04 c5z06 or 05 c6
I personally would go with a C5Z. I wouldn't get a C6 unless it is was a C6 Z06 or a ZR1. A base C6 performs similar to a C5Z stock for stock, Slightly more responsive to mods and on top of that is more expensive to purchase and modify.
After driving both Vettes, I felt they were both great in their own way.
It came down to the best Vette for the money.
At the time, clean 2005 C6 Vettes, with manual 6 speeds were harder to find.
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It came down to the best Vette for the money.
At the time, clean 2005 C6 Vettes, with manual 6 speeds were harder to find.
.
This is only partially true. The LS3 performs similar as long as it's a Z51. The LS3 Z51 and GS are the only two that perform similar to a C5Z. In this case, the 05 C6 is not going to perform similarly to a C5Z.
im on your side, and all about the c5z's, and could name off other ways they have an advantage over a ls2 c6, but i think you are overstating rwhp on the ls6's. If memory serves me, most 02+ hit 360ish, most people with intake, lt's, tune usually hit about 390, barely any that i remember hit over 400rwhp with only boltons. I think i only remember 1 or 2 over 370 stock
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Illinois
I owned an 06 c6 a6 non z51 and now currently own an 01 zo6. long story short, i got rid of the c6 and was on a hunt for an ls3 when i came across a c5 zo6 with 25k miles. Test drove it and was extremely impressed with it compared to the c6 performance wise. I felt more like i was in a race car in the c5 zo6. The c5 zo6 is better performance wise in every aspect. I ended up buying the zo6 and i don't regret it for a second. I'm happy with this car and would not trade it for a c6. But, performance is pretty important to me and this car is more about business than the c6 and i love it! I also think it looks better too.
im on your side, and all about the c5z's, and could name off other ways they have an advantage over a ls2 c6, but i think you are overstating rwhp on the ls6's. If memory serves me, most 02+ hit 360ish, most people with intake, lt's, tune usually hit about 390, barely any that i remember hit over 400rwhp with only boltons. I think i only remember 1 or 2 over 370 stock
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Launching!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: ATX
im on your side, and all about the c5z's, and could name off other ways they have an advantage over a ls2 c6, but i think you are overstating rwhp on the ls6's. If memory serves me, most 02+ hit 360ish, most people with intake, lt's, tune usually hit about 390, barely any that i remember hit over 400rwhp with only boltons. I think i only remember 1 or 2 over 370 stock
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 252
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From: ATX
im on your side, and all about the c5z's, and could name off other ways they have an advantage over a ls2 c6, but i think you are overstating rwhp on the ls6's. If memory serves me, most 02+ hit 360ish, most people with intake, lt's, tune usually hit about 390, barely any that i remember hit over 400rwhp with only boltons. I think i only remember 1 or 2 over 370 stock
The new LS3s will do close to 400rwhp with just CAI + tune.
The 05's have a rear end that will break just by looking at it,and the interior of the 05's are not as nice as the 06-current C6..if your choices are 05 C6 and C5Z i would get the C5Z...
Yes. The LS3, however, is a far better motor than the LS2 in so many ways. They make power far easier than an LS2. The point was that an LS2 C6 isn't worth it over a C5Z. Cost is about the same, but performance from the C5Z is quite a bit more than the LS2 C6 even with a Z51 package.
In the same boat myself, trading up next year to a C5Z/C6/maybe a C6Z(LSX FD, Terminator, and Viper are also on the list). I've driven an 07 vert, no idea if it had the Z51 pack or not, but I doubt it as it was geared taller than my car (stock gears on mine).
How is the interior quality on the C5Z vs an F-body? The C6 was not even comparable to my mint car with 53k on the clock, I think the Corvette was somewhere around 30k, and it was SO much better. Steering felt tighter, was much more responsive, the car had an overall smoother feel to it(not really sure how to put it, it just felt better). The only thing I have to knock points off were the shift feel on it. I like the notchy feel of my Hurst shifter, it was really soft and almost felt like it wasn't going into gear with the Corvette.
My biggest problem is that I think the C5Z looks much better than the C6 does when lowered on some nice wheels. The C6Z is about equal with it IMO, but I'm afraid of how quickly they are dropping in price, while the C5Z has pretty much hit rock bottom.
