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I asked this on the c6 forum, but to be fair I thought I should ack here too. With low mi 03,04 car going for low 30's would you just spend the extra $$$ for a c6 that seem to be going for high 30's. I didn't really care for the c6 when they came out but they are starting to grow on me.
I'm afraid that is what I would do, and there's nothing wrong with that. Till you go to sell it and loose your ***. That why I'm thinking it might be smarter to just get a c6 and be done with it. I think 400hp and z51 will keep me happy!
You dont have to go insane with your mods to the point where when you sell it youll loose your *** in the deal. When I went into modding mine I knew fair well I wouldnt get any of it back when I sell it but selling it was the furthest thing in my mind. I dont know my 405HP Z only entertained me for a month and a half until I modded it. But its not like either decision is a bad one.
I rode in a friends C6 the other night. they are nice. My car because of the mods is much faster but the C6 is a little more sophisticated and finished nicer. I think a C6 with 400 hp would be my choice if I had to start over.
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It would be hard to resist a brand new car for the difference in price. I drove a C6 not too long ago and put about 1500 miles on it. I was impressed. Best thing for you to do is just go and drive a few examples of each and see which one you really like best.
I haven't driven a C6, but I don't think IMHO, other than cosmetically, there's much difference between the C6 and a say '04 Z06. You can't get a Hardtop with a trunk with the C6. It seems Chevrolet always seems to build the best quality (not necessarily always performace) of a generation, the last year ('62 C1, '67 C2, '82 C3, '96 C4, and '04 C5 Z06) as they get ready for the next generation. The C1/C2/C3 generations shared a similar basic design with many differences in engines ( many classic combinations of engines and transmissions), bodies, and interiors, C4's were very unique in design with three engines in the generation, as is the C5/C6 generation of Corvettes (4 GEN III small block engines in the generations). I have a C5 FRC w/low cost mods and my next Corvette will be an '04 Z06. Why not get a 'cherry' low mileage '04 Z06 (You can still get the factory extended warranty) in the color you want which is already depreciated? Then you can put your mods in without worrying much about payback and wait for the C7 to see if it's the next quantum leap in Corvette technology. Just my humble opinion. Which ever way you go, gauranteed you'll be happy, you're driving a Corvette. No risk here, just fun. Good luck!
Which one do you REALLY like the best? Ask yourself and then be really quiet and listen to the little voice inside yourself. That guy in there know's best.
I had this same conundrum when deciding whether to sink a bunch MORE money into my C5 for mods or to wait a few years and buy the C6. Although I DO like the C6, I like the overall look of the C5 better (except, unlike some, I really dig the C6 headlights). My C5 is nearly paid off... If I sink $10-$15K into in mods, I can continue to enjoy it IMMENSELY for the next 10-15 years and have no car payment... Sure, I won't get back that money when/if I sell it, but I don't plan to sell anytime soon. I second VGI's advice, go with your gut.
Had a similar situation in October. I chose a low mileage mint 04 C5 over a brand new C6 and haven't looked back. If my C5 is parked near a C6 mine gets noticed most. But it's all about personal preference and you'll be happy with either.
I had a similar dilemma. I had an '04 C5 with very low miles that I really loved and I debated to mod it or just go with an '07. I went with the '07because I could keep it stock and have great performance too. I did go from a A4 in the C5 to a MZ6 Z/51 in the '07. It is tighter in the corners, noticeably more power and the car is more refined. I really loved the C5 though. I still miss it in a way.
What are you planning to do with the car? If you want to heavily modify it, C5, cheaper, more go-fast goodies available.
If you just want to be civilian with it, C6. More power, and goes fast, right out of the box - newer, less brutal than a C5, generally. C6 is basically an improved C5, you can't go wrong with either.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.