So... I have ~15k at my disposal. I'm looking for a good sports car in this range, and the C5 and C6 caught my attention. I want to spend as little as possible on repairs and maintenance, but I understand that this is a high performance car and it's not THAT cheap. With that in mind, would a C5 or a C6 be better? C5s tend to be cheaper, I've noticed, but C6's are newer and therefore would be less prone to issues (looking at you, c5 electrical systems). Thoughts?

 

15K would be very hard to find for a C5 or C6 and that very overall depends on the condition of the car as well. The old say,"You get what you pay for", is something to keep in mind, too!!! Honestly, owner of both these generation models, good luck on your searching endeavors along that price range!!!

 

I have had 2 C5's since I sold my C6. I never considered getting another C6. That is how much I hated the electric door openers. The thing I miss about the C6 is, it had the best heated seats I have seen. Rocking seats, fallen head-up display mirror and some other common problems apply to both C5 and C6. Clouded headlight cover on the C6 is a lot more expensive and a whole lot harder do do on the C6 than plastic gear replacement on the C5. The C6 has more power, but the C5 has more power than I know what to do with. It is your money, so get the one you like best, but the one I like best is the C5.

 

Thanks! I've seen many c5's listed in this price range, and that's probably the one I'm going to end up getting. All I care about is mechanical reliability, not cosmetics, so that gives me a little edge. If I happen to somehow stumble upon a 2008+ c6 that seems mechanically sound, i don't know...

 

Gonna be hard to find a well taken care of C6 for $15K. I’ve had a C6. Now I’m looking for a C5. Mostly just to do something different. Both have their pluses and negatives.

 

If you can hold out and save $20k, you can find a really decent middle of the road C5. For example, my '03 MN6 with all options and 27k miles cost me $23k in November '23.

 

For $15K, I would bet you are looking at a fairly high mileage C5 and definitely a high mileage C6 (or one that needs a lot of work). Check the forum's Corvettes for Sale section for both those generations and see the asking prices, condition and mileage and go from there. I would recommend that with your budget you concentrate on the C5 generation and most likely one of the early C5s. Nothing wrong with that and the C5 is a really good platform and a blast to drive.

 

$15K will bring you a better C5 than C6. Like Dirtroad says, the electric door are more of a gimmick and the headlight lenses on the C6 can't be cleared up with toothpaste and a brush. Replacement lenses are not cheap and very labor intensive to replace. My C6 was relatively trouble free for me and my C7 was a blast but I love my C5

 

Corvette electrical systems have been maligned since 1953, mostly by those who could not diagnose a tail light problem on a '55 Bel Air if their life depended on it. If you are concerned about electrical problems, keep this in mind:
a) With each passing year, Corvettes had more electrical and electronic gizmos. In other words, the C5 is simpler than the newer models.
b) Some simple maintenance once every few years, or so, will avoid most of those notorious C5 electrical "problems" due to grounds and water ingress ... all of which are well documented and understood.

 

$15k C6 are neigh impossible to find. That is a branded car typically. 15k will get you a under 100k in good mechanical shape c5. Heck I paid $11k for one under 100k. Under $13k or so they typically have some sort of defect- torn seats, cracked roof, ABS light on, etc.

 

15k should get you a good clean base C5. Good luck with your search.

 

I'm new to corvettes and picked up a C5 and a C6 this year. I find them very similar in a lot of ways. I'm not a fan of the electric doors or the push to start on the C6.

I got my C5 for 10K with 127K miles. Mechanically the previous owner kept it up. It needed a hood and deck lid repaint to be real presentable and the seats lasted 3 months before the driver's side was shot. However, that made it a perfect time to upgrade to C6 seats. I spent a lot of nights and weekends cleaning and detailing it to bring it back to life. I've got just a little under $13K in it and its probably my favorite car in the collection. There is something just right about the C5. I think you are gonna have a lot more choices in your budget range in the C5.

Even though the C6 has only 42K miles and is a 6speed, my wife and I would keep the C5 over the C6, if one had to go.

 

Prices have not shifted dramatically since last year.

If you are seeking a very low miles stock show car then 15k is about the entry level.

But if you're seeking a very mint car with normal miles in the 60 to 100k range then you really do have a lot of opportunity. You can find some really well built cars for 15k. Supercharged or heads and cam, etc. Depends on what you're seeking.

As a buyer.... I prefer cars with bolt-ons and no internal engine mods. I have been bitten before and learned from it.

Also as a buyer I would not shy away from modded cars at all. But you do want to know for yourself or have a friend who does look at the car with you when shopping so you can identify the difference between an owner who knows what he is doing with the car and his wrenches, and one who only thinks he does.

Driver cars are my preference. There is less to be discovered I feel when the car is regularly used as opposed to someone who keeps it as though it is some exotic car or investment and only trots it out a few times a year.

As far as years to seek out? I suggest 01+. They have the 12mm torque tube. The EBCM is repairable vs a $1500+ replacement. And for 02+ I believe they all have the LS6 intake and/or block with ventilation windows. I am seem to recall the 02+ also has a better wiring harness for supporting things like HID headlights etc.

Good luck on the hunt and definitely keep coming back to the forum if you have questions.

 

Dig deeper in your pocket and buy a C6 newer than 2005. You won't regret it. Too many problems getting parts for early C5's prior to 2002.
You did ask this question in the C5 forum so expect answers different than you may get elsewhere.

 

Autotrader has 13 C6 at 15k or under but none are 2008 or newer.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...startYear=2005

 

Pop up headlights.

 

For 15-20k you can get a mint C5 with under 30k miles. I like the C6 but only certain trims and colors, mainly the grand sport and up. The C5 however, looks good in any trim.

 

I have a c5, but frankly if the choice was between a c5 or c6, I'd likely go with a c6 (though if I were getting a vette today, I'd go with neither can get a c8)

The c6 is objectively superior in just about every aspecty than the c5. more powerful, more refined, and a *ehm* better interior (though really both the c5 and c6 is pretty bad).

That said, to me, if it were subjective, I really just don't like the *look* of the c6. But that is an individual taste.

As others have said though, at $15k is a tough spot, you're not going to get a low-milage car. If you can get to the 20k-25k mark you'll get a much better selection.

 

That question indicates one is in need of Corvette knowledge... You've come to the right place... Best to hang out here. Time here should answer your questions... sorta like school days with your girlfriend. Keep poking around.

 

$15k is not going to buy much on a C6 unless you get one that had damage.

You may get a higher mile C5 coupe for $18 in good shape but anything less will need work.

We got a clean C6 coupe for $24K.