Yet ANOTHER C5/C6 comparison...
05-22-2005, 03:51 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Yet ANOTHER C5/C6 comparison...
This past Thursday, I traded my 2000 Coupe and picked up my new DSOM Z51 6-speed Coupe from Fichtner Chevrolet. (Great experience, BTW.) Here are some of my observations so far...
THE GOOD...
I had Z51 on my '00, and the ride was harsher, and it leaned more. It appears they've stiffened the springs but softened the shocks a bit. Most of the bump steer is gone. Also, these tires aren't as "hard" as the older Run Flats. They dialed it in nice.
The climate control throws tons more cold air, and the controls are simple and intuitive. The C5 controls are a nightmare, and you can never set-and-forget.
The LS2 sounds better than the LS1, (but nothing sounds like an LT1!) The car is quiet, but it has a nice rasp at WOT, unlike the Lexus (absence of) sound of the C5. My C6 sounds better than my C5 with Borla XR-1, even if it is quieter.
The new lighter roof panel stores better, maintaining more storage space.
Handling is more neutral, with the snap oversteer of the C5 gone. The tires stick like velcro, but I'm sure they'll wear in under 10K. Big deal; I'll buy new ones.
The shifter is more positive with shorter throws. I haven't snapped off a fast 2-3 shift yet, but I can tell it won't be quite the "adventure" it was in my C5.
The headlamps are much better, and no more "air brakes" when driving at night.
The HUD is better with great options. The greenish color is easier to read in a variety of lighting.
The dash layout is simpler and easier to read and use.
The stock stereo works much better, although the stock C5 system was good for what it was. GM has minimized rattles in the doors that were excited by the reverse-magnet 10" woofers in the C5. This system plays a bit louder, and has more punch, although there is no bass whatsoever below 50 Hz. The C5 system extended deeper at low volumes, with a variable highpass filter that moved up as the volume was turned up. This is common in home subwoofers, as well, to protect speakers and eliminate distortion from too much cone excursion. Again, they appear to have dialed the system in.
The new interior is much nicer, especially the treatment of the door panels...still not as good as any Volkswagen or Audi, though. But, better than it was.
THE BAD...
Not much! What a great car.
My C5 got 34 mpg for the 850 miles to Fichtner Chevrolet (with the "bug smasher" headlights on for half the trip), and my C6 got around 25 mpg on the way back. Sure, the engine is bigger, and 6th gear is .57:1 instead of the C5's .50:1, and the car is not broken in, but I consider this abysmal. Maybe it'll get better. I'm used to 29-36 mpg on the interstate, and 25 mpg is teh suck. Please note how hip I am for using "teh suck."
My XM satellite radio works about 1/3 of the time. This must be an antenna problem. I have Sirius satellite in my wife's truck, and on three HD satellite receivers in the house, and it works flawlessly. If I have news on, it's like Tourette's Syndrome, where without warning, I hear a guy talking for ten seconds, followed by three minutes of silence.
Rear visibility is worse.
The new FOB arrangement will take some getting used to. (REVERSE! Park the car in REVERSE!! REVERSE!!!) It's nice not having keys dangling on my leg when I'm driving, though.
Half the dash controls, including the DIC, are blocked from sight by the steering wheel. I guess I'll have to learn Braille.
SUMMARY...
The C6 is a successful evolution of the C5, with 90% of the needed improvements done well. The C5 was a spectacular vehicle, and the C6 is a considerable improvement...which I thought would be impossible.
GREAT car!
THE GOOD...
I had Z51 on my '00, and the ride was harsher, and it leaned more. It appears they've stiffened the springs but softened the shocks a bit. Most of the bump steer is gone. Also, these tires aren't as "hard" as the older Run Flats. They dialed it in nice.
The climate control throws tons more cold air, and the controls are simple and intuitive. The C5 controls are a nightmare, and you can never set-and-forget.
The LS2 sounds better than the LS1, (but nothing sounds like an LT1!) The car is quiet, but it has a nice rasp at WOT, unlike the Lexus (absence of) sound of the C5. My C6 sounds better than my C5 with Borla XR-1, even if it is quieter.
The new lighter roof panel stores better, maintaining more storage space.
Handling is more neutral, with the snap oversteer of the C5 gone. The tires stick like velcro, but I'm sure they'll wear in under 10K. Big deal; I'll buy new ones.
The shifter is more positive with shorter throws. I haven't snapped off a fast 2-3 shift yet, but I can tell it won't be quite the "adventure" it was in my C5.
The headlamps are much better, and no more "air brakes" when driving at night.
The HUD is better with great options. The greenish color is easier to read in a variety of lighting.
The dash layout is simpler and easier to read and use.
The stock stereo works much better, although the stock C5 system was good for what it was. GM has minimized rattles in the doors that were excited by the reverse-magnet 10" woofers in the C5. This system plays a bit louder, and has more punch, although there is no bass whatsoever below 50 Hz. The C5 system extended deeper at low volumes, with a variable highpass filter that moved up as the volume was turned up. This is common in home subwoofers, as well, to protect speakers and eliminate distortion from too much cone excursion. Again, they appear to have dialed the system in.
The new interior is much nicer, especially the treatment of the door panels...still not as good as any Volkswagen or Audi, though. But, better than it was.
