I need to really try to get in one sometime.
Does anyone under 50 drive a C5 or C6?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,595
Likes: 1,053
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '16
Was 48 when I got my C5 but I got my first vette at 21, was a C3 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: West Des Moines Iowa
I am 43, a senior Systems Analyst for a profession, and owned a C5, had no problems with it whatsoever. Sold it in 2 years time due to the fact of finding a prime, body off restored (with receipts and photos) c3 1968 convertible rally red. Their is no substitute for raw, seat of your pants driving (bumps, squeaks and all). If you want to own a refined easy going, air tight car, with hardly no issues, then buy one of the newer ones. Not only is a c3 (especially the 72's and prior) going to gain more investment, but it is the true feeling of a vette. Raw, aggressive power, with kidney jarring ride!!! I love it, wouldnt do without it now....NEVER...---------Well, maybe when I'm 80, I might go with a new one again.... 
Gonzo
Gonzo
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: West Des Moines Iowa
RobBob, I got news for ya', first of all, the 70 to 72 is a great choice since that body design has the molded rock guards behind the front and rear wheels, 2nd of all, I have a friend (about 10 years back) that shoe horned himself into one (a '71) and he was 6' 5" or higher!! I think you will have no problem unless your Wilt Chamberlin
Gonzo
Gonzo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA Peach State Posse
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Originally Posted by gonzo14
RobBob, I got news for ya', first of all, the 70 to 72 is a great choice since that body design has the molded rock guards behind the front and rear wheels, 2nd of all, I have a friend (about 10 years back) that shoe horned himself into one (a '71) and he was 6' 5" or higher!! I think you will have no problem unless your Wilt Chamberlin
Gonzo
Gonzo
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Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 745
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From: Miami Florida
i hung out with a bunch of guys who call themselves the corvette challange this sunday at moroso in west palm. they totally destroyed my "disco" impression of c5 and c6ers. first their passion for this **** is every bit as great as ours. for the most part, yes , they farm out and pay for their mods, and i was thinking about that as it took me 2 1/2 hours of cursing to get the last header bolt in after changing the gasket monday nite. and these guys were mostly younger than i was. the incredible part is that all of them turn mid to low 12's and the guys who have done cam and heads are at 11.5's. i thought alot about that as i turned a blazing 13.6 so we shouldnt be so fast to characterize them . at the same time, they will never look as cool as a C3!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Milton DE
Originally Posted by RobBob
Thanks for the input. Well I'm about 6'3". I've also read here that it would help to have tilt/tele wheel. I'd be most concerned about how well I could operate the pedals without breaking my legs or knees on the steering column or dash.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lincolnshire,ENGLAND
Bought my '77 when i was 23. Now 25 and recently bought a C4 to use as a daily driver.(bit more reliable than a C3)
The C4 is one hell of a car, but it has nothing on the seat of the pants feel of the '77.I know what you guys mean when you talk about the raw feel of a C3-cant beat it.
Spent more time wrenching on the '77 than i have driving it
- but lovin every minute of it!
My dads 53, been into E-types all his life till i got my vette,now hes got his own '77 and never looked back.
The C4 is one hell of a car, but it has nothing on the seat of the pants feel of the '77.I know what you guys mean when you talk about the raw feel of a C3-cant beat it.
Spent more time wrenching on the '77 than i have driving it
- but lovin every minute of it!My dads 53, been into E-types all his life till i got my vette,now hes got his own '77 and never looked back.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 20
From: Madison Indiana
Originally Posted by RobBob
Thanks for the input. Well I'm about 6'3". I've also read here that it would help to have tilt/tele wheel. I'd be most concerned about how well I could operate the pedals without breaking my legs or knees on the steering column or dash.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Originally Posted by gonzo14
I doubt that would happen, but its always good to sit in one of these cars before buying. Tilt would be a good option, it started as an option in 69.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I'm 34 and I've owned 2 C5 Convertibles, 8 other Vettes. Currently own 2 '68 Vettes and a '91 Ferrari Testarossa and other vehicles too 
Had my first Vette whan I was 19
Had my first Vette whan I was 19
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Mar 16, 2006 at 10:19 PM.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,287
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
got my c5 2 years ago. excellent car, does everything better than my '81. except look good. even with the raggedy paint and fiberglass cracks, my '81 is still a looker. i just don't drive it that much any more.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 34,034
Likes: 222
From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
I would've been into Vettes much sooner if I had the resources. I was 40 before I was able to have something other than a driver for the commute to work and a minivan for the kids. It just takes a lot of resource to get into a new Vette, no doubt about it.
