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I tried them both, as convertibles, the C7 is surely a better, more modern car. But to me the C6 looks tighter and cleaner, at 6'4" it fits me better, and that LS7 in my 427 sings all the right tunes. So it wasn't even close.
They did a poll in a really excellent automotive facebook group I'm in on what everyone's favorite post-C3 Corvette is. The group has a lot of german car people, people from the automotive industry, Japanese car people...all kinds. The C6 won easily with 44% of the vote. Runner up was the C7 with 24%. So people definitely like the car.
In terms of technology, the stock head unit is outrageously out of date and wasn't any good to begin with. Luckily that is very easy to fix.
In terms of handling, if you have mag ride you can get the Jim Mero upgrade and you basically have a much newer mag ride car. Some would say that the leaf spring suspension is outdated in and of itself and I would say....they're probably right, haha. But the C7 has it too.
I rented a C7 a couple years ago and it felt very very similar to me. The one upgrade I would like on my C6 is the full color heads up display, but that's a pretty minor point.
Compare the cost of a new head unit and the Jim Mero upgrade to what you'd pay for a newer car. I would probably just choose based on which one I thought looked better.
I'll answer your question with a question that will answer your question. Have you ever heard of any Corvette ever made that is considered to be outdated? (C4 not included)
I'll answer your question with a question that will answer your question. Have you ever heard of any Corvette ever made that is considered to be outdated? (C4 not included)
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
It's really about what you want out of the car. The C6 is to me the last of the great analog front-engine Corvettes (and why I went C6 GS, C7 then back to C6 ZR1). It's a mature platform that has evolved over time and is very robust while having a timeless look. The C7 is an evolution of the same platform with a much more angular body, better interior and upgraded tech. The suspension is basically the same as the C6, the drivetrain is essentially the same (with slight power increase and move to direct injection). The C7 will make a better daily driver (not that the C6 can't be daily driven), but it is more refined when compared to the C6 (which some people like, but personally, I like to feel like I'm truly driving the car, not along for the ride) and has some nice tech like weather mode for traction control (which really does work).
With a $45K budget, on the C7 side you're going to be limited to a Stingray (no Z06/GS). Having had a 2015, I would point you towards a 2016 if at all possible as that adds AndroidAuto/Carplay and front parking camera (as well as rear), which is a very nice addition (may not sound like much, but I regretted not getting one with AA for the entire 2 years I owned it). The 14/15 can have the infotainment upgraded to AA/CP, but it's very expensive (i.e. $1,500+) as you're ripping out several components and replacing with new 16+ OE components). If you like handling, do try and find a Z51 as well as mag ride and NPP (dual mode exhaust).
For the C6, you'll have a huge selection at $45K, with the only thing out of you're reach being the ZR1, 427 and some of the later special edition Z06s. I'd highly recommend a later year (2012/2013) Grand Sport, I had a '13 and it was great! The LS3 is a super reliable engine that takes really well to mods, and you get all the benefits of the Z06 widebody while retaining the targa roof and not having to worry about the LS7 reliability issues. If you want a Z06, I wouldn't let the reliability stop me, but I would budget a couple grand to immediately have the heads fixed. The two main shortcomings the C6 has from the C7 are really the stereo and the seats, both of which can easily be addressed. The stereo head unit can be replaced for well under $1,000 and will give improved sound and wireless AA/CP (C7 doesn't have an option for wireless AA/CP). The 2012+ seats are plenty for basic street use and very comfortable, but if you want something more supportive you can actually fit C7 seats or upgrade the C6 backs with the Marrad C6 seat back conversion. Again on the C6, I'd recommend mag ride and NPP.
Words I would use to describe a C7 - newer, fancier, updated, more technology
Words I would not use to describe a C7 - better
For 45K, your money will get you an extremely good performing C6 vs a Kia or most other cars on the market. Your 45K will likely get you a place in line for a new corvette. In todays market, your 45K will possibly get you a base C7, doubtful on a Z06 or GS unless it has been abused.
Newer does not mean better....tough to beat a C6 wide body
Not a chance in hell. The C4 was outdated when it rolled off of the assembly line.
That couldn't be more incorrect. The c4 was a world beater when introduced. It was the first production car to hit over a g in a skidpad. It was so successful and ahead of.its time it was banned from.racing, and had to have its own one make series to race. To say it was outdated when introduced is absolutely incorrect, on literally every level.
Incorrect. The C5, C6 and C7 are all pretty much the same car especially the C5 and C6 (C5.5).
The c5 and c4 do share some level.of DNA, similar to c6 and c7. C6 shares a LOT with c5. That's why I say it's outdated. The c5 is just a crappy version of a c6. The c4 is a lot more analog, with steering feel and an actual throttle cable and such. The C4 is the last ofnits kind, the true analog drivers vette. The c5 is just a crappy, outdated version of a c6. C5 has no redeeming aspect.over c6 except being cheaper, whereas c4 is a much more analog experience the c5 can't replicate, in trade the c5 rides software and is definitely an easier to live with car.
