General LSX Automobile Discussion - C5? Or F-Body?

Would you buy an F-Body? or a C5? Understandably your goals with a car will have a lot to do with it just like mine do. In short, I'm corvette shopping. Looking for a C5 Z06 in the next few months, and have seen numerous on the boards and craigslist with low miles from $10,000-20,000. I've had F-Bodys, and just really want a corvette ha. Anyone have a reason to steer me away from one?

C5Z all the way. No comparison...

Would you buy an F-Body? or a C5? Understandably your goals with a car will have a lot to do with it just like mine do.

You've just answered your own question. If your goal is to have a C5 and all that comes with it (good and bad), then you should get a C5. If your goal is to have an F-body and all that comes with it (good and bad), then you should get an F-body.

In short, I'm corvette shopping. Looking for a C5 Z06 in the next few months, and have seen numerous on the boards and craigslist with low miles from $10,000-20,000.

You're finding low mile C5 Z06s for $10k? Those cars must be beat to hell and then some.

You've just answered your own question. If your goal is to have a C5 and all that comes with it (good and bad), then you should get a C5. If your goal is to have an F-body and all that comes with it (good and bad), then you should get an F-body.



You're finding low mile C5 Z06s for $10k? Those cars must be beat to hell and then some.

I stated I want a C5, have owned F-Body's, and would like opinions from the board for one or the other. I believe there was a 1999 Z06 in the Colorado area for $10,000 even. Sorry I cant remember where to provide you a link. :)

C5Z all the way. No comparison...

Hate to ask this question under my own ignorance ha! I have ridden in a C5, but never driven one. So, would it be a fair to compare a stock C5 to a heavily modified (suspension) F-body?

I believe there was a 1999 Z06 in the Colorado area for $10,000 even. Sorry I cant remember where to provide you a link. :)

No need to provide the link, because GM didn't build any Z06s in 1999. ;)

No need to provide the link, because GM didn't build any Z06s in 1999. ;)

Touche' haha :engarde:

No reason to steer away from one if that's what you want, nothing wrong with a C5, they are definitely awesome rides. Personally, my only gripe with them is that they just cost too much money, especially the C5 Z's, they seem severely overpriced for what they are.

However, everyone feels differently. I still think they are very nice and all, but I could never bring myself to spend the money people are asking for them when I could have an SS or WS6 with low miles for half the price of a C5 that's in halfway decent shape, then still have money left over for mods.

Good reply^

Makes me wonder if I'm holding the car on a pedestal to a point. I'd really like to drive one first. I couldn't spend more than $15,000 on one.

Man 15k will get you a garage queen SS or WS6 with low miles easily, I could post tons of examples. Majority of C5's in that price range seem like a bunch of daily drivers with 80k+. But driving one is a great idea, they do have kind of a genuine sports car feel to them that F-Bodies just cannot replicate and if that's what you're after, the C5 might actually be worth it to you.

Yeah, its really hard to say til I get some seat time in one. I can imagine I'll know right away if its worth the money to me.

C5 z hands down! Its a whole different car such as in suspension,handling,its lighter and the list goes on and on. I've seen a some 15 grand z06's on the corvette forums.

If your finding a C5z for 15,000 I would expect it to have some issues.

I can't find one for much less than 20k. I have seen them go for 18.5.

If you want a C5z then there is nothing stopping you from getting one. I love the C5 styling over the C6. I don't think there is much of a mod premium like most do. It is mainly the exhaust stuff that is more expensive and some of the drivtrain stuff. However, dollar for dollar the engines are the same.

C5 z hands down! Its a whole different car such as in suspension,handling,its lighter and the list goes on and on. I've seen a some 15 grand z06's on the corvette forums.

Okay, so to ask an owner of both! Would you rather have your Corvette in stock form (Say its worth $15,000), or your F-body with a comparable monetary value?

If you want a C5z then there is nothing stopping you from getting one. I love the C5 styling over the C6. I don't think there is much of a mod premium like most do. It is mainly the exhaust stuff that is more expensive and some of the drivtrain stuff. However, dollar for dollar the engines are the same.

I noticed that when I was looking at aftermarket today. Name brand exhaust companies are asking $1,000+ for 4 feet of piping...

