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Some tough decisions...

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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 01:38 PM
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Well I've been playing with the idea of getting either a c6 vette, or possibly a viper (2000 and up), or keep the c5 and taylor it to the way I want. I bought the c5 when it had 89K on the clock, and over a period of 3 years now has 100K. Other then changing out the rad, overflow tank, and doing a couple of other odds and ends shes been good to me. The car is pretty much stock other then a catback and wheels. It's almost paid for so thats a bonus as well. The thing is I have a connection through a dealer friend to get any used c6 at wholesale price. For example, I had a buyer for my car and in turn the dealer found me an 07 C6 with approx 12,000 miles for approx 30g's. He can find me one with a little higher miles for under 30 so thats appealing as well...obviously that means payments again but I will be getting a next to new car. I've also come across a few vipers under the 30g's price range but I don't know enough about them to go in that direction, but thought about it...anyways, I know at the end of the day it's all about what I want, but I really am on the fence...mod the c5 that has NO issues and 100K on the clock, or go for payments and get something newer with lower miles?

Thoughts welcome...
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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IMO it depends on how much of the C5 your gonna mod (suspension, motor rebuild, power adder, how much rwhp ya want) All mods at once that total 30gs or less....really need to know what your mod thoughts are...and of course you own finances to be considered...
Unless your going all out mods, then I would lean toward the 07 C6....6 yrs newer and at 12k mi all but just broken in.....
And if ya sell the C5 ya can knock a little of the 30gs and lower the payments......
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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It's a waste of money buying a newer C6 which is just gonna be a disappointment after you realize you now have this note due each month which eats into your mod money.

Just think.......you own your C5, which means you can pour money into making it a C6 killer, with all the modern updates or looks or down right meaner engine mods.

What are you waiting for!

Oh yea, you could have a C6 with Celica headlights...that right there maybe the only reason to own one!

I forgot to add, I too wanted to get a C6 at one time, but after I figured the note, then added the additional insurance, then tossed in the mods(that would happen) I'd be stupid to loose what I have in my C5 already.

Good luck though! I also rode in a newer 700hp Viper, and was happy I had my C5!

Last edited by sfc rick; Aug 23, 2011 at 03:19 PM.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 03:19 PM
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Have you looked at the price of replacement parts and insurance on the Viper?

The tax alone on the C6 would buy you your choice of Radio Flyer HID headlights and the new Pfadt featherlight coilover suspension.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 03:23 PM
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How long do you normally keep a car? If you plan to keep the C5 for a long, long time, then maybe sinking money into it with more mods would make sense - because when/if you ever sell it you know you won't get much back on the mods if you can find someone that likes what you've done.

The C6 already has the bump in HP over your C5. Not sure how much more performance you'd want, but upping the C6 power is going to run you some cash too. Like has been said, having a car paid for is a nice bonus so that is a negative for the C6.

Tough choices you have to make. While I'd like to drive a Viper for a while, not sure I'd want one for my own car.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 03:42 PM
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IMO keep the C5, they are reliable cars and once you have it paid off..Imagine owning a vette and not having a car payment at the same time. I am biased because I prefer the C5 body of the C6.

As far as getting a Viper...yea keep the C5.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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Keep the C5. They are great cars . Build some wealth and the next car you buy, whether new or used........pay cash. Never again have car payments. What a great concept!
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by typerpower97
IMO keep the C5, they are reliable cars and once you have it paid off..Imagine owning a vette and not having a car payment at the same time. I am biased because I prefer the C5 body of the C6.

