I've been lurking here for the past week, since I got it in my head that I want to buy a Corvette, mostly for autocross and track days, but also for the occasional joy ride or cruise.

I've decided to start looking for a C5 with manual tranny and Z51 package. Some people in the autocross forum suggested I get a Z06, but I really like the targa top and think that the base C5 will offer more than enough performance for me.

I've read the stickies and they were very helpful, but I have some questions that weren't answered in them. I've seen some mention of different kinds of seats available. Were there just two, standard and sport, or is there another? Do they come in cloth, most I've seen in photos look like leather or vinyl. What are your recommendations?

People seem to really like the HUD. Is it worth seeking out, or is it nice but not that big a deal? Is it reliable?

I saw mention of a C5 being lowered on "stock bolts". What does that mean exactly, and is it mechanically sound to do that?

Any options or packages that I'm overlooking? What would you recommend for a car more on the performance side and less on the luxury/creature comfort side?

What does your car have that you really like or don't care much for? Thanks for everyone's advice.

BTW, I forgot to mention I don't want to do many mods to the car other than basics like tires, brake pads, etc. Just don't have the desire to spend a lot of time under my car these days. I also don't care how well my car fits into any autocross class, I do it just for fun, so if I'm under-prepared for my class that's ok.

Another BTW, silly question, but I've been noticing that some C5s have a trim line that runs from the trailing edge of the door to the cove (is that what they're called, like on the older Vettes, the recessed scoop on the side of the car?). Which cars have this, is it an older/newer thing, or an option, or part of a package or what?

 

If you are patient, there are some great C5's out there already modded for the track that you can get into for that kind of money. From what I understand, the Z06 which I own can be lowered just a touch like maybe another 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch for optimal performance and yes you can lower on stock bolts. I don't think it matters which version you buy, if you track, you will want to replace the seats. They all are not the greatest for that application. I can say this, my Z06, to me, feels like it would perform admirably on the track right out of the box. Some mods here and there and you could compete at a fairly high level. I don't have the all the expert answers but if you want the combo of luxury and performance the C5 is definitely a great candidate. Oh and the HUD is awesome.

 

Before you commit to anything, just drive both of them. I like both cars, but I wouldn't be happy with a base car unless it was pretty well modified.

 

we AutoX a Z6 ZO 6 and it's a beast !!!! if you AutoX a ZO 6 is the way to go !!!! I bought a 99 Coupe and since I wished I bought a ZO 6 !!!!!

 

Can you get one for 15K???

 

Yes, just two seat options, standard and 6 way adjustable sport seats. All C5s have leather. I think C4 was the last corvette with available cloth.

I have the HUD. IMO it's nice to have but not a deal breaker. I almost never use it. YMMV.

If you want a targa top, than I'd definitely go with a Z51. The extra 50hp or so from an LS6 isn't hard to add to an LS1. There are other differences like wider tires, and slightly closer gear ratios in 1st through 4th, but you can't beat going topless on nice days. I never considered a Z06 because I like the coupe's looks better. $15,000 should by a nice Z51 6 speed. $20,000 will buy a nice Z06.

 

I had both a z51 and a z06. I prefered the z06. That said..if you like the targa top which I now love in my z51 c6....get the z51.

The hud can be added for 600 dollars and it's really just a nice gimmick...I have it in my cars and I had them added but it's not a big deal.

Figure both standard seats in the corvette blow..including the optional seats.

Maraad is a vendor that for $750 has a nice update for the seat that I would consider in time. Otherwise just pull the seat belt out all the way and then let it retract during each autoxross ...it locks tight and keeps you pretty snug in the seat.

I'd recommend a high mileage well cared for c5 z06 or z51.

Low mileage examples are overpriced.

I'd recommend buying a 2002 or newer something about the body control module not being available to replace on earlier c5s...

I'm not sure if 2001 c5 s BLM is still available but I remember earlier c5 s no longer have that part available so buy a 20002 or newer..don't worry about mileage.

The rings on 2002 c5 s are better designed as well. The 2001 rings were too loose and often allowed oil past the rings...

I had a 2001 c5 z06 that had to get re ringed under warranty because at 5000 miles it was drinking oil like crazy..who needs that crap..

Good luck and have fun.

I have 115k miles on my c6 z51 manual purchased new like my two c5 s and it's been utterly reliable. So good in fact I can't bring myself to sell this car..

 

Good advice right here!

 

My previous C5 had the Z51 package. IMO it's not worth seeking out. Remember, it was a only a very basic $350-400 package (sway bars/springs). It was nothing to the extent of the C6/C7's Z51 packages.

You'd be better off upgrading on your own with the C6 Z51 bars.

 

My previous C5 had the Z51 package. IMO it's not worth seeking out. Remember, it was a only a very basic $350-400 package (sway bars/springs). It was nothing to the extent of the C6/C7's Z51 packages.