If your finding a C5z for 15,000 I would expect it to have some issues.
I can't find one for much less than 20k. I have seen them go for 18.5..

yep some have issues, but mostly the ones that i saw didn't have much problems other than your road chips,etc on higher millage ones.

If you want a C5z then there is nothing stopping you from getting one. I love the C5 styling over the C6. I don't think there is much of a mod premium like most do. It is mainly the exhaust stuff that is more expensive and some of the drivtrain stuff. However, dollar for dollar the engines are the same.

I so agree with you with this. you nailed it bro!:cheers:

I'm also not in any way against buying one thats modded, or flirting with 100,000 miles. I think its safe to assume that the majority of owners have taken care of a car like that. As far as mods go, they arent exactly cheap, so I'd also assume its safe to say there aren't many hack jobs out there.

Okay, so to ask an owner of both! Would you rather have your Corvette in stock form (Say its worth $15,000), or your F-body with a comparable monetary value?
Id take the c5z no questions lol! Its a lot more comfortable than the Fbody imo.

Vette, unless you really really need tiny seats in the back.

A little more than your budget, but you can bring it down to your price range or a little lower. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-corvettes-for-sale/3081564-2001-qs-z06-heads-cam.html

A little more than your budget, but you can bring it down to your price range or a little lower. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-corvettes-for-sale/3081564-2001-qs-z06-heads-cam.html

Man, thats one of the "deals" ive been seeing all over. It seems like if you hunt for a good C5, you'll randomly stumble across a gem like that. I don't think you can beat the value you get for the price he's asking, before negotiating. I want one even worse now/ :sack:

yep some have issues, but mostly the ones that i saw didn't have much problems other than your road chips,etc on higher millage ones.



I so agree with you with this. you nailed it bro!:cheers:

Yeah, I see them on corvette forum going for good prices. Here in NC these cars are just outrageous.

I paid 6500 for my Z28 and that in this area is considered a STEAL. Z28's for 8-9k, SS/WS6 11-13k. Base C5 13.5-16, FRC's 16-18, C5z 18-25.

Man, thats one of the "deals" ive been seeing all over. It seems like if you hunt for a good C5, you'll randomly stumble across a gem like that. I don't think you can beat the value you get for the price he's asking, before negotiating. I want one even worse now/ :sack:

LOL sorry man! Been there bro, trust me take your time to find one then,at the end it'll be all worth it. Good luck on your search!:cheers:

Yeah, I see them on corvette forum going for good prices. Here in NC these cars are just outrageous.

I paid 6500 for my Z28 and that in this area is considered a STEAL. Z28's for 8-9k, SS/WS6 11-13k. Base C5 13.5-16, FRC's 16-18, C5z 18-25.

seems about the same price range here on northern cali and you got your self a good deal on your z28.

Yeah, I see them on corvette forum going for good prices. Here in NC these cars are just outrageous.

I paid 6500 for my Z28 and that in this area is considered a STEAL. Z28's for 8-9k, SS/WS6 11-13k. Base C5 13.5-16, FRC's 16-18, C5z 18-25.

Man, your prices seem to mirror mine in the Minneapolis area. Its crazy. I've seen 50+k miles stock WS6 cars listed at $20,000.

LOL sorry man! Been there bro, trust me take your time to find one then,at the end it'll be all worth it. Good luck on your search!:cheers:



seems about the same price range here on northern cali and you got your self a good deal on your z28.

I guess I should have mentioned the fact that it 94,000 miles on it.

lol lots of folks up here are asking 9 grand to 11 on those milage range.

HAHA I guess I'm just cheap bastard then :chug:

I see your running those XS power headers. I was going to tell the OP about those since we were talking exhaust prices.

HAHA I guess I'm just cheap bastard then :chug:

I see your running those XS power headers. I was going to tell the OP about those since we were talking exhaust prices.

LOL you are...Just kidding man. These longtubes and x pipe are the shitznit man very affordable and very good quality just for 700 bucks! Sorry for the thread hijack op.

XS power, never heard of it. Links? ;)

Also, here's one of those $15,000 Zo6's

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/3097950888.html

Not a color I'd ever want, but just proof.

http://huronspeed.com/C5_Headers_X-pipe.html

Huron Speed has their headers and cat-back. They are a Sponsor on here.

For the price I don't think they can be beat, if its budget in mind.

