Cheap plastic
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1
From: Myakka City Fl
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I don't mind the interior. Lets face it, the interior was far from the top of the list when we decided to buy a C5.
In a recent article I read that an optional interior is now available on the C6. The price was several thousand $. Would I have paid it had it been available with mine? Probably not. I'd sooner spend the extra on "go fast" stuff.
In a recent article I read that an optional interior is now available on the C6. The price was several thousand $. Would I have paid it had it been available with mine? Probably not. I'd sooner spend the extra on "go fast" stuff.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
I've always heard one of the downfalls of the c5 interior is the cheap plastic. I have a problem figuring out what cheap plastic is. Does it wear faster or break easy or something. Do they say it because having plastic in the interior is cheap or the plastic itself is cheap. I personally like the interior except for the shift **** and the radio and other than that I like the interior. I guess I may be one of the few.
Signed, Bill Clinton.
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Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Wellington Florida
I do not know if it is cheap plastic, cheap manufacturing or cheap design.
The only thing I can say about it is that my Mazda has better plastic, and not the 1/4" gap between the door and the dashboard at the drivers side. Also the door panels doesn't "crick" as my vette does, and the leather seats doesn't have the "feel" of other leather competitors. (all some sort of plastic, vinyl, compost of course).
I understand cutting corners, maybe that's not the way I would have done it.
The only thing I can say about it is that my Mazda has better plastic, and not the 1/4" gap between the door and the dashboard at the drivers side. Also the door panels doesn't "crick" as my vette does, and the leather seats doesn't have the "feel" of other leather competitors. (all some sort of plastic, vinyl, compost of course).
I understand cutting corners, maybe that's not the way I would have done it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
In the 10 months I've been a C5 owner I've broken one of the little plugs from behind the door handle, one of the little plugs which covers the bolts which hold on the center console, and worst of all, I have a huge crack in my radio bezel running from the TC/AH panel to the shifter. I like the style of the C5's interior, but the plastic pieces on it break if you look at them the wrong way. that's really my only complaint. many cars have plastic pieces in the interior. plastic isn't bad as long as it is well designed and looks nice. it also has to have some kind of play to it before it cracks because, lets face it, a car's geometry is going to change as its driven. the body flexes, and the interior does along with it. the C5's interior creeks and cracks and pieces physically break too easily.
has anyone noticed that the A-Pillar covers seem to be either leather or (more likely) vinyl wrapped? it took me a while to realize they weren't just plastic. now they could have made those in plastic and done that wrapping to the radio bezel and center console and made the car have a much nicer feel to it.
but it doesn't bother me that much. if it takes a cheap interior to get $120k Porsche performance out of a $50k car then so be it!
has anyone noticed that the A-Pillar covers seem to be either leather or (more likely) vinyl wrapped? it took me a while to realize they weren't just plastic. now they could have made those in plastic and done that wrapping to the radio bezel and center console and made the car have a much nicer feel to it.
but it doesn't bother me that much. if it takes a cheap interior to get $120k Porsche performance out of a $50k car then so be it!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,819
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The real problem is that all plastic is cheap. It doesn't matter if it is covered with vinyl or leather it is still cheap. Always has been always will be. All modern cars are loaded with cheap plastic to keep costs and weight down and to meet crash standards. You really wouldn't want a fancy chrome plated pot metal gauge bezel to bang your noggin if you crashed your car would you?
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Guess the newness hasn't worn off quite yet, I'm still in love with my car and while the interior may not be the most refined, I still think it looks wicked cool 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Dubai Mirdiff
This thread is like a breath of fresh air.
I really do risk sounding like Clarkson here but the man has a point.
While in the UK i was delighted to sample a broad range of cars from Personal to work. With my personal favourite being a New Golf GTi. The interior felt quality, everything fitting together perfectly and nothing squeeking or sounding like it was made from paper and pva glue when tapped.
Since i have been in Dubai i have been exposed to nothing but American cars and in turn american spec cars. It has got to be said that across the board the interiors always seem to feel like an after thought and it shows...
The worst IMO was a 2005 trail blazer, when you can move the center consol with your hands for me that is just too crap
Even the "nicer" american cars i have looked at "300C SRT8" again while proformance excellent it is just not a refind car in any way. Noisey, cheap feeling inside etc etc. If it was all i was exposed to then i wouldnt know any better but i do feel you guys are being short changed when it comes to car interiors.
Views anyone?
I really do risk sounding like Clarkson here but the man has a point.
While in the UK i was delighted to sample a broad range of cars from Personal to work. With my personal favourite being a New Golf GTi. The interior felt quality, everything fitting together perfectly and nothing squeeking or sounding like it was made from paper and pva glue when tapped.
Since i have been in Dubai i have been exposed to nothing but American cars and in turn american spec cars. It has got to be said that across the board the interiors always seem to feel like an after thought and it shows...
The worst IMO was a 2005 trail blazer, when you can move the center consol with your hands for me that is just too crap
Even the "nicer" american cars i have looked at "300C SRT8" again while proformance excellent it is just not a refind car in any way. Noisey, cheap feeling inside etc etc. If it was all i was exposed to then i wouldnt know any better but i do feel you guys are being short changed when it comes to car interiors. Views anyone?