[VIDEO] C4 vs C5 vs C6 Corvette: Which Affordable Corvette is the Best?

Jun 14, 2024

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[VIDEO] C4 vs C5 vs C6 Corvette: Which Affordable Corvette is the Best?

Our friend Brad Hansen from the Retro Cars Forever YouTube Channel is back with another fun video that compares the C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes and asks which affordable Corvette is the best.

Brad owned a 1996 Corvette Collector’s Edition Corvette for four years before recently upgrading to his C6 Corvette. In this review, Brad offers up a platform overview of the three generations, and then dives into the positives and negatives for each generation. For anyone who is considering any of these three model years, this in-depth comparison offers a great look at these three affordable Corvettes.

The C4 Corvettes were made from 1984-1996 and they featured the only clam-shell hood that offers full access to the Corvette’s engine bay. These cars were the last to feature a traditional powertrain layout with the transmission connected to the rear of the engine. These cars did come with a removable targa top, however, it requires using a special tool to remove the four screws in each corner to remove the top. Another complaint of the C4 was that they are extremely hard to get in and out of, as the seats are recessed between the outer frame rails of the car.

The C5 Corvette were manufactured from 1997-2004 and it was built on a completely new platform. Some of the advancements were how GM used hydroformed aluminum to increase chassis stiffness, while engineers also moved the transmission to the rear axle, creating a car with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Brad says the new C5 chassis resulted in a body structure that was 4.5 times the stiffness over the previous generation.

As for the C6 Corvette, this car would be built from 2005 – 2013. The C6 was more of an upgrade from the C5 Corvette as nearly 30% of C5 parts were carried over to the C6. One thing that wasn’t an upgrade was the new LS2 V8 engine capable of 400 horsepower. Positives for the C6 include a quieter ride on highway drives, a more refined interior, and no more pop-up headlights. As for the negatives, the C6 Corvette tight packaging puts many components like the fuel filter out of reach for most backyard mechanics.

From Retro Cars Forever via YouTube:

The first IN-DEPTH comparison test between the C4, C5, and C6 Corvette! I’ll compare all three of the most affordable Vette generations back-to-back on performance, power, pricing, specs, problems, comfort, and quirks that you might not notice unless you’ve owned or lived with these cars (like I have).

Source:
Retro Cars Forever / YouTube

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3 COMMENTS

CorvetteGuru Jun 14, 2024 At 3:03 pm

I did not watch the video. I did not want his opinion to impact mine. Unlikely, tho.

The C4 is a fine car, but better suited for collections than anything that resembles a daily driver. The early wiring harnesses are a mess and their build quality and long term durability are just not great. This is much like the C3. The harness issues were fixed by 1991, but this does not change the fact that the C4 lacks durability. Hit 85k miles and stuff starts breaking or wearing out. Shocks, u-joints, wheel bearings, clutch… on the early C4, add in valve seals and the 700R4. At least the 4L60 it’s as prone to fragging…. Toss in window seals and iffy plastics…. you get the picture. I will say, the ZF6 Black Tag was one of the BEST 6spd manuals EVER made. The blue tag was a durability disappointment nothing ZFDoc can’t fix… but. The D44 is very very good. The D36, meh, but fine with an auto. Don’t put a manual in front of it and drive with reckless abandon… Don’t forget what happens when the top is removed. That entire shimmy thing where the front and rear of the chassis shake at non-complimentary rates. Don’t get me started on the Optispark.

The C5 was a game changer. Stiffer chassis. Better engine, better everything. Sure, the interior is a bit blobular, but the QC was leaps and bounds better. So was the drive.

The C6 elevated that to an even higher level – Consumer Reports ® buy recommendation was earned. Impressive. And both had issues, but the core were fantastic. The C5 had that stupid steering lock issue, and C6 had a top pealing off issue and the LS7 value train issues. Other than a couple of recalls… the C6 was near nirvana. The LSx did have harmonic balancer issues and the needle bearing issue in the rocker arms. Nice to do as preventative maintenance jobs.

The C7 seems good. But the automatics had issues. Vibrations and such, IRRC. The C8 has had transmission issues, too. Over time, the C5 and C6 are holding up BRILLIANTLY. Can’t say for the C7 or C8 yet.

I have owned a 1987, 1992 and a 2006. I know what life has taught me.

Thoughts?

The C5
Newport Pagnell Jun 14, 2024 At 5:18 pm

I have a 04 Z and never thought of the pop headlights as a negative. I like that GM went all in with the tech of the day, titanium exhaust, HUD, lighter glass, forged Alcoa/Speedline wheels, CF hood on the CE, balsa cored floor etc. C5 till I can’t drive…
klw Jun 14, 2024 At 9:54 pm

I’ve had all three generations here, never had any major issues with any of them. C4 is nice because of the way the hood opens up and reveals so much, did put a water pump on that one. A lot depends on previous owners too, a huge deal with these cars. My C6’s I had two an 08′ and the 11′ GS I have now. The 08′ with 127k on it was a great car, replaced a couple of things mostly covered under service contract so no big deal, my 11′ is fabulous and it’s a keeper. Retirement gift to myself thank you very much:) People ask all the time about how to buy a used one, I tell them to get the most expensive, well maintained, low millage one you can afford and have someone that knows the cars check it over. And then take care of it, pretty easy. My C5 had some issues but that was due to previous owner neglect, but damn it was Torch red 2LT 97′ with 30k on it, damn nice but then I drove a C6.