Nice looking system! I should probably consider getting a car first... Off to work I go.

C5z. This shouldn't even be a question. For 20-25k you'll get the best car of its time. IMO a regular c5 is just a lighter fbody with 2 seats, better aerofynamics and a few other things. Stock for stock they are pretty much the same besides a few things here and there. When the time comes I'll have both because I purchased my Camaro for practically nothing.

Get the C5 if your lifestyle works with it, ie no kids. Fit and finish is remarkably better than the 4th Gen F-bodies. I wouldn't have a problem a with nice 1999 to 2001 M6. I remember the "vette tax" on stuff like headers, CAI, exhausts. They're fairly easy to work on, you can use the DIC to check and clear codes. There should be a ton of used C5 parts there now. Corvetteforum is pretty good. A 99 coupe with exhaust, Vararam, 224 or 228 cam, with 4:10's, and a good tune would be very able on the street. Later on a set of good heads & another tune.

Cowpunk
02 Z28 M6

Why choose? If you have the money to toss around to play with an F-Body to make it anything but bolt on over stock then you have the money to have both. Look for a great used C5Z.

Driven both and a c5z is a whole different world from a f body,really a f body cant compare, you are not going to find any c5zs for 10 grand though, you can find a good deal on one but plan on spending alot more, anyone that says a f body is better doesnt know any better

Also, here's one of those $15,000 Zo6's

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/3097950888.html

Not a color I'd ever want, but just proof.

I thought you said you could find them for $10k, and with low miles? That's $15k, and has average daily driver miles of about 12k per year. :P

Most Corvettes are second cars/toys, and thus have lower-than-national-average mileage for their age. A ~10 year old Corvette would have to have around 50k miles or less to be "low mileage" IMO. You can still find even C4s pretty easily with only 50-70k miles, so for an '03 to have 106k miles it was basically just a daily driver to someone. If that's what you're looking for that's fine; but if you want an actual low mileage one, you aren't going to find it for $10-15k unless something is wrong with it.

You are right, I think I should revise my wants in it. I'd like to buy a modified c5 (preferably a z), with around 100k miles, auto is not an option. I'd really like a FRC.

Ill be the only one who has a vette and say I would rather have a fbody again. Yes vette drives better its just a preference thing something about a fbody.

Without a doubt, go for a C5 Corvette. I'd go with a base C5 if you plan on modding the car anyway. No point in paying the premium if you plan on changing things up anyway. Looking at Craigslist for just a couple citys in WI, you are going to need to find your car out of state. Corvette owners up there are out of their minds wanting the prices they are asking for their car. $20K for a busted 450HP C4. '99 for $20K. :eek2:

If I ever decide to sell my C6, I should do it in WI.

It is completely up to you. One thing that annoys me about corvettes, is that old men going through a mid life crisis seem to be the ones (mostly) who own them. Don't get me wrong, I think they are very good cars, and in stock form, they will outperform a F-Body, but they just kind of turn me off in that sense. If you were to do some tasteful modifications to one, then that is a whole other ball game though.... :drive:

If you have never had a 2 seater before, you should really consider the draw backs. I have a 2 seater LS1 rx7 and its a pain in the ass to put anything in. I had on some regular 275/40/17 street tires that were basically new and went to a tire shop to get some nitto drag radials put on the rear wheels. I wanted to keep my other tires snce they were like new and couldnt even fit both of them in the car. I had to come back with my Grand Cherokee the next day to pick them up. Although i do have a 6 point cage blocking some of my hatch... Just something to think bout.

I have also had the pleasure of driving both a vette and a f-body. I currently own a 02 WS6, and have a few friends with vettes. I'll say first that I love my car to death, but as of recent I have been pondering getting a z06 one of these years soon instead. This happened recently after I got lucky to have to drive my drunk friend home one day in his c5, i noticed just how much better the car was over my TA. The regular c5 is about as fast as my bolt on TA, which is why id opt for the z06 and not just the regular c5. The car just simply drove better in every way. You feel much more comfortable on the turns and the car sounds so much better with exhaust. The only thing, and this is crazy, but I feel the ws6 is more eye catching then the vette. Though I probably only think that cause out here i see 10x more vettes then I do WS6's.

