C5 ^ by 50%
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
As for the C5 increasing in value, it will be like anything else that is governed by supply and demand.
Every year more C5's get destroyed reducing supply. It is a matter of time before they become rare.
The thing is, they were produced in relatively high numbers so it may be a while before that happens.
As far as the demand for them, I think that depends on the taste of future generations entering the used Corvette market.
At this point I see the C5 as a good value and platform for modification. That was the case with the C3 but they are just now starting to get expensive.
Trends come and go from generation to generation of buyers.
With the C8 coming out at a reasonable price, used C7's and 6's will be selling cheap to some current C5 owners, thereby increasing supply. We'll see how this plays out.
Every year more C5's get destroyed reducing supply. It is a matter of time before they become rare.
The thing is, they were produced in relatively high numbers so it may be a while before that happens.
As far as the demand for them, I think that depends on the taste of future generations entering the used Corvette market.
At this point I see the C5 as a good value and platform for modification. That was the case with the C3 but they are just now starting to get expensive.
Trends come and go from generation to generation of buyers.
With the C8 coming out at a reasonable price, used C7's and 6's will be selling cheap to some current C5 owners, thereby increasing supply. We'll see how this plays out.
Last edited by Rob 02; Jul 20, 2019 at 09:13 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 77
Likes: 8
From: Houston
Not convinced
The C5 section is truly a marvel of the universe. Guys, the C5 isn't going to magically start going up in value lol; if anything the C5 is just going to fall more until even the cleanest of C5/C5Z's fall into the lower $20,000- maybe less. They haven't even hit "Track day beater" status yes. 90% of the C5's need to become Vette-Karts... then the value might bottom out. The C5 is a great car- but it's on the lower end of a bargain sports car; it's basically a C3/C4 corvette technologically speaking now. The C5 visually aged quite well but build quality wise... my goodness. The fit and finish on these cars is absolutely horrendous after almost 20 years. Mechanically speaking- most of these cars need a bit of a re-fresh. C6 GS and C6 Z06's are far too appealing in prices now and in the case of the C6 Z06 you are actually getting a special car- the last NA "Big cube" LS production car with a stick shift.
A mint C5 isn't even in the same solar system as a brand new C8. It's literally a apples to oranges comparison here. If offered a C8, I wouldn't be able to dump the C5 fast enough. 500hp, DCT, Mid-Rear engine vs a recycled canoe with interior panel gaps you can lose a whole roll of quarters in?
The loss of the manual is a bit of a downer but at least GM actually put a proper DCT in and not some POS torque converter automatic. The Auto in the C7Z was a joke. GM and CorvetteForums all claimed it was as fast as the PDK/DCT but honest to god that transmission would not grab gears when you needed it to on the track. A DCT is a bit dim on the street and in traffic, but quite fun in manual mode; not as involving as a true manual but still a lot of fun to grab gears like you're driving a car with a proper race transmission.
Moving the engine mid-rear was necessary for handling, cooling, and future drive-train purposes. The C7 basically used a recycled C5/C6 chassis- and while 650-750hp is great for bragging rights and drag racing, these cars really struggled to put the power down efficiently; it was way way easier to drive the C7 GS harder than the C7Z. The C8 chassis also means- potentially- an awd and/or hybrid drive-train. And I know the C5 section is miserably stubborn with AWD and electric motors (because V8 MODOR MORE SOUND NICE)- but the performance those systems open up for the Corvette would be incredible. And the fact is, the Corvette is going to need to be a hybrid sports car in the very near future- which isn't a bad thing performance wise (1000hp+ Hybrid super cars are a thing and they make mince meat out of our cars). How a car performs is more important than the exhaust sound anyways.
All in, I'm very happy with the C8. I can't wait for the higher performance versions (GS, Z06, ZR1...). If you think about it, the C8 is probably as big of a revolutionary step for Corvette as the C5 was when it came out.
A mint C5 isn't even in the same solar system as a brand new C8. It's literally a apples to oranges comparison here. If offered a C8, I wouldn't be able to dump the C5 fast enough. 500hp, DCT, Mid-Rear engine vs a recycled canoe with interior panel gaps you can lose a whole roll of quarters in?
The loss of the manual is a bit of a downer but at least GM actually put a proper DCT in and not some POS torque converter automatic. The Auto in the C7Z was a joke. GM and CorvetteForums all claimed it was as fast as the PDK/DCT but honest to god that transmission would not grab gears when you needed it to on the track. A DCT is a bit dim on the street and in traffic, but quite fun in manual mode; not as involving as a true manual but still a lot of fun to grab gears like you're driving a car with a proper race transmission.
