Another c5 v. c6 question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 10
Another c5 v. c6 question
Hello, all I have a 1998 auto c5 with 130k. The car does not skip a beat and runs fantastically. However, I am thinking about upgrading to an auto C6. I like the exterior look of the c5 but am concerned with the mileage. I live in New England but I want to daily it until snow hits the ground. I figure I can get around 11k for my car given the market. It has long tubes x pipe and a full sound system. A base C6 with low miles is around the 20-25k range is it worth the extra money?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
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Having owned both 06 vert. auto and a 12 LT3 M6 Grand Sport now currently own 2002 Vert auto. I like the C5 the best over all. Be sure to drive a C6 before buying. 05-07 have very poor steering feel on center kind of like a old Ford truck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 10
Thanks! I definitely plan on going to a dealership and taking one for a test drive prior to putting my car for sale. I love the steering on my c5 so I'll have to check that on the c6 because I will likely end up with an ls2 car unless i find a crazy deal on an ls3 car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,042
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From: West Dundee IL
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
A modern Corvette has steering like an old ford truck??? That's a little extreme. I had an 07 auto. It was a great car. The 6 speed auto is very underwhelming with the stock trans tune. Based on the fact that your C5 has headers tells me you aren't opposed to modding. A good tune makes the shifting feel night and day different. I liked both my C6 and C5. The C5 gets the nod for being more fun to drive since it's a manual and now makes similar power to my modded C6. Personally I wouldn't jump back to a C6 unless it was a widebody car. I would go to a C7 or C8. For you though, being that your C5 is getting up in mileage, it would be a good replacement. The LS2 is no slouch, mine ran a 12.6 with just a tune and corsa axle back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
While you might worry about your EBCM, I wouldn't be at all concerned with the mileage that you have. There are several regular C5 forum members with 200K-300K+ miles on their cars. There's a C5 in the NCM that has over 770K miles on the original LS1 engine! As long as you have been taking care of it, your C5 still has more than half of it's life remaining.
Honestly, If you're just going to an LS2 it really isn't worth it. I agree with you that the C5 looks better than the C6. I suspect that if you drive an LS2, you won't find it worth the cost to "upgrade". However, in the end it is a subjective decision. As such, you'll have to make it for yourself. Good luck!
Honestly, If you're just going to an LS2 it really isn't worth it. I agree with you that the C5 looks better than the C6. I suspect that if you drive an LS2, you won't find it worth the cost to "upgrade". However, in the end it is a subjective decision. As such, you'll have to make it for yourself. Good luck!
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the c6 really isn't much of an upgrade over the C5. The looks are purely subjective -- the interior is really barely an upgrade, and while the handling, power and speed are across the board better, I don't know that it's worth going to a c6 just for that mild upgrade. A c7... no question.
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If you really are considering a C6, I would at least look at the '08 and newer - the LS3 engine offers a substantial HP upgrade (stock for stock) and can easily be modded. I know you have headers on your C5, but the C6 will be a big improvement in the performance category.. Do some searches in the C6 section on reviews for the car - should be able to get some good info.
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