[mitchntx]

Looking through Craiglist ads, I'm seeing C4s all over the spectrum.

Are 95 and 96 versions "special"?
What's the difference between a 96 and 96 Limited edition?
Could an LT4 be had in either?
Is there a code in the VIN or something that tells me its a real LT4?
Were there ANY that came with something other than porno red interior?

What year did the C4s begin getting an LT1? 92?

I am seeing 96 LEs @60K mile LT4/6spd cars in the low teens.
I am seeing 94 and under @100K mile LT1/Autos cars in the 6s and 7s

I am also seeing 98-00 FRCs in the low teens all in the 80-100K mile range with 6 speeds in the low to mid teens.

But I really like the way a C4 looks. Seems like everyone has a C5.

Not looking at a show car, just a driver.

[mitchntx]

I was hoping you'd show up Chad.

So a 96/6speed sounds like da'shit. Is there a quick and dirty primer on the Z51/Z52/Z07 differences?

I'm sort of looking at possibilities for a driver, not a track car.

I can't decide between a nice 3G, a 96-98 Lincoln M8 or a C4 ... quite the spectrum, eh?

[Mojave]

I was hoping you'd show up Chad.

So a 96/6speed sounds like da'shit. Is there a quick and dirty primer on the Z51/Z52/Z07 differences?

I'm sort of looking at possibilities for a driver, not a track car.

I can't decide between a nice 3G, a 96-98 Lincoln M8 or a C4 ... quite the spectrum, eh?

The Z51 suspension got softer the later model years. Here is a handy chart that will explain the differences: http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_suspension.htm
The Z51 package was renamed Z07 for 91-95, and went back to Z51 for 96. On 88-94 cars, the Z51 also got the 13" brakes, vs the 12", but all 95-96 got the big brakes. Other than front brakes, the biggest part of the Z51 package was springs/bars, though early cars got oil coolers and some chassis bracing. Z52 includes most of the Z51 stuff, minus springs. These were only on L98 cars, so if you want LT1/LT4 these won't be a factor.

By 1996, even the Z51 springs were SOFTER than the base springs in 1988, and the base 96 springs are really soft. Finding an LT4 Z51 is going to be tough, so I'd just find a nice car and then swap springs later (if you decide you want to). Used leafs pop up on Corvette Forum for reasonable money (I had a set of Z51 leafs, from 89 and 84). You can also get aftermarket leafs in almost any rate, or coil overs for easy spring swaps.

It was said earlier, but the C4 interior isn't the greatest, and there is the sill to deal with. Some guys on Corvette Forum love the sill and the 'cockpit' feel of the car, but then again, some guys love the Star Wars/Atari dashboard...

The best advice is to drive a few and see if you like it. C5 prices are definitely on the way down, but if this is just a driver, a C4 works great too.