As far as getting a Viper...yea keep the C5.
except on the viper part if you are going to keep the C5. having them both would be a great duo. drive the viper first, it isn't quite as refined as the C5 and you may be a bit disappointed depending on exactly what it is that you plan to use the viper for. either way, i completely agree if you can get out from under any payments, it is the way to go. as far as the C6............forget about it.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 06:06 PM
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keep the c5 and no payments
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 06:11 PM
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Keep the C5 and own it out right no question...
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 06:43 PM
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you can buy a brand new motor from gm for 6500 and drop that in too....as far as a viper goes its a dodge remember that lol with a truck motor and no abs, so just my two cents and god c5s are just stunning no matter how many miles...
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 06:44 PM
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Post this question in C6 and see what they have to say just out of curiosity.

Dave
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 07:51 PM
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IMO, I would keep the C5, the C6 is just a fixed headlight C5, that's smaller than a C5, with new sheet metal and a slightly higher HP engine, everything else "all be equal" is the same as a C5. As for the Viper, well that is just a motor on a chassic, a big V10, but just brut. Know why they stop selling them, because Dodge didn't want to put technology into it, Active handling. Now they are planning to come out in 2013 or 2014 with the new improved Viper with active handling, but wait and see. Since I really don't know what you want, you have a lot of imput from others, good luck on your decision... at the end of the day, Enjoy the ride what ever it may be... because it's the riding that matters not the vessel your in... Later.
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by sfc rick
It's a waste of money buying a newer C6 which is just gonna be a disappointment after you realize you now have this note due each month which eats into your mod money.

Just think.......you own your C5, which means you can pour money into making it a C6 killer, with all the modern updates or looks or down right meaner engine mods.

What are you waiting for!

Oh yea, you could have a C6 with Celica headlights...that right there maybe the only reason to own one!

I forgot to add, I too wanted to get a C6 at one time, but after I figured the note, then added the additional insurance, then tossed in the mods(that would happen) I'd be stupid to loose what I have in my C5 already.

Good luck though! I also rode in a newer 700hp Viper, and was happy I had my C5!
I had the option C5 or C6. I chose the C5 and pour the money I saved into mods. All cash no notes!!
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 08:59 PM
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I just got back from seeing my mechanic and getting an oil change. I trust my mechanic like he's my doctor, lol...anyways, I posed the question to him and he echoed pretty much what everyone else was saying. He said the c6 is a nice car, but for the miles that my car has it is in fantastic shape and wouldn't get rid of it. As for the Viper...well...he's not a fan. He doesn't think much of the motors on those things and said the years that I'm looking at are shoddy at best. However, he did say he drove his cousins c6z and said it was really something...but c6z kind of payments I REALLY don't want at this point in time so looks like I'll be keeping the c5. As far as future mods go it will be a few simple bolt on's, headers, tune, that sort of thing, and probably some body upgrades as well.

Appreciate the input gents
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Old Aug 23, 2011 | 10:22 PM
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Definitely keep the c5 if you are only going for a 2007 c6...that is still the ls2 motor and even at 12k miles, 30k is too much for an ls2....

The HP potential difference between the ls1 and the ls2 is not that much different...maybe 25-30 HP MAX if both have equal mods.

Now the ls3 on the other hand...

Serious potential out of that motor. Cam, headers, and just milled stock heads are seeing high 400's, low 500's on the m6's...

With that being said, I would still keep the c5 since it is paid off. But if you really want a c6, at least do yourself a favor and get the ls3...
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Old Aug 24, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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I wouldn't get rid of my c5 for a c6...too similar unless your talking about a z06 c6. Its like getting rid of an '85 tpi vette for a '93 lt1..updated bumpers/dash/hp bump but its pretty much the same 'look'. Now onto the viper...cool car but its definately a different car than the vette. The viper is 'hillbilly jim in a tuxedo tshirt' whereas the vette (not to mention a worked vette) is James Bond at Casino Royale.....just well balanced w/creature comforts that can be driven daily yet still hang w/the viper performance wise. Viper is cool, but the same momentary thrill i get from eating taco bell and poprocks...=shortlived.
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Old Aug 24, 2011 | 07:16 PM
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You have a high mileage C5, if you can afford a C6 get on or boost the C5 with a forged motor


















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