C5 over C3
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
I'm the other way from all of the previous posts. If I can't have both the C5 would have to go. My C3's are here to stay. When you drive around in a C3 people notice you, they love the car and can't help but come up to it for a look. Other classic car guys want to talk shop with you right away. When you drive a C5 you don't even get a second glance. My 1981 has more power and gets the same gas mileage as my 99'. It rides and has brakes the same as my 99'. The steering is just as good as the C5 with the new rack and pinion I just installed. 
It does however have no storage space for luggage compared to the C5 and it is pretty crowded to sit in and drive compared to the C5. I imagine the A/C in the newer car works better, but I don't use the air in either one because if I'm driving the top is down or off. The C3 and C5 are just different cars. The C3 is a classic style that gets noticed, the C5 is just another car on the road. Both are fun in their own way, but I think you see which one gets my vote. 
Now bring on the verbal assault guys.
-Justin
It does however have no storage space for luggage compared to the C5 and it is pretty crowded to sit in and drive compared to the C5. I imagine the A/C in the newer car works better, but I don't use the air in either one because if I'm driving the top is down or off. The C3 and C5 are just different cars. The C3 is a classic style that gets noticed, the C5 is just another car on the road. Both are fun in their own way, but I think you see which one gets my vote. Now bring on the verbal assault guys.
-Justin
and all vettes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 1
From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
I bought a 78 Vette for my first car. I loved it!!! White on white, t-tops, 4-speed. Awesome car. I wish I could have kept it while buying my Z06... But it needed alot of work and I really need the cash for the down payment on the Z.. I have never looked back!! The C5Z is PERFECT!!!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I had a 1977 C-3. It was a great car. Everyone completed it wherever I went. I’m regressing. I had to do a lot of maintaining to keep it in tip top shape especially the brake system. Prone to moisture ingestion which causes the pucks in the calipers to stick. Only fix, replace all calipers and lines with stainless and calipers with stainless steel sleeves. I regret selling the car. Fun to cruse in.
Now on to the C-5 two generations improved! That should say it all, but non C5 drivers will not really understand the significance of that statement until you get being the wheel of one for a while. Not just a hop around the block. I guess it would be like comparing a WWII fighter plane with one of our latest attack aircraft. Yes they both take off and land and they both fly. But they are generations apart as far as the technology and capabilities.
Now on to the C-5 two generations improved! That should say it all, but non C5 drivers will not really understand the significance of that statement until you get being the wheel of one for a while. Not just a hop around the block. I guess it would be like comparing a WWII fighter plane with one of our latest attack aircraft. Yes they both take off and land and they both fly. But they are generations apart as far as the technology and capabilities.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
From: Qualicum Beach British Columbia
Keep the C3 for the time being, right now you are looking at spending money on top of your C3 to get into a C5. C3's are on the rise while C5's are on the downward spiral. Enjoy what you have for 2 more years and you will likely be in a position to make the change for little to no money diff. By then after driving a c5 or 2, you will know what to do and at the same time benefit from the element of time.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Key West Fl
Most of my adult life I have loved the C3 design. I have a 1981 vette. Lately, though I have been admiring the C5 design lately. I think it has enough curves to make it look like a Vette (to me)
I'm toying with the idea of selling the '81 and buying an '02
Has anyone else done that? Any regrets? No, I cannot keep both.
I'm toying with the idea of selling the '81 and buying an '02
Has anyone else done that? Any regrets? No, I cannot keep both.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 646
From: manalapan new jersey
as you can see im lucky to have both a 72 c3 vert and a c5 vert both are good looking cars the c5 will give you a better performance,more, m/p/g ,more features ,refined power and every day reliability but the c3will give you something the c5 never will,the excitement of driving a 30+ y/o car the raw power the looks (as nice as the c5 are,in my opinion the early c3 are way sexier)and of course the "wow,that is a really nice car" from everyone incluiding the ricers so if i have to pick one, well, my c3 vert(in a NY minute)
Last edited by hyprsprt; Aug 28, 2008 at 06:07 PM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have noticed the prices of late C3s increasing although I do not understand why. If you can get a good price sell it and get a C5/C6. I had 2 C3s back in the day when they were just my daily drivers. A 69 BB roadster and a 71 LS6 BB coupe. After 71 the C3s started a long down hill slide in performance with the 75-82 (weight/horsepower, etc) models being the worst. The latter models got really fat compared to the early cars and added close to 400 lbs. If I lost my mind and decided to to buy another C3 it would be a 2 chrome bumper car. You can add more power but the handling isn't up there with the C5/C6 generation so the extra power doesn't get you where you need to be.
Bill
Bill
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Warren Michigan
if you had a 'bumper car' Id say stick with it.
As you can tell from my name c3_enthusiast, I LOVE c3s. But, b/c I was tired of looking at junk c3 and wanted to enjoy my car, I went after the next best (in my opinion).. the c5
With the c5 comes more comfort, fuel economy, reliability.... but not nostalgia.
