C5 to C6
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
C5 to C6
I have a 2002 C5 with 35K miles on it. The car is in great condition. My question is if I move to a 2008 or abouts with 10K to 15K miles on it, besides the low mileage, what are the benefits of moving up to a C6?
#2
Team Owner
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Location: Oklahoma City OK
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Drive one and see for yourself.
#3
Race Director
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Location: T-Town WA
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2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Best bet would be to drive a C6. If it isn't truly better in a "seat of the pants" test then save your $$$.
#4
Burning Brakes
I had an 04 Coupe. Loved it, but eventually wanted a convertible. Now have a GS convertible and love it as well. But would have been equally as happy I think with an base level 08 or later convertible. The GS just happens to be in the color combo I desired.
Performance wise, the C6 will have a bit more, although for my needs the C5 had plenty. I do however enjoy having the ability to use the paddle shifters. A definite plus IMO.
Also enjoy the ability to use my iPod, which wasn't an option on the factory C5 radio with a CD player. It had no aux line input. The C6 from 2008 on has it. The Nav unit on my C6 however I could easily live without. To much of a distraction IMO.
The powered convertible top and a HUD unit were two more of my must have options. Most C5's had HUD's, but no powered tops on the convertibles.
The interior of the C6 is a bit more functional with the dual cup holders and the small storage areas in the doors. Really only good for perhaps a hand towel or sunglasses though. But every little bit helps.
Looks wise, I think I prefer the change to fixed headlights vs the pop up ones. Maybe just a bit cleaner or more modern look. But not a huge consideration. The C5 is still a great looking car!
Just my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.
#6
Safety Car
I have both... both are highly modded cars. I've owned my '02Z since new.
As another forum member put it well in a different thread about this... the C6 is a more refined vehicle. The interior is nicer (especially the '12+ seats), the brakes on a base C6 are the same as the C5Z (so if you have a base C5, you are getting an upgrade there), it makes more power stock, the steering is heavier (but in a good way... I think it provides more feedback to the driver). If you have an auto in your C5, and you get an '06+ C6, you will enjoy the 6-speed auto vs your 4-speed auto. If you get the adjustable suspension with magnetic ride control, you're in for a treat as well. The car is more easily planted than a C5 and tends to offer a little less NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) than the C5 when traversing less than ideal roads.
However... there are some who say the C6 is "light years" better/ahead of the C5, and they are just wrong. Maybe they had a used/ragged out C5 they bought and drove. I don't know. But my C5 is like yours (low mileage), has been impeccably maintained, and I have had so few problems with it in 13+ years of ownership, I consider issues to be miniscule...it has no rattles/squeaks, rides and drives great. It's a fantastic vehicle in every aspect that matters to me. If you put the two cars on a lift, there are lots of similarities... to the point the C6 has been referred to by a number of enthusiasts as a C5.5. That's not a slap... that means it is an improvement over a great platform to begin with.
As other posters above said... go drive one. I'm sure you can find a dealer who will let you drive a low-mileage, used C6 for a day.
As another forum member put it well in a different thread about this... the C6 is a more refined vehicle. The interior is nicer (especially the '12+ seats), the brakes on a base C6 are the same as the C5Z (so if you have a base C5, you are getting an upgrade there), it makes more power stock, the steering is heavier (but in a good way... I think it provides more feedback to the driver). If you have an auto in your C5, and you get an '06+ C6, you will enjoy the 6-speed auto vs your 4-speed auto. If you get the adjustable suspension with magnetic ride control, you're in for a treat as well. The car is more easily planted than a C5 and tends to offer a little less NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) than the C5 when traversing less than ideal roads.
However... there are some who say the C6 is "light years" better/ahead of the C5, and they are just wrong. Maybe they had a used/ragged out C5 they bought and drove. I don't know. But my C5 is like yours (low mileage), has been impeccably maintained, and I have had so few problems with it in 13+ years of ownership, I consider issues to be miniscule...it has no rattles/squeaks, rides and drives great. It's a fantastic vehicle in every aspect that matters to me. If you put the two cars on a lift, there are lots of similarities... to the point the C6 has been referred to by a number of enthusiasts as a C5.5. That's not a slap... that means it is an improvement over a great platform to begin with.
As other posters above said... go drive one. I'm sure you can find a dealer who will let you drive a low-mileage, used C6 for a day.
Last edited by WA 2 FST; 07-28-2015 at 02:20 PM.
#7
Team Owner
More power, so it just goes at the slightest touch.
Don't have to worry about having a problem with the headlights opening one day.
Don't have to worry about having a problem with the headlights opening one day.
#8
Burning Brakes
While the functionality of the interior might be a little better, the quality of the materials used are not improved. Still a lot of plastic. But overall the car does have a slightly improved ride I'd say. As others have said, a bit more refined. I do have the selectable ride control however, and use mostly the touring mode.
If my C5 had been a convertible, and had the radio and interior features of my GS, I'd have kept it. Everything else was fine by me. Would love to have a C7 with the rear of the GS. Think that would be awesome!
#10
Drifting
#11
Le Mans Master
#12
Drifting
#13
Burning Brakes
I think the C6 seats are more comfortable than my C5 was. I'm sure that's subjective. I haven't had any issues with my 08. I think the overall build quality of the C6 is better. I didn't have any squeaks or rattles in the C5, but the C6 seems to have slightly better materials. It was like my 99 was haunted... gas gauge, tire sensors, seat. But I understand the early C5s had more issues than the later ones.
