Geez, I know this is going to probably start a sh!tstorm, but I have a serious question and I'd like to try to get a serious answer.

First, I realize that for many people there is a rivalry between Corvette generations. Personally, I love 'em all! That is not what this thread is about; I'm trying to get objective experience, not subjective opinions.

So, with that said...

I've read in the last few days in a few different threads where people make general comments to the effect that the C5 is a "better" car than the C6, but nobody has said why. These people seem to be coming from a quality standpoint. Is there quality issues with the C6? Or, is it just sour grapes from C5 people who can't afford a C6? j/k

 

I don't think I've ever heard anybody say the C5 is "better" but that the C5 is more to their taste. If you search on here in both C5 and C6 sections you'll find enough reading on this subject to keep you busy for a year. The end result is always the same. Drive them both and decide which you (and your wallet) like better. They are all great cars and each is more capable than the other in different aspects.

 

Actually, there are at least 3 threads right now where people are making that claim. That is what prompted this thread. 2 of them are in the C5 for sale forum. One guy owns a C6 and wants to go back to a C5 because he says it's a better car, but doesn't elaborate. I suppose I could have sent him a PM or something, but I didn't think about this until later and I don't want to go try to find the threads. If I run across them again, I'll post links here.

 

I own & daily drive one of each. My take:

The C6 is the better car in all the technical areas (power/powertrain, suspension, attention to detail in build quality, etc.). It is exactly what you would expect the car to be with ~8 years of additional development time: a highly refined version of the C5.

The C5, on the other hand, is still 90% of the car a C6 is, and IMO, is far better looking -- a near timeless design.

Thus, I'm of the view that the "which is better" arguments boil down to which is better *for you* -- i.e., it's all a matter of personal preferences and priorities. A classic case of "better" is in the eye of the beholder.

$0.02 deposited.

 

The C6 is an advancement past the C5 in technology. There are refined things that the C5 is short on.

But REMEMBER: the C6 is really just a C5.5

 

Thanks guys!

 

For looks I still like the C5 alot better, thats why I have not gotten a C6. I've test driven a few C6's and I would also agree from a technical standpoint it's obviously the next generation and is superior to the C5 in that manner.

 

That is kinda what I expected. I just don't see how the C6 could be "less than" with all the additional years of development.

I agree with you about the styling, but that is completely subjective and, in addition, I think the C6 is flat-out beautiful. I just like the "swoopiness" of the C5 vs. the "angularity" of the C6...but only by a little bit.

 

Personally - I've driven several C6's coupes as well as convertibles. I have not had the opportunity to drive a Z06 or a ZR1, so I cannot comment on either of those.

The C6 is a more refined car - things like steering and shifting seem to be less effort. The headlights on a C6 are awesome and the C5 headlights are not even in the same league - kinda like a candle next to a Halogen beam. The C6 rides softer (note I said not better, but that's personal taste). There are far more electronic aids on the C6 - navigation, XM radio, Blue Tooth (on the newest models), keyless operation, etc. Convertibles were available with an optional power top.

The '06 and newer cars were available with the 6L80E trans which differs is the 6 speed auto with paddle shifters. The engine choices were the LS2 in the early models (more displacement, HP and torque - 6 liter) and gave way to the LS3 (6.2 liter and more HP still). So the stock C6 is faster than a stock LS1 C5.

But - the C6 was not the landmark car the C5 was....it was a refinement and enhancement of the existing platform with the rear transaxle. When the C5 was introduced in 1997, it was a totally new car that employed things like hydro-formed frame rails, the rear transaxle, an all new series of engines (LSx - all aluminum), and many other innovations. The C6 is slightly smaller (seems like mostly in the trunk cargo area).

Personally - I found the C6 to be little less "raw" and I thought "too soft" for my taste.

Many C5 owners complain about the missing flip-up headlights. Personally I never liked the front fascia of the car - I know this sounds stupid, but I always thought cars had faces. The face of the C6 looks like a smiling fish - the C5 looks more angry "predator" to me.

But which one is better? The better one is the one you like and makes you happy when you walk away and look back at it. I could have bought a C6 last year, and chose not to - because I love my C5. It's not jealousy, I just happen to like what I have.

The above is my opinion - not to be taken as an arguement of one over the the other - as the OP posted, they are all Corvettes, which makes it good in my book.

 

My C6 was a quality control disaster. GM bought it back and I'm glad to be back in a C5. Not bashing the C6. Lots of people have had good luck with them. It is faster but I am not the only who has had a problem with battery rundown in as little as 2 days of sitting. Never had that problem with either C5 I have owned. In my opinion the C6 is way too much hocus pocus. Give me a key to start the car and a door handle to open it.

 

Some common things that make a C5 "better" to some people is appearance, a perceived "rawness", and interior room for tall people.

 

As a current owner of an 09 Cyber Gray Coupe just over 4k on the Daily Driven clock and my boosted C5 (it was dd for 3 years got bored with Stock HP), I will give you what I think of the two. The C5 was such a leap forward in Techo that the C6 is an improved version of the C5 except for the Z06 and ZR1 models. What I like better about my C5 is the body style is timeless. The LS platform got it start here and has proved to be a very good motor in stock trim or easy to gain a few more HP like I have done. I also like that the C5 has a little more interior space than the C6. Now that I have driven the C6 for 3 months it seems that there is less of a blind spot off to the sides on the C5, could just be me. I also like that the hatch on the C5 is lower easy to put stuff in and I do DD the C6 so I do notice this. What I like about the C6 over my C5. Better headlights (I do like pop-up better) from the factory, the 09 has variable steering and the turning is faster (I put C5Z sways on my C6), the ride on the C6 is smoother and with the new variable steering you also can feel the road better. Stock motors the LS3 has much more low end grunt over my LS1 and this is nice even behind the A6 (GM did do continous improvement on engines) and the LS3 pulls strong all the way to redline. I can not compare trannys as I have an MN6 in my 99 and the A6 is great for DD and the MN6 is awesome for spirited and boosted fun. The interior is updated and I like the seats better, but they still could be better after all these years, I like the C5 and C6 interiors about the same, more space in the C5 and I got two tone in the C6 a cool option. Both are great platforms and you can not go wrong with either generation, get the one you like best as you can see I love both of mine, now for different reasons

 

Some great info! That's what I was hoping for. Thanks again!

 

Same here.

I also see posts about people going back to C5's from C6's, but never elaborated.

 

That works for me too.

 

on all counts

If you've never driven a new C6, you should take one for a test drive. The way the economy is, the dealers will beg you to hold onto it for the whole day test drive. Personally, I don't like the numb feel of the C6 steering. The 08-09's have more road response but when you drive a C5, you really feel in touch with the road. I really dislike the front fascia of the C6 as well, it never grew on me over the years either.

As far as HP is concerned, the new LS3 is a beast, you need a head and cammed C5 to be able to keep up with a stock C6. 436 HP and you get an engine that is smooth, refined, yet with a mild to wild exhaust mod, you can really get a great sounding ride. For the HP alone, I think the new 08-09's are "better" than the C5's.

 

 

It is very easy to tell which one is right for you. This is what I did I went to the dealer and drove a C5 for a week then a C6 for a week. If a dealer wants to sell a car they will do it. Then talk price!

 

I have owned a 06 and 07 C6 coupe and loved them both. I now have a 02 C5 convertible and love it just a little more. The reason being the
C6's came with payments- the C5 is paid for!

Both are great and a thrill to drive!

 

Make it easy on yourself. Buy a C4, a 1996 looks good.