From what I’ve read, C5 to C6 was more evolution than revolution. So many of the good things with the C5 were tweaked so 5.5 seems pretty true. Exposed headlights, longer wheel base with shorter overall length, cooler back end and exposed headlights (which I really like). Most other generational shifts seem to have been more Revolutionary. It seems that often when huge changes are made it takes a year or two to sort out a few gremlins. .
I just bought a C6 a month ago. I absolutely love it. I daily drive it. Every morning when I leave my neighborhood and turn on to the HWY and I punch it, it's like taking a drug. Puts a huge smile on my face. I've been asked by several people how old it was. They are all shocked when I say 2006. Normal people think it looks like a 2018. I have the Morimoto C7 headlights on it, so that helps. Great car and I didn't pay much either. Hell, I'm going to go take it for a spin right now.
You can ask this same question in the C7 forum and you'll get completely opposite answers. I'm sure over there they'll tell you how much better the C7 is compared to the C6.
When I was Corvette shopping, I looked long and hard at the C7 and here's why I went with the C6 Grand Sport.
Wide body...'nuff said
LS3 is a solid motor. With headers, catted x-pipe, intake, plugs, wires and tune it made 430rwhp (more than a baseline C7)
It's lighter than the C7
Insurance is less on the C6
Paid $40K cash for a five year old car with 3K miles on it (granted prices have gone up); the only C7 I was considering was either the GS or Z06, and both would have meant payments even with $40K down. No thanks. I live my life debt free.
I like the curves of the C6
All those gadgets and colorful dash of the C7 mean nothing to me. I'm burned out on gadgets...I wanted simplicity and the fewest gadgets to worry about breaking down the road (equals costly repair). I like the analog dash and "old school" feel...takes me back to my teen years driving my dad's C3.
F55 and Z51 suspension works great...it's all I need
I like the looks of the C6 more (although I like the looks of the C7Z, but not enough to pay $75K+ for a nice one)
But in the end, you should buy what makes YOU happy.
Last edited by Budarooski; Jul 7, 2022 at 03:24 PM.
That couldn't be more incorrect. The c4 was a world beater when introduced. It was the first production car to hit over a g in a skidpad. It was so successful and ahead of.its time it was banned from.racing, and had to have its own one make series to race. To say it was outdated when introduced is absolutely incorrect, on literally every level.
jc...he has $45K to spend. Please tell me which of the three C7's that can beat a C6 Z06 cost around $45K? The essence of his question was...which Vette around $45K performs best?
Seriously, the C6 is "outdated" technically compared to almost any vehicle produced after 2015, or so. That does not mean it is outdated, overall. If you must have cutting edge technology, you will not be happy with a C6. But, if you are looking for performance that will exceed your ability to maximize it's performance, get a 2012/13 C6 base for around $30, put in $3k to $7K in performance upgrades, and you will have it.
Bought a Base C6 2009 In 2015..19k miles....updated with Kenwood head in, front and rear cameras ,Borla exhaust and chrome 5 split chrome wheels...Now has 63k miles..Still get compliments and can’t seem to part with it.
Also have a C7 2015 Z51 CRM, Transparent roof and chrome wheels...get great compliments. When my body says it’s too hard to get in and out of I’ll think of selling it. I’ll be 76 shortly and someday will have to get an old mans car..lol
The C5 is a totally different car from the C4 in every way. There were huge improvements made in the C5 over the C4 in technology, ride and handling, quality, interior space, comfort and foot and leg room.
The C5/C6 chassis is a completely new design from the ground up using one piece hydroformed frame rails. The C5 was designed and built right from the beginning as a convertible, although the first convertibles were not produced until late 1997 as 1998 models.
The C5 uses a transaxle design. The transmission and differential are in a combined case at the rear axle connected to the engine via a torque tube. The LS1 and LS6 engines of the C5 are completely new all aluminum versions of the Chevy small block V8 and offer more HP and TQ stock for stock, in a lighter car than the C4.
The C5 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts, which along with it's lighter weight and much longer wheelbase contributes to a superior ride with better handling and feel.
I have owned 3 C4's and although they were a huge leap from the C3, there is no comparison in structural rigidity between the two. The C4's always creaked and rattled a lot. The C5 and C6 Corvette’s structure (hydroformed chassis) is a far more rigid structure than the C4 which translates to a much stronger and much more durable car. There is no flex in any of the body styles of the C5 whereas the C4 has a lot of flex, especially in a coupe when you take the targa top out. I could actually see the C4 flex as I drove it with the targa panel out. My C5's, including the convertibles never flex or rattle one bit. You can lift a C5 at any lift point and the structure will not flex at all anywhere.
Newer does not mean better....tough to beat a C6 wide body
