C5 or C6?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
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C5 or C6?
I just celebrated my 55th bday and I'm looking to buy my first vette. I've been looking around for more than 6 months and love this forum. I test drove two low mileage C5s ('98 & '01) last week and plan to drive a C6 this week ('05). It will be strictly a fair weather car that I want to enjoy for highway cruising. Which one has a smoother ride? My budget is $35k. THANKS in advance.
Mike L
Mike L
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
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I just celebrated my 55th bday and I'm looking to buy my first vette. I've been looking around for more than 6 months and love this forum. I test drove two low mileage C5s ('98 & '01) last week and plan to drive a C6 this week ('05). It will be strictly a fair weather car that I want to enjoy for highway cruising. Which one has a smoother ride? My budget is $35k. THANKS in advance.
Mike L
Mike L
My Dad has a C6 and I have a daily driver C5. It's interesting to drive both vehicles back to back. The C6 is a more refined car with a nicer interior. The C5 is a little rougher and not quite as well appointed.
If your priority is a smoother ride, then definitely go with a C6, just stay away from the Z51 package. The Z51 will corner better, but have a rougher ride.
I looked at a C6, but it was a little more money than I was willing to pay. I had no problem 2005 Corvette Coupes with very low mileage for around $35k. Your budget sounds well thought out and very realistic.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I just celebrated my 55th bday and I'm looking to buy my first vette. I've been looking around for more than 6 months and love this forum. I test drove two low mileage C5s ('98 & '01) last week and plan to drive a C6 this week ('05). It will be strictly a fair weather car that I want to enjoy for highway cruising. Which one has a smoother ride? My budget is $35k. THANKS in advance.
Mike L
Mike L
When my brother finally talked me into a Corvette, I looked around and absolutely fell in love with this Pewter 2000 Coupe I have, low mileage and good price at purchase. But you gotta do what satisfies "you!" 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: MI
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
My wife has an 06 Z51 Lemans Blue C6 Coupe and She Love's it!!
I have an 02 EB ZO6. I seriously prefer mine.
I call her 06 a LEXUS Corvette. It has a very compliant ride and all the really nice stuff like: Heated seats, On Star, nice soft but firm seats, XM Radio, its quiet, nice interior, ect......... On long trips, its a pleasure to drive.
My ZO6 is a factory built race car. It is well connected to the road and give you all the feed back that I desire in a sports car. I prefer the Z because its a really FUN car to drive.
Sounds like you would be much happier in a nice C6.
The C6 is ZO6 quick with all the nice comfortable stuff stuffed inside.
BC
I have an 02 EB ZO6. I seriously prefer mine.
I call her 06 a LEXUS Corvette. It has a very compliant ride and all the really nice stuff like: Heated seats, On Star, nice soft but firm seats, XM Radio, its quiet, nice interior, ect......... On long trips, its a pleasure to drive.
My ZO6 is a factory built race car. It is well connected to the road and give you all the feed back that I desire in a sports car. I prefer the Z because its a really FUN car to drive.
Sounds like you would be much happier in a nice C6.
The C6 is ZO6 quick with all the nice comfortable stuff stuffed inside.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
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From: Plainfield, IL
Just like the others have said...
The C6 is more refined. It has options never available in a C5 (although I wish they were:-( navigation, heated seats, HID projectors, keyless pushbutton ignition, etc etc. They say the C6 is a more quiet ride, probably a bit smoother depending on suspension setup.
Also as mentioned you can get a showroom condition low mileage C5/Z06 in your pricerange. There are C6's 05/06 in the low to mid 30's but they are gonna have more miles on them and likely not a 3LT with all the toys.
Hope this helps.
J.T.
The C6 is more refined. It has options never available in a C5 (although I wish they were:-( navigation, heated seats, HID projectors, keyless pushbutton ignition, etc etc. They say the C6 is a more quiet ride, probably a bit smoother depending on suspension setup.
Also as mentioned you can get a showroom condition low mileage C5/Z06 in your pricerange. There are C6's 05/06 in the low to mid 30's but they are gonna have more miles on them and likely not a 3LT with all the toys.
