights I gave up on it.

C6 & C7 were getting too techy and rich for my likes and while I really like the looks of the C8, I'm just not going to spend that much ... I've got a daughter going to collage next year.

I rolled back to a 72 C3 and am enjoying it immensely ... I really need to get some new pictures of it.



Oh, and the taxes and insurance are insanely cheap ... makes it easy to justify premimum fuel!

Every generation has gotten much better than the previous. I wouldn’t consider a C4 now after having C5’s, C6’s, and now a C7.

If you do get a C5, stay away from 2000! They had a steering column lock that failed. It would not let the car run over 2 miles an hour. Pain in the butt and can be expensive. My wife had one....

If you can hold out a little longer, go for a C6. You won’t be disappointed! Big leap in drivability and comfort.

The C7 we have now is the 7th Vette between my wife and I.

Her - 1977, 2000, 2004
Me - 1966, 2001, 2007, 2015

Agree with much of the above postings. I too like the C4 look better than the "Big Butt" of later models. If you opt for a C4, get a 96, I had a Grand Sport Convertible, quite a few improvements over earlier years regarding reliability. With the 6 speed in a 96 you will be getting the 330HP LT-4 motor. It is a good basic small block with the exception of the OptiSpark distributor being mounted behind the water pump which has a seal on the driveshaft which can fail and drip on the distributor. Antifreeze on electric things is not a good combo.
I also suggest going to a C6 after the third production year as like many new generation cars there are glitches in the first year or so.
I presently own a 17 Grand Sport (C7) and can verify that each generation has been a major leap forward in technology and fit and finish. If you want to work on the car yourself a C3 would be pretty much the end of that but the C4 is not bad other than a few electronic parts. The C4 made some big advances in handling due to the suspension changes. There are now aftermarket distributors that have improved on the original design.

I vote C5, I never had a C4, a friend did and didn't like it. I have a 2003, bought new, still love it. Every time I get a thought of selling it I go for a ride, changes my mind.

Styling is subjective, I lover the C5, not so much the C6 but the C7 really excites me.

Ok, so now for the final wrinkle. I am car shopping for my son. He will be a new driver. I didn't want to reveal that up front as not to derail the thread with the inevitable opinions. He will mostly drive the 9 miles to and from school daily, some after school activities and venture as far as his baseball club team's facility about 20 miles.

He really likes the old school look of the C4 cars, as do I, and I really like the $10k ballpark price for some really clean low miles '93 through '96 model cars. I understand the advantages of the '96 LT4 cars but don't need/want the extra power. Would really like a base engine with manual transmission.

He is a responsible kid and has been offered the following choice:



1. Something a little cooler, like an old school Vette or Camaro with an onboard tracking device that provides mom and dad with real time data of his driving habits and location.

2. A typical 1st car type of car such as a small pickup truck or sedan with less strings attached.

He immediately chose cool and monitored.