NewLS1Owner

iTrader: (6)

Hello everyone. I'm at an awkward point in my life where i'll be looking for a car to build in about a year. I've had a Trans Am and I loved it!!! Unfortunately, I had to move across the country and leave my build behind. My plan was to get a C6 Corvette and do a long term build on it (~1100rwhp) but lately, i've been feeling nostalgic about my 4th gen TA and have been considering buying one and doing a build on it instead. Can anyone talk me into one or the other?

JC316

iTrader: (1)

If budget isn't a concern, I would take the C6 all day every day. Heck, my junky C5 was still twice the car that my trans am was.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

If you're wanting 1100 rwhp, it sounds like budget isn't a concern. With that said I'd get the C6 hands down

bammax

If you want the best performance and a car that tears up the track go with the vette. If you want a fun car that has the nostalgic factor go for the TA. In my area there are a bunch of vettes and everyone thinks they're Mario Andretti, but a black TA with the t-tops off really stands out even sitting in traffic.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Normally I would always pick the 4th gen in a contest such as this, since they are one of my most favorite platforms ever built (styling, seating position, simplicity, respectable stock performance and unlimited potential, etc.) However, I also really like the C6. I will probably add a C6 to my collection at some point.

You can't go wrong with either, so it's really just a matter of personal preference and budget at this point.

NC01TA

I own both and the C6 LS3 is simply amazing, however I have owned my T/A since new and just would feel horrible if i had to give it up. It's one of those cars that you just love to have. I have owned a BMW 3 series, a Porsche 911, and a C4 Corvette, yet what remains after all the years? Yup, the Trans Am. It's your call and I don't think you can go wrong either way.

NC01TA

I did want to add one other thing which I find negative about the C6. Too many electronics. It's quite noticeable. Maybe you can work on that stuff, but for me, I'll need to head to a shop anytime something fails.
Also which style do you like better? I enjoy the looks of both personally with really no favorite in that department. You see way fewer Trans Ams on the road if you want different. Which would look better in your garage?

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

The long term side effects of all those electronics and gadgets are a concern to me as well. A C6 would be a great driver in the near/mid term, but I don't think I'd plan to hang on to one when it's 30-40 years old for example, I imagine it would eventually become a nightmare to troubleshoot (unlike my '71, which is pretty basic to work on and still will be even when it's 80 years old.)

4th gens have some electronics too of course, but largely they are pretty simple compared to the newest generation of vehicles.

NC01TA

^^ I was lucky to buy a C6 that did NOT have the NAV screen. Those are always difficult and costly to maintain/repair in many cases. I may be in the minority but simple push buttons/***** are preferable to me. Yes, showing my age

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Minority or not, I am 110% with you on this, I can't stand touch screens/NAV. I see this as a huge negative in any car I might consider buying, especially a toy.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Another curmudgeon here with you guys. I have often thought of upgrading to C6 (the only Corvette I have liked since the 60's Stingrays). But the thought of more electronic tech is a definite downside - not to mention the "Corvette penalty" for service, repairs and mods.

There are some really nice aftermarket double din upgrades for 4th gens that have all the tricks and fit seamlessly into our dashes. But the trouble with touchscreens is you have to look at them. Whereas, for example with the very "90's" graphic equalizers and steering wheel controls on our cars, it's all by touch without ever having to take your eyes off the road. Plus our phones can do all the nav we need without the cumbersome screen in the dash.

A friend was telling me recently that they can barely give away early to mid 2000s BMWs because of all the electronic problems. All of that tempts me just to go back to driving '60's Pontiacs, except for the fact that our 4th gens are pretty damn reliable in that respect - except for the BCM/VATS issues, which as we know, are easily fixable in most cases.

To my mind, our 4th gens represent the best of both worlds between old school and the hypertech newer cars.

NC01TA

Look how basic the C6 can be if originally ordered as a base 1LT or 2LT model. This is mine which is a 2LT and No NAV screen. Very easy to work all the *****/buttons w/ minimal distractions.
Attachment 704066

RockinWs6

My 01 WS6 still turns heads everywhere I go and at 155k everything still works. Its my wife's daily driver, no other car like it. Extremely fun to drive in every way fast great handling and simple to repair as long as no one leaves a rag in your oil pan when they change the oil pump o ring. Then it will cost you right around 1800 to clean it out.

