vds5000

Hi folks, I'm thinking of buying my first Vette within the next year (just have to save up a bit more). So I figured it would make sense to join this forum. And now, my first post:

If you had your choice, all things relatively equal (i.e. mileage, transmission, condition, price, etc.) which would be an overall better car - an early (i.e. 2005) C6, or a 2002-2003 C5 Z06? They seem to be selling for about the same currently in my neck of the woods. I prefer the body style of the C6 over the base C5, but there's something very, very menacing about how the C5 Z06 looks, and I kind of like it. Also, keep in mind that I can't currently drive a stick, but I'm willing to learn.

dan1546

Depends what you intend to do with the car. C5z will be faster stock for stock and will feel more like a purpose built less forgiving race car. The c6 is a more refined and comfortable car with a little bit better interior...still not great however. C6 you can get in auto or manual and the Z is manual only. For my money there are very, very few cars that can hang with a C5z for the money. I drove both and went with the c5z because it felt a lot more aggressive and uncompromising then the c6. Also something about having a z06 at the end of the day rather than just another base c6. That is my .02. Can't go wrong either way really.

Bad Religion

Base C6's look weak compared to the C5Z.

Blackkaz04

I was recently in the same boat. Last month, I pulled the trigger on an 03 electron blue Z with 6500 miles. I LOVE it.

dhowdy

What are your expectations out of the car?

tjschraf

FYI, The base c6 2005 if you choose an automatic is crap. 06 was better.

I thought about that for maybe 20 seconds and before I bought my c5z. I don't like plush and comfortable I like raw. Decision was easy.

vds5000

I won't be racing or taking it to the track. I just really like the menacing look of the Z06. I'm hoping to keep this car long term as I'm not too big on change. For instance, I've owned the same car as a daily driver (Acura RSX) since I bought it new back in '02.

I have no problems with 'plush and comfortable'.

I'm under the impression that from a 'bang for the buck' perspective, they're both pretty close.

Bad Religion

Get the C5Z. it's a timeless body style. I DD mine, love it. Learn to drive a stick.

BigBirdLS1

C5Z06 is my preference. I am biased though as I own a 2003 Z06. Like has already been mentioned the Z06 feels more "raw" and "uncompromising" I like the C5 body style more than I do the C6 style. If you like the mencaing looks of the C5 Z then go with that.

Also in my area the C5Z's can be had for $19k to $22k and that is for nice well maintained cars. C6's are $21k and higher.

racebum

c6 has a targa and a modern front end

other than that the c5z is a better sport platform

price is a big one too, decent c5z's start about 15k and decent early c6s start around 19-20k

i had the same debate when i was looking, just didn't want to pony up 5 grand for better looking headlights and a targa top + worse suspension and a slightly slower car

FourG63 97GST

I won't drive a base anything persoanlly. visually, the base vette is weak looking. even on paper. Z06 or grand sport, the end

danziger

I think you should get a 2006+ A6 Vette. Serious.

For your usage of cruising and occasional spirited driving, the C6 will be much easier to live with.

WannaC5Z

I don't think so. The 2005-2007 base C6 had the LS2 engine rated at 400hp and the 2002-2004 Z05 is rated at 405hp with about 200lbs less. Back in 2005 I pulled up to a light next to an auto base C6 in my former 1997 305hp Cobra. I was down probably 60-70rwhp against him. We went from a dig at the light and by 60mph I had him by half a car length when we let off.
This is probably a good and accurate suggestion.

ThumperNC24

Sounds like an 06+ C6 would be the choice for you based on what you want.

Almost everybody in this section of the forum is going to tell you their personal preference is to the C5Z.


Get an 06 because the automatic trans and rear end (both auto and manual) in the 05s aren't very good.

TNBUSA

I owned a new 01 Z06 and then a 02...great cars. Sold the 02 to get into a new C6 z51 with the 6 speed auto. It was ok for the first couple years we owned it. A friend of mine picked up a 04 Z and insisted I drive it...06 was sold and I began my C5 Z06 search and ended up with a 04CE with a TTiX twin turbo..best thing I ever done...love this thing. IMO it looks way better than C6 and has a much better feel. My wife started driving mine on a regular basis and I told her to get her own...so she did...a Speedway white 01 with big cam and long tubes that she loves and drives every day. The C5 Z is a special car.

Toque

^^^ This......

Toque

LT-1 kid

I do not see any (decent) Zs around for 15k, you are always under valueing our Zs.

chris crash

You can't get a quality c5 z for 15k
He just doesn't get it and never will.
C5 Zs Rock.

Daddie O

Get the c6 with automatic. We all love our c5 Z06's, but lets be honest here, it is not the car to learn to drive stick on. With the amount of torque, and the tight shift pattern, it is not a beginners car.

racebum

go to manheim. i picked up one two years ago that had perfect compression, 2 elderly owners and a great interior for that. car was a freeway cruiser for a retired exotic car dealer. still had the original rotors on it and original brake pads in the back

the difference between myself and you, from what i gather, is i know how to work a sale

there are guys on here who have gotten even better deals than i have. in fact, one local guy picked up a really nice 03 with 32k miles, basically a mint car for 20k