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I'm looking to buy my first Corvette. I am wondering which year would be best........2004-2008? I love to drive putting 190,000 miles on my 2011 Mustang but am looking forward to driving a vette!
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That's a hard question to answer. The 2004 has all the refinements that the C5 model had to offer and is a very good car. The 2005 was the first year of the C6. The 2008 was a further refinement of the C6 and came with the LS3 motor.
Spend some time in both the C5 and C6 sections of the forum - read up on common problem areas and also on owners experiences with the cars. And most of all, just go test drive some examples of the years you are interested in and see which ones appeal to you.
C5 Z06 or a C6 Z06. Coming from a pony car and wanting to experience the WOW factor of the Corvette, those are the top two (unless you can afford a C6 ZR1)...
I don't like the look of the C5 FRC/Z06, but I prefer the interior room of the c5. So I went with a coupe c5, it's got less ponies but I like the roofline better.
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Originally Posted by pghjeeper
I don't like the look of the C5 FRC/Z06, but I prefer the interior room of the c5. So I went with a coupe c5, it's got less ponies but I like the roofline better.
Commie!!
Actually I started out with coupe and went the other way Z06/FRC.
But everyone has their personal taste, but nice to have all the choices on the same model.
OP, agree with the rest, get your azz in the seat, as thats the best way to make the right call.
I don't like the look of the C5 FRC/Z06, but I prefer the interior room of the c5. So I went with a coupe c5, it's got less ponies but I like the roofline better.
You can always mod a non-Z to perform like a Z, but you'll never be able to make an FRC look like a hatchback...
A lot of guys have bailed on the C5 for the bigger engine but I still love the looks, and imo is the best bang for the buck. Especially the Z06. It all depends on what you want to spend. I didn't want to be drowning in car payments and being I cant leave anything stock I wanted to have the financial freedom to do what I wanted to it.
C5 Z06 or a C6 Z06. Coming from a pony car and wanting to experience the WOW factor of the Corvette, those are the top two (unless you can afford a C6 ZR1)...
That's a hard question to answer. The 2004 has all the refinements that the C5 model had to offer and is a very good car. The 2005 was the first year of the C6. The 2008 was a further refinement of the C6 and came with the LS3 motor.
Spend some time in both the C5 and C6 sections of the forum - read up on common problem areas and also on owners experiences with the cars. And most of all, just go test drive some examples of the years you are interested in and see which ones appeal to you.
Thanks for the advise. I plan on spending time with cars within these years.
If I had to keep it stock I would get the 2008.
Since I wanted a car to modify I chose the C5.
I like the look of the C5 better. It has a more old school feel.
First Vette? Most will say buy the newest Corvette you can afford. With that being said the C5 and C6 are two completely different drivers. The C6 seems is a bit more refined with more of a modern look and tame driver feel(base C6). The C5 is a bit more aggressive and has more of sports car feel IMO. If you like more of an updated technological aspect go with the C6. If you are looking more for a drivers car go with a C5. Regardless, you can't go wrong with either. I test drove both and ended up with a C5 model because I was wanting more of an updated raw feel compared to the C4 I owned.
I love the look and styling of the C5 Corvette. I have already put in several mods to refine it and really make it last.
Insulation kit courtesy of Vettenuts, HID retrofitted ACA headlights, Morimoto LED fog lights, modifications to the lighting so that I have white daytime running lights, lighting that also serves as side turn signals in the fender cove, and a bluetooth stereo. Next is modifying the headlight control module so that it actually closes with HID lights (mine currently don't), custom high 4 mod, modding rear fog light into the reverse light, custom LED halo taillights, and modifying the turn signal system. At some point in the far future would be a LS3 swap... maybe LS7.
I love the look and styling of the C5 Corvette. I have already put in several mods to refine it and really make it last.
Insulation kit courtesy of Vettenuts, HID retrofitted ACA headlights, Morimoto LED fog lights, modifications to the lighting so that I have white daytime running lights, lighting that also serves as side turn signals in the fender cove, and a bluetooth stereo. Next is modifying the headlight control module so that it actually closes with HID lights (mine currently don't), custom high 4 mod, modding rear fog light into the reverse light, custom LED halo taillights, and modifying the turn signal system. At some point in the far future would be a LS3 swap... maybe LS7.