C5 or SS?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
Was the vette in chicago and on craigs list? If this is the one , I spoke with the owner two months ago and he was having title and inspection problems. IF I remember right it was a flooded car as well. Be careful. Buy the z28, it has the same LS1 engine as a vette and lower miles. Always do a carfax although not alway 100% accurate.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Az
If you want to have fun now, it sounds like you might be of the younger immediate gratification generation, get the SS and enjoy! Save if you can and buy a vette later and do it right. By then you'll probably be buying a C6.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 249
From: Orlando FL
I drove Vettes most of my life. I did go through the "backseat" years while the kids were getting bigger. I owned a black 2000 SS before I moved back in a C5. The SS was a great car, fun to drive. Mine had the Bilstien Level II suspension and it did handle quite well, not quite a C5, but a car I don't regret owning. Pick up the SS, drive it while saving for a nicer C5.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 866
Likes: 22
From: Savannah GA
I've seen these threads all the time. What people rarely say is 'which one do you want more'? Which would you choose if both were next to each other and you could only have one?
If it's gets into technical things, what do you plan to do with it? If you want to drag race, I'd get the SS. If you wanted a corner carver, get the C5. If you want maximum resale, C5. If you want to save some money, keep the car for awhile and/or dump the money into mods, the SS. Appeal? That's on you. Family/kids? SS. Single and date girls alot
? C5.
If you're like me, I couldnt decide... so I have 1 of each
well almost. I have a fully modded '94 Z, and I'm getting into a C5 in less than 2 weeks from now!
If it's gets into technical things, what do you plan to do with it? If you want to drag race, I'd get the SS. If you wanted a corner carver, get the C5. If you want maximum resale, C5. If you want to save some money, keep the car for awhile and/or dump the money into mods, the SS. Appeal? That's on you. Family/kids? SS. Single and date girls alot
? C5.If you're like me, I couldnt decide... so I have 1 of each
well almost. I have a fully modded '94 Z, and I'm getting into a C5 in less than 2 weeks from now!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 979
Likes: 102
From: El Paso Texas
I've had both. If you spend $1-2,000 on the SS and get the squeaky bushings fixed, the driver's seat is probably damaged and you may need new shocks, but the SS is a hoot to drive. Also, I believe quarter mile fast or faster than the Vette. They get old and do not have the curb appeal of a Vette. The handling is never as good and the car is not as comfortable to drive. Personally, I would continue saving and spend the time and money to get a clean Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Given your options, the good SS or a previously wrecked C5 with lots of use:
Go with the SS.
I think you will be looking around for some time before you find a "decent" C5 within your budget.
Go with the SS.
I think you will be looking around for some time before you find a "decent" C5 within your budget.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Rochester WA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07-'08-'09
Comfort Level
I drove Vettes most of my life. I did go through the "backseat" years while the kids were getting bigger. I owned a black 2000 SS before I moved back in a C5. The SS was a great car, fun to drive. Mine had the Bilstien Level II suspension and it did handle quite well, not quite a C5, but a car I don't regret owning. Pick up the SS, drive it while saving for a nicer C5.
and comparing that to my 99 C5 coupe, I'd have to say my C5 is more
comfortable and easier to see out the front and back.
Has this been your experiance too?
thanks,
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Gary IN
It's all about what you really want. Do you have to have the car now or can you save up a little more. If you work and don't mind a small note, you can make a nice down payment on a good C5 while keeping the monthly payment low and still have money for mods. Plus you won't be wishing that you'd gotten one when you had the chance. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 5
From: Longmont Colorado
I owned a supercharged mustang for 12000 dollars when i was in highschool. It was a blast but remember ITS A FORD. Mine had 23000 miles on it and it broke down all the time for compleatly different reasons. If i were you i would buy the SS then later on when you have some money saved sell it and buy a vette. But either way good luck making the decision i had a hard time when i had that kinda money as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Go For The C5!
No matter what it takes, go for the Vette! I had the choice to make back in January of whether to buy a '01 SS for 15K or a '97 C5 for 20K, both with about the same miles. I went with the Vette. Never been happier. I know for me, anyway, I would have always said, "I shouda got the Vette".
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If your budget is that tight are you sure you want a high mileage Vette? If things go wrong they can be expensive to put right.
Although I'd normally say go with the vette, it may be best to go with the SS until the funds are a bit healthier
Although I'd normally say go with the vette, it may be best to go with the SS until the funds are a bit healthier
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 866
Likes: 22
From: Savannah GA
I just bought a C5 maybe a month and change ago. It's definitely not a F-body. Out of the box, I think the f-body makes a better drag car, and the C5 a better street/strip/corner carver. Either way the C5 has the advantage but the F-body is more 'disposable'.
I thought my Z had a firm ride, nothing to that of a C5, though the C5 rides more comfortably. Parts are more expensive.
If you want perfomance and refinement, get a C5. If you need space (kids), want some more money for mods, want to drag race, get an F-body. You can make either do whatever you want, it comes down to what you want to spend. And if you dont care about the SS package and just performance, find a clean Z and invest more in mods.
But if you want a C5, save more. I was lucky I pucked up a clean title nassau blue '98 C5 for $13500 in prett good shape. Needs a few things... but dont sell yourself short and get a salvage title car, find what you want...you have most of the cash, save a little more...
I thought my Z had a firm ride, nothing to that of a C5, though the C5 rides more comfortably. Parts are more expensive.
If you want perfomance and refinement, get a C5. If you need space (kids), want some more money for mods, want to drag race, get an F-body. You can make either do whatever you want, it comes down to what you want to spend. And if you dont care about the SS package and just performance, find a clean Z and invest more in mods.
But if you want a C5, save more. I was lucky I pucked up a clean title nassau blue '98 C5 for $13500 in prett good shape. Needs a few things... but dont sell yourself short and get a salvage title car, find what you want...you have most of the cash, save a little more...