I'm looking at C5's and am seeing C6's in the low to mid $20K's which is in my price range. I owned a '98 C5 a few years ago and loved it. I have driven a C6 but for only short drives (test drives).

If you went from a C5 to a C6 what do you like better about the car? Is there anything you liked in the C5 better than the C6?

Thanks.

 

With me being old school and a Vette traditionalist, the only thing I would want from a C5 are the pop-up headlights.

 

I was in the same boat. I sold my Shelby Mustang and looked for several months. At first I wanted a C5 Z06 I drove at least 12 of them. They ranged in mileage from 19k to 88k and oddly enough the highest mileage car ran the best... After looking I broadened my sights to C6's I'm so glad I did. The C6 is more refined or more elegant in its looks, ride, and smoothness of power delivery. I'm not knocking the C5 as its a fine ride as well. The power delivery is like a bare knuckles fighter very aggressive and seems to be on edge and wanting to go go go. Both models are very cost effective in this economy and mileage doesn't seem to hinder there performance. If your interested in a nice 03 or 04 Z06 pm me as I know where there are two excellent choices that I nearly pulled the trigger on.

 

I have both and there are things I enjoy about both.

 

one thing to consider with the c6 is support. gm is likely going to phase out c5 parts at the 10yr mark. with the c6 the dealer will still have your plastic buttons if you break one

 

We have a '02 and '09. Enjoy them both.

I do however, like the LS3 and the feel of the C6 better.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Loved my ’01 but the C6 overall is a much better package. The pop-up headlights, although “cool” were a PIA with stripped gears and other issues. Like someone else may have already mentioned, GM stopped producing some replacement parts and you can bet, replacement parts are going to get scare as time goes by.

 

I wrote this after I traded my 1997 C5 Coupe in for my 2005 C6 Coupe.

http://www.theredlion.us/c6.htm

The C6 is a fantastic car but so is the C5. Don't overspend chasing the dream but get the newest car you can afford. If you end up in the C5, you will be very happy. I happen to think that the C6 is an improvement over the C5 in serveral areas but I certainly loved my 1997 Corvette.

 

If looking at stock Corvettes, get the newest and highest model and trim option that you can afford.

Nothing against the C5, but definitely get the C6.

Furthermore, get an '08 or newer if you can. LS3, TR6060 trans, better steering system.

 

My 5 is a convertible and my 6 is a coupe - love the softtop.
performance in the 6 is tremendously improved.
top end is much higher and the acceleration is greater in the 6
handling is tighter and more precise in the 6
cockpit is better in the 6
cyber grey in the 6 electron blue for the 5

buy what is right for you ... take your time and enjoy the quest

 

Lots of good info here.

I'm looking at a convertible or coupe as I live in southern CA and want an open car so I guess the Z06 is out. Has to be stick shift too.

I guess i'll look for the newest C6 I can afford.

 

We traded a 2001 C5 Z51 A4 for a 2006 C6 Z51 A6, and I was disappointed. Didn't feel any faster (though the numbers said it was), car wandered on the highway despite alignments, paddle downshifts were clunky.

We traded the 2006 C6 A6 for an "identical" 2009. Wow! New car felt (and was) much quicker, steering was lighter and more precise, paddle downshifts rev-match, etc.

Go for a 2008 or later if you possibly can.

 

You are in the same boat as I was for the last few months.
I wanted an 03-04 and found that I could get a newer one for the same money.
I bought an 07 Base on Saturday.
Because it will be my work car the Base model will work out fine... I will be happy with the base once I have the new radio in it and the windows tinted.
After driving both models, I decided the C6 was the way to go.
The C6 does look much more modern than the C5.

 

The engineers stated they eliminated 100 pet pieves about C5 with the C6. Now they are claiming the same thing with the C7 over the C6. The '08 and newer LS3 C6 was half way between the early C6 and the new C7 which may well have more serious teething problems than did the new C6. Stanard advise: get the latest you can afford.

 

Quoting myself for reference.

To join in with the last few posts, and show I followed my own advice... I bought my 2012 ZO6 3LZ initially against my plan. I wanted a C6ZO6, but something cheaper. I had to trade in one of my Camaros to clear space in the garage, so I shopped the Camaro around to several dealers within driving distance that had nice ZO6's.

As fate would have it, the dealer with the nicest, newest, and of course... most expensive ZO6 responded most favorably (by far) to my trade offer. Some of them didn't even want to touch a heavily modified, blown Camaro. Even if it was in mint shape with 12K miles and no matter what I was taking a bath on all of the money thrown at it over the years.

I took a deep breath. Not only was this car above my target, but I had to decide quickly. Their offer was only going to stand for a few days and they had other serious inquiries on the car (like they all say, but would I take the chance) I talked myself into it, and fast, because 1. It had all of the little improvements that Chevy had been making over the life of the C6, even having better seats and stereo than my 2011. 2. It was a 3LZ, top of the trim line (go big or go home). Leather dash is nice too! 3. The damn thing was nearly stone mint. Original owner having it only 10 months. 4. Torch Red over solid Ebony interior with Chrome Spyder wheels - wow! when I saw it in person. 5. The dreaded exhaust valve guide problem in LS7's was "unofficially" solved by February 2011 and this car was built November 2011. Unofficially because officially there is no problem. 6. You only live once, so sign me up for a bigger car loan that I was ready to take on.

 

I just saw a ad on a 2001 silver/black automatic coupe at Hendrix in Gwinnett county GA. with 1595 miles! Asking $21k. If I was in the market I'd be there looking and test driving.

 

C6....

 

I owned an 01 C5 Coupe (heavily modded) for about 7 years, I was going to buy C5Z back in 2010, but then C6Z's started coming into the mid to low 40's , so I jumped on that opportunity and bought a used 07 Z. I prefer the looks of the C5 over the C6 narrow body style.... however I really like the Widebody look of the Z' cars and GS.

If I was getting a C6 coupe (non Z), I would get an 08 or newer since IMO there is quite a difference and improvement in performance with the LS3 vs the LS2. With regards to the rest of the C6, it is a little more refined than the C5 and there are some minor improvements , in the interior, handling and feel of the car, but I would not say it is leaps and bounds over the C5 vs the C6 coupe.

 

I had a 03 C5, torch red, light oak interior, 6sp. 54k when I traded it in June. I ordered my 13 C6 torch red, cashmere interior, 6sp and got it in June.

I loved the C5, fun to drive, great mpg, trouble free car. My wife suggested I order a C6. So I went from the 50th year to the 60th year.

Wow what a difference, smoother, quieter ride. More comfortable my heated seats probably do that. The LS3 pills like crazy as compared to the LS1. My mpg are down about 3 to 4 miles a gallon intown or highway. It is so much more enjoyable to drive.

I went from a 87 Buick GN to a 97 Z-28 6sp to my C5 and now the C6. It is better in every way to any performance car I have owned, driven or ridden in.

Now my first love is still in my garage, my 68 Camaro, 327, 4bl, 4sp. I am the original and only owner of it. Touch the vette OK, don't touch my Camaro!