Help me decide
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
Help me decide
I had decided to get a manual C5 to use as my commuter and keep the C6 auto for weekend use for my wife and I.
I found an 02 Vert with 44k in perfect condition. On the way home today I saw an 06 coupe on a lot. It has 91k, looks great (although yellow is not my #1 choice in color), drove fine except for the popping roof problem. The price on the 06 is 3k over the 02. I commute 90 miles a day so I will put a lot of miles on what I buy. I am now commuting with a Miata and I do like being able to go topless.
What do you think?
I found an 02 Vert with 44k in perfect condition. On the way home today I saw an 06 coupe on a lot. It has 91k, looks great (although yellow is not my #1 choice in color), drove fine except for the popping roof problem. The price on the 06 is 3k over the 02. I commute 90 miles a day so I will put a lot of miles on what I buy. I am now commuting with a Miata and I do like being able to go topless.
What do you think?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 5
Convertible.
Pros: Lower mileage, you like going topless, cheaper.
Cons: None that I can see from the info you have provided.
I honestly don't know why you would even consider the 06 model when its not convertible, is in a color you seem to not care too much about, has a whole lot more miles on it, and is more expensive.
Just my .02 cents.
Pros: Lower mileage, you like going topless, cheaper.
Cons: None that I can see from the info you have provided.
I honestly don't know why you would even consider the 06 model when its not convertible, is in a color you seem to not care too much about, has a whole lot more miles on it, and is more expensive.
Just my .02 cents.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
Convertible.
Pros: Lower mileage, you like going topless, cheaper.
Cons: None that I can see from the info you have provided.
I honestly don't know why you would even consider the 06 model when its not convertible, is in a color you seem to not care too much about, has a whole lot more miles on it, and is more expensive.
Just my .02 cents.
Pros: Lower mileage, you like going topless, cheaper.
Cons: None that I can see from the info you have provided.
I honestly don't know why you would even consider the 06 model when its not convertible, is in a color you seem to not care too much about, has a whole lot more miles on it, and is more expensive.
Just my .02 cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
You're seriously considering an 02 vert?
ANY 12-year old car wouldn't be my first choice for a reliable daily driver.
On a C6 forum, of course you'll hear "Get a C6 vert." And I agree it'd be newer & better & likely more reliable than a C5 vert.
But the C6 will cost more... if you can afford it, great. Go for it!
OTOH, if you like the Miata, keep it. Or trade it for a near-new Miata. Probably cost about the same as an 02 C5 vert.
But it won't be a Corvette.
ANY 12-year old car wouldn't be my first choice for a reliable daily driver.
On a C6 forum, of course you'll hear "Get a C6 vert." And I agree it'd be newer & better & likely more reliable than a C5 vert.
But the C6 will cost more... if you can afford it, great. Go for it!
OTOH, if you like the Miata, keep it. Or trade it for a near-new Miata. Probably cost about the same as an 02 C5 vert.
But it won't be a Corvette.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 7
From: Bluffton,SC
I think this one is easy.Sell the Miata and the auto C6 and buy one manual C6 convertible and drive it every day and weekends too!
Keep in mind the regular C6 auto that you have now has no type of collector value,so there is no reason to "save" it for weekends only.
Since you want your daily commute car to also be a Corvette,it seems like the logical choice to have one that fills both needs.
Keep in mind the regular C6 auto that you have now has no type of collector value,so there is no reason to "save" it for weekends only.
Since you want your daily commute car to also be a Corvette,it seems like the logical choice to have one that fills both needs.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,468
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
A C6 makes for an excellent 'off-time' ride, kind of a reward.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 9
From: South Fort Myers Florida
You don't need two vettes. Twice the cost, twice the insurance, twice the maintenance, twice the cleaning. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Agreed... Keep the Mazda or possibly find something similar to commute with. Corvette mileage isn't bad on the highway but you have to put 91 or 93 in it. I totally agree that's really rewarding to have a "weekend" car... something to look forward to and something that doesn't lose it's luster like a daily driver. I had a C5Z as a daily and it was GREAT car but it did become sort of "watered down" after months of driving it constantly. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I used it less. Just my opinion. I know plenty of you DD your Vettes and enjoy them every second you're in them. To each his own. Only other thought is that if you set on buying another Vette to commute, I think the C5 would be a better option. It would at least give you a different experience than you C6. LS1's are EXTREMELY reliable... Might even consider looking for a last gen Camaro convertable? Fun to drive, less insurance, and a back seat in case you need to transport anything.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
I think this one is easy.Sell the Miata and the auto C6 and buy one manual C6 convertible and drive it every day and weekends too!
Keep in mind the regular C6 auto that you have now has no type of collector value,so there is no reason to "save" it for weekends only.
Since you want your daily commute car to also be a Corvette,it seems like the logical choice to have one that fills both needs.
Keep in mind the regular C6 auto that you have now has no type of collector value,so there is no reason to "save" it for weekends only.
Since you want your daily commute car to also be a Corvette,it seems like the logical choice to have one that fills both needs.
Some great feedback here; I am considering putting off the purchase for now and keeping the Miata, those things never break and are a kick to drive.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
And as is mentioned it makes it really nice to get in the Vette or the Challenger for a changeup.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
I also vote to keep the Mazda, and run it into the ground The c5 Is a great car but why spend maybe 20K for a 12 year old car, plus sales tax. Save up and buy a c7 or a nice used c6..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
I have an '08 MX5 Miata that I use 2-3 times/week for driving to and from work. I love that little car. No, it doesn't have the Vette power, but you can throw that car into turns like no other.
And as is mentioned it makes it really nice to get in the Vette or the Challenger for a changeup.
And as is mentioned it makes it really nice to get in the Vette or the Challenger for a changeup.
