I owned a C5 for several years before I bought my current car, and at first really didn't like the looks of a C6, but the more I looked at them the more I liked the improved body lines. I also couldn't fault the much improved LS3 vs. the LS1, not to mention the other technological improvements. Despite the interiors being pretty much the same other than a few improvements, I have found my C6 to be a much superior version of a Corvette both handling-wise (I do have a Z51 model now vs. a base, although I did add the C6 Z51 sway bars to my C5), and the interior comfort seems to be much better. I rebuilt the interior in both my C5 and C6, and am much happier with the C6 version. I'm just curious if anyone else has had the same experience with the upgrade between models despite the fact that they are both pretty much the same platform with a slightly different body style.

 

+1.

I had my 2000 Arctic White C5 FRC for just about 12 years. Absolutely loved it. And in all of those 12 years (sold in 2013), I never (not once) saw another Arctic White C5 FRC on the road.

In that time frame of the C6 generation, I never really liked the lines of C6 either. Not until the Jalopnik renderings of the C7 surfaced did I start to appreciate the body lines of a C6 Z06. And then? I came across an Arctic White C6 Z06 for sale at Boardwalk Chevrolet.

Called them up and Tim Boone said he had one of the two Arctic White Z06s remaining.

It took me nearly 9 years of the C6 generation to appreciate the body lines of the C6 Z06. The Arctic White just sealed my deal.

Sold the 2000 FRC to another Forum Member and was glad I did to make the switch.

Had my C6 Z06 since December 2012 and love it. Did not warm up to the C7. And I am not feeling the base model of the C8 either. Problem is, I am not driving the C6 Z06 as much as I drove my C5 FRC.

Then again, I drove the FRC in all weather. The Z06 does not see inclement weather at all. Sold the FRC with about 120k miles of smiles. The C6 Z has just peaked 20k in 7 years.

Overall, I've considered to sell the C6 Z06 only because I just don't drive it as much as I thought I would. But when I do, it's a renewed sense of enjoyment all over again.

Thanks for your post.

 

I have a chrome bumper C3 and a C6... there is really no comparison. The C6 is a thousand times better in every way except one... it can't attract a crowd like the C3... just stopping for gas in the C3 takes 30 minutes with everyone wanting to look at the car, ask questions and tell the story of the one their dad/brother/uncle/neighbor had just like it. Both Corvette's are equally fun but in totally different ways :-)

 

I went to the C6 from a C5 for the Grand Sport Package,all the Z06 goodies without the expense of the LS7. Just my .02

 

I didnt like corvettes til the C6Z. Wide bodied C6 just kind of looks... menacing yet smooth. The C7 looks a little too aggressive for me and the C8 is a different animal with its MR layout. I like the classic lines of an FR, and the C6 to me is the best looking modern corvette. I'd take a C3 for looks though

 

Exactly!

 

I never considered the C5. Only now that they are getting throw away cheap are they worth it. The C5 single handedly gave Corvette the "super shitty cheap interior, but it's fast though!" rep.

They may share some underlying elements, but the C6 is an amazingly better car than the C5.

 

After driving a C7 I now feel the same way about the C7 which is my next move.

 

I was disappointed in the c7 after driving one. The C7Z power was nuts, but the car felt fake and digital. Also, I couldn't fit with my helmet on, and if I can't track it, it isn't a sports car.

I also likely would not replace my C6 if something happened to it. I would move into a bit more analog driver's car. Possibly another STI, maybe a Porsche, maybe save money and get a Boss 302.

 

News flash. The C7 is not a sports car! I get it if you can't track it but many can and do track it. I love the electronics but I also love the looks of the C6 even if it starting to look a bit outdated. To each his own. Ed's vette looks sharp and I get where he is coming from.

 

Yeah it's totally a me issue. I'm 6'2, if I was a shorter guy, or was more legs tall, it would be fine. To me, the C6 has aged amazingly well, it's timeless. The C7 looks dated to me, I guess I just prefer curves to angles.

 

I owned two c5s, a z51 targa and a z06. The z06 was more fun and raw like driving experience. The ls3 c6 m6 z51 m6 is a more refined sports car and certainly more reliable.

ive put 138k miles on the 2008 c6 since new. Just the most reliable durable sports car Ive ever owned.

