General LSX Automobile Discussion - C5 or cammed 2006 GTO?

Ok guys Im about to sell my beloved trans am and Im looking into getting something different and I have 3 options. The first is a 2000 c5 stock with 8k wheels with 70k miles for 15k, the second is a 06 GTO thats is cammed and makes 426rwhp for 15k with the same milage, the third one is a 01 c5 with catback, intake, clutch, and 115k miles for 17k. Which one would you guys suggest? The car is going to be a DD but with some ocassional racing.

The first one.

The first one.

yes. :burn:

first one
sell the 8k wheels and use for mods and get lower priced or stock wheels:cool:

First one if i had to chose, but id pony up a couple grand extra and get a c5 with a cam and long tubes and such already done to save you a shit ton of money. You know youll end up spending it anyways. Or just find a deal on a c5z.

get the corvette because your going to cam up anyone you get and you might as well get the first one

Keep looking and buy an 02 or 03 c5Z

Get the GTO. It's a very comfortable car for a DD. I'm a little biased though=)

Not sure about the GTO but the vettes seem priced very high. I would say test drive one of each and then make a decision, they are two totally different animals.

Without a second thought. The c5 with 70k miles.

Vette - Looks & Performance
GTO - Comfort & Performance

Vette will never be as comfortable or roomy as a GTO, GTO will take ton more $ to make fast as vette mod for mod.

...Pick one.

Loving my cammed GTO!! Runs awesome and is roomy enough for me being 6'3'' 230 pounds!

For one, those C5s are over priced, you can get a Z for 17K. I would find a cheaper C5, one with more mods, or a C5Z.

Out of those three, the C5 with 70k.

My reply from the above info would be the stock vette, unless you need to haul more than one other person then the GTO. But from the info given, it is about impossible to choose. Take each for a test drive so you can judge whats wrong with them etc.

If we had pics it would be an easier decision

Option 1

I have a 2000 C5 6sp manual (red) with 77,000 miles. Goodyear F1 tires (non RF) Vararam Vr-B2 intake, ARH Longtube headers w/cats, Corsa X-Treme cat back mufflers, MGW short shifter and a Diablo Predator "canned" tune. I get nothing but compliments at stoplights and parking lots. Never dyno-ed it. Don't care...... It is very quick and infectious to drive. I plan on camming in the future and then that will be it. One comment I would like to make about the higher price of modding a Vette. When you do a performance mod to a Vette you get your moneys worth because the car is so much lighter. I don't mind paying a little more. The result is greater than doing a mod to the heavier cars. In my opinion, if the Vette your looking at is a manual, then I would definately get the Vette.:usa:

Get the C5 !

Dang!! I though since the GTO had alot more power it was going to have more support, And I am leaning to the first vette but I been having this crazy thought of a termi cobra, what do you guys think?

C5Zo6.

On 16825658245 thought, find a C5Z.

Yeah, was looking on craigsist and the cobras run more then a c5z, but there arent any close around

Unless you need the back seat, get a C5Z06. That's what I wish I had done.

If you want to go fast...buy a Cobra and put twin turbos on it!

If you want to go fast...buy a Cobra and put twin turbos on it!

:ban:

This guy is a Cobra :swing:

:ban:

This guy is a Cobra :swing:

There's a reason Cobras walk your slow riced out P.O.S.

:ban:

This guy is a Cobra :swing:

Oh wait, you don't even have a car. You have a 21 year old redneck truck!

ROFL! Stfu kid.

If you like the LS platform and have 17K to spend on a car and you are looking at anything besides a C5Z, you're doing it wrong.

A C5Z bitch slaps an 03-04 Cobra in absolutely every way imaginable. Exhaust/CAI/tune and it takes a 470Rwhp to run with it. Throw in a cam and it takes a ported blower to run with it. Heads and the Cobra needs a blower swap.
I won't even mention the twisties or braking capabilities. The Z is on a whole other level than the Cobra.

Not to mention the Zo6 at the end of the day is a Corvette, and the baddest model made.... The Cobra is still a Mustang.

Yeah a z would be nice, but I havent found any around my area, there was one but for like 25k, it was cammed though

I've owned an 05 GTO w mods a c5 vert and now a c5z and I can tell you I loved my GTO! Until the day I drove my first c5! Its like a factory race car that gets great mileage. And I've yet to find a cobra or even saleen around that can keep up w the c5z.

I vote for the C5z :) haha at lemons , go say that in the SRK section and start a 20 page thread lol ..

