Just look at everything the C5 has going for it.

• Throw-back Double Bubble Roof
• Throw-back Grab handle on passenger side
• Pop Up Headlights
• C5 Dash will never be confused with the a Buick Regal

 

My reasoning:

- C5s are cheaper
- C5s look better
- C5s have a physical key that isn't easily hacked with RFID
- Performance is better or about the same comparing the C5Z to any C6 coupe or vert.
- C5s feel the road better
- C5s are cheaper to fix
- Mods for C5s are coming down in price
- The C5 is still "new" looking as most people seem to ask me if it's new. LOL
- They'll maintain their "classic" look for many years going on.
- They still have pop-up headlights.
- They have better aerodynamics
- They have a lower LASER profile

EDIT:
Best part of all is that almost everything C6 can go in a C5:
Suspension
Trans
Motor
Wheels
Seats
etc....

 

This.

Also why I bought a Solstice instead of a Sky. The Sky looked like a baby C6

 

Style of the C5.

Personally, the look of a "base" C6 coupe/convertible do not look aggressive enough in my honest opinion (specifically the nose). The C6Z looks bad *** though. The Grand Sport is a happy medium for me, but I do not have that much money right now, maybe in the future.

Maybe in the future I will settle for a Grand Sport C6 Coupe TR/Ebony, 6spd, and nav. if the C7 isn't what I am expecting it to be.

 

I have only been in this section of the Corvette Forum for a few weeks now being I was looking to purchase a C-5. Most who read my posts know by now that I also own a C-2 '67 Coupe and a C-3 '73 Coupe. I never thought I would ever own any other Corvette but my C-2 and C-3 being that is all I ever drove my entire life since I purchased my first Vette a 3 year old C-2 '67 Vert in 1970. I have owned 2-C-2's and 3-C-3's ever since.

Well the C-5 bug finally bit me being that over the years I have heard nothing but good things about the C-5 Corvette. I always liked the C-5 look but never pulled the trigger on one as I was always happy with what I already had in the C-2 and C-3. I still am. C'4's didn't do a thing for me over the years. The C-6's are nice but I have to admit I am still having a very hard time liking the body style. I just don't like how GM cut the back of the car off. Looking at a C-6 from either side verses a C-5 I feel there is no comparison in looks. The C-5 is the better looking Corvette. Well I finally made the move and purchased a '99 C-5 Black 6spd Coupe from a member of this forum with 36k original miles on the odometer 2-1/2 weeks ago. I have to say I am very impressed with the C-5 so far. I should of purchased one for myself a long time ago but better late then never I feel being I am only months away from turning 60. When you hit that age you can't help but wonder how much quality time is left to enjoy your Corvette. Now if I can only find the time to drive all of my cars.

 

My opinion:

C5 is cheaper
C5 has the "traditional" pop-up headlights, to me thats a true corvette
C5 doesn't have all the electronics like the c6 does (for example the button you push to open the door from the inside) which over time will be a nightmare to diagnose
C5 repairs are cheaper, more aftermarket parts available

Just my $0.02.

 

Look at a C5 parked next to a C6, now take a pile of cash and put it in the picture, and make a decision for yourself. What do you want? The C6 or the C5 AND the money ?
I could have gone either way, I chose the nicest newest lowest mile C5 I could find over the C6. For my purposes, a fun non daily driver pleasure cruiser, the C5 was the choice for me, saved money, and am having the same fun and excitement. Even taking cost out of the equation, the C5 has it hands down on the styling. Make the choice that's right for you, best of luck on your search.

 

I too like both the C5 and C6 cars - I chose mine because I got a really good deal on a very low mileage C5 - I could not find a similar C6 for anywhere near the price I paid. While the C6 is a bit more refined in the quality of say the interior and of course the new stuff you can get on it compared to the C5 (Nav, push button start, etc.), I have no regrets going with my C5. But, if I had more to spend when I bought mine, I just might have had a C6 in the garage.

 

With all the extra money I would save, some of that could be spent on mods, wheels etc. I need to find both, drive both, figure out how much I want to spend. What year was the Z51 performance package made available on the C5?

 

Pass on the Z51 option and use the saved money to mod the suspension, if you really feel the need to do so.

 

Something else to consider-a C5 Z06 is faster than the C6 non-Z06 for much less money. And it gets better gas mileage.

Get a C5 Z06.

 

I have a 2000 with Z51. Not sure if 2000 is the 1st year tho.

Another minor reason for C5 vs. C6 is that the C5 is a little roomier, both in the passenger's compartment and the trunk.

 

I bought my C5 new and still love it. It has its quirks, but I have not been able to get into the looks of the C6. The GS and Z06 look good but it is more of a european style, no curves.

 

Go with the C5....I used to have a C5 coupe, but let a woman talk me into trading it for an SUV...After saving my money (and getting rid of her) I started looking for another Vette. I knew this time after having 2 coupes in the past I wanted a vert...looked at both C5 and C6 models... the 2 deciding factors were price and looks...I do not like the interior of the c6 although i did like the power...ended up with a 2001 C5 vert w/ 29K miles for under 20K and was lucky enough that the previous owner had money and did a lot of performance mods has more power than the newer c6's.

 

A few years ago I was thinking of trading in my C5 for a C6. I would have needed +$20K for a C6. I gave my C5 a mod "refresh" for under 10K and couldn't be happier. I saved more than $10K doing this. Something to think about.

 

does anyone have first hand driving comparison for the two? I have a 02 vert and love it but was thinking getting a newer one after this next deployment, maybe, but I have heard things like the c6 doesnt stick to the road as good as the c5. Im curious to hear if anyone upgraded and regreted or loved it.

 

In my opinion if your going to drive a car instead of riding in it... the C6 is a better car than the C5's in almost all respects.

 

I bought a brand new 05, Z51, 6 speed when they first came out. They drive great and accelerate well. A little more torque than a base C5 and they stick to the road fine.

My C6 however was a POS. Big electrical problems. GM bought the car back as a lemon. Glad to be back in a C5. I really prefer having a key, especially when the C6 is a battery eater when it sits.

 

Cost ended up being the number one priority with me. At first I was determined to go C6 but kept looking around and was not going to get anything that would make me happy for less than the low 30's. Finally I started considering a C5 and quickly realized that for 2/3rds the cost I could have a very very nice car. The priority beyond cost for me was a lower mile, non-modified, 2000 or newer car and I ended up finding a sweet one owner, 27,000 mile, unmodified 2001 C5 for $19,000. I don't think that it will depreciate a whole lot more and I absolutely have grown to love it.

 

Test drove an 08 430hp C6 before I bought my C5. The first thing I noticed was that I had to push a button to start it. :o Call me old-fashioned, but I like to start my cars with a key. While driving, I noticed it was tight and handled very well. It felt very good on the road. I didn't drive it through twisties though. When I got on it, on the highway, I really didn't notice much of a difference between it and a C5. Maybe it's because it was very smooth. The downside was that it had a 2.51 rear end ratio. This was the car that I would have had to trade my 02 Camaro convertible for and still owe over $40,000. Luckily, I made the right choice and purchased the C5 I wanted in the first place and kept the convertible!