...how the C5 is constantly berated for the aspects of it that are considered dated? For example, people trash it for it's interior all the time, saying it's design is dated, it has cheap materials, and it lacks the tech gizmos of today. Well duh, it was designed 20 years ago, what do they expect? I don't hear people doing this with previous generation Vettes, why do they do it with the C5? They also rag on it because the stock LS1 has such a low output compared to some of today's cars. Again, what do they expect for a 20 year old design? I wonder if they trash the C5 for this stuff because its exterior still looks relatively modern?

 

No!

 

Honestly the interior is kinda of trash, but understandably I would assume that some of the reasons why were to keep the costs down. The seats especially were a tremendous step backwards from the C4. While fit and finish are pretty good the components themselves are a bit sub-par, especially when you consider it's primary competition in the Porsche 911 had a much more well-presented interior (but honestly at it's higher price point it should be a given).

There is some validity in the technological aspects. If you remember by 1997 there was a rather large field in the sports car market compared to today where many vehicles on the RWD and AWD bandwagon have given way to AWD or FWD segments (think of the hot-hatch and WRX-esque segment that didn't exist during that time in the US). Primary in this for specifically the American market was technologically driven Japanese models such as the Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT) twin turbo, 300ZX twin turbo, and the FD RX7; all three of which really pushed technological advancements in the 90s. The primary issue though was most of these cars had heavily ballooned in price compared to the C5 by the late 90s, which is one of the reasons why many of them quickly disappeared from the market around that time. In particular some individuals have been noted as having paid nearly double the cost of a C5 for say a 3000 GT VR4 Spyder (VR4s had reached $65K-$75K in 1990s dollars, as opposed to the $40K-ish entry price for the C5).

 

Criticism is pure jealousy. I like my C5, but I did have the interior parts dipped and the new seat covers stitched with contrasting thread.

 

Because much of it is the truth. The interior is cheap. Homelink was on many cars at the time, yet the Corvette didn't have it (granted, it is easy to add). Lack of GPS option (easily resolved nowadays), no heated seats option, the list goes on. Yes, it is unreasonable to expect an early 2000s car to have Bluetooth, but many of the other luxury amenities were never made available for the C5 Corvette, at least from the factory.

The BMW S62 engine of the same era generated 396 HP 369 ft-lbs from a 4.9 L engine, compared to the 350 HP 365 ft-lbs from a 5.7 L, bumping up to 405 HP 400 ft-lbs with the LS6. Mercedes M113 5.4 L generated 342 HP and 391 ft-lbs. So yes, the LS1 has relatively low output for its size even compared to engines of the same era. However, that also makes adding power to it much easier, the lower compression is more forced induction friendly.

 

Today mine has about 400hp gets 28 mpg highway, still has tech other cars don't (ability to read codes)(active handling)(tpms) just to name a few !!! I have driven mine well over 700 miles at one time, got out with no sore body parts (I'm 66)(stock seats)still looks great at 18 years old, (original paint) for style and condition !!!! To this day (and I have had many) it is by far the best all around vehicle I have driven and owned !!!

 

Yes there are aspects of the C5 that could have been much better, especially in the interior components, but overall I think the C5 is a damn nice sports car that has sufficient power, is comfortable and gets great fuel economy for a car with its capabilities.

The newer generations have addressed many of the issues, but I still like my C5 - it has classic design and now it is really a bang for the buck car.

 

when I got mine my brother in law said "is it one of the vettes that still had the flip up headlights?" I said yeah, but its not the C4 if that's what your thinking... he kind of just wrote it off when I told him it had the flip up headlights still..

needless to say I haven't taken him for a ride in it yet.. he dosnt deserve it!! he probably wont believe its as fast as it is for how quiet it sounds or because its "a 20 year old vette"

 

C5 has the best design out of the Corvettes IMO, I love the flip up headlights and the curves it has. Fortunately with all of the aftermarket support the C5 has, it is easy to upgrade all of the little nagging details while having a great car.