As you can tell from my name c3_enthusiast, I LOVE c3s. But, b/c I was tired of looking at junk c3 and wanted to enjoy my car, I went after the next best (in my opinion).. the c5
With the c5 comes more comfort, fuel economy, reliability.... but not nostalgia.
Administrator
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If it were me, I'd sell the C3 and get a C5. The C5 just has so many advantages over the C3 - fuel economy, comfort, ergonomics, performance, safety enhancements, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I have a 78 and recently got a 2000. Wife has a 96 and I used to have a 96 LT4. As a daily driver I enjoyed the C4 more than the C3 and the C5 more than the C4. I was lucky and kept the C3.
I know the C5 will go some day but the C3 never will. Different animals altogether. The looks and feel of the C3 just can't be replaced. If it was me and I was getting a DD then go for the C5. If it's just a weekend car, personally I'd keep the C3. Not for reasons of money. Everyone has a C5.
I doubt you would regret either decision.
I know the C5 will go some day but the C3 never will. Different animals altogether. The looks and feel of the C3 just can't be replaced. If it was me and I was getting a DD then go for the C5. If it's just a weekend car, personally I'd keep the C3. Not for reasons of money. Everyone has a C5.
I doubt you would regret either decision.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 24
From: Coastal Georgia
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I also have both. And as it's already been said, it's apples and oranges. I got my '75 first, and have been steadily working on it over the last year. I'm much more emotionally tied to the C3 than I am the '01 vert. Plus you will never get the sound or look of sidemount headers and sidepipes out of a C5 that you do in a C3. But for comfort and driveability, the C5 is dead nuts, hands down. Performance can be had in either, obviously. The C5 is pretty damn fast bone stock, whereas I had to do an engine swap to get any performance at all out of the '75.
Tough call indeed. I'd be hard pressed to sell one to have the other.
Tough call indeed. I'd be hard pressed to sell one to have the other.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Depends on what you are gonna do with it.
Without a doubt, the C3 is one of the finest cars ever made. IMO you cant touch the looks of that car. If its gonna sit in the garage, and go out once in a while for a "joy ride" or to the track or whatever (performance) type driving, its great (but you know that).
On the other hand, the C5 is a world away. It will cruise better, handle better, and just drive better. Quieter inside, softer ride, better stock audio (probably), probably better milage, and I dont know enough about the C3 you have to say, but I bet any C5 is probably quicker. <== thats a very general statement, just a ballpark thing, but on the whole = true.
Without a doubt, the C3 is one of the finest cars ever made. IMO you cant touch the looks of that car. If its gonna sit in the garage, and go out once in a while for a "joy ride" or to the track or whatever (performance) type driving, its great (but you know that).
On the other hand, the C5 is a world away. It will cruise better, handle better, and just drive better. Quieter inside, softer ride, better stock audio (probably), probably better milage, and I dont know enough about the C3 you have to say, but I bet any C5 is probably quicker. <== thats a very general statement, just a ballpark thing, but on the whole = true.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Most of my adult life I have loved the C3 design. I have a 1981 vette. Lately, though I have been admiring the C5 design lately. I think it has enough curves to make it look like a Vette (to me)
I'm toying with the idea of selling the '81 and buying an '02
Has anyone else done that? Any regrets? No, I cannot keep both.
I'm toying with the idea of selling the '81 and buying an '02
Has anyone else done that? Any regrets? No, I cannot keep both.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: south of tulsa north of the great state of Texas
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: st.louis mo.
I'm the other way from all of the previous posts. If I can't have both the C5 would have to go. My C3's are here to stay. When you drive around in a C3 people notice you, they love the car and can't help but come up to it for a look. Other classic car guys want to talk shop with you right away. When you drive a C5 you don't even get a second glance. My 1981 has more power and gets the same gas mileage as my 99'. It rides and has brakes the same as my 99'. The steering is just as good as the C5 with the new rack and pinion I just installed. It does however have no storage space for luggage compared to the C5 and it is pretty crowded to sit in and drive compared to the C5. I imagine the A/C in the newer car works better, but I don't use the air in either one because if I'm driving the top is down or off. The C3 and C5 are just different cars. The C3 is a classic style that gets noticed, the C5 is just another car on the road. Both are fun in their own way, but I think you see which one gets my vote.
Now bring on the verbal assault guys.
-Justin
It does however have no storage space for luggage compared to the C5 and it is pretty crowded to sit in and drive compared to the C5. I imagine the A/C in the newer car works better, but I don't use the air in either one because if I'm driving the top is down or off. The C3 and C5 are just different cars. The C3 is a classic style that gets noticed, the C5 is just another car on the road. Both are fun in their own way, but I think you see which one gets my vote. Now bring on the verbal assault guys.
-Justin
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Irving... Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I had a 77 Ttop. Very beautiful white/red. Loved the looks. Not so much the comfort, reliability. or economy.
Now have an '03 Coupe EBM. It is everything the C3 wasn't.
C5=excellent Corvette!!
Now have an '03 Coupe EBM. It is everything the C3 wasn't.
C5=excellent Corvette!!