(forgot to mention the C3's drive like crap !!!)
What does a C6 do better than a C5?
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From: Western PA
I have been pondering the same question. Just about to pull the trigger on a C5 and everyone around me is trying to talk me out of and into a C6, i have always loved the C5 and drove back to back a 04 Z51 and 05 C6 Z51 both 6 speeds. The dealership was great and literally said go have fun so did a good 15min drive in both. Well originally i was gonna dive on the C5 at first but after both drives its a really tough decision. There is approx $7000 price difference being the 05 has 20k miles and the 04 has 50k miles approx. The C6 def is more refined, better seats, better interior, quieter in the cabin ie less creeks and groans and less road noise, i noticed the increased power right away, felt like torqued kicked in alot early and harder, shifter handle and shifting was also better, def C5 more raw, also braking and handling and road feel has to go to the C6 but i felt steering may have been better in the C5 which is odd. Right away my wife said the C6 was 4 notches up within 5 minutes of driving and she could feel what i am talking about with the handling power sound etc. One of the main things that people are saying is that with the way prices are right now if i decide to trade up in 2 years to a C6 i am gonna take a bath on trade in if prices recede which they may be right, or they say the values are gonna sink on these cars. IDK what to say, Being going to be a 1-2 days week daily driver, part time autocrosser and maybe a little track fun I am kinda on the fence leaning C6 now. I feel like overall fit and finish is better, shifting was better, power was definitely up, and overall car felt better quality, i think the tough part is when you look at an 04 interior its like looking at a 97 interior with minimal changes so therefore that interior is really about 25 years old.
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I will never understand the criticism of interiors in either of these cars being bad. Who defines what a “good” interior looks like? There is no such thing as a “better” interior. If it’s defined by the level of gadgets……that is BS. If it is defined by Complexity….more BS. It’s a damn sports car, and all I care about is having simple readable gages. But then again….I think my 77 vette has a great interior….seat, steering wheel, tach and speedometer and a shifter…what else am I supposed to need…? I think both C5 and C6 interiors are more than adequate…….what exactly am I missing? When I look at C8 interior, it looks like some fantasy starship cruiser…..just a bunch of nonsense.
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From: SE Pa
Who defines what a “good” interior looks like?
There is no such thing as a “better” interior.
I think my 77 vette has a great interior….seat, steering wheel, tach and speedometer and a shifter…what else am I supposed to need…?
I think both C5 and C6 interiors are more than adequate…….what exactly am I missing? When I look at C8 interior, it looks like some fantasy starship cruiser…..just a bunch of nonsense.
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From: Two Lane Black Top
Just completed a 600 mile road trip in one day last weekend in my 72 C3. Runs and drives as well as any fuel injected car after a 2 minute warm up 😀.
Had several friends who's first ride and drive in a Corvette was in my C3. They went on to buy eight Corvette's that I know of various models C3 to C6.
I try not to stereotype any model of Corvette or other performance car. Car owner has too much influence on car's condition to make big generalizations.
However, your correct that a badly set up or neglected C3 can be very unpleasant to drive. Time and money can correct most of those issues in a pretty straightforward manner. It's been pretty easy to keep a C3 running and driving for 50+ years, not sure that will prove so with the newer cars.
Both the C5Z06 & C6Z06 are awesome. Got to love the LS6 & LS7.
Last edited by 99 Black Bird TA; Nov 16, 2021 at 11:45 AM.
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I will never understand the criticism of interiors in either of these cars being bad. Who defines what a “good” interior looks like? There is no such thing as a “better” interior. If it’s defined by the level of gadgets……that is BS. If it is defined by Complexity….more BS. It’s a damn sports car, and all I care about is having simple readable gages. But then again….I think my 77 vette has a great interior….seat, steering wheel, tach and speedometer and a shifter…what else am I supposed to need…? I think both C5 and C6 interiors are more than adequate…….what exactly am I missing? When I look at C8 interior, it looks like some fantasy starship cruiser…..just a bunch of nonsense.
On ergonomics and layout, the c5/c6 get really high marks. Everything is well-placed, easy to see, easy to reach.
On fit and finish... the gaps in the interior pieces of the c5 varry from half an inch to an inch. it's all plastic... and not even high quality plastic. And tons of creaks. C6 is a little better on both fronts, not by much.
On comfort-- to me (and a lot of people), the seats in the c5 are just horrible. c6, a little better.
Anyway, it's mostly subjective, I don't think anyone was grading the c5 interior on gadgetry.
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I will never understand the criticism of interiors in either of these cars being bad. Who defines what a “good” interior looks like? There is no such thing as a “better” interior. If it’s defined by the level of gadgets……that is BS. If it is defined by Complexity….more BS. It’s a damn sports car, and all I care about is having simple readable gages. But then again….I think my 77 vette has a great interior….seat, steering wheel, tach and speedometer and a shifter…what else am I supposed to need…? I think both C5 and C6 interiors are more than adequate…….what exactly am I missing? When I look at C8 interior, it looks like some fantasy starship cruiser…..just a bunch of nonsense.
to me it goes to fit and finish, quality of materials, ergonomics, and comfort
On ergonomics and layout, the c5/c6 get really high marks. Everything is well-placed, easy to see, easy to reach.
