Hey guys,

It brings me with a heavy heart that I'd like to jump up to a C6. I haven't determined a year just yet. I have a 2003 Black on Black 50th Anniversary M6 with 50k miles.

Small electronics issues here and there mostly, can't keep up. Small things bother me, like a crack here and there in the finish. (Namely one on the passenger side by the hand brake, and on the HUD bezel)

I want to know ALL your thoughts on one vs the other. Problems you have heard? Trade offs? Reasons I shouldn't go to the other side?

My budget is 25k-40k so it leaves me with lots of C6 options. Anything I should steer clear of?

Alternatively, any suggestions would be awesome!

Here she is -




Thanks for your help everyone! Long live the C5!

 

I have both. I like the C5 better for the most part. Very different in some ways. Much the same in others. Drive a few and see which you like best. The C5 feels more raw. C6 is more cushey. They are both great fun. If one had to go it would be the C6.

 

The C6 is a great car. If you prefer to get another Vert, I would suggest the 08+ C6, with the LS3 engine, instead of the LS2. Like you stated, you have a wide variety of options with your budget. A low mileage early model C6 ZO6 would be awesome too, although the LS7 engine has been somewhat problematic. Of course, a later model Grand Sport would also be in your budget.

 

With your budget, get the newest, lowest mileage car with the longest warranty.

 

If you want to jump to a C6, I agree that getting the LS3 engine would be the way to go. And if you can get into a Grand Sport, all the better.

 

Travbjork, Last month I came very close to trading for a C6. I spent some time searching for information on the C6 and found three items to be sure to check out. One is the harmonic balancer. Apparently all LS engines are prone to having a problem with wobble with the balancer, but the C6, all engines, seems to be more prone to the problem than the C5. The gas tank crossover pipe problem that showed up on 04 C5s has shown up on 05 to 08 C6s. Easy to check out. Fill up the gas tank of any C6 you get serious about. Let the gas pump click off, don't top off. If you get a strong odor of gasoline, you might have the problem. Last, when you get the car checked out, check for leaks around the oil pan, and while its up there, check the gas tank if you smelled gas with the above test. What I found is LS-2s are more prone to leaking oil than LS-3s. But it's something to check for. This is by no means a complete list, but it's the info I was able to come across searching Corvette Forums and the internet. The advice to buy a newer car with a warranty is very sound. With your budget, you will find 2011 and 2012 cars in that price range. Best of luck with your search, sorry to hear about the items with the C5.
EDIT: As for a comparison of the two cars, I was surprised at how the two are alike. I liked the LS-3 power, 80 horses makes a difference and the A-6 is more responsive than the A-4. Handling was a little better, but the C6 had Z51, my C5 doesn't. The radio in the C6 is very nice. Otherwise, it was like buying a nicer, newer C5. Oh, one more thing, the C6 is shorter than the C5 and has less storage. This was a concern for me cause I haul a road bike in my coupe's rear compartment. May not be a concern for you.

 

Not a huge fan of the regular body C6 (don't hate 'em, just don't love 'em either) but the wide body Grand Sports and Z06's look awesome!

 

Good input, you guys are good. I had a feeling about the LS3, but didn't know about the tank crossover problem. It's always nice hearing it working after I turn off my '03.

Any other comments? The wide bodies are pretty awesome

 

I would love to trade my C5z for a C6Z, or a Grand sport, but that being said my next car is a 2nd gen Viper. They have been my dream car since I was a kid and now old enough to afford one. Would love to have a C5Z and a Viper in the garage lol. Good luck with what you decide on.

 

You can adjust the power of the C5 to equal or exceed the C6.

Real positives of the C6 over the C5 to me are newer, and the GS. Me, I'm waiting till I can afford a C7, or maybe move into a orange GS vert or GS 427 vert... All three options are three years out for me.

 

I have both as well. They are both great cars but the c6 is a better car overall. I got a 2013 heritage grandsport 4lt with 2800 miles on it for 43000 back in September. Your best bet is to find a 4lt or equal grandsport, or z06. Make sure you get a 4lt though, as for 30-40 grand you should get a c6 with every option.

 

we have both a 2003 Z06 that is supercharged and a stock 2008 Z06 ..both cars are fun to drive and both take on there own character while driving , cant really go wrong with either one...and just a foot note your car is not a true 50th Anniversary edition car..all 2003 had the same badging with only one special red paint and wheels being the true Anniversary edition car

 

Why do you care what a bunch of strangers on the interweb think? Do what you want. This is the last place I would come for corvette buying advice.