Plan A: Get the price down a shade on the C5. Buy it. Sell the rims and replace with stock or something of better value. Use the balance for heads, cam and supporting mods.

Plan B: Be patient and wait for a deal on a C5 Z06. Starting with a better platform will be useful once you have the cash on hand to start modding.

I vote for the C5z :) haha at lemons , go say that in the SRK section and start a 20 page thread lol ..

I can defend that statement. ;)

I would love a z but its very hard to wait, once I sell my trans am Im going to miss going fast really quickly, plus being a college student makes money a issue

I would love a z but its very hard to wait, once I sell my trans am Im going to miss going fast really quickly, plus being a college student makes money a issue

It would be worth it.... Until you drive one you wouldn't really understand.

It is an extra 2K$ on top of a 5-6 year loan, that is barely going to move the payment at all.

I guess you are right, but first I need to find one for sale

And do you think a c5z would be better then a c6 with the z51 package?

If you like the LS platform and have 17K to spend on a car and you are looking at anything besides a C5Z, you're doing it wrong.

A C5Z bitch slaps an 03-04 Cobra in absolutely every way imaginable. Exhaust/CAI/tune and it takes a 470Rwhp to run with it. Throw in a cam and it takes a ported blower to run with it. Heads and the Cobra needs a blower swap.
I won't even mention the twisties or braking capabilities. The Z is on a whole other level than the Cobra.

Not to mention the Zo6 at the end of the day is a Corvette, and the baddest model made.... The Cobra is still a Mustang.


truer words have never been spoken. idk why someone would want a gto over a vette UNLESS its to be a dd

If you don't have the money to mod right away, stay away from the GTO. Any if them with a few miles need a good amount of suspension work.

And do you think a c5z would be better then a c6 with the z51 package?

Absolutely.

And do you think a c5z would be better then a c6 with the z51 package?

No, at least in my opinion. C6 is just as capable of a car and much more refined. Plus, I have seen many nice LS2 C6's that are right around the same asking prices as a lot of C5 Z's out there, so in my eyes I think the C6 is the better buy out of the two.

Whats wrong with the gtos suspension?

Lets turn this into a sticky... This is how I see it.

Want Something Cheaper to Mod & Cruise to pick up high school girls in - Get a Fbody - Under $10k

Need Room and LSX - Look Into GTO(LS2 Only), TBSS - Under $20k

Want Something less than 5 years old with LSX - G8GT,CTS-V(1st gen), 5th Gen Camaro - Under $30k

Everyone else...Get a Vette or the CTS-V - Generation Depending on Budget

Well I already have an f-body a ws6, but I want someting different that is better in every aspect, straigt line, comfort, handeling, looks, refinment ect, I guess and overall better vehicle

yep...a vette is in your future.

Well I already have an f-body a ws6, but I want someting different that is better in every aspect, straigt line, comfort, handeling, looks, refinment ect, I guess and overall better vehicle

It's tough for one car to be better at all those things. Your F-body will be a better drag race/straight line platform than a C5 or GTO. Best comfort and best handling will rarely be found in the same car. Appearance is 100% subjective, and may would argue that your current car already looks better than any of the other options.

You'll just have to go with the car that appeals most to you, the one that averages highest overall in the categories that matter most to you. No one car is ever going to be the absolute best option in every possibile aspect that a car can be evaluated in.

Lets turn this into a sticky... This is how I see it.

We already have too many stickies that people don't read. The last thing we need is a sticky to tell people what car to buy. Anyway, it's all just a matter of opinion based on preferences - there is no general rule IMO.

Whats wrong with the gtos suspension?

Failing radius rod bushing's and strut mounts causing inner tire wear. Some have seen these fail before 10k miles. Sagging rear springs causing rear inner tire wear. Crap endlinks and tie rods. I love my GTO, I also looked at c5's. I hated the c5 interior and even though I don't need a back seat, I decided to opt for one. It won't handle as good as the vette and the vette is a better track set-up. You can fit much wider tires. I just wanted a little of both world's, some comfort and some performance. It's a bit unique too, I don't see them all the time.

Would you guys consider a c5z a supercar?

c5z if possible, hands down, no questions asked.
otherwise, c5.

imo id hold out to get a c5z.

Would you guys consider a c5z a supercar?
It is in that realm. It bitch slaps plenty of exotics stock and mod for mod. Supercar is a bit far though, it takes something to reach that level. I would put it more on the "exotic" level, without being "exotic" but muscle. Hope that makes sense... It has the performance of most exotics and surpasses many.

