Although the C5 is not quite a classic yet, it's getting there. The C7 is like owning a newer modern car. I like my C6 because it gives me somewhat of a classic feel without the inconveniences of owning a classic.

 

I've owned both...and loved both. The answer really depends upon what you like and how you want to use the car. That said, I would vote for the C7. Best of luck with your purchase!

 

I had a 2002 and took it to a 107k miles but the C7 is so much better. Also, I wouldn't buy the C5 because it hasn't been driven. To save money buy a C5 that has been driven and cared for.

 

Yep, loved my C5 Z06, wish I still had it.

 

Agree about the red, beat to death.

 

I have a C5 and looking to get a C7 in the near future. Things that are holding me back are:
How much more comfortable the C5 is (I am a tall guy).
How much easier it is to work on a C5.
Flip-up headlights.
Less electronic do-dad's to worry about breaking.

However I have driven a couple C7's and I absolutely loved it. They do look better than the C5 IMO too. Quite a few stories (I think there is one on the front page of C5 general right now) about how people upgraded but miss their C5 for a lot of the reasons I listed above.
If you go straight to a C7 though, you never miss what you never had though so there is that.

Is a C7 worth TWICE as much as a C5? If you just want a fun weekend car to take the top off and have fun with I say go C5.
If you want all the looks of a more modern car inside and out that is still relatively easy to work on (compared to a C8) and it's worth it to you. go for that one.

I voted C7 even though I am struggling to trade in my C5 for one because just worried more or less about the comfort of it on a long drive. I don't think you can go wrong with a C7. Not a lot of issues with the C7 that aren't fixable or widespread. C5, you have to tip-toe around certain years but 2001-2004 are pretty safe and all C5's are very reliable.

 

One thing I would never do is buy a garage queen C5 and pay a premium for it. At the end of the day, you can buy a 2001+ C5 under 100k miles for half the money you're going to shell out for this one and it would drive and feel the same if it was taken care of. It would also look the same driving down the road.
I have owned many C5s and loved all of them with the downside being the dated plastic interior, interior noise, and leaks in the Targa top.

The C7 is leaps and bounds above the C5 in every way imaginable. It's a totally different Corvette experience.

So it comes down to budget. If you don't want to bite more than you can chew then the C5 is the one but I would never spend $29k for one. Buy a higher mileage one for half that and be just as happy with it.

If you can afford a C7 then it's a no brainer.

 

I too am in the "have both club". They are night and day different cars.

The first question I would ask, is it for around town, short runs, car shows, or will it be for longer runs where overnighting is a thing? Next question is: Which one as soon as you look at it, makes that spark in your soul?

Question 1 is the easiest. C5 first part, C7 second part. C5 is a 20+ year old car, with 20 year old technology and parts. But that is what makes it so much fun to drive, you are... one with the road. The C7, is much better handling at spirited driving times (Sport or track mode) and when you want to just cruise, put it in tour mode and it is quite comfortable. They are not the same due to technology...

Answer to second question, only you know....

Here is my choices at home, Best of both worlds...

 

Thank you all so much for your input, this info is all super helpful. I am only 25 and come from a mainly JDM background so it is my first american v8 car. Even the C5 felt better than the newer mustangs I have driven so I am pretty set on a vette. LOTS of great arguments for each car. The green c7 did sell but I have found a nearly identical one in the darker grey color which I still like a lot, it is at a dealer that actually has a C5 and a C7 both in manual, so this week I will go over and drive both back to back... based on these results it looks like the C7 is the clear winner... its affordable, top of my budget but affordable at 40k that I can maybe get down to 37 if I am lucky. This is definetly a car that is a second driver/toy, I have a reliable suv I daily. That being said I also want something that is turn key ready to go that will start every time I want to drive it. I like wrenching on cars as much as the next guy but I dont want to spend more time under the hood than behind the wheel. I agree there are so many things I love about the C5, I love the simplicity, the pop up headlights, it really feels like it just you and the car, and its fast enough to have fun in but also not too crazy so I can stretch it through all the gears and have fun. The C7 on the other hand... I mean look at it, it screams preformance and is just stunning and I think timeless/maybe the best looking vette out there (IMO). Plenty of power and preformance and honestly my biggest fear is that it is just more car than I need. Then again either one of these I get I plan to keep for a long time so I could grow into it. I plan to do some track days and I live by twisty open roads that I loved to rip on my motorcycle and WRX when I was younger... will hopefully have one of these two in my garage by friday...

 

I bought a new 1977 Corvette when I turned 25. Not a used one. 41 years later I bought another new 2017 Corvette. The 2017 Stingray convertible M7's not going anywhere.

For the owning two Corvette crowd, it sure wouldn't be a C5. It'd be a new C8 convertible, then when the C9 came out, ditch the C8, then when the C10 came out, ditch the C9 for a new C10 convertible. And so on.

When the best Corvette ever made thus far to 2014 - 2019 is owned, you don't get rid of it.

 

C7 forever... modern, cool and fast car!

C5 still a very good car but so old! old for handling and performance compare to C6 and C7, if you like the shape of C5 (and awesome stealth headlight) I understand...

 

Here's a little different angle: You are 25 years old and thinking about putting up to $40K into a depreciating asset that is a weekend toy? Unless your long term financial future is not a concern my advice would be to look for a C5 in $17 to $24K range and invest the remainder.

The C7 is far better in many obvious ways but that doesn't mean its more fun to drive. I've driven both on track for thousands of laps and IMO they don't really feel that different. The driving dynamics are pretty similar because the basic architecture is the same. The C5 is a lighter and perhaps more responsive but C7 is faster. Overall both are great handling and incredibly fun to drive - there is a reason Corvettes are so popular at track days.

 

there no way I would pay 29k for a C5 coupe, as mentioned above there are plenty C5s for 18 or less
better yet late model C4s for 12 or under

 

c7 is a much better car all around. And, LimeRock green is a fantastic color. I get comments on mine all the time.

 

C7 is a great Corvette. I have a 19 GS AND LOVE IT.
THE Lime Rock Green is a superb color. Go for it

 

I have both factory stock. I would try to find a C7 with 10,000 less miles for the same price. The C7 is in my opinion the best generation. The C5 is my second choice. Both cars have under 5000 miles. Good luck!

 

thumbs up for convertables. I have a C5 convertable and have been looking at C7 convertables. Originally i was thinking of selling mine but i want both.

 

Your response has a lot of merit. The purchase should only occur if the OP is already maxing out 401k and ROTH's and has no other debt than a low-interest mortgage. More so if either car is financed at the stupid rates of today ... in that case, go find a well used C5 in the $10-$12k range. There will always be C7's for sale later. You'll thank us when you're ready to retire at 50.

To the OP: You can probably find a C7 for about $30k. It'll have more miles, and hopefully not the 3LT (dash issues). I also wouldn't buy a low-mileage older (C5/C6) 'vette because the problems haven't been sussed out and parts are getting scarce. At 25 you're full of hormones and if you think a hot car will attract a hot chick, know that it will likely only attract creepy grandpa's.

 

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, however throughout the years, hot girls like cool Corvettes







. Here's a few reminders... C1-C7

 

For me, the main difference that sold me on a C7 versus a 5 or 6 was the interior. The C7 felt so modern and I couldn't justify going backward even though good deals were out there on 5 and 6 models. I paid a little too much for my 1LT C7, but it was the one I wanted. I am a big fan of low-optioned cars.