rxrom

iTrader: (2)

I have always been a Pontiac guy. Had a few 1979 trans and one 4 speed 400 and one auto. Then I bought 1998 trans am convertible auto. Have it since 2004. Bought 2000 trans am convertible auto in 2010 for my son. Was looking for a 6 speed trans am to trade one auto trans am. Searched for a few years for a good car for a good price. I decided to take a 2004 corvette 6 speed for a test drive at used car lot 20 min drive from my house. My first time in a corvette. Bought the car on the spot after test drive and traded the 2000 trans am. Both have ls1 but night and day in driving experience.

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

Very nice trade, hope you really enjoy your decision. I agree there is much difference in driving experience between the two, even though I've heard many folks say the Vette is only a two-seater Camaro/Trans Am, they couldn't be more wrong.

NC01TA

You can't go wrong with the C5 at all. I feel a bit different about the driving comparison though. I thought the cars were a bit too similar so went with the C6 with the LS3. That WAS a difference compared to the T/A, but I still enjoy my T/A very much. It's a special car to me. Enjoy your new ride!!

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I agree with NC01TA, I actually find the experience between a C5 and 4th gen to be very similar. In driving both spiritedly, the only real difference I can feel is handing/behavior of the IRS (better stability) vs. live axle when going into turns/curves on bumpy or rough road. Beyond that, it's a very similar driving experience IMO - especially when just cruising around, though at extremely high speeds I imagine that the C5 is likely more stable. If you like to push the car hard in the curves, then a C5 certainly has an inherent advantage (though a 4th gen F-body can be MUCH improved in this regard with the right upgrades). I guess I could see there being a more noticeable difference if one of the cars was much lower mileage/better condition than the other. The last C5 I drove had ~30k miles and felt very comparable to my <20k mile Z28.

To be honest, what I like most about the C5 is how much it reminds me of driving a 4th gen F-body. C5 exterior styling isn't exactly my favorite, but it's much easier these days to find nice C5s than nice 4th gens, so I could definitely see picking one up as a spring/summer/fall daily driver.

BigEd_72455

iTrader: (7)

congrats on the new ride. just remember, it don't need a turbo out the hood like old Cleetus does with all of his!!

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I agree with this much. It would have to be C6 for me - the only Corvette body style I've liked since 1967.

I'm also in the night and day camp regarding the comparison to 4th gens. I'll never forget my first ride in a buddy's C5 Z06. So much more refined, supple ride, feeling the lightness of the car ... Although I love the raw musclecar feel of the 4th gen, the Corvette was obviously a far superior vehicle.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Oh yeah, I'm definitely on the same page here. C6 wins for styling as compared to just about any other Corvette in history IMO.

It's been about ~15 years since I drove a C5 Z06, and it was barely even a "drive" (I definitely didn't push it hard at all), but it has several enhancements over a base C5. Base C5 to 4th gen is a bit different comparison, not quite as much difference as going up to a Z06. If the comparison is going to be to a Z06, it might be more fair to compare a 1LE or SLP Bilstein upgraded 4th gen. But even then, I agree that the C5 Z06 is still going to be superior at handling and acceleration.

rxrom

iTrader: (2)

The black trans am is gone but I still have the red 98. The automatic compared to 6 speed makes a huge difference in driving experience.