OK when I said good-bye to you C5 guys, I was asked to come back and report on the differences in the cars.

My C5 was a 2003 6 sp, torch red, light oak interior, with 54K miles.
My 2013 C6 is the basic coupe, torch red, cashmere interior, 6 sp manual, with the 3LT( HUD, memory, Nav, 9 speaker sound system, etc), Full width spoiler ZR-1 style, 5 spoke chrome aluminum wheels, Cross drilled brake rotors, Red Calipers, I think thats it.

Ok it is 4 weeks and 1800 miles later. We took it to FLorida for a 1 week vacation. It is so much quieter than the C5, the seats are more comfortable, the interior is much nicer, the shifter is somewhat better than the C5's, I have not gotten rid of the skip shift yet. The windows go up into a channel and it has no wind noise. The ride is so much smoother than the C5, I think that is due to the 2 inch longer wheel base, and bigger wheels/tires. There is no middle well, that cuts down on the cargo space. Vision is about the same as the C5.

I have yet to really get on it, but I can feel that the 80 hp more of the LS3 will make it much quicker than the C5. The LS3 has a really nice growl under hard acceleration. The larger brakes will put your nose into the steering wheel. I really like the HUD. The NAV is a learning process. It has it haters and lovers. We need more time to learn all its features.

On the trip my first tank was 25.89, second was 26.7, third was 27.4, and fourth was 28.2. Not equal to the C5 (we would get 29 to 32 on highway), but it needs many more miles to break in the engine.

Bottom line: I like it better than my C5 (ten years with it). My wife really likes it better. The electronic items are frustrating. It beeps at me all the time. My wife says I am impatient. I say the computer is an idiot. I must learn to do things the way it wants them done, duh.

I want to thank all of you for all the knowledge given out during my 10 years of C5 ownership.

 

I just traded in my 02Z for a 12 GS. The C5 is a little rougher around the edges (not that there is anything wrong with that). I will miss that raw feel of the Z.

 

interesting comparison test..what year is your c6?

 

Jim thanks for coming back & giving us your take!!

 

 

Thanks for your report!

 

Thanks for the good review. Some day I may move up to a newer generation car. Hope you get many more miles of motoring enjoyment from your C6.

 

WoW you mean you have 2 Corvettes? That is awesome.
Maximum Fuel efficiency is one thing that you will not have with a brand new engine. It's too early to compare.
Not only the rings, but your engine is not anywhere near its final nominal clearances yet. Maybe after your second or third oil change the motor should be seasoned in enough for a fair comparison.
Which differential did you get? I'm guessing the 315 (3.15:1). That certainly will also be a major influence on the vehicle's efficiency.

I have a C5 and a friend of mine has a C6. The one specific thing I noticed right away is that the front end feels lighter and more nimble at the steering wheel on the C6, yet from this it seems as if it is not planted as well. I did not drive my C5 on the same road immediately afterward though so I have to totally discount the experience. I would say for sure that the C6 has a lighter feel about it though. I would imagine the curb weight is less, I mean, they have been shedding weight off the vehicle every year haven't they?

 

You lucky guy. It sounds like everything I would expect it to be.

 

You know that hurts OUR feelings here in C5 land, but we appreciate your observations and opinions.

Wave

 

Thanks for the assesment. I have heard about the same from others. I would expect newer models to continue improvement. Maybe I can afford one when they are 13yo and wrecked.

 

Oops, duh to me, 2013

 

You stated the year ( 2013) at the beginning of your thread .

 

Thanks for the comparison. I have ridden in a C6, but haven't been able to drive one yet. I definitely noticed that it was more refined. (quieter, smoother, etc) Always interesting to hear more opinions. Kind of surprised you kept the same color scheme though. Didn't want a new look? Maybe I just get bored too easily.

 

I wish! I traded my 03 in on the 13 I ordered. My dealer offered to me a price I could not refuse. I didn't want all the lookers in my garage seeing my tools and my 68 Camaro that I am the only owner it has ever known.

 

I thought "all corvettes were red". I said when I was a teenager I wanted a red vette, so I have it. Also there are very few torch red with the light oak old name or cashmere new name color scheme. The vast majority of torch red vettes are ordered with a black interior. I drove a 87 Buick GN for 5 years as my DD. that was 4years 12 months and 30 days too long with Black.

 

My wife loves our new to us C5 roadster, A 4k mi. car, and saved 40k vs a C6.
Maybe down the road I 'll buy a C6 garage queen.
But seriously the C6's are great cars and good luck with yours.

 

I'd love to have a C6 GS vert, if only I could talk the wifey into it. She absolutely loves our C5! I'm looking for a nice used one with low miles. Our C5 is TR with TR interior and a white top. Can't get the TR interior or white tops anymore but I would still like TR for body colour. A light coloured top and interior would make me as happy as a clam. I think if I come up with a decent price she'll tell me to git-r-done.

 

Jim I remember when you posted the C5 for sale both times. The first time I did not have my funds together and the second time I had already pulled the trigger on a C5 (torch red with gray interior). Your C5 was the exact car I wanted and it would have been mine if you would have posted it a week earlier. Glad to hear your enjoying the new C6. Someday I may be able to follow your lead. Drive her in good health.

Reggie

 

Thanks for the review and hope you enjoy the C6