Need c5 advice!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Need c5 advice!
Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help me with picking out the best year to purchase a C5 vette? I am in the final stages of picking which type of car i want - Choices being BMW 335i coupe, 350z, Vette.
I am curious which year would be best bang for the buck? I was looking at getting a Z06 but i am seeing there is another model that compares to it maybe? I am doing some searching now.
So basically Which year vette would be the best? Later plans are to turbo it.
I am coming from an 2009 Cobalt ss turbo.
I am curious which year would be best bang for the buck? I was looking at getting a Z06 but i am seeing there is another model that compares to it maybe? I am doing some searching now.
So basically Which year vette would be the best? Later plans are to turbo it.
I am coming from an 2009 Cobalt ss turbo.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
I have a 2002 Z06 with 50k miles that I really love. I too looked at other cars including BMW’s, Vipers etc but went with the Z06. Great looks, great gas milage, 24 in town and 30 highway. I may be persuaded to sell at the right price, if your interested send me a PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,297
Likes: 24,776
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Get the newest, lowest mileage one your budget allows. I had a '00 and loved it, and now have an '03 and it too is a very nice ride. Just be sure you check out the car very carefully and that it has all the options, including color, that you want.
The Z06 is in a category of its own - but the other body styles can be modded to give you increased performance.
The Z06 is in a category of its own - but the other body styles can be modded to give you increased performance.
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
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hi Taylor
I currently own a 2007 350Z 6spd and I would advise getting a C5 over it any day. 350Z's are fun to drive but they lack power compared to their rivals. The car responds terribly to any modifications even something as small as a CAI.The Z's are unique and come in great colors but lack the power that a V8 Vette would have. They are fun to drive but they are about 12k - 20k depending on year (03 to 08). The earlier models 03-06 have less horspower where the 07+ have 306 HP. In comparison a 97 vette with 345 horsepower will cost less and will out perform. Just my 2 cents and good luck.
I currently own a 2007 350Z 6spd and I would advise getting a C5 over it any day. 350Z's are fun to drive but they lack power compared to their rivals. The car responds terribly to any modifications even something as small as a CAI.The Z's are unique and come in great colors but lack the power that a V8 Vette would have. They are fun to drive but they are about 12k - 20k depending on year (03 to 08). The earlier models 03-06 have less horspower where the 07+ have 306 HP. In comparison a 97 vette with 345 horsepower will cost less and will out perform. Just my 2 cents and good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks for the reply.
I reason why i ask about the year, its no sense in me buying an 04 if nothing has really changed signif.
i am wanting a z06 so i guess ill do more research. im looking for 400whp though from bolt ons hopefully
I reason why i ask about the year, its no sense in me buying an 04 if nothing has really changed signif.
i am wanting a z06 so i guess ill do more research. im looking for 400whp though from bolt ons hopefully
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 15
From: My Garage. Upstate, SC
400rwhp? Don't set your sights so low. Search for dyno results here. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I don't know about the BMW, but I can tell you that the 350z is a huge disappointment. Compared to a Corvette, they lack in every aspect. Even their interior is lame. C5 interior is better by far, IMHO. The 335i is cool if you want to tote passengers, but it doesn't perform to the same spec as a Corvette and it doesn't look as good, IMO.
I think a better comparable car to the C5 would be a 370z. The interior on the 370z is fantastic. It still doesn't perform as well, but it makes up for that in age and comfort.
I had to choose between a 370z and a C5 Z06. I drove them both over and over to make sure. I chose the Z06 twice in a row. Had a blue one and now a yellow one. After driving both cars, you just can't beat a C5 Vette.
Just my 2 cents.
I think a better comparable car to the C5 would be a 370z. The interior on the 370z is fantastic. It still doesn't perform as well, but it makes up for that in age and comfort.
I had to choose between a 370z and a C5 Z06. I drove them both over and over to make sure. I chose the Z06 twice in a row. Had a blue one and now a yellow one. After driving both cars, you just can't beat a C5 Vette.
Just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Is this a no no?
orr more something like this?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Is this a no no?
orr more something like this?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Last edited by TaylorJamison; May 26, 2010 at 11:45 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 303
Likes: 35
From: Maine
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Is this a no no?
orr more something like this?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Is this a no no?
orr more something like this?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
I would not buy a salvage title vehicle under any circumstances. There are just too many drawbacks in doing so. Even with the $ you save, it's almost impossible to re-sell it and if you were to crash it again, then your value is basically gone.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 161
Likes: 14
From: Rockwall Texas
I wouldnt buy a salvage title car under any circumstances. I would also stray away from a Z06 with nearly 80k. If you are looking to spend around 17k I would look at a 97-00 coupe with low miles and a few mods.