Why FRC?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Wild West
Why FRC?
I'm still looking for a vette, not set on c4 or c5 yet. What is the plus to haveing a FRC? Is it the looks, or the rigid body? I like the idea of a targa, but I found a fixed roof that is a smoking deal. Just trying to get opinions on the difference.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
I'm biased, but I think it is the best looking 'vette. It is faster (lighter) and stiffer as well. Top spped is lower ( as it is not as aerodynamic) but only by a couple MPH...Really, FRC's tend to attract the more serious racers...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
for the lunatic fringe
I like Hib Halversons description
"The Corvette for hardcores.
It was the final piece of the puzzle: a car for which the lunatic fringe of the Corvette hobby had waited 18 long months. Forget such gadgetry as: power passenger seats, memory options, two tops, F45 shocks and dual-zone HVAC. With the Hardtop, you get basic, kick-*** performance from the 345hp LS1 Gen3 V8, a six-speed stick-shift and Z51 suspension all in a car that weighs 80 pounds less and is stiffer than the already stout Coupe. The shock was the Hardtop coming in as such an aggressive offering."
http://www.idavette.net/hib/99hdtp.htm
"The Corvette for hardcores.
It was the final piece of the puzzle: a car for which the lunatic fringe of the Corvette hobby had waited 18 long months. Forget such gadgetry as: power passenger seats, memory options, two tops, F45 shocks and dual-zone HVAC. With the Hardtop, you get basic, kick-*** performance from the 345hp LS1 Gen3 V8, a six-speed stick-shift and Z51 suspension all in a car that weighs 80 pounds less and is stiffer than the already stout Coupe. The shock was the Hardtop coming in as such an aggressive offering."
http://www.idavette.net/hib/99hdtp.htm
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
02Z here... Love the look of the FRC. I'm sure that many will argue, but something about it just looks much more aggressive to me. Wouldn't want mine any other way.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Wild West
One word.....Budget.
I originally started looking around $5-8000 for a vette. Then I have seen a few c5's for under $10K, and so now I am leaning that way. If I find a sixspeed without a salvage title for under $10K, I'll prolly jump on it. The FRC I have been eyeballing is $14,500. A little out of reach right now, but I like it alot!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Scrape up the extra dough somehow and GO FOR IT!! You'll love it. I hadn't really considered one till I bumped into a really good deal.Bought it and really love it .It gives you a little distinction that C5 "enthusiasts" only realize.,kind of an exclusive club within the breed.Only produced 2 years an fairly low numbers.My club has over 100 members,many of which have multiple vettes ,,,mine is only the second one in the club..I have the only one in my town. I think that's kind of cool.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,050
Likes: 7
From: Canadian Rockies
I guess it's an acquired taste. I was never a huge fan when it first came out but it eventually grew on me until I just had to have one.
Maybe it's the way it gets down to business. It's light, it has less options than the coupe, it isn't available with an automatic, etc.
Maybe it's the way it gets down to business. It's light, it has less options than the coupe, it isn't available with an automatic, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 0
From: Aspen, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'15
I have c4 coupe and a c5 vert...I love the ability of dropping or taking off the top. But I'm not a performance nut. I like to cruise, and stomp on the pedal when some azzhat wants to go, thats about it. So for me nto being able to remove or drop the top would suck!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
I like the looks of the FRC, too, however, one of the best parts of owning a Corvette is open air driving. You get it with the coupe and the convertible, but not with the FRC. If you're OK with that, then go with the fixed roof coupe.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Sarnia ON
One word.....Budget.
I originally started looking around $5-8000 for a vette. Then I have seen a few c5's for under $10K, and so now I am leaning that way. If I find a sixspeed without a salvage title for under $10K, I'll prolly jump on it. The FRC I have been eyeballing is $14,500. A little out of reach right now, but I like it alot!
I originally started looking around $5-8000 for a vette. Then I have seen a few c5's for under $10K, and so now I am leaning that way. If I find a sixspeed without a salvage title for under $10K, I'll prolly jump on it. The FRC I have been eyeballing is $14,500. A little out of reach right now, but I like it alot!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Had 10 convertible Vettes since the early 70's. Now I could care less about all the open air 
My last two have been FRCs and I'm extremely happy with this model...plus there were only 311 of mine that were made. You won't see this on every street corner.
AND I don't have a tupee either 