I have to agree with everything that has already been said... If you need the room get the GTO but if your looking to upgrade from your F-body then get the vette. For me its simple, if you can afford the vette GET IT! and never look back. Where in Texas are you located? I've seen a few really nice ones for around $20. here is one from a quick search that's in Houston

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=76543&endYear=2004&keywords=z06&modelCode1=CORV&showcaseOwnerId=495204&startYear=2001&makeCode1=CHEV&keywordsfyc=z06&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=300&maxPrice=25000&listingId=314004423&Log=0

Whats wrong with the gtos suspension?

h-h-h-ops all over the damn place at the track. Thats all:jest:

Midland, dang thats a sweet zo6

Just chiming in again here. No one is wrong in their opinion on here and there has been a lot of great input. But in my humble opinion, it's all about the experience of owning the car even if you own a '74 VW Bug. Get the C5Z!!!!!:rock:

I have to agree wait and get a C5Z when I trade my 04 GTO from my 01 C5 I should have waited for a Z in the end I sold my C5 and bought a Z then modded it. I could have skipped the C5 and went straight for the Z. I liked my 04 GTO but the 05/06's had the LS2, the interior was way better then my C5's though. What I hatted most about the GTO was how it burned up the inner part of the rear tire when you launched it. Save you money and get a Z the prices are getting very reasonable. Good luck

You wont get any looks with the GTO. Look like cavaliers lol. Get the first one.

Opinion^^^ I actually get complimented on mine a lot. Actually had one guy last week, who made me laugh. He was like "Man that's a nice car! I wouldn't even be able to handle that thing. I bet you kill Corvette's all over the place". And he was dead serious, I just nodded and said, it's fun. You hear people say Trans-Am's look like the Bat Mobile lol.

Got my C5Z for 15K; granted it had a few miles on it (Almost 100K), but the previous owner took such good care of it I didnt mind. It was that or a C5 Coupe with 45K for the same price. I drove them both and hands down, the Z06 is better in every way. I have owned several Fbodies and 2 GTO's both an LS1 and an LS2 and none of them were anywhere near the car that the Z06 is. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Just bolt ons and I am running the same times as my H/C WS6 ran and can outhandle it in the corners. Just my 2cents.

Opinion^^^ I actually get complimented on mine a lot. Actually had one guy last week, who made me laugh. He was like "Man that's a nice car! I wouldn't even be able to handle that thing. I bet you kill Corvette's all over the place". And he was dead serious, I just nodded and said, it's fun. You hear people say Trans-Am's look like the Bat Mobile lol.

Agreed; I had a spice red 2006 and people used to ask me what it was all the time. I think they are great looking cars especially with the spoiler deleted

Excuse my ignorance, but if you're going to do a H/C swap why wouldn't you just go with a standard C5 Coupe/FRC? With they money you would save buying a standard C5 instead of a Z06 you could pay for the H/C.

if you were to mod either car they would cost a bunch, especially exhaust. its not like an Fbody where you can get an get a fully stainless exhaust for under 1k (tsp lt/ory and magnaflow). if it were me id get do the c5z cuz it weights a substantial amount less than the gto and is just an all around better car. the difference for the price of the car isnt that much either, i saw a bunch of c5zs over on corvette forum for under 20K with less than 75k on them and FRC's for around 12-15.

Opinion^^^

It's all just opinions. No matter how many compliments you get, there will always be people that truly dislike the car. And no matter how many people dislike the car, there will always be people that think it's great. Neither is wrong.

Most people that like GTOs seem to point out their interior as a major reason, not the exterior. I'm not an "interior" person, so this is of little importance to me, but to some it seems to be a big deal. Frankly I'm not even sure what it must feel like to be one of these people that is so fixated on interiors. I've had everything from luxury cars to F-bodies (and even driven a couple GTOs), and I've never been particularly drawn to ANY car based on the interior. Having said that, I prefer the C5 interior over a GTO due to layout and seating position.

