Corvette Decisions 

Kinja'd!!! "SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/11/2015 at 23:15 • Filed to: None

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So my old man is really in the hunt for a Vette by sometime this summer. He's stuck deciding between a C4 and a C5. He's looking to spend no more than $15k. What are your opinions on these two? Which would Oppo shoot for. By the way he only wants a coupe with a MT and possible HUD.

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DISCUSSION (27)


Kinja'd!!! CPT Speedbump > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:18

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Just tell him to save a bit more and get a C6 ;) Person


Kinja'd!!! Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:18

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Talk to Jay Lauer

He bought one and is planning on flipping it in the near future...


Kinja'd!!! CPT Speedbump > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:19

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Just tell him to save a little bit more and get a C6 ;) I'd go C5 anyway :P Much prettier to look at.


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:20

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If he doesn't like the C6 for a few dollars more...

C5 all day. 2002 or newer. Six speed all day, don't be enticed by a cheaper 4L60-E car.


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:20

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C5, it is a LOT newer looking than the C4 and has less of a reputation for being a white trash car (sorry). Also, last car with pop up headlights.


Kinja'd!!! TheHondaBro > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:23

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For $15,000, you can get a better C4.


Kinja'd!!! Flavien Vidal > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:25

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15000$ would get you an awesome LT4 C4 corvette or an average base C5...

Up to him really...


Kinja'd!!! lonestranger > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:26

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I like the C4 because of nostalgia (and I don't think it deserves its poor rep), but if I were someone humming and hawing between it and a C5, it's C5 all day. The C5 is leaps and bounds above the C$ in almost every aspect. Performance, build quality, tech, etc.


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > crowmolly
02/11/2015 at 23:34

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Based on what I've read the Vette has had a 6 speed since '96


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:35

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Six speed in the C5 vs. the 4L60.

The C5 had a T56 vs. the C4's ZF6. Both good transmissions.


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > Flavien Vidal
02/11/2015 at 23:35

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That's pretty much what I've realized with a basic search on cars.com. I think a '96 loaded C4 would be amazing.


Kinja'd!!! AMGtech - now with more recalls! > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:35

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C5 Z06, C4 ZR1, or C4 Grand Sport. Not necessarily in that order.


Kinja'd!!! Shifty > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:36

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A "driver" 96 Gran Sport could be nice...


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > TheHondaBro
02/11/2015 at 23:36

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Typed in this budget on cars.com and you speak nothing but the truth. Pretty much all the C5s are either base or have high mileage in this price bracket.


Kinja'd!!! NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:38

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Personally, the C5. But it's not like the choice is driven by objective data.


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > Shifty
02/11/2015 at 23:40

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If he got a Gran Sport he would never see his car again... He wasn't even thinking about C4s until I kept bringing them up. I've wanted a Gran Sport since I fell in love with it on the first Gran Turismo.


Kinja'd!!! Flavien Vidal > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:40

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I've daily driven a '95 LT1 for quite some time, I've also tried the LS1 Corvette along with the LS3...

My conclusion was that for the money, the LT1 C4 is a better choice than the base C5. For 5 or 6k$ less than the price of an average condition base C5, you can get a really nice LT1 C4... LT4s are only a couple extra thousands and are faster than base C5s.

If you want to go the C5 way, it's Z06 or nothing. C5 Zo6s kick all asses.


Kinja'd!!! Jayhawk Jake > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:46

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I've gone back and forth all day.

Find a C4 ZR1.

Otherwise, a 1994 or newer C4 with the LT1 and 6 speed would be great, the 96 with ththe LT4 would be better, but I think most people would prefer the C5.

I like the C4 because it's smaller. It doesn't feel as big as the C5 and it feels a bit more special because of the way you climb down into it. That being said, the C5 is a better package.

TL;DR a nice late C4 would be a better value


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > Flavien Vidal
02/11/2015 at 23:50

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What model year and trim did the LT4 come in? It was '96 right? I just can't wait to do an Oppo review on whichever he chooses.


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > SlickMcRick
02/11/2015 at 23:54

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GS and CE. Maybe one more, but those are the most common from what I've seen.


Kinja'd!!! MysticStick > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 00:04

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If you can find a good one he should get a C5 Z06 like the one in your second image. They are new Corvette fast for used Corvette money. A few on cars.com right now in his price range. This one is high mileage but many are.

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Kinja'd!!! Flavien Vidal > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 00:05

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Yes 1996 only.


Kinja'd!!! The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 00:10

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C4. I think its looks have aged more favorably.


Kinja'd!!! boxrocket > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 00:21

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Miata with a V8 swap.

You're welcome.

In all seriousness, I've spent the last few weeks getting far more education about the last few decades of corvettes than I ever wanted, and I'd say find a cheap C6, even if it costs more, or a C5. The C4s are apparently about to start appreciating or at least have hit a nadir of price versus perceived value by corvette fanatics. Is this meant to be an investment or a semi-daily/weekly driver? The C4 has high sills and a cramped toebox, which my size 10.5 feet couldn't both fit in comfortably, which made for some nervous driving of a friend's early-'90s ZR1 a few days ago. The C4's interiors feel as if they were designed for rental pontoon boats, and not in a good way, though the C5 and C6's interiors aren't much better than a cavalier or cobalt's, respectively: Definite sacrifices were made in their construction, whether to satisfy the cost or R&D, or because gm could get away with it, I couldn't say, but definitely not something suitable for a semi-expensive sports car, although it made a niche for the short-lived cadillacXLR. The C5 and C6s are roomier and offer improved ergonomics and functionality, and blend in well enough in modern traffic as to not look out of place, compared to a C3 or C4.

Why not a Jaguar XK? Especially the XKR? Sure they'll need more TLC, but they're far more comfortable and interesting/unique compared to the milquetoast corvettes.


Kinja'd!!! bryan40oop > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 01:50

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C5, because LT1's are a cunt of an engine.


Kinja'd!!! Kailand09 > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 06:15

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I'd go C5 for that money. I couldn't see spending that on a C4 personally unless it was a GS or ZR1.

Also, don't just search cars.com etc, it is likely better for pricing and car quality to check a few different corvette forums.


Kinja'd!!! Luc - The Acadian Oppo > SlickMcRick
02/12/2015 at 09:51

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For 15K I would go for the C4 you will find a much better C4 than you would a C5 for the money.

Either one are great cars but you will get a better car for the money with the C4

My rule of thumb is buy the best* car within your budget.

*By best I mean best condition,lowest milage, ect. not best as in best handling or fastest.