Hi, I’m debating between getting a C5 vs C6 for a daily driver. I’m 18, but currently daily drive a 475 hp Tesla and a 280hp suv. As it would be my primary car, I’m wondering about if it should go with a corvette and whether to get a c5 or c6. I have more than enough money to afford it comfortably, and insurance is more than 3x lower than any other vehicle for my geographic ($96 a month vs $345 a month for other cars).

the numbers are right, the power is not too
much (in my opinion) and I also do my own maintenance, so what should I go with?

 

They are both good cars, and is ultimately personal preference. I feel that I could easily daily my C5, but I use my Blazer

 

Buy the C6. Parts are easier to obtain than early C5's.

 

I think you should go with a Bentley Continental GT. Fast and very comfortable. Thirsty, but since you are a wealthy young man, shouldn't be an issue.

 

You'll likely get a whole different slew of answers if you post this in the c6 section... its pretty subjective and both can be great dailys. I've personally owned both, I think as far as daily comfort the c6 has the edge but stock both cars would have made great dailys. The c6 gets the edge just in the advanced tech and slightly more comfortable seats. I went from a 98 c5 to a 13 grand sport. Unfortunately my c5 made 700ish wheel and the c6 was stock so i never got to really feel the back to back comparison but do recall the cars feeling very similar when the c5 was stock, other than a slight difference in power level.

 

I own a c5, never owned a c6. I prefer the look of the c5 over the c6 any day of the week. That said, for you, I'd recommend hands down the c6.
It's newer, the parts are more readily available, and in every objective measure its either equal to or superior to the c5. Handles better and has more power, the interior is slightly better (though I still think it's pretty horrible), and the seats are margianlly better. You still get all the same upgrade options as the c5, as the aftermarket is just as prolific for the c6 as the c5 (moreso -- when I was looking for a super charger for my c5, I noticed all of the roots-style kits were only being sold for the c6, not the c5 -- just not enough of a market.).

I remember when the c6 just came out, car and driver/road and track did reviews, and overall they focused on how much more refined the handling was on the c6 -- I distinctly remember one article refering to the c5 as weilding a machette through the slalom, you had to pay far more attention to weight transfer, while the c6 was like handling a scalpel.

So-- unless you're dead set on how much better the c5 looks over the c6 (and of course, it does :-)) go with the newest year c6 you can afford.

edit-- take a look at reviews in the track magazines from aroudn 2005, most of them compare and contrasted the c5 to the c6 (incoming vs. outgoing model), that should give you a good amount of info. Not the article I was thinking of, but here's what R&T said of the 2005 c6, when it ranked it best all aroudn sports car:
Best All-Around Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (roadandtrack.com)

 

I've owned both HCI+ C6Z and C5Z, both could be driven daily but you might be more comfortable with the creature comforts and updating of the C6 interior depending on how long the commute is.

 

C6 all the way

 

2008+ C6 Automatic

 

I owned a 97 C5 and and 2013 C6. The beginning of one gen and the end of another.

C5 - Rough around the edges. Visceral. Interior feels larger. Major components are still easily found and they built a ton of C5. Better fuel economy. Used mine as a daily driver in Michigan (even in the winter). I put 100K on the car. Pop-up headslights (which are super cool) which suck at night.
C6 - Better build quality (which isnt saying much). More refined (which isnt saying much). Better transmission both auto and manual. More power, worse fuel economy. Better headlights for night driving. Interior creature comforts might be beneficial.

If it were me, I would take the C5 purely because the money saved can be used to maintain the car. The C6 im going Ls3 (2008) or newer...the price goes up with the Ls3. Looks are subjective. I prefer my C5 but the C6 was a "better" car.

Both cars are very similar under the body. C6 or C5.5?

 

I am surprised that an 18 year old male is able to buy an auto insurance policy for any Corvette at only $1,152 per year in NJ.

 

I would recommend a C6, 2008+ just for the LS3.

 

C6 for sure!

 

technologically & ergonomically, the C5 will feel like a dinosaur inside after driving a C6. also the two-pedal variants have MUCH better transmissions in the LS3 cars (08+).

socially (for a teenager), C6 screams more "aspiring young professional off to a good start" while C5 is more "check it out... i bought something cool now that they're pretty cheap".

probably only covers liability

 

They both will get the job done... but for you the C5 is definitely the correct choice... owning to the fact that the C6 has the more powerful LS and will put you in situations that you just can't handle maturely without preemptively first attaining knowledge of how to drive a Corvette at speed and particularly at night!... Night driving a GM car, a C5... 😂 being able to SEE the road is the challenge!🙄

 

raise your seat up, and you can see better (coming from someone with a 4in-taller cowl hood). and having power ain't what gets people in trouble... it's failure to properly manage right foot pressure. there are MANY positions between UP and FLOORBOARD.

a C5 with improper throttle management can run him off the road just as easily as a C6.

 

and that ain't theoretical hearsay... my C5 (which was stock when i bought it) makes nearly 700 whp, and my daily driver truck makes ~600 whp (with nearly 1400lb of torque).

 

Is the OP another drive-by poster?

 

He's 18, rich and it's Saturday night. He's cruising around in a Tesla full of ladies.