Hope this helps.
J.T.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
I just celebrated my 55th bday and I'm looking to buy my first vette. I've been looking around for more than 6 months and love this forum. I test drove two low mileage C5s ('98 & '01) last week and plan to drive a C6 this week ('05). It will be strictly a fair weather car that I want to enjoy for highway cruising. Which one has a smoother ride? My budget is $35k. THANKS in advance.
Mike L
Mike L
If I were making the choice, it would come down to what I would be getting for my money. You can outright buy an '04 C5 with your budget, but you would probably be without a warranty (too many electronics in both cars to ride without one, IMHO).
I like the lines of the C5 better than the C6 but the refinements in the C6 are quite nice to have and you most likely will have some factory warranty left if you are looking at an '06, '07 or even some '05s. I would say go for the C6
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
The C6 is a nicer car but also mo $. I have 3 C5s and although I would love to have a C6 can't see where they are enough better to dump a great C5 to get one. My suggestion is get a low mileage C5 and you'll have $'s left over for mods to personalize your car or just keep it in the bank. Since you said you had a budget that should appeal to you. If money is no object get a C6. One caution since you mentioned the comfort factor, if you're looking for a Cadilac ride, get a Cadilac! Both the C5 and C6 have terrific rides, for a sports car, but if you're looking for comfort and want to drive your living room sofa down the highway then get a Cadilac or a Volvo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
The C6 is a nicer car but also mo $. I have 3 C5s and although I would love to have a C6 can't see where they are enough better to dump a great C5 to get one. My suggestion is get a low mileage C5 and you'll have $'s left over for mods to personalize your car or just keep it in the bank. Since you said you had a budget that should appeal to you. If money is no object get a C6. One caution since you mentioned the comfort factor, if you're looking for a Cadilac ride, get a Cadilac! Both the C5 and C6 have terrific rides, for a sports car, but if you're looking for comfort and want to drive your living room sofa down the highway then get a Cadilac or a Volvo.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
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From: Wellsboro Pa
You have been around the block a few times. Drive both the C5 and the C6 and make your educated decision. I'm sure that you have already done your research, right? After the test drive of each of them you will know which one is right for you. Good luck............Bruce
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This one has been debated endlessly here and surprise but you'll probably get most of us saying a C5
I drove the C6 and I think its a great piece of engineering. It rides well and the extra HP is nice. For me it comes down to looks and I just thing the C5 is a timeless classic.
Ultimately I suspect it'll be emotion not hard facts.
Best of luck with your chice
I drove the C6 and I think its a great piece of engineering. It rides well and the extra HP is nice. For me it comes down to looks and I just thing the C5 is a timeless classic.
Ultimately I suspect it'll be emotion not hard facts.
Best of luck with your chice
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
This one has been debated endlessly here and surprise but you'll probably get most of us saying a C5
I drove the C6 and I think its a great piece of engineering. It rides well and the extra HP is nice. For me it comes down to looks and I just thing the C5 is a timeless classic.
Ultimately I suspect it'll be emotion not hard facts.
Best of luck with your chice
I drove the C6 and I think its a great piece of engineering. It rides well and the extra HP is nice. For me it comes down to looks and I just thing the C5 is a timeless classic.
Ultimately I suspect it'll be emotion not hard facts.
Best of luck with your chice
To the OP:
If you are a mod guy and like the looks of the C5 better then get the C5. If you are looking to hedge your bets and want the latest bells and whistles then get the C6.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
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From: Dayton Ohio
The general rule is to get the newest, lowest mileage example you can find. The reasoning is that it'll have the most advances and (generally) be in the best condition. That said, definitely get the body style that you prefer.
I'd probably lean towards C6 if I were in your position. I never really liked them until I drove a few on a track. It didn't convince me to trade, but I probably would've bought one if I hadn't recently purchased a C5 vert.
I'd probably lean towards C6 if I were in your position. I never really liked them until I drove a few on a track. It didn't convince me to trade, but I probably would've bought one if I hadn't recently purchased a C5 vert.