I know this is not a new debate but asking anyway!

I picked up a C5 vert recently. I traded a built Jeep for it so it wasn't my first choice of configuration. Was really wanting a FRC or ZO6 in torch red or silver and wanted it primarily for hitting the twisty mountain roads we have around here.

Anyway, after driving it a few times now, I am happy with the vert as well as the color (mag red). I have also realized how great these cars are and will be using it for some road trips and longer drives. Because of that I will be doing some mods such as addressing the crappy headlights, double din head unit, C6 shifter, the driver's seat has a rip so need to fix that or maybe new seats?, C6 shocks and sway bars, and maybe a few other things. The car has 137K miles so will be doing general maintenance stuff too (fluids, plugs,wires, belts, etc). Oh, need to clean the radiator hoping it will run cooler (gets up to 230 when in traffic). If not, then will do the 160 thermostat, flush and maybe new aluminum radiator.

The rear tires were shot so found a deal from an inmate here for some Plasti-dipped wagon wheels with very low miles tires on them so already switched those out. Will decide if I want to get my thin spokes coated black or stay with polished and just swap tires.

Anyway, I'm looking at spending a few bucks getting all this done. I figure the car is worth about $10K and will be putting a few grand into her for mods and maintenance.

Then I started looking at early C6's and figured I can get one with less miles for about what I'll have into my C5. For example, I just found an '05 coupe with 90K miles locally for asking $16K. It looks very clean but it may need some general PM stuff but has all the other stuff I'd want.

So my dilemma is this: I really like the C5 and once I have everything done to it that I want to do, I think I'd be very happy with it. The C6 on the other hand, would be ready to go as is.

One other factor is that I consider my C5 to be a bit of a "beater", a few marks in the paint, a little worn here and there and basically used. The advantage of a "beater" is that I can park it anywhere, drive it in bad weather, I live one mile up a dirt road so it gets dusty every time I drive it, I can use it as a car and not be worried about it all the time. Even though I'd end up with more money in it, I'll always think of it as a $8K to $10K car. Any C6 I get will probably be in nicer condition and the associated worries that come with it.

I know some guys here have gone back to a C5 from a C6. I drove a C6 once a few years ago for only a few miles. I'm thinking that there is not that much difference in feel between the two cars other than the C6 being newer and more power? Anything else to consider? I guess I'll ask this in the C6 section too.

Gratuitous photo of the car

 

I like the car you have, I went and looked at a C6 GS the other day just bacause a dealer called me back and said they had one. It was a 2012 and the seats were much better than my C5 Sport as I have been told.

Everybody says they are better cars but I like the C5 looks better myself when they are right....

 

It wouldn't hurt to clean your radiator and check it for debris. But 230 in traffic during the summer is actually perfectly normal. My old radiator sprung a leak, and I installed a new one earlier this year. And mine gets up to 230-231 in traffic all the time. But just today, I was cruising on the freeway for a long time and it was at 189. The midway point on the guage is 220. I don't think the red zone starts until 255-260.

As for a C6, I think your C5 is gorgeous. I have the same color. Personally, unless you're thinking about a Z06 or ZR1, I don't think it's a big enough upgrade. Only do it if you like the C6 body style better. (I prefer C5)

If you were going to "trade up", I'd go for a C7.

 

Take a C6 out for a test ride. You will know right away.

I have an 03 Z06 and my brother has a 13 Grand Sport. I drove both and prefer my car. My SOTP Dyno told me there wasn't much difference power wise. His car has 30 more HP but also an additional 400 lbs. Might be different with a vert.

Don't forget to factor in the sale price of your car. May not get back what you paid so that makes the next one a bit more expensive.

Good luck!

 

I held onto my 2000 Arctic White FRC for almost 11 or 12 years. In that time, it took all of 9 years of the C6 run to appreciate the updated lines of the C6. And when I came across an Arctic White C6 Z06, I made the jump. And while I did miss the 2000 FRC for about 3 days, I have no regrets selling when I did. I now have my C6 Z06 for just over 6 years and 8 months.

Like the C7 Stingray, I am not very moved by the C8 Stingray. So I have greater hopes for the C8 Z06/Zora platform.