BrntWS6

iTrader: (7)

For sure, I get some people who have no idea what kind of car this is. Kids at my sons school think i pick him up in a Lamborghini ....lol.

bad_408_vert

iTrader: (6)

Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

basically it comes down to 2 things imo

1) competitive track racing......if you are serious and want to race competitively and not just for fun, id say go c6

2) "muscleness" if u want to feel the 1100 hp, ranging from the noises, the creaks, the bumps, the exhaust note and all around bad *** then the 4th gen wins here. the c6 is a luxury liner compared to the 4th gen with a cabin the is very capable of suppressing all the above. so basically the 4th gen is goona be much closer to the old 60s muscle feel than the c6 will so thats something to consider

Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

personally, like many him goona get a c6 eventually and never get rid of my 4th gen. its basically the newest "old school muscle car" you can buy anymore from the solid axle, to how cheap and basic things are with only one concern......power.

ls3 vettes can be had almost mint for 50000 miles for close to 20,000. i can't justify a c6z for the suspension and weight benefit when i will really never need it, and slap a procharger on the ls3 and ill have a nice comfy 600 hp car for under 30,000.

white_camaro

iTrader: (13)

LT4vert

iTrader: (3)

If money isnt an object I'd say Vette all day. The C6 is pretty much a perfect car to me. However I wouldn't replace my Camaro to get one, on add to.

If your not familiar look at all costs associated with maintaining a C6 with over a 1000 hp and some traction anyways, your eyes may pop a bit A friend of mines's C6 is making roundabouts 800 to the tire and one good hooking 1-2 shift cracked the torque tube, cracked bell housing, cracked the differential, broke input shaft on the t56. Its alot cheaper to build a f car driveline to support that power level than a c6.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I had the same sort of question once and you can see above how that worked out.


C6 vs 4th Gen TA is really a question of what do you see as beautiful.

It's like asking what would be more fun to pilot a Corsair at tree top level or a Lear jet at 30,000 feet.

Beauty is a "manifestation of perfection", links to pleasure, and is key to human purpose and experience. Beauty arises when the experience and emotion of pleasure interact with the qualities of the object.

The 4th Gen LS fbody is a thing of beauty.
The C6 is just pretty

Of course we all see beautiful in our own way.

Back in 2009, after going to work for a new company I had a nice signing bonus and could get a pre-owned C6 Z06 Corvette if I wanted to. I like the C6 and had admired the Z06 for years with its 427 LS7. I took a couple of test drives in Z06 vette's and they are amazing cars. There was no question the Z06 was more capable in every performance category than my heads & cam 99 TA. Flogging the Z06 put a happy stupid unequaled smile on my face. Normal driving not so much because the car was so mellow.

There is a brutal masculine warriors beauty in the crude muscle car nature of the 4th Gen that's engineered out of newer cars like the C6. Most people don't like the throw back to the 60's nature of the 4th Gen. I discovered - I adore that about the 4th Gen TA and my 3rd Gen Camaro. Driving the older cars always feels more like being part of the environment rather than insulated from the environment. I didn't buy either pre-owned C6 Z06. However, my old crude 72 vette got some love with a new engine, suspension, brakes etc. The old 72 vette also kept a carburetor. Driving a C6 Z06 made me nostalgic for keeping a the original feel the 72 vette had.

Ultimately, you should choose the car that stirs your passion. For many that's the C5, C6 and other newer cars and that's definitely cool.

I chose to restore my old 400,000 mile 91 RS and have the car LS swapped. My 91 RS is the car that inspired me the most and I'm very happy years after restoring the RS. Most other people thought I was insane and would have been wiser to buy a new C7 Grand Sport. The total cost was about the same.

Last year, my 99 TA got a new driveline and 416 LS. This made the third time I picked the old crude muscle car feel over the new refined high performance C6, C7 or 6th Gen Camaro. The 6th Gen Camaro SS 1LE is a very tempting car

Pick the car that inspires you and you will be happy with the project for a long time.
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