THE BAD...
Not much! What a great car.
My C5 got 34 mpg for the 850 miles to Fichtner Chevrolet (with the "bug smasher" headlights on for half the trip), and my C6 got around 25 mpg on the way back. Sure, the engine is bigger, and 6th gear is .57:1 instead of the C5's .50:1, and the car is not broken in, but I consider this abysmal. Maybe it'll get better. I'm used to 29-36 mpg on the interstate, and 25 mpg is teh suck. Please note how hip I am for using "teh suck."
My XM satellite radio works about 1/3 of the time. This must be an antenna problem. I have Sirius satellite in my wife's truck, and on three HD satellite receivers in the house, and it works flawlessly. If I have news on, it's like Tourette's Syndrome, where without warning, I hear a guy talking for ten seconds, followed by three minutes of silence.
Rear visibility is worse.
The new FOB arrangement will take some getting used to. (REVERSE! Park the car in REVERSE!! REVERSE!!!) It's nice not having keys dangling on my leg when I'm driving, though.
Half the dash controls, including the DIC, are blocked from sight by the steering wheel. I guess I'll have to learn Braille.
SUMMARY...
The C6 is a successful evolution of the C5, with 90% of the needed improvements done well. The C5 was a spectacular vehicle, and the C6 is a considerable improvement...which I thought would be impossible.
GREAT car!
05-22-2005, 04:03 PM
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Conroe Texas
Posts: 35,254
Received 865 Likes
on
608 Posts
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03,'04,'05,'07,08,'09,'10,’17
That's a great write up mugwump! And since you did back to back long trips in each car, that should make the comparison very accurate. I will be going from a 2000 FRC to 2006 Z51 MN6 Coupe so I was very interested in your review. The XM in our new Tahoe works very well. I'm curious about what's up with yours.
BTW, cool use of the word "teh". You are definitely hip and youthful
Also, don't you think the LS2 is sick ? Dude......shut up !!!!
BTW, cool use of the word "teh". You are definitely hip and youthful
Also, don't you think the LS2 is sick ? Dude......shut up !!!!
05-22-2005, 05:15 PM
#5
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by need-for-speed
I will be going from a 2000 FRC to 2006 Z51 MN6 Coupe so I was very interested in your review.
05-22-2005, 05:46 PM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Adventure, excitement ... a Jedi craves not these things.
Posts: 106,480
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Good call. I agree 100%. As you get more cockpit time, some of the more subtle refinements will become more apparent as well 
BTW, did you get Nav? My only regret is the Navi system. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for cash + a "normal" radio that plays .mp3 discs.
BTW, did you get Nav? My only regret is the Navi system. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for cash + a "normal" radio that plays .mp3 discs.
05-22-2005, 06:00 PM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Noggles
BTW, did you get Nav? My only regret is the Navi system.
05-22-2005, 10:48 PM
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: o|||||||o
Posts: 90,881
Received 172 Likes
on
74 Posts
CI 4-5-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by Paul Scarpelli
The car has almost $8000 in options, but no navigation system. Hey, I'm a man, and if I'm lost it doesn't matter...as long as I'm making good time...
05-23-2005, 09:01 AM
#16
Drifting
C6 Better?
I still have my C5 hanging around (no buyers 
) so I usually end up driving it and my wife gets the C6 
. When you drive the two cars back to back you really get a good feel for the differences in the two cars. The C5 is one damn nice ride and I still like the looks of the C5 over the C6 but the C6 is a much more refined car. GM did their home work and it shows.
When I get in the C5 after driving the C6 is actually makes the C5 feel heavy. Yea the C6 is BETTER
) so I usually end up driving it and my wife gets the C6 . When you drive the two cars back to back you really get a good feel for the differences in the two cars. The C5 is one damn nice ride and I still like the looks of the C5 over the C6 but the C6 is a much more refined car. GM did their home work and it shows. When I get in the C5 after driving the C6 is actually makes the C5 feel heavy. Yea the C6 is BETTER
05-23-2005, 04:06 PM
#18
Team Owner
Originally Posted by Paul Scarpelli
My C5 got 34 mpg for the 850 miles to Fichtner Chevrolet (with the "bug smasher" headlights on for half the trip), and my C6 got around 25 mpg on the way back.
I never got anything close to that MPG in my C5. Even with "teh" air brakes...I mean head lights down.
Last edited by _Nomad_; 05-23-2005 at 04:09 PM.
05-23-2005, 04:11 PM
#19
Team Owner
Originally Posted by Paul Scarpelli
My C5 got 34 mpg for the 850 miles to Fichtner Chevrolet (with the "bug smasher" headlights on for half the trip), and my C6 got around 25 mpg on the way back.
I never got anything close to that MPG in my C5. Even with "teh" air brakes...I mean head lights down!
05-23-2005, 04:11 PM
#20
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by _Nomad_
Great googly moogly! Your C5 got 34 MPG?!? Were you driving 35 MPH with the cruise control on and never stopping or slowing down?
I never got anything close to that MPG in my C5. Even with "teh" air brakes...I mean head lights down.
I never got anything close to that MPG in my C5. Even with "teh" air brakes...I mean head lights down.
Air brakes...
