C5 vs. C6
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Casper Wyoming
I absolutely LOVED my 98 C5 Coupe!!!!!!! The only reason I don't have it is someone turned in front of me and totalled it. I was sick, and wanted to replace the C5 with another C5 because I absolutely loved the body style, long, wide and low. With much reticence I bought a C6, was not crazy about the styling but thought I would move up to a newer Vette so got a loaded Vert, 06. Was told to leave the 05's alone, as they were the first year and had problems. Anyhoo, I drove it back from Portland where I flew out to get it and I am in love. The C6 is way more refined, faster, rides better, shifts better, and I am not banging the nose all the time like the low C5. I never thought I would turn traitor to the C5 styling, but the C6 grows on you, especially when you drive it in all sorts of conditions: The twisties of mountains, the flats of deserts, and the stop and go of city. The C6 far outshines the C5. JMO. dpb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 17
From: Virginia
I too agree with this and TysonJones. I had a c5 and now a c6- much different, and while I still LOVE parts about the c5, the c6 is much nicer to me. That c5 comming toards you with the lights closed and driving lights on is still and always be awesome!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan Kansas
Once in a while I see a C5 coming down the road and I still get that feeling of 'Wow! That looks nice!' Then I remember how I sold it because of its cheap interior and poor fitment issues. I thought I was over the Corvette thing and it was Mercedes and Jaguars that had spoiled me. Quality and comfort seemed to have taken a higher importance later in life. Then I drove a C6! It was SO much improved that I bought it! I have owned a C3,C4,C5,C6 all were fun but only the C6 would I think of driving outside of the parade. My 2 cents!
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I recall one GM engineer saying the C6 is 'about 80% different than the C5.' Certainly there are similarities between the two but the C6 is a vastly different...a vastly improved car. See the following press release from the Corvette Action Center:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...005press3.html
I've seen some incredibly fast, well-handling, modified C5's but out of the box the C6 has the edge.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...005press3.html
I've seen some incredibly fast, well-handling, modified C5's but out of the box the C6 has the edge.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I don't think anyone in their right mind could argue (stock vs stock) a C5 would out perform a C6...and I like I was saying before I would hope for corvette-sake that the next generation always out performs the previous.
I just really like the styling of the C5 a lot better than the C6 (exception being the GS and C6Z).
The only close comparison between the 2 as mentioned before is putting a C5Z against an LS2 C6. IMO that is a drivers race all the way. There are still alot of things I do like about the C6 too as well.
I just really like the styling of the C5 a lot better than the C6 (exception being the GS and C6Z).
The only close comparison between the 2 as mentioned before is putting a C5Z against an LS2 C6. IMO that is a drivers race all the way. There are still alot of things I do like about the C6 too as well.
Last edited by FrankTank; Dec 17, 2010 at 10:07 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa ON
I only drove a Base C6 and a C5 Z06. The only place the C5 beat the C6 was the throttle response, it seemed more direct, felt mechanical while the C6 felt delayed, not as direct or responsive.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
When the C5 came out I loved the way they looked.
Of course I wasn't up on the progress GM was making with the Vette.
It was more looks and styling for me.
But one day at my dealer I was day dreaming about owning one and sat in a C5.
I was a little turned off by how clanky and flimsy the door seemed when I closed it.
Then when the C6 came out I thought, not sure about the headlights not being hidden.
Again, purely Superficial observations and ignorance on my part what these cars were about and the vast advancements being made to the Corvette.
By late 2008, early 2009, I started researching the new Vettes.
Fell in love with the C6 and bought an 09 in March 09.
Don't think the C5 will ever lose it appeal, but the C6 improvements in tech and styling is far ahead IMO
Of course I wasn't up on the progress GM was making with the Vette.
It was more looks and styling for me.
But one day at my dealer I was day dreaming about owning one and sat in a C5.
I was a little turned off by how clanky and flimsy the door seemed when I closed it.
Then when the C6 came out I thought, not sure about the headlights not being hidden.
Again, purely Superficial observations and ignorance on my part what these cars were about and the vast advancements being made to the Corvette.
By late 2008, early 2009, I started researching the new Vettes.
Fell in love with the C6 and bought an 09 in March 09.
Don't think the C5 will ever lose it appeal, but the C6 improvements in tech and styling is far ahead IMO
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
My first two Vettes were C5s ('01 vert and '04 coupe), and loved both cars. I really wish I could have kept one of them 
At any rate, the C6 is a vast improvement over the C5 in every category. That's not to knock the C5s because they are timeless IMHO. If you are in the market for a Vette and can afford a C6 then get the C6.
At any rate, the C6 is a vast improvement over the C5 in every category. That's not to knock the C5s because they are timeless IMHO. If you are in the market for a Vette and can afford a C6 then get the C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I had a 98 C5 and loved the car. I now have a 09 Z06 and it's even better. I get better gas mileage with my 505 HP Z06(29 MPG highway) then I did with the 345 HP C5(25 MPG highway). And I get to the gas station quicker in the Z06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Milford NH
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Iowa
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: North Bay CA
I absolutely LOVED my 98 C5 Coupe!!!!!!! The only reason I don't have it is someone turned in front of me and totalled it. I was sick, and wanted to replace the C5 with another C5 because I absolutely loved the body style, long, wide and low. With much reticence I bought a C6, was not crazy about the styling but thought I would move up to a newer Vette so got a loaded Vert, 06. Was told to leave the 05's alone, as they were the first year and had problems. Anyhoo, I drove it back from Portland where I flew out to get it and I am in love. The C6 is way more refined, faster, rides better, shifts better, and I am not banging the nose all the time like the low C5. I never thought I would turn traitor to the C5 styling, but the C6 grows on you, especially when you drive it in all sorts of conditions: The twisties of mountains, the flats of deserts, and the stop and go of city. The C6 far outshines the C5. JMO. dpb
My '97 was SC and ran 11.3 in the quarter. I had just got the car where I wanted it (lots of money was spent on MODS to achive 551 RWHP)
The car was flawless, not only was it a track car but a show car also.
To me it handled better than my present '05 C6 do to the weight distrubution of 50/50.
BUT the C6 has grown on me with it's refinement over the C5..the Z51 package handles very nicely(I had to install ZO6 bars and shocks to get a race car feel) with the installed SC. Only problem is with 561 RWHP doing a straight line at WOT is a major problem w/o the proper rear tires..
A stock base C6 is a great car.
Last edited by FastGhost; Dec 17, 2010 at 07:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 5
From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
