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I had it in my head that I NEEDED a C6. I have spent hours researching them on the net. I know every single one for sale at my price point within 75 miles of my home.
I went to sit in/drive one for the first time today. I was underwhelmed. I'm over six feet tall and I fit comfortably in my C5. This C6 felt cramped. Not nearly as much legroom...even with the seat all the way down and all the way back. I could probably get by with an auto but I couldn't move my legs enough for a manual.
The C6 felt flimsy and cheap. In contrast my C5 feels tight and solid. Maybe it was this particular model...a 2009 with 60k miles. I'm going to try a few more before I write them off completely but I was genuinely surprised at how little I cared for the newer model. Thoughts?
Last edited by Randy_in_MD; Aug 28, 2017 at 05:58 PM.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Well, I've had both a base C6 (05 Z51 6 speed) and a C6 Z06. Loved the C6 Z. I was underwhelmed by the base car and frankly prefer the C5 looks and feel to a base C6. The C6 Z is a superior car. I'm surprised you didn't fit well in the C6. I'm 6'1" 225 and fit fine in both the base and C6 Z. Drive a C6 Z06 and run the RPM's up to between 4 and 7 Grand and then report back your feelings. It's an animal and yet very comfortable in my opinion.
My old Z:
I just Married into a 06 ZO 6 and it is a beast !!!! Never thought I would like a C 6 but the Z is better than any C 5 !!!!!!!! IMO !!! I absolutely love it, only complaint is the electronics for getting in and starting, pain in a** IMO !!!!
Well, I've had both a base C6 (05 Z51 6 speed) and a C6 Z06. Loved the C6 Z. I was underwhelmed by the base car and frankly prefer the C5 looks and feel to a base C6. The C6 Z is a superior car. I'm surprised you didn't fit well in the C6. I'm 6'1" 225 and fit fine in both the base and C6 Z. Drive a C6 Z06 and run the RPM's up to between 4 and 7 Grand and then report back your feelings. It's an animal and yet very comfortable in my opinion.
My old Z:
That's a beautiful car. I will try a few more C6 cars....maybe even a z06, even though my budget is $25k.
I just can't help feeling that I liked the interior of my '96 C4 as much as, if not more than, the C6 I experienced today.
Just as a sidebar this car had 335 tires on the back. They must have come from a z06. Once upon a time I had a base '92 C4 with 315 ZR1 wheels and tires. I bought the car used like that. It looked pretty good but those 335s today were outrageous.
Last edited by Randy_in_MD; Aug 28, 2017 at 07:25 PM.
Can't offer much as I have never driven a C6. We are looking to replace our C5 in a few years with a 2008+ C6, or a C6Z...or a C5 Z.
We went and looked at a 2008 C6 about week ago. Beautiful black on black, clean as a whistle car.
When we left, I asked my wife "Did that car do anything for you?" and we both came to the conclusion that it was a nice car in appearance but not nice enough to replace our current C5.
I think if I put a C6 besided a nice C5 Z06, I am taking the C5Z all day long.
OTH, we also looked at a 2008 Z06 and it was a stunning car. They are still commanding good $$ now, but in a few years will be in our price range. The 2008 we looked at is about $38 000 USD and dropping.
Also, OP, in my parts you can get a 2006-07 C6 Z06 in the $32000 USD range. Clean ones, no accidents, original owner cars. There are quite a few of them for sale, in fact.
I drove a 08 base 6spd over the weekend and did notice the interior was a bit smaller. Interior was ok but not a significant upgrade from the c5 as we all know this. What i did like was the extra displacement. The ls3 is lovely and can really get you into trouble . I'm 6ft 190 with 7% body fat and a 12 inch *****.
Got a 2001 base convertible and a 2010 base convertible. The C6 has to me a better ride, is quiter, plus 80 more hp. I do like the layout for the AC and stereo better in the C5
I agree... lately I have been feeling bored with my corvettes and I thought that maybe getting into a newer model might bring back that excitement but it just wasn't there. I test drove a c6z, c7z51, and a z07 packaged c7z06. And while each of them had their cool things about them they didn't really get me excited enough to pull the trigger. A c5 is a really good car and it can be modified to be whatever you want it to be. In the end though I found a car that makes me excited for performance again and will be looking to make a move later this year...the question now is which corvette do I keep?