If not, I have no issues holding on to my 2013 for another 5+ years.

 

Thanks! I'd love a C6 Z but they are going for quite a bit more $ than base cars. I really don't want to go for more than $20K as I have a bunch of other cars.

I know these cars run hot but it just bothers me to see that gauge go up so much! So far, I've only had to sit for for periods of time. What will happen if I get stuck in traffic for a half hour or more? Will the temp continue to climb or will it hold steady at 230 or so? Also, when climbing steep mountain roads at high elevation? I have a local road I like to hit that climbs up to 9500 feet. I haven't tried it yet as I wanted to clean the radiator first.The car runs 190 or under at normal driving speeds.

 

I guess that would be the way to test it. I just checked Reno area Turo to see if I could rent a C6 but they didn't have any. Maybe I'll check local car dealers to see if anyone has a used one. I'd hate to take advantage of a private party seller just to see if I like the car or not.

 

I think there is a bigger difference between a FRC and a C6 Z than my car and a base C6. The C6Z's are in the low $30K range while I'm more at $15K to $20K budget. Not sure if I want to sell one of my other cars too to make up the difference.

 

My thought. You don't seem to be the mechanical type, so get the newest and cleanest vette you can.
If you can turn a wrench ,you can make a C5 the best vette of your life. I have a C5 and it has more
power, braking ,looks and style than a new stock C8. And I guess I have over the years spent as
much money on mods as the price of a new vette.
Your choice.
Good luck

 

I'd pass on the '05 C6's. They have a few issues specific to that model year. IMO, C6 widebodies are a worthwhile upgrade, or possibly a late model narrow body LS3. Otherwise, I'd spend a few bucks on your C5 to see if it renews your interest.

 

Hey, I'm no master mechanic but I have built a few cars over the years! Here's a few.

 

Low speed fans come on at 226, high speed at 235. 230 is fine.

They benchmarked the engine to go 200k miles, if they think 230 is okay, it’s okay.

 

If I were going to get a C6 that wasn’t a GS, Z06 or ZR1, it would have to be one with an LS3, which would make it an ‘08 or newer.

 

Thanks for all the advice everyone. After doing some more research and looking at C6's, I think I'll keep the C5 for now and start doing what I want to it. I'll start with the lights, seats, stereo and PM stuff first then see if I want to go on to the performance mods. I'll post a build thread of course!

 

If you have thin spokes, stick with the polished look or try a Bronze Powdercoat. Against your car color the right bronze would look �� great. Just my $0.02

 

I saw a Ferrari in similar color with bronze wheels and it looked really good. It also had a couple wide bronze/goldish stripes.

 

I recently had to make this same choice and I choose a low mileage / clean 04 Z06.

IMO.. if you go C6 don't go below an 08. Get the LS3 engine.. Personally I'd never touch an 05-07 w/auto. Had some problems and don't hold value like the 08+ w/LS3 engines.

 

I don't think your car looks like much of a beater, looks pretty nice to me.

The C5 and the C6 have a lot of common chassis components. There's really not much difference in that respect. Many parts are interchangeable. I think they did a lot nicer job of insulation and rattle proofing on the C6. It goes without saying they are newer so I would certainly hope they're nicer. How much nicer? I say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I sold my 98 convertible and bought a 13 convertible. Both were/are nice cars and I would drive either one today. It goes without saying I spent a hefty sum to move up 15 years and a hundred thousand miles. Keeping my C5 while buying the C6 was not an option. I really had no place to keep it. But I suspect if I still had it I would put more miles on the C5 than the C6 and a lot of that for the same reasons you mentioned above about the car that isn't quite so nice making you worry a little less. My C5 already had plenty of age-related wear so like you say, I didn't worry about parking it or driving it on less than perfect roads or whatever. As much as I like my C6 I'm not so sure I wouldn't be just as happy still owning my C5 and having all the cash I dropped on the C6. You're the only guy who can answer that for you.

 

I enjoy my c6 over my c5z...I say try to snag you an 08+ with an ls3 if you don't want to spend c6z money, they're selling cheap where I'm at right now.

 

If it were me I would jump from a 5 to a 7 if money allowed, jmo.