I'm not really fixated on the interior, but, I do want something decent I guess. What I like to do is find a "decent" or "good" in every category. GTO interior, not excellent, but was better then the F-bodies and Corvette's. I did drive it back 1000 miles and 17 hours straight when I bought it, so it was a plus, at least then to be so comfortable. Performance is good. A driver's race with a good LS1 F-body, and with the LS2 (like LS1) obviously responds well to mods. Also, is something you don't see to often, which TO ME, was a plus. Believe me, I know a GTO isn't appealing to everyone. I had a guy at work ask me if it was the fast version of a Cobalt. Then, after he rode with me, he looked for months to find one for himself. I got mine for $11k with 59k miles. I crossed shopped 03/04 Cobra's, F-bodies, C5's. Each of those car's has something better then the GTO, but the GTO is at least "good" in all. Price was way lower then an equal Cobra (that I found), and performance was either on par, or better then the F-bodies/C5, and interior better then all. However, so someone who wants a true "race-ish" car experience, the C5 is better. Both C5 and F-body are a much better platform for straight line as well.

if you were to mod either car they would cost a bunch, especially exhaust. its not like an Fbody where you can get an get a fully stainless exhaust for under 1k
Got my header's, catless mids, muffler's, and x-pipe for under $700 all new

Got my header's, catless mids, muffler's, and x-pipe for under $700 all new

He was referring to vettes. You cant get a full exhaust for under 1000$ new for a C5.

I bought my stuff used and sold the stock stuff. Spent 275$ when it was said and done

I'm not really fixated on the interior, but, I do want something decent I guess. What I like to do is find a "decent" or "good" in every category. GTO interior, not excellent, but was better then the F-bodies and Corvette's. I did drive it back 1000 miles and 17 hours straight when I bought it, so it was a plus, at least then to be so comfortable. Performance is good. A driver's race with a good LS1 F-body, and with the LS2 (like LS1) obviously responds well to mods. Also, is something you don't see to often, which TO ME, was a plus. Believe me, I know a GTO isn't appealing to everyone. I had a guy at work ask me if it was the fast version of a Cobalt. Then, after he rode with me, he looked for months to find one for himself. I got mine for $11k with 59k miles. I crossed shopped 03/04 Cobra's, F-bodies, C5's. Each of those car's has something better then the GTO, but the GTO is at least "good" in all. Price was way lower then an equal Cobra (that I found), and performance was either on par, or better then the F-bodies/C5, and interior better then all. However, so someone who wants a true "race-ish" car experience, the C5 is better. Both C5 and F-body are a much better platform for straight line as well.

I can agree with some of your post. Definitely the interior is better but that was about the only thing. One of the reasons I got rid of my GTO was because my friend bought a 05 and I had an 04. So I bought a C5 coupe A4 we lined up it was extremely close stock for stock but I got him by a nose.

The second thing I wouldnt agree with is mods. The LS2 is a great engine and can handle alot of boost but for the guys that love to run cam only the LS2 doesnt respond as well as a LS1, LS6 from what I've personally seen. You are correct though if your looking for a good priced car GTO's you can steal right now unlike C5's. In reality there all nice cars but the C5Z is the better of the 3 choices IMO but then again I'm partial to C5s lol

Yeah, I hear ya. The C5z isn't even these other car's same league. I do want a Vette myself. I would be ok with a used C6, even Ls2. I'm not really sure on the cam/LS2 thing. I have seen mid 400's cam only. Average between 410-20 (auto's) up to 440-450 (m6) with a decent cam. Not sure how that compares to the LS1, obviously dyno's are just tools though. I would think the LS2 being basically the same thing, but 18 C.I. bigger with better flowing heads would be a bit better? I won't be cam only anyway=)...Oh and good to hear on the LS2 GTO vs C5 race, always wondered how that would turn out. Figured the C5 would have the top-end

What time do you think the 426rwhp gto could run in the 1/4 opposed to the stock c5?

The LS2 is 400hp (GTO). They are both very close. Sure the GTO has more power, but the C5 is 500lbs lighter. GTO's have run down to 12.6 stock, but do not expect to run a 12, unless the air is decent, and you really know how to launch the car. C5's have also gone 12.6 I believe. They would be more consistent, and if the race were to keep going up in the triple digits, the C5 will likely eventually pull on the GTO due to weight and aerodynamics. We are talking splitting hairs though, they are very close, and really is a driver's race....IMO at least

The LS2 is 400hp (GTO). They are both very close. Sure the GTO has more power, but the C5 is 500lbs lighter. GTO's have run down to 12.6 stock, but do not expect to run a 12, unless the air is decent, and you really know how to launch the car. C5's have also gone 12.6 I believe. They would be more consistent, and if the race were to keep going up in the triple digits, the C5 will likely eventually pull on the GTO due to weight and aerodynamics. We are talking splitting hairs though, they are very close, and really is a driver's race....IMO at least

This is very true and when I raced my buddy he had a m6 and I had an A4 we were dead even till about 90 then I started to pull on him. Now I have a Z different story we both have headers and cam but not so close

Yeah but the GTO that is cammed and makes 426rwhp and the corvette is stock

Oh gotcha. Does the guy have a dyno sheet of the 426whp GTO? Get a look at the torque curve and see how fun or crappy it would be to drive around town. With that hp number, it seems to be a mild/medium cam, so if the the tune on it is good, it could be a very fun car.....that has traction issue's lol

Get the GTO. If for no other reason, you don't see as many as you do of the vettes.

