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I hated the C5 - thought it was so ugly - until I test drove a C5Z back to back with a C6Z and a C6 LS2 base. The C5Z handled better, turned better, and felt like it wanted to play. The C6s lost grip too easily, rode rough, and just felt like the suspension was way too brittle to connect with the road. It seemed like GM was trying too hard with the C6.
I bought an Electron Blue C5Z that very day, and never looked back. Over time I grew to love it, and I think it's more beautiful than the C6. The C6 looks more serious, more whatever, but the C5 is elegant. And I just love driving them.
I sold that C5Z to buy a C6 Grand Sport as a DD because I wanted an automatic, but found my way to a Stingray instead. (The GS was a perfectly good car, but the Stingray was only $5K more.) Then I wanted a project car, so now I also have a C5 FRC. The Stingray is the better "regular car" in a thousand ways, but every time I get in the C5 I just get excited to have fun. The Stingray sits in traffic all week long, and the FRC comes out to play on weekends. I'm on here buying parts to mod the FRC and posting about the FRC, but the Stingray is just my daily.
The manual nature of the C5 is its biggest strong suit. The electronic throttle in the Stingray has what I call the "Buick delay" where I press the gas and wait 1-2 seconds for it to go. It's bigger, and feels heavier, and is hard to see out of. The C5 is pure, and does exactly what I want, when I want, how I want. I can feel everything it's doing. I am one with the C5, and the C5 is one with me. It can't put up the numbers the Stingray can, but it's 100 times better as a sports car.
The C6? I think about them often but always seem to choose something else when it's time to buy.
Last edited by Torque Obsessed; 01-02-2019 at 02:03 PM.
I wanted a z06. There were some beauties [C6] for sale here but they were about 5 grand over the 30k i wanted to spend. I ended up with a c5 z06 for 28k with 11k miles. After i bought it i realized i liked the frc design much better than the normal coupe. I still like the c6 z06, it's a beast and a better and newer car, but i'm very happy with my c5z.
Im going to say both for me. More a prospective buyer 20k or less, Im cross shopping c5/c6. Originally looking at C5, but some of the LS2 C6 and even rare higher mileage LS3 are getting into same territory as the C5 market so interesting situation. I have always loved the look of the C5, especially the FRC, so looks definitely sway me that way. Like the idea of a Targa top though so another consideration. Always thought the flip up lights were cool since no cars have them now. Even though they are costly to upgrade and maintain. I dont think the LS2 C6 would tempt me much over a c5z unless a crazy deal. Better drivetrain of the 6060 and LS3 though could swing me to c6 but that is where price comes in.
Perfect car for me is an EB C5Z with LS3 and 6060 swap. More likely though to pursue that if I bought a 10-14k c5 base coupe and swap drivetrain. If I spend the coin for a nice c5z I dont see doing much to that car for awhile..
Love the looks of the C-5 especially the coupe that I have, Black 6 speed. and all original. 24000 miles.
I agree... mine is the same with Z51 performance handling package though.......its incredible, gorgeous; and handles like a go kart
love the coupe, with great roominess and the targa top...Beautiful
When I bought my 03 Z I was only in the market for an LS3. My dad sold cars and called me at work to tell me he got a H/C/I C5Z and a stock C6Z in at work and wanted me to drive them both. I told him I wasnt interested in either so quit wasting my time but still ended up driving them. I almost pooped myself getting on the C5 haha! I was frustrated I couldn't get the C6Z to hook up. I really like the flashiness of the C6 and C7 but now that I bought the C5Z I will never get rid of it and really prefer in in looks too. Especially of I had a nice set of CCW classics to go with it!
I bought a 2000 C5 today based on style. I can afford a C7 but really don’t care for the edginess of it. Like the C6 but at the end of the day liked the C5 the best. It’s Bowling Green green with 52000 miles. It’s been four years since I’ve sold my C4. Glad to be in aVette again and back on the forum.
I bought a 2000 C5 today based on style. I can afford a C7 but really don’t care for the edginess of it. Like the C6 but at the end of the day liked the C5 the best. It’s Bowling Green green with 52000 miles. It’s been four years since I’ve sold my C4. Glad to be in aVette again and back on the forum.
You Sir purchased one of the best sports car values on the planet.
01-02-2019, 01:37 PM
and no Corvette even comes close to the view of the C5 from the rear.
