I've always liked the C6 - it's a very attractive car, with a very much more modern interior.

But what does it do differently or better than our beloved C5s?

Are the electronics better? Has the C6 been better engineered for fit and finish? Does the transmission resist stripping reverse? Is there any better suspension geometry or better braking? I know the motor is a bit more capable.

Any reason to give up a C5 for a C6?

 

Honestly, the C6 is just a slightly refined and modernized version of the C5. I can't remember where this quote is from, but I heard it said that Chevy tried to create the perfect grand touring sports car with the C5, they were 90% successful. The C6 was the additional 10%. They are extremely similar, and share a ton of the same parts. In many cases the "better" parts on the C6 can be directly bolted onto your C5 (such as shock, sway bars, etc). The C6 is slightly shorter. It has fixed headlights, bigger wheels, a more powerful LS motor, and a somewhat updated (yet still dated by modern standards) interior. Performance wise a C5 Z06, and a base C6 are actually almost identical. The C6 has more power, but the C5 Z06 is lighter. They actually have the same 0-60 time. If you're going to step up to a C6 Z06, that's where you're really going to see a difference. However, the price difference between a C5 and C6 Z06 is significant. I personally prefer the styling of the C5 over the C6, but that's VERY subjective. Personally, I really don't think it's worth it to go from a C5 to a C6 unless you're getting a C6 Z06.

 

Base for base, I'd say the C6 is definitely the better car. If you have a C5z (looks like a base coupe if your avatar is your car) then I'd say its not worth the jump. Base for base the LS1 to LS2 or LS3 is a nice power bump for sure. I love the look of both cars but the C5 beats out the base C6 in my book. C6z is the best looker if you ask me. The C6 doesn't eat diffs because the bellville washers are up to snuff. As far as I know the trans is the same base for base. Not sure what you mean by 'stripping out reverse' in 6 years of ownership and basically living on this forum I've never heard of it. Suspension parts are interchangeable base for base. C6Z has some differences but other than spring rate, anti roll bar and damper slight changes its all the same stuff. The interior on the C6 is marginally nicer but still pretty rental car spec. I don't mind the interior on either car.

 

I'm in agreement with 'MW' and for me the front end of the C5 is far superior, looks wise, to the C6 (I owned a '12 GS), whereas the rear of the C6 is a little less of a 'ducks ***' .......

Quite simply the C5 ZO6 represents (even today) one of the best bang-for-the-buck performance cars EVER offered.

 

just to make it simple having both, (Z06's) I would say the C6 is a more refined C5, the C5 is more of a raw feel !!! (the C6 Z06 is a monster)

 

When the C6 came out, many referred it as the C5.5 as they have much in common.
I've never owned a C6, but I have driven one. It's got better seats and a little more go. But, I love the looks of the C5 so I'm sticking with that format till I can afford a C8 (which may be never)
P.S. The C6 ZR1 is a car I would own

 

my dream car !!!

 

Hard to beat the C5. C6 is a refined version of the C5. I have had two C6 Z06s and they are nice....but I still love my C5s

 

C5 all day unless jumping to C7. Jmo

 

If only they made a popup headlight kit for the C6

 

Love them both. I enjoy the extra power of the LS2 but my C5 Z06 LS6 felt more raw. With the advantage of the C5 Z06's manual M12 which has more aggressive gear ratios along with the C5 Z06's lighter weight gives it the slight performance edge over the stock base C6 LS2 & LS3 on paper. However a tune or better driver or both will turn the tables. The stock C6 LS2 and LS3 are noticeably stronger than the base C5 LS1 even with long tube headers.
My 3LT C6 has more gadgets and a power convertible top which are all unnecessary. The Mag Ride is better on the C6. If it's power and performance that you desire then the C6 is the way to go if you comare stock to stock and the LS7 and LS9 are the big dogs. Plus if you prefer a convertible then the 427 LS7 C6 is the choice.

 

C6 for the win.

 

Can’t go wrong with either, really. I can’t imagine parting with my ZR1, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about my C5 vert and Z06. Quite a lot actually. Special cars and great memories.

 

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.

 

If I were going to go for a C6, I would stay away from a 2005.

 

I've always liked the C6 - it's a very attractive car, with a very much more modern interior. But what does it do differently or better than our beloved C5s?

The C6 accelerates faster than the C5's due to the larger displacement and upgrades to the LS2 and LS 3 engine pieces. An additional 50hp (LS2) or 80 - 84 hp (LS3). For normal driving in the cruise mode, I do not think the difference is very noticable. But at the drag strip, autocross or track then the C6 is faster. But an experienced C5 driver may still be able to narrow the gap with a C6 resulting in minimal differences.

Are the electronics better? Has the C6 been better engineered for fit and finish? Does the transmission resist stripping reverse? Is there any better suspension geometry or better braking?

The C6 models have more refined electronics than the C5. Advance electronics similar to the C5 but no major known issues, except maybe with the earlier models column locking out. Recall fixed that issue. There is no EBCM issues on the C6.

Fit and finish is a little better with C6. More sculptured exterior and shorter than the C5 rounder design.

Cannot answer the transmission issue.

The refinements including larger wheels and tires help the C6 with tuning modifications for a better suspension. If you drive in Mode 1 it is similar on both C5 and C6 Corvettes.

Any reason to give up a C5 for a C6?

I am pondering that same question. Drove my '02 today and it was excellent. Zero complaints. I guess if you can use the additional 80hp then it is worth considering. More expensive tires. I am looking at 2008 - 2009 models that are of a fine pedigree and it seems that it may cost between $10,000 and $15,000 more to upgrade. Prices are erratic now. Winter is coming here and I am going to wait until Spring to make a decision, since it will just sit in my garage.

Some refer to the C6 as a C5 1/2.

 

The C6 outperforms the C5 in just about every measurable. And while the C5 remained largely unchanged throughout its run, the C6 includes several upgraded engines and specialty models.

I prefer the lines of the C5. The design was groundbreaking and sexy to begin with, and it remains very attractive to this day. Whereas with the C6 it seems GM hired some designers away from Mazda (not that there’s anything wrong with that…) Admittedly, the Coke bottle shape of the C6 Z06 is a significant upgrade visually. They probably should have started there.

Every time I park the car, I always look back over my shoulder at my C5.

 

I own both and I'll put it simply. If you are looking between a base C5 and a base C6, then look at the C6. It's a much more comfortable ride sitting in and driving compared to a C5. If you are looking for the raw feeling then skip the C5 and C6 base and look more at C5Z. I own a C5 vert, C5Z, and my daily is a C6 automatic base non Z51. There is a reason I went with a daily as a C6 base over the C5.

 

with you both. my next vette will be a c6 ZR1

 

they make something even better for the c6....c8-style



first mod to my C6 ZR1
(dreaming)