Yeah he has dyno sheet, the cam is a megadeth so it is pretty big

Seeet. A megadeath, your not going to have much fun from stoplight to stoplight as a low 230's duration cam. easy to swap out though.

Megadeath is 244/242 .612/610 I think

The funny thing about the LS2 is you can put a monster cam or a baby cam in them and they make almost the same power. A GTO has traction issues on stock power, but a cammed GTO vs a stock C5 the C5 is gonna get crushed but a C5Z is going to give you a run for your money. If you absolutely had to have a car now then get the GTO but they don't hold there value at all so be prepared to lose money. I'm wondering what the torque is on that cam in the GTO? One last think if your going to DD this car you might want to consider the cam in the GTO I'm running a large Tsunami cam in my Zo6 and I would never DD that car its a handful and PIA in town and traffic. just my .02

The tourque is around 420 something like that

Yeah it's just not the peak you want to look at. I have seen smaller cam cars crush the larger cam cars on the street, due to the larger cam vehicle having it power peak way up high, but not having much under the curve power. The under the curve power is what will make the street/city driving much more fun. I plan on a mild 230/232 or 232/234 sized cam for my GTO. I was actually going to do a 228/232, but decided to go a hair bigger, since Ill be able to use the flow when I do the heads.

Is 17.5k a good price for a 2002 Z06 with 79 k miles? But 2nd gear is givin out.

Is 17.5k a good price for a 2002 Z06 with 79 k miles? But 2nd gear is givin out.

If it has transmission issues it most likely has been abused. I would pass on it. You can get one with around the same mileage with no issues for 19-21K at least around here.

What do you guys think of this deal? There is this guy that trades me a 1979 corvette all stock matching numbers in good condition, he will give me the vette and $1500 on top, do you think is a good deal or should I pass on it?

What do you guys think of this deal? There is this guy that trades me a 1979 corvette all stock matching numbers in good condition, he will give me the vette and $1500 on top, do you think is a good deal or should I pass on it?

Pass if you want seomthing fast. If you don't care and want the older vette for looks go for it

Yeah, that is what holds me back, a 15 second car dosent sound too good

Yeah, that is what holds me back, a 15 second car dosent sound too good

C3 is probably my favorite body style but I would only want one with an LSx swap. Keep looking around, there are deals to be had out there.

Im back lol, so I sold the TA and bougth a 2002 cammed and full bolt on ws6 in immaculate condition with 70k miles, now there is this guy with a 2000 c5, automatic with borla exhaust and intanke with 100k miles, he wants to trade me and gives me 4k cash, what do you guys think?

So what your saying is you wanna trade a ws6 cammed/full bolt ons with 70k miles for a regular c5 with 100k and 4k cash?
Hellllllllllllll no!
The only thing you should consider trading it for is a c5z or a c6. The c5 vettes imo are to common anyways. At least you stand out more in the ws6 and a bit more in a c5z&c6! :)

If it has transmission issues it most likely has been abused. I would pass on it. You can get one with around the same mileage with no issues for 19-21K at least around here.

Z06 transmissions are pretty lame actually. 3rd gear in my Z06 went at 46k miles when it was bone stock. I didn't want anything to do with just fixing the issue and moving on because I had mods planned, so I spend the $2500 on the RPM transmission.

I just wouldn't assume that the guy beat the shit out of it, because it's a pretty common issue.

Z06 transmissions are pretty lame actually. 3rd gear in my Z06 went at 46k miles when it was bone stock. I didn't want anything to do with just fixing the issue and moving on because I had mods planned, so I spend the $2500 on the RPM transmission.

I just wouldn't assume that the guy beat the shit out of it, because it's a pretty common issue.

I've never heard of them going out like that.

Lol keep the WS6!!! Anything else than a C5 Z will be a downgrade. A C5 would be ok too. A base c5 vette is not any better than a fbody IMO, except for the rear end.