C-5 vs C-3
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
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C-5 vs C-3
Just curious if anyone knows. I was pushed by my wife to get rid of my c-5 after owning it for only two months. I took a bath on the sale and regret giving in. I have a 69 Nova to sell this fall and with or without the wifes consent I'm getting anouther fun car. I may get another C-5, but really love the way the C-3 looks. Does the C-3 handle fun like a sports car or is the c-5 that much more fun? I consider this for financial reasons since a C-3 can get purchased so much cheaper. I don't like the way the c-4 looks, so thats out. I may consider a Miata or a Mustang, but this isn't the forum for that.
Burning Brakes
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From: Arden NC
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I've had two C3s, 4 C4s and now 3 C5s and by far the C5 is the best of the breed I've owned. Yes, the C3s look good, but they are rough riding, lacking in the fuel economy stats, handle no where near the way a C5 does, and the ergonomics are way behind the C5. A C3 would be fun for an occasional driver I guess, but I'll still stick with my C5.
Racer
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From: staten island ny
i have owned 88.69 and i just purchase a 2004 i drove the 69 for a little over 2years the comfort was not good and the heat cabin was killing me everyone said why i sold such beautifull car but they were the ones driving the car i cant speak of the 04 yet it should be delivered sometime this week
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It all depends on what you consider "FUN"
I had my '69 for 13 years.
Was it as fast as a C5? Sure, in a straight line. It ran low 13s in the 1/4 mile and making it go faster would be a piece of cake.
Could it handle as well as a C5? No. But I demonstrated on numerous occasions that handling is as dependent on the driver as the car.
Could it have handled as well as a C5 overall? Sure. With a bit of work, fitting newer, bigger tires, aftermarket suspension bits, maybe some chassis braces here & there. Rack & pinion steering would have made a nice improvement, too.
Was it as comfortable as a C5? Not even close. But I drove it the 1200 mile round trip to Bowling Green several times without complaint. Bob even enjoyed the ride on a few of those trips without complaint.
Was it as efficient as a C5? Nope, but my 69 with a double pumper carb and an HEI distributor got 18mpg on the freeway. With EFI and overdrive, lots of guys are getting mid 20s
Bottom line is that the C5 is a much more refined, easy to drive, everyday car. It should be, too, considering it's nearly 40 years newer in design.
But what are you shopping for if you're saying a C3 is a lot cheaper than a C5??
Dave
I had my '69 for 13 years.
Was it as fast as a C5? Sure, in a straight line. It ran low 13s in the 1/4 mile and making it go faster would be a piece of cake.
Could it handle as well as a C5? No. But I demonstrated on numerous occasions that handling is as dependent on the driver as the car.
Could it have handled as well as a C5 overall? Sure. With a bit of work, fitting newer, bigger tires, aftermarket suspension bits, maybe some chassis braces here & there. Rack & pinion steering would have made a nice improvement, too.
Was it as comfortable as a C5? Not even close. But I drove it the 1200 mile round trip to Bowling Green several times without complaint. Bob even enjoyed the ride on a few of those trips without complaint.
Was it as efficient as a C5? Nope, but my 69 with a double pumper carb and an HEI distributor got 18mpg on the freeway. With EFI and overdrive, lots of guys are getting mid 20s
Bottom line is that the C5 is a much more refined, easy to drive, everyday car. It should be, too, considering it's nearly 40 years newer in design.
But what are you shopping for if you're saying a C3 is a lot cheaper than a C5??
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Holland Landing Ontario
I owned 2 72 C3's. They were the last of the chrome bumper version and can still fetch a big $. They looked cool, but so does the C5. In every other way, the C5 blows them away.
Team Owner
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
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Put it this way, the C3 handles like a late 60's to early 80's sports car would.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: pueblo co
We have a 1969 427/435 hp vette and then my 2003 Z06...the 69' is my dads..and he says he would much rather drive mine then his...the old vettes ride like tanks..u feel every lil imperfection. In the road..the gas mileage is just not there..but the looks and the sound of a big block is just amazing that very few things in this earth can replace
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
Just curious if anyone knows. I was pushed by my wife to get rid of my c-5 after owning it for only two months. I took a bath on the sale and regret giving in. I have a 69 Nova to sell this fall and with or without the wifes consent I'm getting anouther fun car. I may get another C-5, but really love the way the C-3 looks. Does the C-3 handle fun like a sports car or is the c-5 that much more fun? I consider this for financial reasons since a C-3 can get purchased so much cheaper. I don't like the way the c-4 looks, so thats out. I may consider a Miata or a Mustang, but this isn't the forum for that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
It all depends on what you consider "FUN"
I had my '69 for 13 years.