You'd be better off upgrading on your own with the C6 Z51 bars.

 

The trim on the door is a option, called a BSM (body side molding) I don't like it. It is a funny thing as people opinions on them are usually love or hate.


Good luck

 

Yeah but it's not like Z51 cars command a premium. They pretty much cost the same as FE1 coupes. You can always upgrade shocks and sway bars, but why not buy the car with already sportier leaf springs, and a power steering cooler when it costs the same price ?

 

I saw the specs comparing base, z51, Z06, etcetera suspensions for the 03 and 04 cars. Between the Z06 and z51 the shocks seem to be identical, 45mm Sachs. The rear bars are identical and the fronts are so similar I wonder why they bothered making two different ones. Front spring rates are identical, rears have only about 90 pound inch difference.

The z51 is much more like the Z06 than it is the base car, at least for the later cars. I haven't found any specs for the earlier cars, but I'm sure they're floating around somewhere.

 

Welcome! To answer your question properly one needs to know how you plan to use your C5. If it going to be a show car, garage queen or racer lower it. If you want to drive it almost anywhere on our planet don't even think about it. (unless you want to be called sparky) My eighth Corvette has the HUD. I rarely use it and can live without it for sure.

Sound like you may be into autocross. Be prepared to do a ton of $$$$ mods or the Miatas will eat you for lunch.

The base coupe is better looking than the Z06 or FRC and has better aerodynamics but 50hp and thousands $$$ less.

Happy shopping!

 

After I bought my car, I found the rear sway bar links were shot. The factory parts were plastic. The fronts were metal and still holding up fine, but I went ahead and replaced front and rear links with the beefier aftermarket i-beam variety and the car stays absolutely flat through any corner you throw at it. The Z51 really doesn't need bigger sway bars. They are very close to Z06 specs. Unless you go all the way with coil overs, the shocks (due to age) and sway bar end links are probably the only suspension needs for auto-x events.

 

wrt HUD. Useless. Don't base your decision on this. The tach is very difficult to read under the best conditions. In the sunlight forget about it. Cool idea but the display is not bright enough.

Z06 seats are horrible under any load. Turning and braking you will slide around. I replaced mine immediately.

Otherwise great car. Lots of performance. Shocks and brakes are easy to replace.

 

wasn't gona let this little gem slip by...

 

For every day driving I find the HUD very convenient.

 

I'm with you on this one. I despise the look of the FRC so much that I couldn't buy a C5Z even if a tremendous deal fell into my lap...my C5 MUST be a targa top...

 

First decide exactly what you want and what you want to pay.

Manual transmissions on base targas are fairly low production numbers. Ratio is roughly 19%-25% production depending on year. Remember the market for this car and you'll get your answer as to why so many were automatics. All 1999-2000 fixed roof coupes and 2001-2004 Z06s are manuals so you'll find manual transmissions easier with those models but you'll pay more. Automatic targa fastbacks are always cheaper.

If your plan is to track the car you'll want the base seat simply to not have all the electronics in the sport seat. Regardless C5 seats are pretty terrible and you'll probably want to upgrade even with light auto-x duty. The stock seats do a terrible job of holding you in at speed.

Z51 is way overrated. It was important when it was the only option to have when C5s were new. Nowadays you can throw all sorts of better upgrades including virtually every suspension option from a C6 including Z06 and ZR1 components. (C6s are very similar to C5s in they're effectively evolutions, not revolutions, of the Corvette design). And C6 components are very cheap nowadays. Do a search and you'll find a ton of C5 owners that have performed very competent upgrades for little money.

HUD is a bit of a novelty but it has it's issues; falling out of place, that sort of thing. It also wasn't available until later '99 when clusters became "HUD enabled".

C5s use transverse leaf springs (from side to side) for suspension, so to lower the car you just turn the bolts on the spring up to alleviate the tension. You can only go so far though, and you want to turn them evenly side-to-side not all the way up to maintain the corner weight. More hardcore packages usually go to coil overs.

the moldings on the side are called BSM - body side moldings. They were an option on C5s. Personally I don't like them and my C5 doesn't have them. What modern car do you know of that has protruding body moldings other than something made in the 80s/early 90s? They date the car a bit.

I advise you to read up a bit more on some of the more glaring tech issues with C5s. Primarily EBCM issues that 1997-2000 cars have, discontinued parts like the 97-00 SWPS (steering wheel position sensors; C5s use magna-steering that is speed sensitive), and especially column lock issues which if you're wanting a manual C5 you're going to probably deal with.

I'd also advise you to actually drive a targa if it's what you want. The targa top is a bit useless with speeds over 45-50 MPH. Anytime I've actually gone on a trip I leave my top on. The only time it comes off is local city driving where I know my speeds will be relatively low. Anything at highway speeds with the top off the wind and noise just turns into this symphony of unwanted mess.