That, and how are the 06/07 C6Z's? Is the transmission in them that much worse vs the 08+ cars? Would it be better to get a LS3 Z51? $35k is my MAX budget.
How is the interior quality on the C5Z vs an F-body? The C6 was not even comparable to my mint car with 53k on the clock, I think the Corvette was somewhere around 30k, and it was SO much better. Steering felt tighter, was much more responsive, the car had an overall smoother feel to it(not really sure how to put it, it just felt better). The only thing I have to knock points off were the shift feel on it. I like the notchy feel of my Hurst shifter, it was really soft and almost felt like it wasn't going into gear with the Corvette.
My biggest problem is that I think the C5Z looks much better than the C6 does when lowered on some nice wheels. The C6Z is about equal with it IMO, but I'm afraid of how quickly they are dropping in price, while the C5Z has pretty much hit rock bottom.
That, and how are the 06/07 C6Z's? Is the transmission in them that much worse vs the 08+ cars? Would it be better to get a LS3 Z51? $35k is my MAX budget.
The interior is comparable in the c5z and c6. I actually like the c5 layout a tad better. Ride quality noise in the cabin etc is slightly better In the c6 but not everyone wants that.
As stated above, the interiors on C5s and C6s are pretty close. The C6 DOES use better components on some of the controls, but for the most part they're about the same.
As for comparing the interior of a C5Z to an F-body, I have to say there's honestly no comparison. The only thing the F-body has on the Corvette interior is a change holder! LOL
The feel of every control and button in the C5Z is better. Everything's more solid. There's a lot less hard plastic molded items and more of a sculpted feel. Although, I have to admit that even some of those "sculpted" items can feel cheap at times.
The windows are faster going up and down. The smaller doors are REALLY nice when getting in and out of the car in tight areas. The steering wheel feels about the same, but the tightness and feed back in it is a lot better.
The radio is the same shitty DELCO garbage. It's possible that the Pontiac's MONSOON system may be better than the standard BOSE that they stick in the Vettes, but I could care less about that kind of stuff. When I play MP3's through the stock system, it sounds good enough to me.
The automatic climate control is ******* amazing. Because of the smaller cabin, the AC and heat work better as well.
The seats in the C5Z are awful. I preferred the seats in my 02 WS6. But I'll live with them for now.
In both of my C5Zs and in my dad's C5 Vert, there's no rattles. My 02Z had 32K miles, my 03Z currently has 35K miles, and my dad's vert has 80K miles. No rattles in any of them. I will say that I had a rattle before, but found out (for whatever reason) my passenger side sun visor clip was loose. I tightened it up and no more rattle. However, I had an 02 WS6 with no rattles when I bought it with 29K miles on it. After 20K more miles were put on it, it had a ton of rattles. My 97 Formula was rattle city. You can *HEAR* the Corvette is simply more solid.
The gauges in the Corvette seem more refined. There's no cheap feeling when looking at them like you get with the F-bodies. Seems all F-body gauges look cheap and they're very slow. In comparison, the Vette gauges are much faster and more responsive. I'd guess that they're also more accurate, but I don't know that for sure. I'll have pull out the GPS next time I go over 100. As far as accuracy under 100MPH, they're exactly on point with both GPS's I tested them against at the exact same time. The F-body gauges had similar results, though, under 100MPH.
The Vette's DIC is pretty cool. A lot of useful information (and a lot of **** I'd never use). But the biggest win for the DIC system is that you can check and clear your codes. What I love most is that I can monitor my oil temp. I don't like to beat on the car until the oil temp is at least at 150*. Having that gauge in the DIC is just awesome. But a big draw back to the DIC is that it tells you stupid **** when you least need it. Right now, since I haven't put any fluid in my window washer reservoir in a while, it's bitching that it's low on window fluid. But it does it 5-10 minutes into my trip, so it comes on while I'm still watching my oil temps... LOL I have to hit reset every time it comes up. Like I give a **** about window washer fluid.
Another big win for the Vette is truck space. There's a LOT of trunk space in the C5Zs. It's actually quite surprising. Although, I'm pretty sure that it's made so you can fit a walker and 3 packs of depends in the trunk.