Im only selling because after 4 decades of hearing about the rear mid engine corvette I have a reservation on one since may of 2019 with Mike Furman of criswell down in maryland.

when my c8 comes in next may, june, july or august...

whoever gets this car next is lucky.

i like it..its been a great sports car to own. Solid performance, good looking and ultra reliable since day one.

 

I had a 2000 VR C5 in 2004. When the C6 debut in 05 I did not fall in love right away. 10 months later , on a whim I test drove a VR C6 coupe. That was all it took and I bought one 2 weeks later.
In 06 traded for a MR 06 Vert. Turns out a Vert in Texas is not my favorite so in 07 went back to a Coupe. Still have and love the 07.

It has been a great car, yes car, not just a great sports car. Take it anywhere and everywhere anytime I go. Now has over 225,000 miles of smiles. Still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it or just look at it.

 

I appreciate the compliment.

 

My C5 was Arctic White also, but I did know one guy who had one just like it.

 

I’ve loved every gen of Corvette since I was a kid. I’m more drawn to the “special” models than the base models, i.e. C4 Grand Sport or ZR1 & C5 Z06. I owned several F-body cars through my teens & early 20’s, modded them & made them unique just like I do with all my cars, but always wanted a Vette. When I first had the means to buy a Vette I really wanted a C5, but then my son came along so that idea was scrapped & I found a killer deal on a 1500 mi Hugger Orange Camaro SS hardtop 6-speed.

that held me over for a few years & when the C6 and out - to me it was a significant improvement over the C5 & when Inferno Orange was announced, I knew that was the car I was going to buy some day. I’m not a fan of the Z06 appearance-wise. Looks too similar to a Base model ( to me ) & was immediately drawn to the Grand Sport & obviously ZR1.

I mod all my cars so the initial performance difference between the LS3 & LS7 is inconsequential to me. Contrary to some others my GS does draw compliments everywhere I take it & turns those gas stops into conversations

I’m warming up to the C7 wide-bodies, and probably wouldn’t pass up adding an admiral blue C7 GS with heritage pkg - white stripe, red fender stripes, gloss black cup wheels & red interior (aka C4 replica).

 

I had a C4 for three years, then upgraded to a C5 convertible and kept it for 13 years. I bought a 15 C7 Z51 A8 in May 2015 and wasn't driving it much so I sold it in May 2019. I absolutely loved that car and got many compliments on it, but couldn't see letting that much money sit in my garage as a garage queen.

I still wanted a Corvette but something I could have tuned and not have as much money tied up in it as I had in the C7, so after several months of going to car shows and talking with different tuners I bought an 09 C6 Base 3LT in November for a really good price. I bought it because everyone I talked to about a tune highly recommended the LS3 engine. It's scheduled for it's tune at Vengeance Racing in January, and I will have a much faster, better sounding car than my C7 with much less money tied up in it. I'll be taking it to a lot of local car shows this summer.

 

I'm the same, with the exception of the C4. I just never could bring myself to like that generation other than when the "rich kid" in school showed up on the first day of senior year in one his parents had bought him, and started talking all kinds of smack about how he'd beat anyone in a race with it. I smoked him with my built '70 Nova and went home $100 richer. I really fell for Corvettes when I was 16, and was working in a Corvette specialty body shop. Two stage paint had just come out at that time (Imron was the brand we used), but it was very soft when it was first sprayed so you couldn't wipe it with a cloth to dust it off or it would scratch. Whenever an owner was going to come and pick his car up the owner of the shop would toss me the keys, and tell me to drive it around the block a few times to blow the dust off. The first Corvette I ever drove was a blown '67. That first drive had me hooked.

 

I've loved all the Corvette's until the C7. I'm still not sure how I feel about the C8. My first was a '95 polo green, then a '99 C5 coupe which I loved. I had to get out of Corvette's while the kid grew up.

People mention the inferior interior of the C6 and IMO most of the models haven't been all that great. The only thing I'm not crazy about in the C6 is the placement of the HUD controls. It's hard to find the brightness switch when I go from day to night driving. I rarely need to use any of the other switches. And I really like the standard double din for allowing easy install of aftermarket head units - something almost all vehicles have moved away from.

I have a C4 also ('93 40th/auto/44k miles) that I'm going to put on the market in March or April. At 57 I'm no longer a fan of how much effort it takes to get in/out...

 

Loved the look of the Imron paint. Seemed like the cars smelled like wet paint for ever but once dried they looked great.