C5 vs. GTO
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
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From: Newport AR
C5 vs. GTO
Saturday my wife and I took a road trip to Missouri from our rural home in Arkansas and on the way back we stopped at a Sam's Club in a medium sized city. As we parked a dark colored mid-sized american sedan covered in winter road film pulled up a couple of spaces away, two boys about 6 and 8 emerged from the sedan and were having a fit over my 2004 torch red vette with white CE stripes. They were running up to their daddy, pointing at the vette with one hand and pulling at him to come over closer with the other and he was ignoring them. In fact, I told my wife the guy looked like the man wanted to cry as he walked by never even looking toward the vette. Then I noticed the "GTO" emblem on the front fender of the non-descript sedan right where the old 6.5 liter emblem was on my '68 GTO and I realized why he felt like he did.
Later that day I began wondering why it is that all kids love corvettes, especially since very few kids ever get to ride in one; vettes are empty nest vehicles, not family cars.
Later that day I began wondering why it is that all kids love corvettes, especially since very few kids ever get to ride in one; vettes are empty nest vehicles, not family cars.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: VIETNAM 64/65-67/68 FL
It,s The Whisper
Originally Posted by GMDGary
Saturday my wife and I took a road trip to Missouri from our rural home in Arkansas and on the way back we stopped at a Sam's Club in a medium sized city. As we parked a dark colored mid-sized american sedan covered in winter road film pulled up a couple of spaces away, two boys about 6 and 8 emerged from the sedan and were having a fit over my 2004 torch red vette with white CE stripes. They were running up to their daddy, pointing at the vette with one hand and pulling at him to come over closer with the other and he was ignoring them. In fact, I told my wife the guy looked like the man wanted to cry as he walked by never even looking toward the vette. Then I noticed the "GTO" emblem on the front fender of the non-descript sedan right where the old 6.5 liter emblem was on my '68 GTO and I realized why he felt like he did.
Later that day I began wondering why it is that all kids love corvettes, especially since very few kids ever get to ride in one; vettes are empty nest vehicles, not family cars.
Later that day I began wondering why it is that all kids love corvettes, especially since very few kids ever get to ride in one; vettes are empty nest vehicles, not family cars.
It screams "DRIVE ME" "DRIVE ME" !
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
You can bet that if Chevy sold a 4-seater Corvette, that guy would have bought one instead of that generic-looking GTO.
I'll never forget years ago when I saw a young guy with his family (wife and small kid) in a Corvette driving down the road. Thought to myself that he had yet to face the reality that the Vette is not a family car, as someone stated earlier in this thread. I've wondered how big the kid got before he finally gave it up...
I'll never forget years ago when I saw a young guy with his family (wife and small kid) in a Corvette driving down the road. Thought to myself that he had yet to face the reality that the Vette is not a family car, as someone stated earlier in this thread. I've wondered how big the kid got before he finally gave it up...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Park Ridge NJ
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by GMDGary
Later that day I began wondering why it is that all kids love corvettes, especially since very few kids ever get to ride in one; vettes are empty nest vehicles, not family cars.
No one told my father that.... Fortunatly I was the older brother... My little brother got "the back" of the 79...
That was before Saftey was "cool"
Like father like son my 2002 will be a family car....
Race Director
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
That's why we all know the phrase, "From the mouths of babes ..." 
I don't put down other cars, but even driving thru parking lots, kids (6-10 yrs old) do the pointing, Oooing and Ahhhing a lot. Always makes me smile at least.
I don't put down other cars, but even driving thru parking lots, kids (6-10 yrs old) do the pointing, Oooing and Ahhhing a lot. Always makes me smile at least.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: IN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I agree, kids from 3 to 103 can appreciate the corvette. Its funny, one time I got in an argument with my 4 year old neighbor. A Mustang with loud exhaust went by and he said "That car is faster than your car, listen to it." Then I said "No it isn't", and he said "Yes it is" then I said "No it isn't" then I realized hey I'm arguing with a 4 year old here. 
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Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Originally Posted by mcronec5
I agree, kids from 3 to 103 can appreciate the corvette. Its funny, one time I got in an argument with my 4 year old neighbor. A Mustang with loud exhaust went by and he said "That car is faster than your car, listen to it." Then I said "No it isn't", and he said "Yes it is" then I said "No it isn't" then I realized hey I'm arguing with a 4 year old here.
Did you buy Stingers the next day?
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Like Scissors, we now own both as well - "Granny" wanted something with a back seat to replace her Z06, and the Goat will fill that bill well. fwiw, right off the showroom floor, it sounds meaner than my 2002 coupe with Z06 pipes...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bada bing bada bling FL
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
...even driving thru parking lots, kids (6-10 yrs old) do the pointing, Oooing and Ahhhing a lot. Always makes me smile at least.
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude's Donor '06
Originally Posted by thevettenet CA
fwiw, right off the showroom floor, it sounds meaner than my 2002 coupe with Z06 pipes...
Melting Slicks
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From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
I don't put down other cars, but even driving thru parking lots, kids (6-10 yrs old) do the pointing, Oooing and Ahhhing a lot. Always makes me smile at least.
I get the biggest kick out of the kids reactions, flashes me back to that innocent age when cars were everything, hey they still are
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Corvettes just get the attention. Too bad for the Dad of the two boys.
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From: Section 326 Row A!! Finally. Go STARS!!
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Scissors
Damn straight! My C5 w/ PRTs sounds sweet and is quicker, but that GTO sounds so much sweeter stock.
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude's Donor '06
Originally Posted by Joe Diver
It better...'cause it sure looks like.....
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Far NW burbs of Chicago IL
I have an 01 C5, and just bought a GTO last week, new, for just under $20,000. I have corsa on the vette and the GTO sounds sweet as is, kinda reminds me of my 96 Z28/SS that came with the borla's from SLP. As for the over all car....VERY nice....In no way will it replace the Vette (nor do I want it to) or the way the car runs and drives...but it's a nice addition. The Vette seems to have a little more "Beast" to it. But the GTO has some great fit, finish and quality materials inside. The car seem to be very well done....so far.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
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From: Newport AR
I traded in a SS396 Chevelle for a new 1968 GTO and never looked back. At the same time I owned a Deluxe 1940 Ford Coupe and I was in car heaven. In my GTO I ruled the streets of Memphis for nearly five years (except for time in Vietnam) save for a pesky 440 six pack GTX that wasn't stock and a fire engine red Chevy II with a 375/327 that ran ten inch wide rears. I dearly loved that GTO and waited with great expectation for the new GTO and was disappointed with what we got. Performance-wise I am sure it is as good or better than the early cars, but a the new GTO needs more character to please me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
I know what car I wished for when I was a kid... the car I have today! I always make it a point wave back to the little kids that are checking out the vette as I drive by. As for the family car issue- isn't that what owning a Surburban as a second car is for!!!
