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im debating on which corvette to get a c5 or c6 now i know the c5 has the 6.0 and the c6 has the 6.2 but i don’t know which to get , i am planning to boost it but not til later down the road need advice ?
I would say go C6 if you can. C5 was in a weird spot where they were trying to be more comfortable daily drivers with more tech, but the tech is dated and unreliable, and the ride quality is still pretty harsh. C6 is more refined, more powerful, and has more modern electronics. I do prefer the C5's looks though.
I would say go C6 if you can. C5 was in a weird spot where they were trying to be more comfortable daily drivers with more tech, but the tech is dated and unreliable, and the ride quality is still pretty harsh. C6 is more refined, more powerful, and has more modern electronics. I do prefer the C5's looks though.
The look of a C5z is definitely pretty hard to beat
Depending on what you like either is a fantastic choice.
I've driven unrefined GM pony cars for 30+ years, I like the C5 better because it is less refined and has a little bit of raw 60's muscle car feel left in its DNA.
My pet choice would be a C5Z followed by C6Z. It's easier to scoot around town spinning an LS6 in C5Z and stay at legal speeds or just over than doing so with a LS7 C6Z in my opinion. That made the C5Z more fun to drive for me. Counter intuitive for sure and quite an unexpected experience.
However, its a win win choice as both are wonderful cars. Due to age a newer well maintained C6 would probably require less attention and be 95% of the fun. The LS7 concerns might damper the C6Z experience unless planned for as a just in case.
C5Z. I had an 02Z way back when and bought an ‘03Z this past September. In my opinion, they are very underrated. Prices are way, way up right now, just like everything, so be prepared to pay $7-$10k more than a few years ago, for the same car.
im debating on which corvette to get a c5 or c6 now i know the c5 has the 6.0 and the c6 has the 6.2 but i don’t know which to get , i am planning to boost it but not til later down the road need advice ?
Originally Posted by Che70velle
C5Z. I had an 02Z way back when and bought an ‘03Z this past September. In my opinion, they are very underrated. Prices are way, way up right now, just like everything, so be prepared to pay $7-$10k more than a few years ago, for the same car.
If the goal is boost and you want a vette, buy a roller or blown up one for way cheaper and throw a 5.3L in it. Even C6Z guys are swapping out LS7's for the 5.3L because they see the potential for power and profit.
C5 will almost always be cheaper (similar milage, etc) but with the c6 you get much better technology and to me that's when corvette got back to being a real sports car. I think the c5 went soft overall. C6 have much better brakes and obviously more power, even a base model c6 will more then compete with a 04 Z06. I prefer the sharper edges of the c6 compared to the extremely dated round 90s bulky look of the c5. The interior is also terrible in my opinion on c5. C6 materials wernt much better but the overall design to me is much more appealing then the 90s atrocious cheap plastic penalty box the c5 was.
Exterior looks wise, I'd rate the two cars as good looking cars and about equal. Hmmm...that red C6Z looks familiar 🤔 I know,that face...if it it had 👀 in the windshield it would be...
Both platforms are great sports cars that respond well to power and modifications. However, c5s are aged to the point where the interior just feels like it is crumbling around you and everything will be much more worn compared to a c6 with similar mileage. If the goal is speed, the unrefined and less expensive chassis of the c5 will probably leave you with more money to spend on modifying the motor and drivetrain. Just some thoughts
However, c5s are aged to the point where the interior just feels like it is crumbling around you and everything will be much more worn compared to a c6 with similar mileage.
I've looked at a lot of C5s in the last ~12 months, ranging in mileage from ~20k to ~65k; none of them had crumbling interiors. Only "wear" difference between those and C6s of similar mileage is that the C6 leather seems to wear a bit better. Perhaps you are speaking of examples with much higher mileage?
It's important to add that in South Florida, the sun's harsh rays contributes to excessive wear on the interior of those c5 models simply due to age. In my experience, the HVAC *****, vents, plastic clips, steering wheels, every 'touchable' just seems to fall apart on these cars. I've dealt with it before on a couple of 2000-2001 corvettes. Seeing how most of thet c5s now are 20+ years old it makes sense. Most examples of c5s I see with good original interiors are cars that command C6 prices.... again at least in south florida. IMO, the C6 interior is better overall in terms of materials and fit and finish, with the advantage of being newer production cars.
It's important to add that in South Florida, the sun's harsh rays contributes to excessive wear on the interior of those c5 models simply due to age. In my experience, the HVAC *****, vents, plastic clips, steering wheels, every 'touchable' just seems to fall apart on these cars. I've dealt with it before on a couple of 2000-2001 corvettes. Seeing how most of thet c5s now are 20+ years old it makes sense. Most examples of c5s I see with good original interiors are cars that command C6 prices.... again at least in south florida. IMO, the C6 interior is better overall in terms of materials and fit and finish, with the advantage of being newer production cars.
Here in the Great Lakes region, sun exposure is only "serious" for about ~3 months of the year, so we just don't see as much of these issues as you folks in the south.
With that said, here is an interior shot from one of the C5s I've looked at recently, this is a 2004 with 30k miles, asking price of $22k. The interior was very nice for 18 years old, and I don't see any C6s in this region listing for low $20s unless they have 2.5-3 times the mileage:
And this is from a 2002 that had nearly the same mileage, basically same asking price:
I'd be happy with that for a bordering 20 year old car.......
I actually think I prefer the c5 to a c6. I had an 05 c6 with the ls2 while it was a fun car, the exterior styling is kind of bland compared to a c5 to me. C7 definitely has more going on exterior wise. The interior of a c6 doesn't do much for me either.
A frc c5 with the side molding deleted is a gorgeous looking car.
That said performance wise the c6 got the weight balance in better standing and i believe will handle better
Eh, get what you like the looks of and can afford. Neither is great but both are livable and work just fine. I'd prefer a nice C5 as I love the style. I purchased two brand new C6's and they were both awesome cars so I'm not biased because of ownership.
My pet choice would be a C5Z followed by C6Z. It's easier to scoot around town spinning an LS6 in C5Z and stay at legal speeds or just over than doing so with a LS7 C6Z in my opinion. That made the C5Z more fun to drive for me. Counter intuitive for sure and quite an unexpected experience..
Like you, a good buddy of mine has had both - still has the C6Z - and says the same thing. He still talks winsomely about his C5Z and says he preferred it, as it was more nimble and sporty.
Personally, I vastly prefer the styling of the C6, but each to his own.
Like you, a good buddy of mine has had both - still has the C6Z - and says the same thing. He still talks winsomely about his C5Z and says he preferred it, as it was more nimble and sporty.
Personally, I vastly prefer the styling of the C6, but each to his own.
Agreed, the C6 Z is still pretty untouchable on the street w/ the right setup, and definitely the most bang for the Vette around.
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C6 or C5 ? 
