Drove a C5 today
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 10
From: Western OK
Drove a C5 today
As the title says I drove a C5 today and man it is different than my 72 and 77. Fairly amazing comparing them. Time does march on and the technology sure improves. I may pick it up to add to the herd, but it will never replace my c-3 as they have so much character and memories.
Comparing base 72 to base 04 is a eye opener. But would I go C5 only- hell no.
Comparing base 72 to base 04 is a eye opener. But would I go C5 only- hell no.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
As the title says I drove a C5 today and man it is different than my 72 and 77. Fairly amazing comparing them. Time does march on and the technology sure improves. I may pick it up to add to the herd, but it will never replace my c-3 as they have so much character and memories.
Comparing base 72 to base 04 is a eye opener. But would I go C5 only- hell no.
Comparing base 72 to base 04 is a eye opener. But would I go C5 only- hell no.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 10
From: Western OK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 58
From: Denton, Texas
I used to have 2001, among many more Vettes. I had to sell them for various reasons, but the C3 has remained with me regardless. My '72 was my first personal car and Corvette. How could I get rid of it?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
We bought a new 2003 and enjoyed it for several years. It was fun and dependable and comfortable, but not remotely comparable to owning the old cars. It was a useful driver.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 260
From: Jamison Pa
St. Jude Donor '11-'25
C2/C3's
My 65 and 72's(3) are neat, they don't come close to my 00 FRC or 10 Gs Vert for comfort. The C5 and C6's do not have the cool factor of the older cars.
The wife is wonderful about the cars, but if it's more than a short jaunt we take the Grand Sport.
To me I love them all, it dosn't matter what generation. I even want to add a C1 and C7 to the collection someday.
Like Rodney King said, why can't we all get along.
Bob K.
The wife is wonderful about the cars, but if it's more than a short jaunt we take the Grand Sport.
To me I love them all, it dosn't matter what generation. I even want to add a C1 and C7 to the collection someday.
Like Rodney King said, why can't we all get along.
Bob K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Wheels and giant tires and super stiff frame and springs give them the race car feel.
Hondas in the 70's had 65-80 HP ....today every car has 200hp min.
But.......back in the 50's and 60 .....that kind of feel,was not very popular with the NONE sports car crowd . My parents thought....the bigger and softer the ride the better . They hated cars with firm ride.....
Corvette was unique .....today not so much .....every rice burner will corner like crazy.
Manufactures purposely made cars feel like you were riding on a boat , people ...or the general public thought the softer ride the better . It's what 98 % wanted. Now that thinking is nearly completely reversed.
Now .....because everybody is in a huge hurry 24/7 and running 90 mph on the nations highways instead of 55 ......every Honda and mini van can corner better than old corvettes today .
Old cars have a difficult time on today's highways .....including my 1995 ford van .....it s top speed is only 85 on a good day......
Hondas in the 70's had 65-80 HP ....today every car has 200hp min.
But.......back in the 50's and 60 .....that kind of feel,was not very popular with the NONE sports car crowd . My parents thought....the bigger and softer the ride the better . They hated cars with firm ride.....
Corvette was unique .....today not so much .....every rice burner will corner like crazy.
Manufactures purposely made cars feel like you were riding on a boat , people ...or the general public thought the softer ride the better . It's what 98 % wanted. Now that thinking is nearly completely reversed.
Now .....because everybody is in a huge hurry 24/7 and running 90 mph on the nations highways instead of 55 ......every Honda and mini van can corner better than old corvettes today .
Old cars have a difficult time on today's highways .....including my 1995 ford van .....it s top speed is only 85 on a good day......
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Aug 31, 2015 at 07:36 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
We bought a new 2003 and enjoyed it for several years. It was fun and dependable and comfortable, but not remotely comparable to owning the old cars. It was a useful driver.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
We bought a new 2003 and enjoyed it for several years. It was fun and dependable and comfortable, but not remotely comparable to owning the old cars. It was a useful driver.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,365
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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C5's and C6's are great cars. I have owned two of each. I like having a newer one to travel in. I just drove my C6 Z06 to Carlisle. I usually get bored in 2 years with the newer cars but the C6 Z06 is an animal, just plain fun to drive. I've had it 5 years and still love it.
My heart is still with the old cars though
My heart is still with the old cars though
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 107
From: Sioux Falls SD
We have a modified '82 and a stock 2002.
C3 - take to Vette events, car shows, and daily drives. Coolness factor is off the charts.
Last week a 10-yr old took a picture of my stopped Vette as he was going by in his Mom's car. Later a 2-yr old - yes, 2-yr old - standing outside, stopped what he was doing and stared at the Vette as I drove by. That was just cool. He will love Vettes the rest of his life.
C5 - for long trips. Comfortable. Still very cool, but no where near the C3.
C3 - take to Vette events, car shows, and daily drives. Coolness factor is off the charts.
Last week a 10-yr old took a picture of my stopped Vette as he was going by in his Mom's car. Later a 2-yr old - yes, 2-yr old - standing outside, stopped what he was doing and stared at the Vette as I drove by. That was just cool. He will love Vettes the rest of his life.
C5 - for long trips. Comfortable. Still very cool, but no where near the C3.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 536
Likes: 87
From: SW Ohio
I have both as well & like both for different reasons. 13 GS coupe 6 speed hot rod very nice car
For Corvette Club functions car shows dog walking ice cream runs or just around town the 75 coupe is the bomb
For Corvette Club functions car shows dog walking ice cream runs or just around town the 75 coupe is the bomb
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
We bought a new 2003 and enjoyed it for several years. It was fun and dependable and comfortable, but not remotely comparable to owning the old cars. It was a useful driver.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
I have to admit though, after awhile it just became another used car, just like other newer Corvettes Ive owned. Like I said, its useful as a driver but its not a replacement for a vintage Corvette.
It seems like everybody says the same thing after driving a newer ( C5 and later ) corvette for a while. After I had mine for a few months , I told my wife this is a nice car but it doesn't feel like a corvette. I kept it for a couple years and the same feeling got stronger so here I am back in a 72 and lovin it .
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 136
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
I've had one of each...C3, C4, C5. Loved them all, for different reasons. I do miss my '98 coupe. Still love the look of the C5's and it felt like you were driving a race car. Put a smile on my face every time. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Never
A C5 will never be vintage, just like all the hundred of thousands of new cars.....they will just be another bunch of metal to crush. Nobody is every going to care about restoring a Prius....no class.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
We started with a C5, wife's mid life crisis, and loved it. I liked the metal bumpers and bought the 68 a few months later. Then after almost three years she stepped up to 2011 GS. They are all different cars. I like driving the C5 and C6. I miss driving the C3 when I have been out of it for a few days. I dream about driving it when I'm out of it for 2 weeks. If it could only cook and clean the house.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
That's a good way to describe a C5 or newer " A nice sports car but not a corvette " . I actually like the shake rattle and roll of the older Corvettes . Kind of like comparing a Harley to a Honda Gold Wing.