Anyway useless to compare, I mean there is no way the vette isn't the better car... but the only thing to consider is the price. Good condition to good condition comparison the Z06 will cost about $10k more then a WS6 or SS. Is that worth it? You decide.

Between vettes & fbodies, the ls platform is the only thing have in common IMO.

Anything else is matter of preference & budget or needs(if its your dd).

They are completely different cars.

I bought my first C5 in December. There is a different kind of respect you get driving around in a corvette compared to a camaro. Not taking anything away from camaro owners. I bought mine for 8k with 130k miles and it was a auto. I drove 7 hours to pick it up. Not a gem but for the price I couldnt beat it. It wasnt beaten, bone stock down to the paper filter. I had more money for mods and 7 months later ill blow the doors off a stock C5Z. . Yes you will pay the "vette tax" but if you shop around hard, really hard you can find some amazing deals. GL.

I picked up my C5Z not too long ago, and I have been daily driving it since then. I should add that I have owned 6 f bodies, 2 GTO's and a G8GT over the years and the C5Z is my favorite car.

Pros:
Sounds awesome with my exhaust in Sig
Great fuel economy for what it is
Handles like a Mofo (My WS6 was no slouch either I had it set up for cornering and still didnt compare though)
Full bolt ons and due to the light weight it's faster than some of my friends' cammed Fbods
Looks awesome


Cons:

2 Seats. No room for anything and it's my only car.
Small issues (Headliner, weatherstripping coming off around the door) because mine is a high mileage car but the drivetrain is stout and I am not worried too much about the little stuff
Oil consumption (common on the 2001's) and the 02-03 cars had valve spring failures intermittently (Not common but it happens)
Tires cost a lot.

Just my .02

C5's are around every corner, you don't see many nice WS6's or SS's anymore. People don't even notice my friends C5 next to my car. Just my take, I'm not really a Corvette guy though.

you don't see many nice WS6's or SS's anymore.

What I really don't see much are nice Z28s or Formulas or even base Trans Ams. Most of them became race mules or daily drivers that are now beat due to weather, etc. I still see some nice SS/WS6 cars though. If I get another one, it'll probably have to be an SS this time since I so rarely find nice Z28s these days.

Ill be the only one who has a vette and say I would rather have a fbody again. Yes vette drives better its just a preference thing something about a fbody.

You aren't the only one. Over all my years on this site, I've seen several guys go from F-bodies to C5s and then back to F-bodies....or sometimes they keep the C5 but add another F-body back to their line-up. They are different cars, and although many people like the C5 better overall it's still just a matter of opinion and purpose, and some people find that they feel differently.

Ive had access to a c5 since 98. my unlce bought it brand new.
Currently it makes 650+rw full time.
I built that car, all the labor and install,etc.
Even then i just prefer fbodies. I own 3 m6 4th gens.
n november of last year, i came across a black 00 frc and a black ws6.
The frc was 10k$, ws6 was 5k$. I drove the frc for about a week. I know the person selling it. But idk, just couldnt get into it. It was.plenty fast. Was bolt ons,headers,tune,ls6 intake.
hp way a stock z06. But i got into the trans am. And payed for it on the spot.
Just driving it and the look was enuff for me. It was 100% stock with a vac. Leak. Pcv hoses.
Since it was stock i knew where to look. It had more miles than the frc.
But just driving it away. I was happy and stoked. Black/black m6 ws6.
The frc was black/tan. i dont like tan interior. just feel out of place in tan or cargo interior.
Next car purchasr will be a velocity yellow/black m6 c6
Imo the c5/c6 are night and day. Ive drove my friends and i was hooked.
Everywhere i drive my trans am i get compliments. :)

Black/black m6 ws6.
The frc was black/tan. i dont like tan interior. just feel out of place in tan or cargo interior.

Just a side note, none of the 4th gens actually came with a real black interior, just lighter or darker shades of gray. The '00+ "Ebony", as GM calls it, is really just a dark charcoal gray. This becomes very obvious when you directly compare it to an older GM car that came with TRUE black...the difference is pretty noticeable.

Sorry to get side tracked, but every time I read about interior colors for these cars, it reminds me of how I wish GM would have offered an actual BLACK interior for them.