#14
Burning Brakes
I have both... both are highly modded cars. I've owned my '02Z since new.
As another forum member put it well in a different thread about this... the C6 is a more refined vehicle. The interior is nicer (especially the '12+ seats), the brakes on a base C6 are the same as the C5Z (so if you have a base C5, you are getting an upgrade there), it makes more power stock, the steering is heavier (but in a good way... I think it provides more feedback to the driver). If you have an auto in your C5, and you get an '06+ C6, you will enjoy the 6-speed auto vs your 4-speed auto. If you get the adjustable suspension with magnetic ride control, you're in for a treat as well. The car is more easily planted than a C5 and tends to offer a little less NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) than the C5 when traversing less than ideal roads.
However... there are some who say the C6 is "light years" better/ahead of the C5, and they are just wrong. Maybe they had a used/ragged out C5 they bought and drove. I don't know. But my C5 is like yours (low mileage), has been impeccably maintained, and I have had so few problems with it in 13+ years of ownership, I consider issues to be miniscule...it has no rattles/squeaks, rides and drives great. It's a fantastic vehicle in every aspect that matters to me. If you put the two cars on a lift, there are lots of similarities... to the point the C6 has been referred to by a number of enthusiasts as a C5.5. That's not a slap... that means it is an improvement over a great platform to begin with.
As other posters above said... go drive one. I'm sure you can find a dealer who will let you drive a low-mileage, used C6 for a day.
As another forum member put it well in a different thread about this... the C6 is a more refined vehicle. The interior is nicer (especially the '12+ seats), the brakes on a base C6 are the same as the C5Z (so if you have a base C5, you are getting an upgrade there), it makes more power stock, the steering is heavier (but in a good way... I think it provides more feedback to the driver). If you have an auto in your C5, and you get an '06+ C6, you will enjoy the 6-speed auto vs your 4-speed auto. If you get the adjustable suspension with magnetic ride control, you're in for a treat as well. The car is more easily planted than a C5 and tends to offer a little less NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) than the C5 when traversing less than ideal roads.
However... there are some who say the C6 is "light years" better/ahead of the C5, and they are just wrong. Maybe they had a used/ragged out C5 they bought and drove. I don't know. But my C5 is like yours (low mileage), has been impeccably maintained, and I have had so few problems with it in 13+ years of ownership, I consider issues to be miniscule...it has no rattles/squeaks, rides and drives great. It's a fantastic vehicle in every aspect that matters to me. If you put the two cars on a lift, there are lots of similarities... to the point the C6 has been referred to by a number of enthusiasts as a C5.5. That's not a slap... that means it is an improvement over a great platform to begin with.
As other posters above said... go drive one. I'm sure you can find a dealer who will let you drive a low-mileage, used C6 for a day.
#16
I bought a 40k mile C5 that was nice, but within a month I upgraded to a 2005 C6 with the same mileage. For me I prefer the newer body lines, and the overall feel is much more refined. I spent an extra $9k to upgrade. Well worth it.
#18
Le Mans Master
I have both (recently sold my C5 Vert)
The C6 is much more refined !
Dave
The C6 is much more refined !
Dave
#19
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#20
Le Mans Master
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I went from an 03 Z51 convertible (low miles) to my 13 Grand Sport coupe with 4LT, MSRC and NPP and it was a big difference. Major improvements included:
I still think the C5 is a great car, especially the C5Z, but for a regular use (daily driver or weekend cruiser), it's no contest between the C5 and C6. You could make a C5 as nice as a C6 (or even nicer, got several friends who have), but it's going to end up being more expensive than just getting a C6. Now if I was looking for a road course track car, I'd definitely consider a C5Z due to cost, but even there the C6Zs are starting to become much more affordable (just have to fix the heads).
- Steering wheel
- Shifter (both manuals)
- Seats
- Overall interior (even without 4LT, the C6 interior is a big step up)
- Stereo - I added aux in to my C5, but it's nice to have aux in, USB, and BT out of the box on the later C6s. Plus the 12/13 C6 2LT got upgraded speakers, which I find to be enough for my needs.
- Ride/handling (Yes, the MSRC is worth it IMO)
- Headlights - stock C5 headlights SUCK.
- Exhaust sound - I had Borlas, then Corsas on my C5, and while the NPP doesn't sound quiet as good, the ability to switch between open/closed is HUGE (especially if you have a wife/girlfriend). Plus the NPPs open are much more livable in the car versus a lot of exhausts on a C5 coupe (had an 01Z previously)).
- Power - 436HP vs 350HP (although my GS was actually closer to 470HP bone stock)
- More potential - I bought the GS with the plans of supercharging it. The LS3 C6 is a much better platform for making power with a blower than the C5. Not that you can't do it in a C5, but you're going to have to upgrade lots of other things besides just slapping a blower on it.
I still think the C5 is a great car, especially the C5Z, but for a regular use (daily driver or weekend cruiser), it's no contest between the C5 and C6. You could make a C5 as nice as a C6 (or even nicer, got several friends who have), but it's going to end up being more expensive than just getting a C6. Now if I was looking for a road course track car, I'd definitely consider a C5Z due to cost, but even there the C6Zs are starting to become much more affordable (just have to fix the heads).
Last edited by EvanZR1; 07-30-2015 at 10:40 AM. Reason: forgot the headlights