C5 vs G35 Coupe
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
C5 vs G35 Coupe
I'm in the market for a 1999-2000 C5, but have recently found the G35 Coupe to be a pretty nice car as well. What are your opinions on these two cars? I know I'll get a little bit of a slanted view here, so I'm posting this on the G35 forums too. So, what do you think is better about the C5? Have you driven both? Pros and cons??
Right now I drive a '99 Cobra with mods, so I'm somewhat worried that the G35 would feel too slow. That wouldn't be a problem with the C5 of course. However, as far as 'luxury' goes, it seems the G35 has a leg up on the C5.
Thoughts and opinions??
Right now I drive a '99 Cobra with mods, so I'm somewhat worried that the G35 would feel too slow. That wouldn't be a problem with the C5 of course. However, as far as 'luxury' goes, it seems the G35 has a leg up on the C5.
Thoughts and opinions??
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,195
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia PA
G35 won't come anywhere near the preformance of your cobra let alone a C5.
If your looking for cushy then the g35 might be for you. You can always upgrade the interior of the c5 with nicer leather and other items.
GL in your decision
If your looking for cushy then the g35 might be for you. You can always upgrade the interior of the c5 with nicer leather and other items.
GL in your decision
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Loveland (Cincinnati) Ohio
Personally I wouldn't even consider the G35.
I drove Mustangs for a long time and loved them...easy to build power, good sense of community with other stang owners, etc.
Now, after owning my 3rd vette (2 C5's)....I love the car...sense of style, performance and an even better vette community!
just my .02 though.
I drove Mustangs for a long time and loved them...easy to build power, good sense of community with other stang owners, etc.
Now, after owning my 3rd vette (2 C5's)....I love the car...sense of style, performance and an even better vette community!
just my .02 though.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
I recently looked at a G35 (shopping for a new family car), and it is a very
nice car and if your looking for luxury and good performance then the G35
is the way to go. But if your looking for, say, %30 luxury and %70
performance then go with a Vette. For pure fun and enjoyment you can't
loose!
nice car and if your looking for luxury and good performance then the G35
is the way to go. But if your looking for, say, %30 luxury and %70
performance then go with a Vette. For pure fun and enjoyment you can't
loose!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Apples to Oranges comparison.
The G35 is sort of a 4 seater, and is down over 50 hp to a base un-modded Vette. The G35 is more of a GT rather than a sportscar. I thought the interior was okay - but not dramatically nicer than a C5. I think the G35 is about as quick as a stock Mustang, not a Cobra. Neither is in the same class handling or acceleration to a C5.
Have you ever visited the G35 museum? How about the Corvette Museum? Also the Vette is an American icon - gonna be 53 years old June 30. Ever heard of the G35 wave? To me - the G35 is just another Nissan with their 3.0 litre V6, just like the engine they put in almost every vehicle they make. The Corvette is a legend, and it's the car little kids dream of owning some day (at least this little kid did!)
If you have to be talked into buying a Vette - I'm not sure you really understand what it's all about. No one had to convince me.....my heart and my emotions told me I HAD to get a Vette. The performance and the looks are a part of the equation, but that is not the whole story. The fraternity of Corvette owners as well as the history of this car spoke to me and told me that I had to be a part of this.
Good luck with your choice....
The G35 is sort of a 4 seater, and is down over 50 hp to a base un-modded Vette. The G35 is more of a GT rather than a sportscar. I thought the interior was okay - but not dramatically nicer than a C5. I think the G35 is about as quick as a stock Mustang, not a Cobra. Neither is in the same class handling or acceleration to a C5.
Have you ever visited the G35 museum? How about the Corvette Museum? Also the Vette is an American icon - gonna be 53 years old June 30. Ever heard of the G35 wave? To me - the G35 is just another Nissan with their 3.0 litre V6, just like the engine they put in almost every vehicle they make. The Corvette is a legend, and it's the car little kids dream of owning some day (at least this little kid did!)
If you have to be talked into buying a Vette - I'm not sure you really understand what it's all about. No one had to convince me.....my heart and my emotions told me I HAD to get a Vette. The performance and the looks are a part of the equation, but that is not the whole story. The fraternity of Corvette owners as well as the history of this car spoke to me and told me that I had to be a part of this.
Good luck with your choice....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I was faced with the same "dilemma" when I was in the market. I love the lines of the G35, and worked with a gal who had a nephew at a dealership who could get me into a nice one for "around $40k..."
My next door neighbor, mid 50's, proud owner of a nice, shiny, Polo Green '95 coupe, kept egging me on about buying a Vette. At the time, I didn't think I could even consider a Vette, so I kinda shrugged it off... till he says, "Ever driven a Vette?" followed by "Wanna try it???"
Now, with my long legs and 6'2" athletic frame, I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable with the fit of the car. I had to pull my left size 13 foot back so my right foot could operate the gas and brake.(damn automatics
)
But the response to the gas pedal, the topless cruise, and the sound of the Beach Boys on the radio, gave me Perma-grin for life! I was ESPECIALLY pleased when he told me the C5's moved the transmission to the rear of the car, opening up ample leg room, and I could get into one for around $27k...
Sure enough, I checked and found my 2001 for $26,999. 
I still would like a G35, but that'll come later!