No reason to steer away from one if that's what you want, nothing wrong with a C5, they are definitely awesome rides. Personally, my only gripe with them is that they just cost too much money, especially the C5 Z's, they seem severely overpriced for what they are.

However, everyone feels differently. I still think they are very nice and all, but I could never bring myself to spend the money people are asking for them when I could have an SS or WS6 with low miles for half the price of a C5 that's in halfway decent shape, then still have money left over for mods.

A C5 Z and a SS/WS6 is really a night and day difference. I own both. The C5 Z handles way better and is just an all around better car.

Corvettes are more expensive to mod. Any corvette specific part usually won't be cheap.

If you want a fun cruiser, get the vette. If you want to put down a good time at the drag strip, get an Fbody. Cheaper to buy, mod, and make faster.

The C5 Z handles way better and is just an all around better car.

Unless you want a removable roof, or a back seat, or a drag car. ;)

If you want a fun cruiser, get the vette.

A "fun cruiser" is still a subjective thing. Either one is fun IMO.

A C5 Z and a SS/WS6 is really a night and day difference. I own both. The C5 Z handles way better and is just an all around better car.

Corvettes are more expensive to mod. Any corvette specific part usually won't be cheap.

If you want a fun cruiser, get the vette. If you want to put down a good time at the drag strip, get an Fbody. Cheaper to buy, mod, and make faster.

I agree with you to an extent here. My good friend has a C5 and the car does have a more sports car type feel to it when compared to my Camaro. However, I don't feel as if it's that much different or better to justify the huge price gap between the two. Especially when you can likely get into one of the higher end F-Bodies that are in much nicer shape with less miles for the same, or in some cases less money than a well-maintained C5. That's just my opinion though, everyone feels differently.

C5 Z's are great cars, but my only gripe with them is that a lot of the ones I see in decent shape, people want LS2 C6 money. Which just plain isn't worth it to me when you can get into a newer and improved platform for almost the same amount of money in most cases.

Unless you want a removable roof, or a back seat, or a drag car. ;)



A "fun cruiser" is still a subjective thing. Either one is fun IMO.

Vettes do have targa tops.. Not the Z06's, but the regular C5's can have that option. And the back seats in fbodies are damn near useless. Those hardly qualify as "back seats". lol.

In regards to performance and quality out of the box, the C5 Z is no doubt a better all around car.

C5 Z's are great cars, but my only gripe with them is that a lot of the ones I see in decent shape, people want LS2 C6 money. Which just plain isn't worth it to me when you can get into a newer and improved platform for almost the same amount of money in most cases.

C5 Z's are way more rare and will still beat the Ls2 C6's around the road course and drag strip.

What you're saying is 100% true but after being around my Dad's '07 I think the C6 is a nice upgrade in regards to everything else, I would be cool with a little less out of the box performance if I'm getting a much nicer all around car

IMO.The C5Z06 is a much better put together car but you pay for that.For lets say 15k your opinions are a relativity stock C5Z with more than likely some kind of issue.A low mileage garaged pampered SS/WS6.Or a heavily Modded Fbody with around or little under 100k miles.Recently listed on local CL was a 01 SS with a built 408 Stroker with around 500rwhp built trans/rear but located in Chicago for 14k.Mileage was right around or little over 100k.That would be my kind of pick personally.Best Bang for the buck? I think so.

I've owned 2 TA's before which I loved and made the switch to a C5 and have no regrets. I'm 6'7 with a M6 C5 and so no matter your height, it isn't a problem. I originally thought not having back seats would be a major setback, but I've owned the car for a year and a half and really haven't had any instances when I would have needed a back seat. A back seat to me is only back in high school when you would ride around 3-4 people deep, now that really isn't an issue. And also since there aren't back seats, I feel the 2 seats that it has have a little more space and leg room to them. I haven't read this whole thread to see your exact wants for your future car but if these aren't a problem then you will be very happy with your Z. They've come down in price a lot over the past 2 years, and I got my frc with full Z06 suspension and good mileage for cheap and with the extra money saved I'm camming it and will be quicker than stock Z's for less $. Just look around for good deals and you can't go wrong, they are a blast to drive!

