c5 vs Trans Am???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
c5 vs Trans Am???
Okay so i been a mustang guy but i am wanting to get into a ls1... either a c5 vette or a 98-02 trans am. Im only 20 so im on a budget of UNDER 15,000. AT this range what should i go for... what are the advantages/differences between the 2. I like the looks of vettes more also a vette has always been my dream car! So from what i read the engines are the same but the vette is just lighter... any other differences as far as performance...
Let me know what you think
Thanks
Let me know what you think
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I have both and they are 2 different beasts, The Vette will out handle the WS6 any day of the week and is funner to drive unless I want the Rush of going through the gears , Vette is 2 seats and the TA will seat 4, The Ws6 is a monster in a straight line. It really depends on what you want, The Vette is a nicer ride by far. It is hard to compare the 2.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Last edited by Mr.Bill; Jun 1, 2010 at 12:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,294
Likes: 1,527
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
If a vette is in your blood, you will get a vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Both are cool in there own right,,but IMO,,No comparison!!Overall better handling,performance,,,,AND IF you can control the urges (not easy) you can actually get better fuel mileage!! Whats not to love!! I have also heard that with SOME companies that young folks can actually get a better deal (at least on liability) on insurance due to being a two seater vs a four or five seater. Not to mention,,,,this being a CORVETTE forum,,we ARE going to be slightly biased towards the vet!! I did try to be as objective as I could,,I DO like all cool cars,,,just drive vets!! 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
I was considering the two before I purchased the C5. The TA definitely looks more menacing on the outside to me. But the interior just KILLED it. It's the exact same as my friends Grand Am. I knew the handling would suffer comparatively speaking but I could not live with the Grand Am interior on such an otherwise nice car. And people complain about the Vettes interior LOL.
-Alex
-Alex
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I was considering the two before I purchased the C5. The TA definitely looks more menacing on the outside to me. But the interior just KILLED it. It's the exact same as my friends Grand Am. I knew the handling would suffer comparatively speaking but I could not live with the Grand Am interior on such an otherwise nice car. And people complain about the Vettes interior LOL.
-Alex
-Alex
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
With a budget of under 15k, you are only going to find a handful of C5's in that range, and, they will be high-milage cars if that does not bother you.
I've had both TA's and F-body camaros before I went with a C5. The C5 is just all around a better car, hence, why the price tag is higher. Sure they share the same (or essentialy the same) motor, but the chasis, suspsenison, weight of the car are entirely different (just to name a few)
We are obviously going to be biased here, go on the f-body forum and you'll get most people telling you to stick with the TA.
Save your money and go with the C5, I can almost guarantee you will not regret it.
I've had both TA's and F-body camaros before I went with a C5. The C5 is just all around a better car, hence, why the price tag is higher. Sure they share the same (or essentialy the same) motor, but the chasis, suspsenison, weight of the car are entirely different (just to name a few)
We are obviously going to be biased here, go on the f-body forum and you'll get most people telling you to stick with the TA.
Save your money and go with the C5, I can almost guarantee you will not regret it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
I've had both, had a 2000 Trans AM then my current 2003 Corvette. The Vette is mostly better, but I liked the T/A too. I'd say for $15,000 you should go for the T/A. You will need to spend more than that for a good Vette.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: Woodstock Ga
I had a '99 TA before moving up to my 02 Z06. The TA is a sweet car IMO, definitely can be made fast as hell, looks great. I don't see the complaints on the interior, in some ways it was as good as my Z. Felt alot nicer than my Camaros but my newest Camaro was a 94 Z28...
Anyway, if you can find a nice Vette within your budget I'd say go for it, the Vette is better all around IMO. BUT I'm not sure how nice a Vette you can get for sub-$15k. You can darn well get a super nice TA for well under that. Will this be your only car? There is something to be said for having the backseats if needed, ground clearance is a little better with the TA, etc. Cheaper to mod as well. But the TA isn't as "special" as a Vette no matter how you cut it.
Anyway, if you can find a nice Vette within your budget I'd say go for it, the Vette is better all around IMO. BUT I'm not sure how nice a Vette you can get for sub-$15k. You can darn well get a super nice TA for well under that. Will this be your only car? There is something to be said for having the backseats if needed, ground clearance is a little better with the TA, etc. Cheaper to mod as well. But the TA isn't as "special" as a Vette no matter how you cut it.