Thinking about a new C5 Coupe

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 13, 2004 | 10:39 PM

glassfan

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Jacksonville FL

Thinking about a new C5 Coupe

I was considering an Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (beautiful car), but a C5 is a better value (more bang for the buck), and I like the hatchback with plenty of room as well.

Do Vettes make good daily drivers? Are they reliable? What are the common problem areas with Vettes? Is buying an extended warranty a good idea (the car will be a "keeper")?

Thanks!

Jul 13, 2004 | 11:29 PM

Tim2K4Vert

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 19,496

Likes: 0

From: St. Louis MO

I seriously considered the G35 Coupe. It's a great car but can't compare to a Corvette. My only piece of advice would be to get jumping if you want an '04 Corvette because they're going fast and the pickings are getting slim.

Jul 13, 2004 | 11:41 PM

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 368,389

Likes: 24,795

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

Vettes make great daily drivers. Comfortable, fun to drive, economical (if you can keep your foot off the gas). Go for the C5 - you won't regret it. BTW, the G35 is a very nice car too - just not a Vette.

Jul 13, 2004 | 11:56 PM

jrose7004

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 58,501

Likes: 1,828

From: Oklahoma City OK

C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

Of course its great daily driver...its a Chevrolet!

Jul 13, 2004 | 11:59 PM

eddie44

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 6,454

Likes: 3

From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ

St. Jude Donor '03

I too was looking at the G35 before I bought my Vette. Love that car and would love to get the wife out of her SUV and into one. C5's make a great daily drivers. I've put over 22K on mine in about 15 mos. As said above they really are economical if you can manage to keep the foot out of it. Good Luck!

Jul 14, 2004 | 12:22 AM

Duck916

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 21,398

Likes: 1,011

From: Various places in Southern California.

Ditto the above. The C5s are still pretty plentiful on dealer lots around here, but not for long, what with these great incentives. If the car is a keeper, I'd invest in the GMPP when you buy the car, as these things can get expensive to fix. Overall, though, the cars are pretty reliable and a blast to drive. I like the G35, but I like my C5 better.

Jul 14, 2004 | 12:48 AM

Crushinator

Race Director

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 14,480

Likes: 132

From: PA

In the summer, I split my driving between the 350Z (very similar to the G35 coupe) and the Z06. Both are equally comfortable. Both get very similar gas mileage, 21 city, 28 highway. The Z06 has a LOT more power. A C5 coupe would definitely have a performance advantage. The 350Z handling is excellent as is the C5 coupe. The C5 has is all over the G35/350Z in looks.

My advice, either get both or get the C5.

Jul 14, 2004 | 10:39 AM

gwanghoops

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 218

Likes: 0

From: Escondido CA

I too considered both the G35 and 350Z before landing a new 04 coupe. Kudos to you for performing research in advance...I didn't

My overall impressions after reading the forum for a while is that the 01+ c5s have minimal bugs (that's why I like cars near the end of the production run) and many are used as daily drivers, which surprised me.

The most surprising part (and maybe best for you), is that many c5 owners really baby their cars (when's the last time you saw a really ratty vette?) and you could easily get a really nice used c5 that has been 100% garaged, never seen rain/snow, and looks and drives showroom new.

Like others have said -- if you're going to get a new c5, RUN TO YOUR LOCAL DEALER or start PHONING some of the big discounters in the C5s FOR SALE section NOW!!!