If I want more power in my C5, I'm going to swap in a LS3 or LS7, don't want to deal with turbos... yet. And I am against superchargers on principle. If I want to go around turns faster, I'll get new wheels, tires, and coilover suspension. Love the looks and lines of the C5, relatively simple car to work on, and aftermarket support is endless.
1. Isn't an engine swap a pretty extreme/expensive undertaking? I would think trading your current C5 for a C5 z06 would be easier.
2. Don't underestimate turbos. I had a 2007 BMW 335i with the N54 twin turbo engine. Stock it was an even match for a C5... with a $250 easily installed and easily reversible flash tune it was putting down 320 hp at the wheels and running 4.6 sec 0-60mph.
1. Isn't an engine swap a pretty extreme/expensive undertaking? I would think trading your current C5 for a C5 z06 would be easier.
2. Don't underestimate turbos. I had a 2007 BMW 335i with the N54 twin turbo engine. Stock it was an even match for a C5... with a $250 easily installed and easily reversible flash tune it was putting down 320 hp at the wheels and running 4.6 sec 0-60mph.
Expensive, it really depends on the engine chosen and how much of the work you're able to do yourself. As far as I can tell, removing the engine out of a C5 is relatively straightforward, just time consuming. An LS7 swap would be expensive for sure. LS3, not so much due to the multitudes of L92/L94/L9H engines out there from GM trucks and SUVs. Just replace a few parts and you have an LS3. There are articles out there with all the information necessary to do a swap.
Oh, and I'm not knocking turbos or anything. I just don't have the time, money, and will to mess around with a good turbo setup, and for my purposes and driving style, I think anything over 400 HP is more than enough for me. A stock LS3 might be even too much for me, but would be fun for sure.
If I want more power in my C5, I'm going to swap in a LS3 or LS7, don't want to deal with turbos... yet. And I am against superchargers on principle. If I want to go around turns faster, I'll get new wheels, tires, and coilover suspension. Love the looks and lines of the C5, relatively simple car to work on, and aftermarket support is endless.
What does it mean that you are against superchargers on principle?
If all you're looking for is 400HP, that is EASILY achievable with the LS1 and no supercharger/turbo/funny gas needed. And that would be WAY cheaper than dropping in an LS3. My first round of mods made more than that at the rear wheels. 420rwhp/400 torque. Just standard stuff too. H/C/I, headers and a tune. Sounds like that would be all you're looking for.
Originally Posted by Tsumi
Oh, and I'm not knocking turbos or anything. I just don't have the time, money, and will to mess around with a good turbo setup, and for my purposes and driving style, I think anything over 400 HP is more than enough for me. A stock LS3 might be even too much for me, but would be fun for sure.
Oh, and FYI, I do have an LS3 in my C5 that IS supercharged and I'm pushing 700rwhp on 7.5 lbs of boost. I can turn it up a LOT... Is is NOT cheap either.
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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You've got some interesting view points and assessments of the base C6 by what you've experienced so far. I'm not sure how long you've been a C5 owner but, jumping into a base C6 is not going to be a leaps and bounds better "feel" over a C5, if that's what you were looking for, even more so if your C5 is modified in the right places. The C6 Z06 and the ZR1, like others have indicated is a whole different story.
Having worked around and spending a fair amount of seat time in a base C6, I personally like the car for what it offers but, I concur with your sentiments to a degree, it's not something I would ever entertain the thought of trading for the C5 I have now. Overall, what the C6 offers even in base form is impressive, even better with the LS3. To me, there is only one facet of the C6, that I do envy, and that is the base displacement. Leaning more for the LS3 than the LS7 but, my C5 is still a C5 with a C6 offered power plant. Just my .02
First experience wit a C6....not impressed
. I'm 6ft 190 with 7% body fat and a 12 inch *****.
