Hi guys, I'm a long time lurker first time... well nevermind that. Okay, so I'm on the fence about my upcoming vette purchase. Basically, I turn 25 in like 9 days and I'm buying a vette as soon as I sell one of my cars. In the meantime I have the not-so-much-a-problem-problem of settling on whether or not i want a C6 or a C5 or a C5 Z06.

Here's the scoop: exterior styling could go either way, I love all three models, the interior is slightly better in the C6 but that really doesn't matter since the only thing that bugs me about the C5 is that god awful shifter **** (and something tells me that's a quick fix ).

The car will be 6speed, dark blue (unless i get a killer deal on a yellow or silver one), and has to be in perfect condition.

New is out of the question, chevy nixxed the dark blue. I'm looking for low low miles. basically a car that's been hardly driven and an added bonus to the 5 would be the dramatic decrease in price because the new generation is the hot ticket right now. Extra mod money would be pretty rad.

Okay, maybe im not asking for advice so much as venting. Surely some of you guys went through the same thing and I suppose this is just a long winded effort to delay sleep for a few minutes. I feel like its the night before christmas because this has been such a long time coming.

Be gentle, its my first time.

 

I was never really on the fence on model. I prefer the styling of the C5 over the C6 but would have been happy with either one.

The best rule(s) of thumb to follow, IMHO, is to find the newest, best conditioned Vette you can afford and to not jump on the first one you test drive unless a killer deal for a sound Vette just falls into you lap.

C5/C6/Z06 its all Corvette

 

I'd say on looks the C5 wins hands down. On engineering the C6 made some major steps forward. Not to mention the extra HP.

I'd say it may be down to price. Do you want a lower priced C5 that you can mod or a C6 which stays more stock?

Hope you find your perfect choice

 

who isn't....

can't go wrong with either

 

I think you will know which one when you see it.

Chuck

 

If you are patient, you will be rewarded.
Take your time and you can find some great cars out there.
Be prepared to act, but not prematurely.

 

Good luck

 

You should test drive each one and see what you like the best.

 

Both are good choices, so you can't go wrong there. But for me it was an easy choice because while I like the C6, I like the looks of the C5 a LOT more. So... how many times in your life do you get better for cheaper? Not often! For you, it might be the other way around. You may prefer the looks of the C6, in which case, there should be no debate... jump on it! I have driven the C6 and I do like the extra horsepower, but that was the only appeal to me. After you drive both make a list of pluses and minuses for each. That should nudge you one way or another. I am sure that whatever you decide will be "oh so sweet!"

 

yup its a quandry just like the "virgin nympho on the pill" that eluded me thru college....

don't worry about the model, buy based on the best deal

 

I would go with the C6, it'll take longer for that to get outdated.
C5 is getting there.

 

I think you've answered your own question

 

You can replace the shifter with a C6Z06 shifter in about 30-45 minutes (and for less than $200).

Here's a picture:


As far as C5 values dropping quickly because of the newer models, I just haven't seen that happening. I bought my Vette in July of this year. Looking at Cars dot com, the prices seem about the same.

 

Yep!!! Go for it

 

Sounds like you have a tough decision for a young man your age.

I feel for you. Good luck with your choice.

 

i know, right? i'm blessed that the fruits of my labor are coming to bloom. hopefully i can have my lemans blue c5/c6 6speed coupe before christmas. that would rock socks

 

ah....er....how would she know? . . .........um....forget it.


If you are on the fence, buy the C6.

I'm not on the fence, I like the looks of the C5 much better, but if I ever sell it, I'll know wind up in a C6 or a C7 or whatever is the newest one I can afford at the time (of course they will probably have anti-matter propulsion by then . . .but . . .).

 

Well if it helps you I find the C5Z a lot more comfortable than the C6 even though the C6 is a little bit more luxurious.

The C5Z is more rare and more of a collectors iten than the C6.

C5Z is just so great looking! It's a lot more orignal looking than the C6. Than is coming from a guy that eventualy wants to buy a C6Z!

Also the C5Z will out handle a C6 and will beat it in a straight line.

Think about it like this also. For the money you could get a C5Z or a C5 compared to a C6 you could make the C5 one bad machine! Theres a large aftermarket for the C6 but it's no where near the C5's!

They both have their ups and downs. You can't go wrong with either one. Just test drive both of them and see what YOU think. Because everybody elses opinions are just a drop in the bucket compared to yours.

Just my two cents.

 

Take your pick!

 

I just purchased a 04 CE two months ago and was facing the same decision before. Some of your friends will say why didn't you get the newer model, but others will like the classic Vette lines of the C5. Course we don't buy our cars for them, but interesting feedback I've gotten on mine (as expected though). I love the C5 lines, and with less than 10K miles I feel like I got a new Vette basically. Try and get one still eligble for GMPP either way, I had to pay a grand, but have basically a new car warranty now to boot.

The Z is an awesome car, but the cheap seats and fixed roof took it out of the running for me. Good luck in whatever you end up with. It is great to have a Vette early on!!