A guy I work with was talking to me about cars he should consider and I suggested he get a C5, and he said he'd pass until he was balding and had a paunch. Then that summer I went to Nashville for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and my God I thought I had turned into an assisted living center. At 49, I felt like a pup. My friend was right.
C5 FRC's and Z06's attracted a much younger group.
I may still get a C6 just to do the museum delivery one day.
A guy I work with was talking to me about cars he should consider and I suggested he get a C5, and he said he'd pass until he was balding and had a paunch. Then that summer I went to Nashville for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and my God I thought I had turned into an assisted living center. At 49, I felt like a pup. My friend was right.
C5 FRC's and Z06's attracted a much younger group.
I may still get a C6 just to do the museum delivery one day.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: West Des Moines Iowa
Like GrandsportC3, I own a fully restored '68, and it has its problems (due to storing it for long periods of time during the winter), unlike most c5's or c6's!! But I like the old quote from Steve McQueen: "Their aint nothin' like the sweet smell of carburetion early in the morning" ------Think of that quote before getting the huge loan for a c6.....People these days are taking huge loans out for older cars, like c1's to c3's.
Gonzo
Gonzo
Last edited by gonzo14; Mar 17, 2006 at 10:15 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
Not that anybody reads this deep into a post but I'll chime in... 
I'm 42, bought my first C3 when I was 34 and just picked up a C5 - Z06/Z16 last month.
No I don't measure my **** in axe handles, I am rather healthy, well fit, slim, run 2-miles three times a week in about 13:30 kind of guy that eats well and enjoys Bud-Light and JD. I am lactose intolerant however
...(you've got to read some of the other poster's generalities about the C5 crowd to understand)
BTW, my Z16 IS my DAILY driver and it scares me sometimes...in a good way .
I'm 42, bought my first C3 when I was 34 and just picked up a C5 - Z06/Z16 last month.
No I don't measure my **** in axe handles, I am rather healthy, well fit, slim, run 2-miles three times a week in about 13:30 kind of guy that eats well and enjoys Bud-Light and JD. I am lactose intolerant however
...(you've got to read some of the other poster's generalities about the C5 crowd to understand)BTW, my Z16 IS my DAILY driver and it scares me sometimes...in a good way
.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Originally Posted by CraigandJanet
Craps. Might as well jump in here and embarass myself. I'm 59 (in a month or so) going on 17. I drive a C3. Most of the 135 members of our local Vette club drive C5s or 6s, and most of them are over 50 (some WAY over). They just (1) can afford 'em, (2) don't want to fix 'em or work on them all the time, (3) yup - fat a...es on most of them - won't fit the older ones 
Some race pretty seriously, though.
I love to work on them. Always have. Always will. Until my old bones won't move any more. I did have to put in a lift, tho. Makes things easier and I don't ache as much when I'm done doing whatever. I also like to get it down the road like I don't have any sense, sometimes Good thing I know most of the local boys in blue.
Betcha I can give some of you young'uns a run for your money on a circuit. Never grow up !!!! Go kicking and screaming
Some race pretty seriously, though.I love to work on them. Always have. Always will. Until my old bones won't move any more. I did have to put in a lift, tho. Makes things easier and I don't ache as much when I'm done doing whatever. I also like to get it down the road like I don't have any sense, sometimes
Good thing I know most of the local boys in blue.Betcha I can give some of you young'uns a run for your money on a circuit. Never grow up !!!! Go kicking and screaming
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 0
From: Old Skool, NY
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
I'm 34 and I've owned 2 C5 Convertibles, 8 other Vettes. Currently own 2 '68 Vettes and a '91 Ferrari Testarossa and other vehicles too
Had my first Vette whan I was 19
Had my first Vette whan I was 19
Heh, reading those posts with you buying all those cars, i thought u were forty-fifty-ish going thru a mid life crisis!
34 ain't midlife yet... i don't think.