Edit: I read your price is 15k max which I agree with others will put you in almost the very top of the f-body range, to where you could literally almost get any one you wanted in the classifieds section (w/ exception of 1 or 2 low mileage+supercharged, etc.) and pretty close to the bottom in the C5 range, where you aren't looking for one that has everything you want, but instead one that just fits into your price range. So the choice is obviously yours and as long as you understand (and it sounds that you do) that you'll be getting a lower end C5, it's still a corvette and will be just as much fun to drive. Good luck with your decision!

Vettes do have targa tops.. Not the Z06's, but the regular C5's can have that option.

Yeah, I was specifically speaking about the Z06s though, since that's the one you mentioned. A removable roof is a big deal to some, adding a lot to the fun factor of a cruiser especially. You just plain can't get that with a C5Z, and there's nothing you can really do about it. But stuff like horsepower and handling can both be improved on the F-body, so you aren't stuck with what you have stock - unlike the roof situation.

Man 15k will get you a garage queen SS or WS6 with low miles easily, I could post tons of examples. Majority of C5's in that price range seem like a bunch of daily drivers with 80k+.

This is basically how I see things as well. If your budget is a max of $15k, then what you're going to get in the way of a C5 (or especially a C5Z) is going to be an average (or less) condition car with average (or more) mileage. For this same price though, you can get into a top tier F-body in the most premium condition possibile with very low mileage. To me, I'm not really concerned with which one was the "better" car when new, I'd rather have the one that's in nicer condition today.....especially since they both have the same horsepower potential, and handling is not a huge priority to me.

Of course, none of that matters if you really want a C5 or C5Z and have the budget to pick up a really nice one. I just wouldn't settle for an average or low end C5/C5Z when that same money could get me a top tier F-body. But this also assumes that you like both cars; if what you absolutely want is a C5/C5Z, then nothing else will make you happy.

And the back seats in fbodies are damn near useless. Those hardly qualify as "back seats". lol.
.


Yeah, adults won't be very comfortable back there but in a pinch I can shoe horn people in....haha. They are great for my two kids though, the whole family can go to a car show or just cruise together.

I read through most of this thread, and the only goal I read from the OP was to buy a c5z so Id say buy a c5z. What are you wanting to do with the car though? That should determine what you buy.

I looked at c5's and c5z's hard after I sold my GTO. But when I
looked at what I want to do with it, it made no sense. I wanted a car I could mod and hack up a little without feeling guilty, a car I could drive everyday to work or wherever, and a car that was gonna be primarily street/strip oriented. Amazing handling wasnt a priority. That has fbody written all over it, and a cheap one.

So I got one for about 5k in it as it sits. After a trans and stall Ill have a car for under 10k I can drive to work every day, room for 4 in dire circumstances, plenty of cargo room and can click off 11.99 all day hopefully! Car is clean overall but has small scratches and normal 10 year wear.

My advice is be honest about what you want the car to do and youll be a happy owner either way.

well stated

Between vettes & fbodies, the ls platform is the only thing have in common IMO.

Anything else is matter of preference & budget or needs(if its your dd).

They are completely different cars.

well stated

Yes^^^

I'm 20, (Certified Welder) and will be going back to school full time next fall for Machine Tooling after having this year off. No kids, just a girlfriend that supports the vette decision. I have no reason to "need" a back seat, and really want something a little more refined than an F-Body. Yes, the motors are virtually the same in a base FRC and an F-body, but owning a nicer car has made me appreciate exactly that. Owning a nicer, more sophisticated car.

This thread seems to be a pretty good question aside from being informative for me huh?

Should be more specific with my intentions with the car:

I will not be driving it like an 80 year old
I will be modifying it
In all honesty mileage is not a huge issue (Many F-bodies go well past 170K)
I dont want to worry about dodging raindrops because its "Pristine" lol
I want one just like the guy that makes the 1320 videos.. His is for sale actually lol

but owning a nicer car has made me appreciate exactly that.

I agree. That's why for $15k I'd pick a top tier condition F-body over a lower-end condition Z06. If I was going to go with any sort of Corvette, it would have to be top tier as well and thus require a higher budget, because I too appreciate owning nice condition cars. But sophistication isn't any sort of priority for me (as evident by my 40+ year old muscle car), so that is probably our disconnect here. :)

From what all you have stated you should go with a vette

From what all you have stated you should go with a vette

Agreed those last couple posts sound like a c5 is the way to go for the OP

C5Z all day!!