Moving the engine mid-rear was necessary for handling, cooling, and future drive-train purposes. The C7 basically used a recycled C5/C6 chassis- and while 650-750hp is great for bragging rights and drag racing, these cars really struggled to put the power down efficiently; it was way way easier to drive the C7 GS harder than the C7Z. The C8 chassis also means- potentially- an awd and/or hybrid drive-train. And I know the C5 section is miserably stubborn with AWD and electric motors (because V8 MODOR MORE SOUND NICE)- but the performance those systems open up for the Corvette would be incredible. And the fact is, the Corvette is going to need to be a hybrid sports car in the very near future- which isn't a bad thing performance wise (1000hp+ Hybrid super cars are a thing and they make mince meat out of our cars). How a car performs is more important than the exhaust sound anyways.
All in, I'm very happy with the C8. I can't wait for the higher performance versions (GS, Z06, ZR1...). If you think about it, the C8 is probably as big of a revolutionary step for Corvette as the C5 was when it came out.
Exhaust is usually the 1st mod ppl enjoy tailoring to their new car.
Manuals and electric cars are waves of the future by force basically and what kind of modifying can you do with an elec motor car besides weight reduction and cpu play?? No fun all driving pretty much the same car as others especially on a track, or street oh the winner just mashed his pedal down the fastest??
I like the C8 but all Vettes should retain their value.
C5's last of pop up headlights and 1st to start the LS and change history.
C6 Best N/A motors period.
C7's may take the biggest hit due to the Value of C8 pricing but I cant wait to see the 3 pedal version
and if it does happen
Last edited by DonOfVettes; Jul 21, 2019 at 12:58 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
I think the C8 is beautiful. The lack of a manual is sad, but a DCT with 500 N/A HP 0-60 in 3ish seconds in the $60s (with some options) is amazing. Future engines with high revving flat planes, turbos and and hybrids with 1,000 hp...absolute game changer. It's certainly not the Corvette we've come to know but I'm personally excited to see where it's going. Looking forward to seeing the C8R testing now that the car has been unveiled.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,053
Likes: 24,730
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The C5 is a great car and still a performance value, even considering the newest one is 15 model years old. Time marches on and technology/design changes - sometimes for the better, sometimes not. The C8 will be a real bargain at the price point they mentioned but I do not think it will have much impact on the C5 values.
If you are not a fan of the C8, that’s OK. Keep your older Vette and enjoy the heck out of it. We’re all car enthusiasts here and the point is we own a version of America’s sports car - doesn’t get much better than that.
If you are not a fan of the C8, that’s OK. Keep your older Vette and enjoy the heck out of it. We’re all car enthusiasts here and the point is we own a version of America’s sports car - doesn’t get much better than that.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
as much as i love my c5 Z06 and its paid off with close to 25k worth of extra's as well i would buy a c8 in a heart beat you are all crazy i think GM did an amazing job on the car and its only going to get better since in the past the Z06/ZR1 are wide body its only going to look that much more amazing!! imo
Pro
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 415
From: Sarasota, Florida
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
as much as i love my c5 Z06 and its paid off with close to 25k worth of extra's as well i would buy a c8 in a heart beat you are all crazy i think GM did an amazing job on the car and its only going to get better since in the past the Z06/ZR1 are wide body its only going to look that much more amazing!! imo
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 708
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I too am not enamored by the C8. The car looks like any other ME currently in production, although, the rear bumper is definitely Busy Chevy.
As for the ME idea, well I would have to wait to see the history of the design and service by GM. Lest anyone forget, the Harmonic balancer fiasco is almost 20 years without GM even admitting there is a problem. The gas tank issue started in 2003 and continued for the C5 and C6 design, the C6 failing clutch master cylinders and the significant electrical problems with the C7, And who can forget the A8 disaster that GM dumped onto the C7.
Doesn't do much to inspire confidence in a brand new DCT and ME layout. Isn't any good to go 0-60 in under 3 seconds if you need to spend days, weeks or months getting it repaired.
As for the value of the C5, it isn't going to increase. It may hold value better than the C4 as the C8 works its way into the mainstream.
But, it definitely is not going up.
As for the ME idea, well I would have to wait to see the history of the design and service by GM. Lest anyone forget, the Harmonic balancer fiasco is almost 20 years without GM even admitting there is a problem. The gas tank issue started in 2003 and continued for the C5 and C6 design, the C6 failing clutch master cylinders and the significant electrical problems with the C7, And who can forget the A8 disaster that GM dumped onto the C7.
Doesn't do much to inspire confidence in a brand new DCT and ME layout. Isn't any good to go 0-60 in under 3 seconds if you need to spend days, weeks or months getting it repaired.
As for the value of the C5, it isn't going to increase. It may hold value better than the C4 as the C8 works its way into the mainstream.
But, it definitely is not going up.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski