C5 vs. C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
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C5 vs. C7
Hello guys, I had a C5, and am looking at at 2019 1Lt coupe.
How is the ground clearance on the c7, I did "bottom out" alot with my c5?
Lastly, the driving visibility of the c5 was very good, how is the C7?
Thanks!!!
How is the ground clearance on the c7, I did "bottom out" alot with my c5?
Lastly, the driving visibility of the c5 was very good, how is the C7?
Thanks!!!
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
Recently upgraded my 98 to a 19 GS 2LT. As much as I loved my C5, it can’t touch the C7. I too was always aware about riding so low. Seems to be a little bit more relief from scrapping in my GS. Visibility is somewhat hampered around the 4 and 7 positions, but not a deal breaker. I say go for it. You won’t be disappointed.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
I went from a 2004 coupe to a C7 Z51. The C7 is stock, height, not lowered on the bolts. Ground clearance was a real concern for me but I found the C7 actually cleared my driveway apron a little better than the C5 did. Not a big difference, but it was no worse and actually slightly better than the C5. If you buy a used C7 and you're concerned about clearance, have it measured to see if it was lowered on the bolts. If you're buying a new car, I don't see any issues at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2,246
From: Southern NJ
C7 ground clearance isn't an issue. You will notice less interior room in the C7 compared to the C5 which wasn't an issue for me but some people have commented on this. Overall, the C7 is better in every way compared to previous generations.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 988
From: Orwigsburg Pa
I have not had much time to compare my new 19 Z06 to my C5 Z06. Just brought my new car out of storage a couple of weeks ago. Only have 200 miles on it. But just in that amount of time I’m loving it. I’m only 5’5 and the seats fit me like a glove. I don’t think the visibility seeing out of the car is bad at all. So far no issues with scraping. I can definitely tell you when this is broke in it will be a blast to drive over my C5 Z06.
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Can’t say for sure with hard numbers, but it sure seems like my ‘14 has more ground clearance than my ‘03 did. My C7 does not scrape the front air dam as much as the C5 did when entering/exiting my driveway.
As for visibility, I think the C7 is a bit harder to see out of, especially in the 4-5 and 7-8 o’clock positions. But after a little time behind the wheel you get used to whatever adjustments that need to be made.
All and all, the C7 is a blast to drive.
As for visibility, I think the C7 is a bit harder to see out of, especially in the 4-5 and 7-8 o’clock positions. But after a little time behind the wheel you get used to whatever adjustments that need to be made.
All and all, the C7 is a blast to drive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
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From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
So listen , Its a corvette, good ground clearance, no blind spots, are not words that you here from a corvette owner .
I had a C5 I have a C7 all I have to say is holy smokes what an upgrade
I had a C5 I have a C7 all I have to say is holy smokes what an upgrade
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 579
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From: Chaska Minnesota
roadbike56 and I had same experience. My 03 would scrape a little going from my road onto my driveway and backing out of the driveway. My C7 Z51 clears with no scrape. Visibility is about the same.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 323
Likes: 57
i too upgraded my C5 to C7.. clearance for me is so much better in the C7.. so much better that i decided to lower the front on the stock bolts.. only place i ever hit was the drive way and honestly as long i come in slow i never drag anymore.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
Also went from 2001 C5 to 2017 GS. C7 has a lot less front overhang, so ground clearance is not an issue for it. Did have to get used to the much smaller interior though. Generally, C7 is a considerably improved car.
Phil
Phil
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 321
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From: South Carolina
Coming from a C5 I actually do not have the same ground clearance but the overhands are shorter so I do not scrape in many of the same spots. Visibility forward is nearly the same, but rear isn't great. The backup camera makes it even if not C7.
I don't have the same headroom in the C7 nor the same space around me but I'm comfortable at 6'2 160 even with a helmet. I would recommend tinting all around at least 35% and do 80% on the full windshield if you could get away with it.
illegal in my state but never had an issue for 10 years on multiple cars.
I LOVED my C5 Corvette, but the C7 just is an all around better package.
I don't have the same headroom in the C7 nor the same space around me but I'm comfortable at 6'2 160 even with a helmet. I would recommend tinting all around at least 35% and do 80% on the full windshield if you could get away with it.
illegal in my state but never had an issue for 10 years on multiple cars.
I LOVED my C5 Corvette, but the C7 just is an all around better package.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Hello guys, I had a C5, and am looking at at 2019 1Lt coupe.
How is the ground clearance on the c7, I did "bottom out" alot with my c5?
I have not bottomed with the C7, but I did not with my old C5 either. When I lived in California, I owned a C6 and there was almost no possibility that I could get into my driveway without scraping, but it was more about the driveway then the car.
Lastly, the driving visibility of the c5 was very good, how is the C7?
I had a C7 coupe and I had trouble with visibility on the passenger side. I do not remember that with the C5. I have not noticed it as much with my current C7 convertible.
Honestly though, the 2 cars are completely different driving experiences. My C7 seems so much more responsive than the C5. I feel more in control when driving the twisty roads. The base C7 handles better and has more HP than the Z06 C5. I loved my C5 and I would love to have a C5 Z06, but only if I could keep my C7.
How is the ground clearance on the c7, I did "bottom out" alot with my c5?
I have not bottomed with the C7, but I did not with my old C5 either. When I lived in California, I owned a C6 and there was almost no possibility that I could get into my driveway without scraping, but it was more about the driveway then the car.
Lastly, the driving visibility of the c5 was very good, how is the C7?
I had a C7 coupe and I had trouble with visibility on the passenger side. I do not remember that with the C5. I have not noticed it as much with my current C7 convertible.
Honestly though, the 2 cars are completely different driving experiences. My C7 seems so much more responsive than the C5. I feel more in control when driving the twisty roads. The base C7 handles better and has more HP than the Z06 C5. I loved my C5 and I would love to have a C5 Z06, but only if I could keep my C7.
Last edited by crawfish333; Apr 13, 2019 at 03:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,947
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I have both, keeping my 18 year-old C5 when I got my C7. The big difference relevant to your questions (I think) is that the C7 definitely feels more claustrophobic (but, the clear roof helps a little) due to its dinky rear window and virtually worthless rear-side windows. As for ground-clearance I see no difference between the two (both stock height) anywhere I drive.
But, the reality is that YOU need to get into a C7 and drive it. All the best.
But, the reality is that YOU need to get into a C7 and drive it. All the best.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 16,507
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From: Southern Indiana
I went from a C5 to a C7. The C7 has a noticeably smaller trunk and also a bigger blind-spot (due to the smaller hatch window). Neither are a big deal though; it is an awesome car. Much nicer interior and more powerful engine.