C5 or C6
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: Truro, MA
C5 or C6
I had a 1969 350/350. I loved it but had to sell it when I built my house and didn't have the money for a garage. Now I have the garage, I want to buy another one. This time I would like more comfort. I love the 2003 50th anniversary; thought I would definitely get one. Now I'm leaning towards a 2006/2007. Any guidance or opinions would be much appreciated.
Popular Reply
Aug 8, 2022, 08:46 AM
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,397
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From: Haymarket VA
buy the newest, lowest mileage one you can afford to pay cash for - they are constantly improving
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
I had an '01 c5 convertible for a while. It was beautiful, one of those designs that will look great 100 years from now. Rode well. Had some get up and go. Was also cheaply made and a bit ponderous, I just drove home an '07 c6 z51 convertible. It's what it was intended to be. A faster, more nimble, slightly more refined vette. The 50th Anniversary edition is a beautiful and special car. The spiral grey ones are extra slick. You can't go wrong, either way.. The c5 was a great cruiser. In z06 form, it was a beast. Base to base, c6 is definitely more beastly by comparison. It won't even breathe hard at 75 going uphill. And it loves a little throttle when you're in a turn. Keep us posted!
Last edited by 71sx; Aug 9, 2022 at 09:56 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 184
From: Atlanta GA
Having had both myself, I feel confident in saying the C6 is overall a better experience. It’s a lot more dialed in. The car is powerful, comfortable, and it fixed a lot of the squeaks and creeks of the c5 platform that honestly chipped away at me every time I drove my C5. Those sounds made the car feel cheap, and barreled me head long towards having subconscious feeling of distrust in the car. It really never gave me any serious issues but I found myself really disliking the C5 the longer I had it. (I had it 4 years)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 937
Likes: 175
From: Raleigh Suburbs
I have as knowledge the previous two sentiments ^^^^^
My C5 was very great driving around, however certainly on the cheap feeling side. As I understand it the engineering of the C6 was incrementally better
My C5 was very great driving around, however certainly on the cheap feeling side. As I understand it the engineering of the C6 was incrementally better
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
My 08 is a daily and performs well, it's comfortable and cozy. I also have a C5Z and it is more raw, driver focused, and has fantastic road feedback while doing spirited driving. My C6 has had more electrical problems in the 1 year I have owned it than in the 8 years I've owned my C5Z. If I had to chose only one the C5z wins hands down.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I would opt for the C6 myself
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Pro
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 611
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From: Atlanta GA
Just as an addon upon further reflection, my C5 did have a slurry of electrical gremlins that did drive me absolutely insane as well. A couple of them I never did quite figure out. None of them serious, (although one did sporadically prevent the car front starting sometimes) but they were enough to further tarnish the experience.
I was often concerned if I took the car anywhere that it would leave me stranded it I turned it off. (That never did occur)
I was often concerned if I took the car anywhere that it would leave me stranded it I turned it off. (That never did occur)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Maricopa, AZ
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I've had two C5s and a C6.
C5 is a good car, but it's cheaply made and the C6 is a superior car in every way.
If your budget allows, you want the 08+ car, but the LS2 car is still excellent.
C5 is a good car, but it's cheaply made and the C6 is a superior car in every way.
If your budget allows, you want the 08+ car, but the LS2 car is still excellent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Well, this is the C6 Forum so you probably could have guessed at the responses you would get. That said, I too have owned both a C5 and (2) C6s. I loved my 2002, but the C6 just feels faster and more comfortable to drive. When the C6 first came out, the look of the non-hidden headlights bothered me. I have gotten used to them and in reality, now the C5 flip up headlights look very dated. The headlights on the C5 are also a PITA because the motors that raise the headlight covers eventually strip out and have to be replaced or rebuilt. The C6 interior is better as well, especially with the 3LT option. I also owned a C3, and I loved it, but the more modern Corvettes are just a completely different (and more pleasant) driving experience.