My next door neighbor, mid 50's, proud owner of a nice, shiny, Polo Green '95 coupe, kept egging me on about buying a Vette. At the time, I didn't think I could even consider a Vette, so I kinda shrugged it off... till he says, "Ever driven a Vette?" followed by "Wanna try it???"
Now, with my long legs and 6'2" athletic frame, I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable with the fit of the car. I had to pull my left size 13 foot back so my right foot could operate the gas and brake.(damn automatics
)But the response to the gas pedal, the topless cruise, and the sound of the Beach Boys on the radio, gave me Perma-grin for life! I was ESPECIALLY pleased when he told me the C5's moved the transmission to the rear of the car, opening up ample leg room, and I could get into one for around $27k...
Sure enough, I checked and found my 2001 for $26,999.
I still would like a G35, but that'll come later!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,643
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
There is no comparison. 
The G35 is just that, a nice little car with a V6 and unibody structure.
The Corvette is an an American Icon and a factory race car with the firmest hydroformed chasis in a production car capable of withstanding well beyond the 505HP LS7 now available in the new Z06. Do you see the kind of HP and Torque easily produced in structurally stock Corvettes by the members and Vendors of this Forum. Do you think that could be achieved with basically a stock G35 structure or drivetrain? Not unless you spend many times the amount necessary to mod a C5 or C6. Can a G35 run with the finest exotics like a C5, C6 or Z06? No way.
Depends on what you are looking for but to quote blacksedan87 "if you have to be talked into buying a Vette - I'm not sure you really understand what it's all about."
The G35 is just that, a nice little car with a V6 and unibody structure.
The Corvette is an an American Icon and a factory race car with the firmest hydroformed chasis in a production car capable of withstanding well beyond the 505HP LS7 now available in the new Z06. Do you see the kind of HP and Torque easily produced in structurally stock Corvettes by the members and Vendors of this Forum. Do you think that could be achieved with basically a stock G35 structure or drivetrain? Not unless you spend many times the amount necessary to mod a C5 or C6. Can a G35 run with the finest exotics like a C5, C6 or Z06? No way.
Depends on what you are looking for but to quote blacksedan87 "if you have to be talked into buying a Vette - I'm not sure you really understand what it's all about."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
The power of the Vette is awesome, but I also bought it because it looked more unique. The design of the G35 is modeled after a typical sedan. NOT what I want. You'll find a lot more Infinitis on the road than you will Corvettes, and that's what I wanted. 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Ex suburban, now Chicago... IL
Well I have a 99 coupe and we just bought a 2004 G35 coupe for my SO. As someone said, these two cars are like night and day. In my opinion the G35 is great looking car with excellent power for a V6. The interior of the G35 might be a step up from a looks perscepctive. I hear a lot of comments about the vettes interior being very bland however I would tend to disagree. The problem that I have with the G's interior is that the seats are to small. My back does not quite fit in the seat as they are very narrow. I am 5'10" and weigh 190 lbs.
Someone how I see you going to a C5 and not the G35 as you already have a Cobra. Stay with an American V8. Get the vette!
Someone how I see you going to a C5 and not the G35 as you already have a Cobra. Stay with an American V8. Get the vette!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
From: Flemington NJ
A few months ago I was car shopping as well. Audi S4 or a vette and I'll give you the same advice someone gave me:
If you think want another car don't drive the vette...'cause if you do you'll never want to drive anything else again.
I drove one and and still can't get the smile off my face and I get the same feeling each time I drive me c5 (which is now every day!!!)
If you think want another car don't drive the vette...'cause if you do you'll never want to drive anything else again.
I drove one and and still can't get the smile off my face and I get the same feeling each time I drive me c5 (which is now every day!!!)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Wow.. I never expected this many responses so soon! I understand that it's kind of an apples to oranges comparison. However, they're my two choices if I sell the Cobra, so I wanted to get opinions.
When I asked my wife she said Corvette all the way - she said I seemed much more excited about it than I did the G35.
Hopefully I'll be posting pictures of my new (new to me) Corvette sometime this summer or fall!
And thanks for all the responses!
When I asked my wife she said Corvette all the way - she said I seemed much more excited about it than I did the G35.
Hopefully I'll be posting pictures of my new (new to me) Corvette sometime this summer or fall!
And thanks for all the responses!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
I think you might just be surprised at performance of the G35! So much so, that I bought one for the MRS.
The proof you ask??? Granted, running on a straight line, not much of a contest from standing start or once in 3rd gear and the C5 pulls away pretty good.
But Watch this and you be the judge. There are several points where the G can definately hold it's own - I was MAJOR surprised as I was a 2 time returning runner to the track and the first for the G and in places the G35 definately proved it's worth!m - It was an 05 stock automatic!
TAKE A L@@K HERE First few show just my C5 running it's best times and running line, then comes the pest!
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The proof you ask??? Granted, running on a straight line, not much of a contest from standing start or once in 3rd gear and the C5 pulls away pretty good.
But Watch this and you be the judge. There are several points where the G can definately hold it's own - I was MAJOR surprised as I was a 2 time returning runner to the track and the first for the G and in places the G35 definately proved it's worth!m - It was an 05 stock automatic!
TAKE A L@@K HERE First few show just my C5 running it's best times and running line, then comes the pest!
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