Will the C5 always be recognized?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: The South
I purchased my C5 as an investment- an investment in my emotional stress relief, an investment is spending time with my beautiful wife cruising down the highway with her beautiful blonde hair blowing in the breeze; an investment in pulling into Sonic and watching all the young kids in their modded imports-drool; an investment in being able to say I own an all American Sports Car- yep my C5 investment is paying me rich dividends already!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
I'm always getting people asking if my 1999 is one of the new models. So I think the design still holds up pretty well. Everything is getting more of that edged shapely look. Like the C6, a lot of the BMWs, etc. The C5 has that rounded but new look which makes it looks a little more exotic to me.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
I purchased my C5 as an investment- an investment in my emotional stress relief, an investment is spending time with my beautiful wife cruising down the highway with her beautiful blonde hair blowing in the breeze; an investment in pulling into Sonic and watching all the young kids in their modded imports-drool; an investment in being able to say I own an all American Sports Car- yep my C5 investment is paying me rich dividends already!
the investment with a C5 is in yourself so drive it, mod it, and above all enjoy it. the C6 is a great car with a lot of tech inprovments but when the c4's came out I drooled and said that GM finnaly had a car that would compete with the world, when the C5 came out my jaw dropped the first time I saw 1, when I saw my first C6 I yawned.
I colud easly afford a C6 but anytime I think about it I shudder and think to myself why?
Maybe the C6 will grow on me but for now anytime I look at or drive my C5 it pays me back 1000% what I have invested into it.
at the same time if the C5's were not made my next choice would be a C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
I'm always getting people asking if my 1999 is one of the new models. So I think the design still holds up pretty well. Everything is getting more of that edged shapely look. Like the C6, a lot of the BMWs, etc. The C5 has that rounded but new look which makes it looks a little more exotic to me.
I've had my 2000 FRC for 7 months now and can't count how many times people have asked if it's a new one,or they cant believe it's 8 years old. I foresee the wheels falling off before I get rid of it!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 11
From: las vegas nv.
Personally, I think the C5 body style is a better looking car than the C6.
The rear tail panel on the C6 looks unfinished. The *** end of the C6 is higher than the C5 at stock ride height... etc...
The C6 has it's good points, but Iwouldn't get rid of my C5 for a C6.
The rear tail panel on the C6 looks unfinished. The *** end of the C6 is higher than the C5 at stock ride height... etc...
The C6 has it's good points, but Iwouldn't get rid of my C5 for a C6.
DITTO----Cant stand the sloping rear window--Ugly for sure and the size of the front lights--just not cool
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 4
From: Elizabethtown
I love the C5 and I think the look hold up well with the general public. Corvettes aren't every where like some cars so people that aren't into sports cars probably have no idea what year corvette is which. I've seen many c5's and I still like the look but the the c6z's are very nice. I hope to get one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
I love the C5 because of its low and wide profile... it looks like a race car. I think down the road, people will still look at it with awe. I plan to keep mine for the long haul so in 20 years, I will post back and let you know what people are saying 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
With the prices of our C5's dropping and todays economy do you still think that in the future they can possibbly be worth quite a bit? The C5 inspired the C6 to become the fastest production car to lap the nuremberg afterall! Or do you think that they will just become an outdated looking car as the corvette design keeps improving? Personally I think that it's looks will always make a statement where time stands still.
Some car designs just survive time and stay current for some reason or another, Deuces ('32 fords), tri "5" Chevys, Camaros, to mention a few. I may be (of course!) bias in this respect, but I think that the C2 and C5 are two examples of America's car manufacturer's best efforts in MY time. Hail to the C5, Long live it's popularity!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
very well said.I worry about the future of the Corvette hobby because of the aging of its fan base. Many shows seem to be attended by mostly middle-aged and senior folks (at 57, I'm one of them). We need more young people to keep the hobby alive.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I think the C5 holds a very important spot in Corvette history, as it was really a "make or break" situation for GM according to "All Corvettes Are Red"
Nevertheless, in my opinion it is one of the most tastefully designed cars ever made, and I believe people will continue to feel that way for a very long time
Nevertheless, in my opinion it is one of the most tastefully designed cars ever made, and I believe people will continue to feel that way for a very long time
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
But there aren't many young people out there that can afford the overpriced C6's... So I'd say they'd have to look into buy a very well priced C5.But then again, this younger generation are all into the loud mosquito sounding rice burners !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
One interesting thing I've noticed is that if you go to an auto parts store you still see the C5 on a lot of packaging... waxes, car covers, jacks, etc. I realize it takes a while (and a good reason) for companies to update their packaging, but considering the last C5 rolled off the line about 5 years ago, that's impressive.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: 2 miles from Jim Beam Kentucky
For the most part, I agree with everyone. I bought an 04 and dont regret it. In fact, I LOVE MY 04 C5!!!!!
And there is something to be said about Corvettes with flip up headlights!!
And there is something to be said about Corvettes with flip up headlights!!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
I love my C5 but…
I think the C4 was the car that turned the corner for the Corvette, the late model C3’s were just junk, the C4 sent the pendulum in the other direction. The C5 took what the C4 did and kicked it into overdrive. More HP, more MPG, easier ingress / egress, etc.. The C5 is much better in every way than the C4, although I honestly like the looks of the C4 better; yet the earlier generation got the ball rolling.
I do wonder where prices will go. You can find a pretty nice C5 around here for under $20K very easily, if their prices slide like the C4 I'll get another as a DD or track car!
I think the C4 was the car that turned the corner for the Corvette, the late model C3’s were just junk, the C4 sent the pendulum in the other direction. The C5 took what the C4 did and kicked it into overdrive. More HP, more MPG, easier ingress / egress, etc.. The C5 is much better in every way than the C4, although I honestly like the looks of the C4 better; yet the earlier generation got the ball rolling.
I do wonder where prices will go. You can find a pretty nice C5 around here for under $20K very easily, if their prices slide like the C4 I'll get another as a DD or track car!
Last edited by Bville-Bud; Jul 31, 2008 at 08:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I personally love the style of all the generations. Each said a statment for the time period they were in, 1950's-today. My buying a C5 over the C6 was based on finances. Would I like a C6? Of course, but not at the expense of loosing my C5 or C3. One day I hope to have an example of each generation. Won't be any time soon. I'll just have to keep working.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: plesant ridge michigan
c5 all the way,,,everybody is saying what ive always said,,,,the lines on the c5 are perfect,,,the c6 has the c4 tailights going,i dont like that,,,the c5 looks wider from the *** end,,,,just a mean looking car,,,,,and for the prices ive seen,,,,,i can see myself buying a few of these cars.....i c5 6 speed vert is my next car,,,,i do love my z06,,,,but a vert on a nice fall day,,,,,,man can't beat that....