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| 1991-1996 corvette - which one is the best ? (Page 1/1) |
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PaulJK
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NOV 19, 07:10 PM
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i'm wanting to get a stcik shift 1991 to 1996 corvette and have started to shop (need to wait until my current cars sell). i think the 96 should be OBD-2 which should make it better (?) Any comments from experience ?
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Raydar
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NOV 19, 10:41 PM
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'96. Hands down.
The '96 manual tranny Corvette will have the LT4. All of the automatics, I believe, got LT1s. (The LT1s and LT4s all have the PITA OptiSpark, but that isn't really a show stopper. Just recognize that you may have to deal with fixing it sooner or later.)
The 96 also got (IIRC) a ZF six speed. Supposedly a bit spendy.
I remember reading that the 96 also pioneered some new assembly methods that were designed for the next generation (like panels that were glued, in addition to the normal fasteners.) Of course, that was a long time ago. Please feel free to do your own research.
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Fiero84Freak
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NOV 21, 03:52 PM
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When I was shopping for a Corvette I drove a few C4s. I eventually purchased a six-speed C5 targa, which was a more enjoyable choice.
As Raydar said above, all 1996 M6 Corvettes received the LT4, even if they were not a Grand Sport. They're usually the best purchase that is not a '96 Grand Sport or a ZR1 as they came with 330 HP from the factory over the 300 HP LT1. The LT4 is just 15 rated HP under the LS1 used in teh C5 so the performance is there. The ZF unit was what replaced the 4+3 Doug Nash transmission and is a German made unit. The automatics are the same four speed that not only was used in the C4 but also retained for the C5. The C5 on the other hand received a replacement for the ZF that was the same Getrag built six speed used in the Dodge Viper and Mustang Cobra with Corvette specific load handles.
The problem you're going to face is people that own 96 ZF LT4s, and even to a larger degree six speed LT1s in general, know exactly what they have - and they charge accordingly for them. Six speeds in C4s tend to be fairly rare and well cared for examples tend to fetch high prices. You'll want to look for LT1 equipped cars, which would be 1992-1996 (again, other than M6 '96s which are LT4). For most years the six speed accounted for between a fourth to a third of production. If you don't care for colors you may want to look for colors that do not fetch high prices. Admiral Blue used 1994-1996 fetches higher prices. Torch Red and White are fairly common. Overall though the prices for later M6 LT1/4 cars is often almost so high that they easily reach early C5 territory and the C5 is a bit of a leap in build overall compared to the C4 making it a viable choice.
The other issue you may not like is the way the targa top stores into place. When the C4 was designed, it initially was going to have T-tops. This was deemed not market-able enough, and the decision was made to create a full targa setup. The workaround was instead of redesigning for a targa setup, GM engineered a bolt system to hold the top in place. The car is supposed to have a tool to remove the top. Many owners don't have the proper tool, and have to carry a ratchet and socket with them. The C5 was a vast improvement here, since as it was designed from the onset as a convertible frame it uses latches and removes quite easily.
Otherwise though the C4 is a very nice car. I was thinking of eventually adding a C6 to my C5 down the road but I've more heavily considered a C4. They're likely at the lowest they're going to get price-wise, since many don't like buying the L98 C4s and really want the LT1. I'll also suggest that you beware of the "Corvette tax" if you've never owned one. Corvette vendors feel that they can charge you extra for things that are often "GM Generic" just because they're "for your Corvette." You'll find that gets old really quick...
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PaulJK
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NOV 21, 07:23 PM
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Fiero84Freak
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NOV 21, 07:50 PM
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The leg room got better when the C5 was introduced for 1997. The C4 is very driver oriented, and while the C5 can be rather spartan at times it can typically fit taller individuals. The biggest advantage the C4 has over the C5 however is side bolster support. You could purchase two seat types in the C5; a standard seat, and a sport seat with provisions in the seat back for harnesses to slip through. I have the higher trim sport seat, and they simply have no side support at all. Even all the lumbar adjustments in the world can't make up for it's shortcomings. The C4's seats do a pretty good job of holding you in. If I could readily compare them to something I've driven recently it'd be the BRZ / FR-S seats.
One of the most significant change-overs from C4 to C5 was not necessarily the introduction of the LS1 to replace the LT1/4, but rather the introduction of the transaxle. The C4 used a typical front-engine RWD layout where the transmission is bolted directly to the engine. For the C5, the transmissions were shoved to the back and coupled to the rear end. In between them is a large "torque tube" assembly. The advantages of the transaxle is largely for better weight distribution over the outgoing C4. However, M6 C5s exhibit louder drivetrain noises than most normal cars and even the owner VHS tapes GM included with new C5s would warn owners of M6 cars that they're likely to hear louder noises that they were used to in most other sports cars or even older Corvettes.
The C5s have come down. They like every subsequent generation took a bit of a dive with the introduction of the C7. Six speed C4s from 1992-1996 in the 50,000-75,000 mile range can range $10,000-$15,000 in the private market. Realistically they may not sell for that, but that's roughly the market. A 1997-2000 six speed with under 100,000 miles can be had easily for $12,000-$15,000 if you look and are willing to settle for Torch Red or Pewter. The only major advantages post 2001 C5s carry is that they have most of the electronics issues earlier C5s have sorted out. There's still some issues with pre-2001 C5s that haven't been well sorted out in the Corvette community, like EBCM failures that have proprietary software issues that the aftermarket doesn't have a handle on. I don't foresee C5s getting much cheaper than they are now simply because of the staunch reputation the LS1 has, but you can get "well-loved" cars for sub $10,000.
Really in any Corvette market C3 - C6, it's a matter of "what you're looking for"
Insurance on my C5 is surprisingly good actually. On my Fiero GT I was paying about $20 a month for liability. Currently, I pay about $45 a month for full coverage on the C5 with no driving limitations (I actually like to DRIVE my Corvette  ). I'm 31 years old. I go through an insurance broker with a blanket policy for all my assets.[This message has been edited by Fiero84Freak (edited 11-21-2014).]
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PaulJK
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NOV 23, 07:43 PM
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Has your C5 been a good daily driver ? Any weak spots or maintenance issues ?
I'm also wondering if the rear bulkhead could be notched out to allow the driver's seat to move a little bit farther rearward (?)
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Fiero84Freak
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NOV 24, 09:32 AM
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Other than the lady that smack my passenger front fender in the parking lot last week and now I'll have to get a new fender and body work performed, it's been a great car. You can see some of my thoughts on the car in the O/T thread I posted back in July;
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/107493.html
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. Maybe i'll narrow to a convertible. Also checking out 96-99 MB SL500 but maintenance costs are a real concern - I heard these years were made before chrysler got involved with MB, so the cars will go for a looooong time.