Long Trip Comparison C5 to C6
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Long Trip Comparison C5 to C6
I just came back from a long trip from S. Calif. to north of Seattle, Wa. to San Juan Island, in my '07 MR Z51. Because its like new, I took it instead of the '99 Black Coupe. The '07 ran smooth and easy, but for long trips, the loss of interior leg-room when comparing it to my '99, was something I didn't care for.
The '99 would have been more comfortable and easier to drive. I drive the '99 as a DD and its easier to steer, corners easier on freeways and feels more like it owns the road whereas the '07 requires more effort and doesn't follow the road as easily as the '99. The '07 has more bells and whistles of course which comes with changes in technology, but they should have left the extra room.
The '99 would have been more comfortable and easier to drive. I drive the '99 as a DD and its easier to steer, corners easier on freeways and feels more like it owns the road whereas the '07 requires more effort and doesn't follow the road as easily as the '99. The '07 has more bells and whistles of course which comes with changes in technology, but they should have left the extra room.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Nice to hear an unbiased opinion...tell us more! I am on and off the fence on buying a C6; I still like my C5 and can afford a C6, but just haven't moved on the urge yet.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I'm 6'3" tall. I hear that on the '08's, they changed the steering so its supposedly more responsive now than the '05's through '07's. The '99 drives with great ease whereas the '07 requires more effort and more cramped cockpit. I've taken the '99 on many long trips over the years and its always been a pleasure to drive. This long trip in the '07, I was sort of wishing it would hurry up and get over...lol, maybe I'm just getting old!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Renton,Kennydale area WA
Thanks for the comparison!! I'm 6'2'' and completely love the open feel my 98 has. I've been thinking more and more about moving over to a C6 I really want it to be a comfortable long cruiser...need to rethink my plan
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion. Last March, we did the reverse drive, from Gig Harbor, WA to Carmel, CA, and back -- Route 1 south, I-5 return. Even with side trips and SFO gridlock, we enjoyed 29.4mpg and no faults. I've considered a C-6, but the cost-benefit ratio doesen't pencil out. You input provides further justification to keep enjoying my C-5. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Nice write up. I have done several road trips in my C5 coupe and one from California to Oklahoma in my brother-in-law's C5 convertible. We will be picking up my C6 in Bowling Green in 3 weeks. My wife and I are going to do a 4 day road trip in the C6.
I'm curious to see if my wife and I share your opinion.
I'm curious to see if my wife and I share your opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
From: North Canton OH
Could some of the loss in leg room be attributed to the fatter looking padding on the seats? I notice in the C6 shots that the seats always seem like they are further forward, yet they are touching the waterfall.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
I agree about the c6
Hi, I agree with the op. I took several c6's for long test drives last year, before I bought the c5. I felt cramped inside also, and the seat itself was not as comfortable. It did have some nice features that I liked, especially the power top, and the mp3 input, but it didn't have as smooth a ride, and the interior was no better than the c5, and I don't really care for the new style lights, nor the chopped off rear look. It's still a very nice car, but in the end I just felt the
c5 was more to my liking, especially the 50th AE.
Just my opinion.--Luck to all
c5 was more to my liking, especially the 50th AE.
Just my opinion.--Luck to all
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, thats the name of the city. When we were young, we use to kid each other as children that some day we would go crazy and end up living in Cucamonga! Now all these years later, there I am, except they added on the Rancho part...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 491
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay Area, U.S.A. (Zombie Nation)
Thanks for comparison info. Assuming the seat is back, a 6'3" C5 driver can stretch his legs fully out (under the pedals) AND can actually point his toes fully forward for a truly maximum stretch on a long trip. Not many cars can you do that with!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
I've looked at it from many financial angles, too. If you have a nice C5 you like (particularly if it's paid for), why spend $25 -$35,000 to trade up to an '08? For that kind of money you could buy another C5 and enjoy two Vettes!