Laguna66

I have owned and loved my 66 coupe for 20 years this summer. I have also owned a C3 and C4 during this time but have had the just the 66 for the last five years. I drive it probably 3 times a week for probably 500 miles per month. It is part of the family and will be passed on to my 23 year old son, just not to soon I hope.

One month ago I bought a 2000 Coupe with 10K miles (still smells new inside). I thought other longterm C2 owners might be interested in my observations and I would certainly be interested in other's thoughts.

The C5 is an amazing piece of engineering. It does everything smoothly and quickly. It is light years ahead of the 66 in every aspect of comfort and performance. I intend to drive the wheels off it and take as many long trips as I can squeeze in, starting with the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta next weekend.

We each have a favorite road with certain curves we like, where we can toss the C2 around and feel it bite for traction and feel the rear end begin to drift. On the same road, the C5 goes 15 mph faster and never quivers. It feels like it is on rails.

The C5 is so low to the ground, the front spoiler scrapes on bumps that I don't even know are there is the 66. Also the run flat tires are noisy. But the stereo is 1000 times better, it runs without hesitation, the interior is superb, the ride is comfortable, and the engine bay looks like a piece of sculpture.

HOWEVER (you knew this was coming didin't you), the C2 has more "soul". It is tempermental so that only I can start it without stalling. It rattles and creaks at times and the Holley sound stops all conversation when I floor it. It is actually more fun to go through the curves 15 mph less with more drama from the C2.

I hope to drive both vettes for another 20 years, but if I could only have one it would have to be the 66.

What are your experiences?

Grey Ghost

I have my ticket punched for the Corvette Corral next Sat.

Marks69BB

It's funny; I have a buddy who has a '65 327-365 vert w/ sidepipes that also had a C5 vert and sold it to buy a new C6 vert. Yesterday, we were talking at a cruise-in where he had driven the C2 and he said that the C6 is much better in handling and power than his C5 was. However, when I asked if he could have just one vette, he said that the C2 was his overwhelming choice with a big grin on his face.

My problem is when someone asks me if I had to choose between the C1, C2, or the BB C3 - which one would I pick?

GCD1962

I have a '62 and a '00 coupe. The '00 is more a long trip and highway car. The '62 for shorter rides on back roads, although an occassional longer trip is made. I like them both. It's more of a "what mood are you in" decision. For speed I acutally like the '62 better. accelerate faster and has more raw guts than the '00

67ratrag

C'mon, you already knew the answer before you asked it. All of us here know the last corvette was made in 67.

OldDog58Vette

OH NO......the last real corvette was made in 62!




P.S.....and now it starts.......

wmf62

Bill

Tom/99

I have a 65 and an 04 Corvette. They are as different as day and night. It would be hard to make a choice between the two.

CJS

I have a 57 Chevy Belair 283/245 hp dual quad car and a 2001 C5 coupe. I almost always drive the 57 on short trips, the C5 on longer trips.
-----One thing though, I needed to get my C5 up to about 460hp to get it to feel fast enough. The 57 feels fast enough with its little 283!

capevettes

The C5 is a great car. I had a C5 and currently have a C6. Great car on trips, fast, great handling and fuel effiecient. I still get more of a thrill behind the wheel of my old cars. Something about the nostalgia of driving an older Vette and all the attention they get on the road. You can't beat the new technology but the old cars really inspire me when I'm driving them.

64roadster

I'm still months away from being able to drive my '64 vert but in the meantime I really enjoy driving my '04 vert.

I get so much enjoyment driving my '68 Z28 that I expect the '64 vert will surpass both as far as making me drive with a grin!

Black_Magic

I've had my '99 for 6+ years now and it is one of the finest vehicles I have ever owned.

BUT

As stated above it does NOT have the SOUL as the '65 which I find myself driving more the the '99

George

However, for LONG drives the comfort on my old body calls out for the C5.