Drove a C5 today
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 543
From: SE Pa
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 !
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
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
But for a longer trip, or something a little more comfortable, the Z06 will always get the nod to go.
kdf
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 479
Likes: 95
From: Boca Raton FL
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!
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!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I don't think I'd ever warm up to the 80's digital dashboard found in the C4's... subjective, my personal preference.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
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!).
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!).
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
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 !
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 !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
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! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
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.
Last edited by HT1663WB; Sep 10, 2015 at 12:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
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!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
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! 
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!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
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.
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.