Was it as fast as a C5? Sure, in a straight line. It ran low 13s in the 1/4 mile and making it go faster would be a piece of cake.
Could it handle as well as a C5? No. But I demonstrated on numerous occasions that handling is as dependent on the driver as the car.
Could it have handled as well as a C5 overall? Sure. With a bit of work, fitting newer, bigger tires, aftermarket suspension bits, maybe some chassis braces here & there. Rack & pinion steering would have made a nice improvement, too.
Was it as comfortable as a C5? Not even close. But I drove it the 1200 mile round trip to Bowling Green several times without complaint. Bob even enjoyed the ride on a few of those trips without complaint.
Was it as efficient as a C5? Nope, but my 69 with a double pumper carb and an HEI distributor got 18mpg on the freeway. With EFI and overdrive, lots of guys are getting mid 20s
Bottom line is that the C5 is a much more refined, easy to drive, everyday car. It should be, too, considering it's nearly 40 years newer in design.
But what are you shopping for if you're saying a C3 is a lot cheaper than a C5??
Dave
I had my '69 for 13 years.
Was it as fast as a C5? Sure, in a straight line. It ran low 13s in the 1/4 mile and making it go faster would be a piece of cake.
Could it handle as well as a C5? No. But I demonstrated on numerous occasions that handling is as dependent on the driver as the car.
Could it have handled as well as a C5 overall? Sure. With a bit of work, fitting newer, bigger tires, aftermarket suspension bits, maybe some chassis braces here & there. Rack & pinion steering would have made a nice improvement, too.
Was it as comfortable as a C5? Not even close. But I drove it the 1200 mile round trip to Bowling Green several times without complaint. Bob even enjoyed the ride on a few of those trips without complaint.
Was it as efficient as a C5? Nope, but my 69 with a double pumper carb and an HEI distributor got 18mpg on the freeway. With EFI and overdrive, lots of guys are getting mid 20s
Bottom line is that the C5 is a much more refined, easy to drive, everyday car. It should be, too, considering it's nearly 40 years newer in design.
But what are you shopping for if you're saying a C3 is a lot cheaper than a C5??
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 22
From: Oxford CT
I've had a C3 for years and just recently obtained a 04 z06. They are both fun cars to drive in different ways. As said earlier the c5 is light years ahead in confort and performance and would be the choice if you plan on driving it every day or for exceptionly long distances. On the other hand the c3 is rough, loud 1970's muscle car technology with a curb appeal which can't be beat. They can realy get your hormoans pumping. Think of it this way, the c5 is refined and smooth and the c3 is crude and has hair on it. Thats cool too!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg Pa.
Just curious if anyone knows. I was pushed by my wife to get rid of my c-5 after owning it for only two months. I took a bath on the sale and regret giving in. I have a 69 Nova to sell this fall and with or without the wifes consent I'm getting anouther fun car. I may get another C-5, but really love the way the C-3 looks. Does the C-3 handle fun like a sports car or is the c-5 that much more fun? I consider this for financial reasons since a C-3 can get purchased so much cheaper. I don't like the way the c-4 looks, so thats out. I may consider a Miata or a Mustang, but this isn't the forum for that.
sorry, but it had to be said.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
That is a perfect explaination for some of the asking prices I've seen along with firm, don't make any offers cause I don't need the money. Who'd a thunk ???
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Sorry to hear that. Another reason why my wife and I keep our money seperate. We each take care of our responsibilities and I don't let her ask me about my money nor do I ask her about hers. (Although we inform each other on everything) But we were adults with our own careers when we met so it is somewhat different than some folks.
To answer your question. If you want a Cruise in or show car go with the C3. If you want something to drive and/or take trips in go with the C5.
And never discount any vette until you look, drive, and check them out. A C4 is fine car and in some cases better than a C5.
But I've had both and have a FRC now, which is my favorite vette of all time actually.
To answer your question. If you want a Cruise in or show car go with the C3. If you want something to drive and/or take trips in go with the C5.
And never discount any vette until you look, drive, and check them out. A C4 is fine car and in some cases better than a C5.
But I've had both and have a FRC now, which is my favorite vette of all time actually.