The F-bodies don't really have a lot of usable trunk space. It has a lot of space, but in funky shapes. LOL The rear hatch cover thing where you store the T-tops is cumbersome. While it's a nice place to put **** when you're not storing your t-tops, once you put your t-tops in, you lose more than half your trunk space. Obviously with the C5Z you don't have that issue. But even with the targa top on the C5s, you don't lose that much space.
One of the most noticeable differences in the interiors are the buttons. While I've already covered this about the control feelings, I have to say that going from those hard cheap plastic window and lock buttons on the F-bodies to the soft rubbery buttons on the Vette is quite nice. Also, you get auto-windows for both sides of the car, rather than just the driver's side. (That's something I never quite understood since the driver would still need his hand on the window button to roll down BOTH sides of the car. LOL) Also, the way that the auto-window roll down works is completely different. With F-bodies, you hold the button and it rolls down automatically about 1/4 of the way already down. With the Corvette, you just tap the window down button and that's it. You don't hold your finger on the button at all.
F-bodies don't have a memory function, which if you never had it in the first place you'd never miss it. But I love the memory function on my car. There are actually 3 users that can use the memory functions. The thing is that people think the memory is just for the seat and mirror position, but it's not. It also remembers your radio settings (like presets, volume, EQ settings, etc) as well as your AC/Heat settings (where you left the auto point, what mode, etc). That's pretty nice considering that you don't have to **** with all that all over again when someone else drives your car.
And of course, there's the HUD. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the 5th gen Camaros have a HUD option, but after looking at their HUD I realized how cheap it looks. I'm a little confused why they did that. The C5Z's HUD is pretty nice. Visible at all times of the day and even with my polarized sunglasses, I can still make out what it says. I know people that HATE the HUD, but I hate driving without it!
I think that about covers it.
As for comparing the interior of a C5Z to an F-body, I have to say there's honestly no comparison. The only thing the F-body has on the Corvette interior is a change holder! LOL
The feel of every control and button in the C5Z is better. Everything's more solid. There's a lot less hard plastic molded items and more of a sculpted feel. Although, I have to admit that even some of those "sculpted" items can feel cheap at times.
The windows are faster going up and down. The smaller doors are REALLY nice when getting in and out of the car in tight areas. The steering wheel feels about the same, but the tightness and feed back in it is a lot better.
The radio is the same shitty DELCO garbage. It's possible that the Pontiac's MONSOON system may be better than the standard BOSE that they stick in the Vettes, but I could care less about that kind of stuff. When I play MP3's through the stock system, it sounds good enough to me.
The automatic climate control is ******* amazing. Because of the smaller cabin, the AC and heat work better as well.
The seats in the C5Z are awful. I preferred the seats in my 02 WS6. But I'll live with them for now.
In both of my C5Zs and in my dad's C5 Vert, there's no rattles. My 02Z had 32K miles, my 03Z currently has 35K miles, and my dad's vert has 80K miles. No rattles in any of them. I will say that I had a rattle before, but found out (for whatever reason) my passenger side sun visor clip was loose. I tightened it up and no more rattle. However, I had an 02 WS6 with no rattles when I bought it with 29K miles on it. After 20K more miles were put on it, it had a ton of rattles. My 97 Formula was rattle city. You can *HEAR* the Corvette is simply more solid.
The gauges in the Corvette seem more refined. There's no cheap feeling when looking at them like you get with the F-bodies. Seems all F-body gauges look cheap and they're very slow. In comparison, the Vette gauges are much faster and more responsive. I'd guess that they're also more accurate, but I don't know that for sure. I'll have pull out the GPS next time I go over 100. As far as accuracy under 100MPH, they're exactly on point with both GPS's I tested them against at the exact same time. The F-body gauges had similar results, though, under 100MPH.
The Vette's DIC is pretty cool. A lot of useful information (and a lot of **** I'd never use). But the biggest win for the DIC system is that you can check and clear your codes. What I love most is that I can monitor my oil temp. I don't like to beat on the car until the oil temp is at least at 150*. Having that gauge in the DIC is just awesome. But a big draw back to the DIC is that it tells you stupid **** when you least need it. Right now, since I haven't put any fluid in my window washer reservoir in a while, it's bitching that it's low on window fluid. But it does it 5-10 minutes into my trip, so it comes on while I'm still watching my oil temps... LOL I have to hit reset every time it comes up. Like I give a **** about window washer fluid.