 

I agree 100%, there are still remnants of the C3 curves, being a FRC it has the slightly bubbled roof, it just looks low, mean, and yet sexy at the same time.. I see some of the acura NSX in the lines of it at certain angles too. sometimes ill just stand in my garage and walk around It, just to admire the curves and lines... the C7 Z51 wheels I put on it did help the looks of the car tremendously though.. honestly I think the interior looks better than the C6.. the C6 steering wheel and dash/radio cluster remind me of a Malibu rental car...

 

c5 is lower, longer and wider than c6. hidden lights add classic corvette style. looks good from behind and the front. the FRC is the best looking style in the c5 lineup. convertible too. It is my favorite body style. I have had c3, c4's including zr1 and c5's. economical to make really fast and maintain. I wont change models anymore.

 

I am of the opinion that the addition of a supercharger to the stock LS1, a set of Cray wheels and a set of Caravaggio seats ends all of those arguments. A stock base model LS1 is the perfect motor to supercharge. I don't have mine set up like that, yet, but it is my goal to enter retirement with all of that completed so I can enjoy what I think is the perfect vette, which is IMO what this hobby is really about. An update to the sound system is needed as well, and some exhaust work, and I will have a car they can bury me in.

 

I think that people that have never sat in a corvette before are expecting to be awed by the interior. When they see that it is plain it lets them down.

It only takes a few interior upgrades to make it right. The car was designed in the '90's when super-cars didn't have much going on in the interior. Now sports cars are expected to have leather interiors and more bling. I don't think people realize the age of the car.

 

Well, there was a time in my life where I heard "is that one of the vettes that still has the solid rear axle?". Try to buy one now.

 

To each their own I guess...I prefer the more gradual sloped rear on the hatchback coupe myself...

 

I think the C5 interior, albeit plastic and a bit cheap looking is in ways more aesthetically pleasing than a C6 interior. The C6 interior looks higher quality but it is boring. I must admit, though, the seats in my Z06 pretty much suck. They are the two tone black/mod red and upon first look, look really cool, but you sit in them and they are as about as comfortable as sitting on bleachers at a football game with one of those portable seat backs. What I do like about the C5 interior and C5 in general is that it is easily modded to suit your taste. There are some modded C5's out there that looks wise, I would put up against any sports car. They have and always will have beautiful, timeless, and graceful lines and styling. Just my .02.

 

The convertible is the finest looking C5.....

 

Almost all the weak points of the C5 can be addressed without much difficulty or expense.

- People complain about the seats not having enough bolstering to keep you in place...you can buy nice aftermarket seats and sell your stock ones for what you paid for the new ones.
- Interior is easily improved...get a double DIN head unit, some leather coverings here and there (eg. real leather console lid cover with red stitching for $35 shipped on ebay), nicer shift **** (cheap), different ***** on the HVAC controller. Between these easy/cheap things you already have a tremendously improved interior.
- Pop-up lights are a Corvette distinguishing feature for multiple generations, and really enhance the look/clean lines of the car when the lights are down (which is a majority of the time).

Objectively, the C5 is the best sports car for it's era and for the money. It's exactly why I bought one (over a Porsche 911 of the same era), and any weak points can be easily addressed.

 

In 2004, I test drove the GTO and Corvette back-to-back, and although the C5 was more exciting to look at from the outside, the GTO was light years better in interior comfort and quality. I bought the GTO, since my enjoyment was going to come from me being on the inside a lot more than looking at it from the outside.

Today, the Goat is gone, and I'm looking to buy a C5. Priorities change, but the C5 interior is still pretty average.

 

C-5 Underpowered? What are you, a top fuel driver? Mine is rock stock and hauls ***. 350 hp is plenty on public roads. My 2001 targa coupe though not acquired new is still the best, most fun vehicle I've ever owned. Wouldn't trade it for a new Ferrari! When I drive the freeways, I feel like a Hawk among Chickens. ;-)