If you buy a C5 or C6 in good shape, you will enjoy it. Good luck in your search.
If you buy a C5 or C6 in good shape, you will enjoy it. Good luck in your search.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,476
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I've had multiple C4s (ZR-1 and LT1), C5s (Z06 and vert), C6s (GS & ZR1) and C7. My favorite of them all is my current '12 ZR1. I'd definitely recommend the C6 over the C5. The C6 is a significant jump over the C5: you've got a noticeable bump in power and rev limit (unless you're looking at C5 Z06), much better auto transmission for 06+, way better headlights, and a significantly better interior. Yes, I know many still complain about the C6 interior, but it's way better than the C5, and honestly in later years / higher trim levels I find it pretty decent (and you can easily upgrade the head unit (not easy to upgrade on C5) and seats to much better as well).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Maricopa, AZ
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2022
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From: SE Ohio
I’ve had my 09 base M6 for a year and love it. I’ve only had the passenger experience in a 98 C5. To me the ride is similar and the styling probably as close as any two generations - head lights and rear end obvious differences. I also feel the cabin in the C6 is nicer and controls less cluttered (fewer).
Last summer I was researching like you. I preferred the C6 styling and most reviews give it the edge. There was a mid-gen refresh in 08:: LS3, new manual transmission, steering, among others.
Try to identify what you want and like, must haves and can’t stands. Best of luck finding your Corvette.
Last summer I was researching like you. I preferred the C6 styling and most reviews give it the edge. There was a mid-gen refresh in 08:: LS3, new manual transmission, steering, among others.
Try to identify what you want and like, must haves and can’t stands. Best of luck finding your Corvette.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Just for cruising I didn’t find my C6 to be a significant improvement over my C5. The C6 was a bit more powerful, had a marginally better interior and I’m guessing better manners on the track, although I never tested them. Though some say the pop up headlights were dated, they kind of appealed to me. At least they didn’t fog up or get the dreaded hazing on the lenses. My C5 was problem free and I’d still consider a nice one if they had a better infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple Car Play and a backup camera. Not sure about what’s available for them (aftermarket) in that regard. I’d also be concerned about the availability of parts for one now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Mt. Sinai NY
Clif
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,476
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I've had 2 of each (C5 & C6) and it's a noticeable improvement to the C6, with the following being just some of the differences:
- Headlights: The stock C5 headlights suck. Forget the popup vs fixed discussion, the light output of the C5 is abysmal, and the beam pattern is horrible. The C6 by comparison with the low beam HIDs is lightyears better. Granted the C6 high beams still have a poor throw pattern, but that's not as critical with the much improved low beam.
- Sound system: The C6 system is a noticeable improvement on the C6 for sound (especially the later years), and the stock head units have better features (again depends on years). Also, by using a standard double din format, the C6 head unit can easily be upgraded to a modern aftermarket system with whatever features you want. The C5 by comparison is a crappy Chevy Tahoe 1.5 din format, so you can only replace with a single din unit, or you have to cut up the dash to fit a double din.
- Interior: The C5 uses the standard Chevy Tahoe interior, and is really dated at this point. The C6 (especially later years with higher trims) is actually pretty nice. But even the base C6 interior is to me a much nicer interior than the C5.
- Engine: Base LS2 vs LS1, it's a 50HP gain and 500rpm rev increase. If you're talking LS3/7/9, it's even more (even if you compare C5Z to C6 Z06, it's a 100HP increase).
- Transmission: The A6 auto in the C6 (started in 2006) is much better than the A4 in the C5. The manual was also significantly upgraded in 2008 (TR6060 vs T56).
- Other stuff: There were plenty of other improvements throughout the C6 lifespan over the C5, including suspension improvements, steering rack improvements (08 & 09), Bluetooth, aux input, seats, speakers, etc.
- Then of course you also have the option on the C6 of the various widebody (Z06/ZR1/GS/427) and all the various improvements they got (frame, brakes, suspension, engine, etc) over the base C6.