Another big win for the Vette is truck space. There's a LOT of trunk space in the C5Zs. It's actually quite surprising. Although, I'm pretty sure that it's made so you can fit a walker and 3 packs of depends in the trunk.
The F-bodies don't really have a lot of usable trunk space. It has a lot of space, but in funky shapes. LOL The rear hatch cover thing where you store the T-tops is cumbersome. While it's a nice place to put **** when you're not storing your t-tops, once you put your t-tops in, you lose more than half your trunk space. Obviously with the C5Z you don't have that issue. But even with the targa top on the C5s, you don't lose that much space.One of the most noticeable differences in the interiors are the buttons. While I've already covered this about the control feelings, I have to say that going from those hard cheap plastic window and lock buttons on the F-bodies to the soft rubbery buttons on the Vette is quite nice. Also, you get auto-windows for both sides of the car, rather than just the driver's side. (That's something I never quite understood since the driver would still need his hand on the window button to roll down BOTH sides of the car. LOL) Also, the way that the auto-window roll down works is completely different. With F-bodies, you hold the button and it rolls down automatically about 1/4 of the way already down. With the Corvette, you just tap the window down button and that's it. You don't hold your finger on the button at all.
F-bodies don't have a memory function, which if you never had it in the first place you'd never miss it. But I love the memory function on my car. There are actually 3 users that can use the memory functions. The thing is that people think the memory is just for the seat and mirror position, but it's not. It also remembers your radio settings (like presets, volume, EQ settings, etc) as well as your AC/Heat settings (where you left the auto point, what mode, etc). That's pretty nice considering that you don't have to **** with all that all over again when someone else drives your car.
And of course, there's the HUD. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the 5th gen Camaros have a HUD option, but after looking at their HUD I realized how cheap it looks. I'm a little confused why they did that. The C5Z's HUD is pretty nice. Visible at all times of the day and even with my polarized sunglasses, I can still make out what it says. I know people that HATE the HUD, but I hate driving without it!
I think that about covers it.
Annndddd I'm pretty sure you just sold me on the C5Z! Thanks for the review, I've never been inside one, only looked from the outside. They look like the same shitty interior that F-bodys have, but it's nice to know that's not the case. How is the seat and control position compare on the two?
The C6 I drove had the HUD, I liked that and I could see it coming in handy at certain times (highway runs, I don't like taking my eyes off the road at 140+ ha).
Unless I go with the C6Z(or one of the other cars on my list, the C5Z is out in front though), I'm going to have to go with a C5Z. There are too many LS2 and LS3 Corvettes in my town already, no C5Zs or C6Zs though. If the interiors are really that close I see no reason to go with the plane-Jane Corvette.
The C6 I drove had the HUD, I liked that and I could see it coming in handy at certain times (highway runs, I don't like taking my eyes off the road at 140+ ha).
Unless I go with the C6Z(or one of the other cars on my list, the C5Z is out in front though), I'm going to have to go with a C5Z. There are too many LS2 and LS3 Corvettes in my town already, no C5Zs or C6Zs though. If the interiors are really that close I see no reason to go with the plane-Jane Corvette.
The seats are ******* awful. The positioning is about the same, but there are no bolster controls, lumbar controls, etc. You get up, down, forward, backward, tilt and seat back. I think that's all you need as far as positioning the seat, but I hate that there's no lumbar support controls and no bolster controls. The sport seats in the base C5 are vastly superior.
I thought the same about the interiors on the C5s and F-bodies looking about the same. But drive a C5 for just a day and you notice 50% of the differences. The other 50% come with time.
(BTW, so you don't have to spend 20 minutes looking for it, the gas door release button is in the center console. LOL)
I thought the same about the interiors on the C5s and F-bodies looking about the same. But drive a C5 for just a day and you notice 50% of the differences. The other 50% come with time.
(BTW, so you don't have to spend 20 minutes looking for it, the gas door release button is in the center console. LOL)