Mikado463

as someone who has owned Corvettes for forty years that is total nonsense IMO. I love C3's ( I owned three of them).

I suppose if one takes to your way of thinking and owned an early C1 they could say the same thing about the C3…….. again, total hooey.

Now, with all this being said, if the right deal comes along on a '65-'69 I will easily say goodbye to my '12 GS

They're all sports cars and they're all Corvettes !

kdf1986

I also have a 2001 Z06. Its a great car, comfortable, fast, good for cruising. But when I drive my C3s, I feel more connected to the road, and feel more as if I am driving a Corvette. Maybe because its the car I wanted when I was growing up.

But for a longer trip, or something a little more comfortable, the Z06 will always get the nod to go.

kdf

Technite73

The C5 generation was a quantum leap forward in technology. The problem is these cars are heavily dependent on electronic components and some parts are no longer available from GM.

It is not expected that the aftermarket will produce these complex parts.

Most C3,s are low tech cars and parts are all readily available!

Faster Rat

First time I sat in a C5 and pushed the start button, I had to look at the tach to see if the engine was running. When I turn the key on my 427, there is no doubt the engine started. Scares the heck out of people who are not prepared. Guess that is also why I have a Harley and not a Gold Wing or BMW, why I love old radial aircraft engines and WWII fighter planes.

There was a particular year (2007?) ZO6 brought into the shop a few months ago because the battery went dead. A new battery did not solve the problem. Seems there are something like 27 computers in the car and if the battery goes dead, you are basically screwed because they can only be re-programmed on-line. The car had to be towed to the Chevy dealer, they could not solve the problem on-line to the factory...who had to send a tech to the dealer to fix it. Heard it was an inherent problem and not technically solvable...other than to never let the battery go dead.

BKbroiler

You must have been sitting in something else. C5s don't have start buttons.

Faster Rat

Well then it must have been a C6. They all look the same to me.

Mikado463

Wow………….you need to get to your eye doctor …..

Faster Rat

Probably. Maybe a psychiatrist also, to try and figure out why I feel the need to post on an internet forum. Must be crazy.

Nah...I just don't pay much attention to things that don't interest me.

BBCorv70

Beginning with the C4 Corvettes have gained much from technological advances. Today they are far superior to the vintage Corvettes in terms of performance, comfort, etc. However IMO beginning with the C4 they gave up styling which was unique to Corvettes. Today they look pretty much like a Camaro or some imports. Most of their appeal is in performance, styling appears to be not so distinct. I'll stay with my C3 now that I've had it this long, prefer the appearance over the newer ones.
I don't think I'd ever warm up to the 80's digital dashboard found in the C4's... subjective, my personal preference.

Mikado463

LOL, I'm with 'ya there !

Dan H.

I have both a 71 and an 02, both are fun cars in very different ways. My LT-1 is great to tool around the back PA roads. Its fun to take to cruises and car&coffee events. It gets way more "thumbs up" from passer byers.

The Z06 is just a beast to drive around. I take it to track events where you can really mash the loud pedal and push it to step out in corners. This car is amazing to see what it is capable of on just 200 tread wear tires. Tracking this car is more fun than I had anticipated and quite addictive. I'll be at Summit Point Main next weekend if anyone else is there stop by and say hello!

At the end of the day, the C5Z is not a keeper. Its fun factor is off the charts, but I'll eventually sell it to move up to a better track car. The LT-1 will always be in the stable. My father gave it to me a few years back. He had it for as long as I can remember. And it will be waiting for my son when he's ready for it (he's about to turn one so I've got some time!).

Mikado463

Dan H ……….well put and I understand your sentiment exactly

bj1k

I have also owned Corvettes for forty years and I know what a real Corvette is . They should have changed the name in 1984 . I'm not running down the new ones , just saying that they are a whole different breed after the 1982 cars and should have just let the Corvette name die and rest in peace. Everybody wanted an import and that's what you got essentially. If it's fast that your looking for then you got it , if it's fun to drive and comfortable then you got it , if it's good looks and a sexy ride then you got it , but they should have changed the name because in my opinion they will never be Classic Corvettes anyway. OK now you can let the arguments begin.

Mikado463

bj, no need to argue, you're entitled to your opinion ………. even though I see no logic in it………… regardless, hope your Pirates can make a run at the Pennant this Sept !

qwank

I love C5s. I would like to get one as a warm weather daily driver one day.

That being said, the difference between a C5 and C7 is almost the same as a C3 and C5.

CheezMoe

I have both a C3 and C5. They are BOTH CORVETTES! ...and the sexiest two styles of Corvette they are. They are both fun to drive, in some ways they are similar and some they are not....but neither is going anywhere. The 01 coupe is a sunny day DD. The 73 is a fri-sunday cruiser! The 01 is awesome for navigating through the obstacle course of rush hour traffic around here, averages 21 mpg and has a torque curve from hell! YMMV!

HT1663WB

I have a C5Z and I love it. It's fast, fun and handles like it's on rails and will put a hurting on most newer more expensive sports cars. To say it's just another car is crazy. I also enjoy my C3. The C3 gets a lot of attention but stock lets face it.....it's slow, doesn't handle well and just doesn't have the fun factor that the C5 has. With that being said,I would sell my C3 before the C5Z. My daily is a Charger SRT8,fun car, pretty fast, but to me the Charger is just another car.

HT1663WB

donyue

Fantastic thread! Great opinions. I've been kicking around the idea of selling my C3 for a C5 but I have to agree that my C3 gets way more attention and noticed a lot more than a C5.

If I do decide to get a C5 to add to my stable it will need to be a C5 - Z06. Of course I would need to add a twin turbo LS kit to the engine just because!

minitech

To me it is not either or it is both. We have both a 77 and 97 and they are just different cars for different purposes these days. The 77 for cruising, getting on back country roads sometimes and driving slow with no one behind, enjoying the ride. The supercharged 97 for cruising the highway, high power driving.

We drove both last weekend just driving around together. Stopped for gas and this guy gets out of his truck and got on his knees bowing his arms down to the 77. I say how about this one (97) and he says "not so much." 77 definitely has a cool factor.

And I also will always keep the 77, the 97 will go someday for a different Corvette.