groran

Man, this is tough. There are sooo many c5 out there with manual trans and not so many c6 with manual. Anyway, the c6 is twice the price,I could have 2 different c5's, but the 08 and newer have 430 hp!! Is that hp and torque really that much better? How about the ride and seating position, I have a really bad back. That aluminum frame really got my attention too, light. Hellllp!!

J3TVETTE

Go for a C6, it is worth it. Comfortable, spacious. If you have a bad back, I would say not to get a Z51. The ride is harsher.

J.Moore

Agreed, although I didn't own a C5 a few friends did that moved up to C6 and none regretted it. Also, get a C6 with heated seats option, really really nice to have. Like a heat massage as you drive. A nice 05-07 LS2 can be found for 17k to 21k with options and not worn out.

My C6 rides as smooth as a full size car. Couldn't believe how smooth and comfy it rides and being a Corvette. No harshness at all. Mine has F55 suspension.

I doubt you will ever feel the difference in LS2-400hp and LS3-430hp. Actually the LS2 is supposed to be under rated at 400hp and actually 410 or more.

Corvette_Ed

I've owned both, and I like my C6 much better. Better power and a much more modern interior. For the feel of how both drive, I think the C6 has the edge.

BadAV

I've also owned both and agree - go for the C6.

99Z51

I have had both a C5 and C6. Love the technology and power of the c6, but I'm still partial to the looks of the C5. Both are great cars. Find a well cared far sample of either generation and you will have a smile every time you fire it up.

buckmeister2

This is pretty interesting...I just drove by your town last night about 7 p.m.. Probably not too many forum people come by you

I don't really think there is a big gap in price diff. The lowest price non-wrecked LS2 I saw, nationwide, in 20 months of search was a 2006, $15,000. Nice car, 106K miles. The lowest price LS3, same condition, I have seen was a 2008, $16,500, 111K miles. Not much more $$ for two years newer.

Given your location, I would at least search all the way down to San Diego, out to Phoenix, Vegas, up to the Bay Area, and south back to where you are. Within 100 miles of you, there are few Vettes, that meet your criteria. L. A. is the only market close to you. If you expand that search, you will increase the population factor by at 3X, and probably increase "vette owners" by 10 times.

if you are willing to travel up to maybe 500+ miles, you will greatly increase the number of vehicles in your price/model range. If you can expand your search, do so.

What search sources are you using?

groran

using craigs and autotrader, searching LA of course, bay area, LV. So far, craigs has best prices. I'll look at SD too, not too far for a sweet baby car. Hmm c6 rides real good. Guess I was worried about electric doors locking me in or out.

groran

what is that on right side, a turbo charger or SC?

schpenxel

Supercharger

And, C6.

mlicker

I raced quite a few GP's in your town 20 years ago, back in my D37 days
Go C6 and don't look back. 08 is better if you can afford it. Better steering and an HP bump.
I found mine in TX and bought a one way ticket. The drive back to Seattle was epic to say the least.
Good luck. Let the search fun begin.
Mark

RagTop69

I've never owned a C5. Went directly from a C3 to a C6. I did own a Z28 Camaro that had the same LS1 power plant as the C5s. I always thought the Camaro was a powerful car until I bought the C6. It scared the crap out of me the first time I really romped on it, and it accelerated to over 100 mph in a snap. Definitely try to find an LS3 powered car.

LsLegacy

I loved my C5, but it did end up having issues down the road.

Down the line after getting the C5, I ran into electrical issues from the grounds getting dirty. So, this made things like my headlights dim when touching buttons, to my driver window not wanting to roll up or down. To one headlight liking to stay down. It sucked to clean the damn things, they weren't exactly easy to get to. But after cleaning them, the issues went away. The seat's like to break, there's flimsy, thin, plastic casing/molding around the seat that usually breaks. I found mine broke while getting into it on a hot day, must've been cracked already, but I found it broke when I opened the door. The dealer I sold it to noted it was a common c5 thing.

But, minus the issues, a Vette's a Vette, it was nice.

Got my C6 at the end of September 2016. I drove form Mi to TN in my C5, then TN to Mi in the C6... The ride there was hell, the ride back was amazing. The C6 is a comfier, roomier Vette. It's faster of course, but, it's just so damn nice. You don't have to worry about headlights getting stuck, the seat breaking for no damn reason, and to my knowledge, the grounds issue isn't present in the c6. At least, I haven't seen messages on here about them.

If it were me all over again, I'd choose the c6.

Shorebird10

Owned both (2002 & 2005 both 6 speeds), the C6 is a much better car, smaller overall, with a larger interior feel, seats are more comfortable and the ride is superior even with the Z51 suspension. Plus the looks of the C6! A no brainer. Yes you can feel a difference in power, but at my age who needs it. It's minimul. Good luck.

Robert Perkins

I just sold my 1998 C5 vert and purchased a 2009 C6 vert. The C6 is a much better car in my opinion even with the Z51 suspension it rides nice. The difference in power is very impressive. My C6 is a 4LT with all the options what a car. I have had c3, C4, C5 and now this C6 every one is better than the last.

z06clif

I miss my C5. It was more civilized than my C6. The aluminum frame only came on the Z06. My C5 was very fast. With a couple mods and a tune your in C6 territory. But youll never know it because in average driving they both can really move.

Clif

Maineah

I had a 2000 C5 and now own a 2010 C6, the C6 is a more refined car in terms of fit and finish, performance is better, feels more solid on the road, But as you mentioned a lot more expensive. The other issue with a C5 is parts availability, for 1997 through 2000 certain parts like the ebcm are not available anywhere. Absolutely hate GM for there position on this. If you can afford it go for a C6. Good luck.

devnull

I've had 4 C5's, a C7, and now a C6...

I personally thing C6 is the sweet spot for price/performance/updates (except for that navi radio, that sucker is tragic lol).

LOVE them all, but for me the price of a nice C6 GS was where it was at.



Man though, if I could have 2 vettes I would add a C5Z in a heartbeat. WHAT A CAR!

Scuba Ghost

C6 if you can swing the extra cash.

NOWUCME

Go with the C6, if you want/find an automatic go 2006 or newer.

Take a look here. Many others on the tube also.