On fit and finish... the gaps in the interior pieces of the c5 varry from half an inch to an inch. it's all plastic... and not even high quality plastic. And tons of creaks. C6 is a little better on both fronts, not by much.
On comfort-- to me (and a lot of people), the seats in the c5 are just horrible. c6, a little better.
Anyway, it's mostly subjective, I don't think anyone was grading the c5 interior on gadgetry.
On ergonomics and layout, the c5/c6 get really high marks. Everything is well-placed, easy to see, easy to reach.
On fit and finish... the gaps in the interior pieces of the c5 varry from half an inch to an inch. it's all plastic... and not even high quality plastic. And tons of creaks. C6 is a little better on both fronts, not by much.
On comfort-- to me (and a lot of people), the seats in the c5 are just horrible. c6, a little better.
Anyway, it's mostly subjective, I don't think anyone was grading the c5 interior on gadgetry.
It's about the quality and durability of the materials. The plastics of the C5 are cheap and break very easily. The stock seats tend to rock, and the padding does not hold up well over time. The size and shape of the steering wheel isn't great. Metal, leather, and carbon fiber (for most people anyway) has a better visual and tactile impact than vinyl and plastic. Is the C5 interior functional? Absolutely! Does it look bad? Not at all (IMHO). Could it be better or more premium? Just about everyone would agree that it could be. Just look at the interior on JMG2's car, or on lewislgZ06's car, or mstromquist's car. If you can't clearly see that those are just plain nicer than stock, you are in the VAST minority. Of course, it is subjective.
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The C5 Z06 LS6 felt quicker due to the aggressive transmission ratios and engine characteristics plus the interior acoustics. And there was a minimal 80 pound weight increase over the C5Z.
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What does a C6 do better than the C5.... That was the question.. me knowing the C5 and not "knowing" C6, seems as a draw.. I have not been convinced the C6 better.... I could consider C7 with excitement and desire. but Never the mid-engine invention.... I LOVE ROADSTERS. 😍
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What does a C6 do better than the C5.... That was the question.. me knowing the C5 and not "knowing" C6, seems as a draw.. I have not been convinced the C6 better.... I could consider C7 with excitement and desire. but Never the mid-engine invention.... I LOVE ROADSTERS. 😍
But other than that, if we're using strictly objective criteria, how isn't the c6 a better car than the c5? Especially if we compare later model c5's to later model c6? (assuming we're comparing base to base, and not something cockeyed like c5zo6 to c6 base)
Last edited by JMG2; Nov 16, 2021 at 07:57 PM.
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how is it not better? it's faster and handles better, and has at least as decent an interior. How is that a draw?
Keep in mind I'm a huge c5 fan. but to say the c6 isn't better... how isn't it (assuming we're comparing base to base, and not something cockeyed like c5zo6 to c6 base)
Keep in mind I'm a huge c5 fan. but to say the c6 isn't better... how isn't it (assuming we're comparing base to base, and not something cockeyed like c5zo6 to c6 base)
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I do not believe an opinion about an interior design can be considered “Better”……it’s like saying steak is better than chicken, or that country music is better than heavy metal. But here, and other places, people make these statements about Corvette interiors…..just above a poster stated C7 and C8 interiors are clearly better……I totally disagree…….they are hideous……..so it’s simply a matter of personal taste….no such thing as better.
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I do not believe an opinion about an interior design can be considered “Better”……it’s like saying steak is better than chicken, or that country music is better than heavy metal. But here, and other places, people make these statements about Corvette interiors…..just above a poster stated C7 and C8 interiors are clearly better……I totally disagree…….they are hideous……..so it’s simply a matter of personal taste….no such thing as better.
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Don,t see it
There are some pretty objective criteria -- c7 and c8 use better materials, have better fit and finish, better tolerances, overall a much higher quality interior. I agree that it's still subjective whether the c7/c8 is "better," but they're at least of higher quality than the crap thats in the c5/c6.
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I can understand quality of materials but frankly I have seen the interiors of C5 and C6 Corvettes and I just simply do not see this “poor fit and quality. Maybe I have low standards? But I guess after 45 years of owning and driving cars, mostly American cars, I just am satisfied. I have seen luxury cars, and for me…whatever is special about them is just not something special to me.
again, I'm a HUGE fan of the c5.. I own one, and just invested way more than the cost of a good c6 into upgrading mine. Just being honest about it pluses and minuses.
This, by the way, should really come as no surprise. The c5 was a back-room project, almost got hacked multiple times, and only survived due to sheer persistence of the engineers. Their goal was to make a world-class performance car, which they accomplished. The interior wasn't really high on their list.
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sorry the best pic's I have.
The C6 pic is a 06, now look at a 2013,
major difference in my opinion ??
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Wow.....as I expected. If THAT is what is bothering people, I am lucky. I just don't see that as a very obvious and unacceptable thing. Funny.....people are bothered by this, and it seems very few are bothered by the extremely poor and caved in rear bumper cover fit to the body on almost EVERY C5 I see. I guess we all have our things.