I dont think its a step down at all. I do think that he may not know what he's talking about.

 

i've read where a number of guys have had h/c f-bodies and have gone to a C5 and wouldn't look back! So i dont think the power difference would be that big of a deal. Plus, its a clean slate for modding!!!

 

Same here. Infact I'm also debating making that switch.

 

If inshurance is less I'd probly take it.
Pros - more chicks,
cons- more chicks haha

 

Get an '02-04 Z06 and don't look back. Take the $3000 into Cam, bolt ons, clutch, tune....and be ready for the same hp feel as the maggied GTO (much lighter car with almost the same hp).

Only thing you'd be sacrificing is interior quality and maybe a more comfortable ride.

 

screw interior quality.

 

What are the reasons why you are wanting to goto a C5? Lighter weight? Better build quality? If those are the reasons i say go for it but if it's for performance boy are you in for a shock. I've had two C5's in my life and while they were very sweet modding them is a big hit to the wallet. Just for instance...

Vararam - 319.99
Borla Stingers - 899.99
Headers - 799.99

See my point? Keep your GTO

 

gto's are not that much cheaper to mod

CAI 269.99
SLP loudmouth catback 769.99
Kooks headers 899.99

 

Then we start getting into the age issue. No warranty's on the C5 anymore.

 

speed wise would be a step domn.
but vettes handle like ****'s and they look really badass.
i say get the c5. but if you could push for the c6 than even better.

 

05 gto's have a 3 year warrenty its 2008 now so warranty is almost gone

 

i've always been concerned about owning a vetter, i'm worried they wouldn't take the daily beating i give my car...

ie: the rear end and axles just exploding once i got to like 400rwhp, they all seem to wheel hop real bad to me too

that being said, the moment some of my speeding tickets get off my record i'm stepping up to a C5 z06 for sure!

 

Get one from a GM certified used car dealer. Then you can buy the extended warranty like I did. Mine covered until Feb 14th, 2010........next day ECS is already scheduled for a Paxton Novi install.

But if your really talking about modding at the beginning, why care about warranty?

 

The Vette handles far more power in stock for than either the F-bodies or GTO. GTO's are notorious for wheel-hop, much worse than any vette.

 

Seriously,
I have both a TransAm and a C5. My good friend has a 06 GTO. I've driven his many times and we've been to drag races together.

You have to question why you want to do this. The GTO is a great car, but it's heavy and is more like a touring coupe (think more like BMW 335i or G37) than a sports car. It's much easier to live with day to day, and if you ever need more than 2 seats, it's the way to go.

The C5 is going to be faster than you think, it's so much more nimble, handling is a dream, but ride quality is harsh, it's not particuarly quite inside. I always thought I had pretty much the same thing as a vette in the TransAm, but until you drive a vette, you don't know the difference. Worlds apart!

C5 mods cost more, only if you let them. Just as you find good deals for your car, you have to find good deals for the vette. But then again, most things have vette tax, so they will cost more. For example, changing gears is not as simple as buying a ring/pinion from jawsgear.com. It's much more complicated, and you have to drop the entire rear of the car down to get the diff out, not easy. Turnkey install of an new diff costs about $1500. Far cry from the $300 I spent for 3.73's on the TA.

If your really concerned about performance, then get the Z06. Even stock, I bet it will keep up with your Maggie GTO.

My answer to you would be hell yes, go buy the vette. In a heartbeat. But your situation may be more complicated. It is certainly not a step down, more like a step to the side. Only you can judge whether thats good or not.

For all who say vettes cost more to insure have either never received a quote, or are clinically insane. Vettes are cheaper, by far. Why? Beats the hell out of me, but maybe that same person can explain why my Trailblazer SS also costs several hundred less per year than the old POS Tracker it replaced.

My only advice is to drive some and see if its what you want to live with.

 

is that true that the rear end of a c5 vette is that much stronger than the 10bolt in a F body or a GTO? one of my main worries is that i would just explode the rear end on one of these...

sorry to hijack, but this is probably something you would want to know

 

a Vet under $20K is going to HIGH mileage and need lots of work. 3 grand is not close to putting it back into shape.

So I agree Keep the Goat.

Now if you can step up to $25-27K then you can find a great used vette. or Z06. Stock the Z06 will keep up if not out perform your maggie GTO. The vette is much lighter then the GTO so that power to wt ratio favors the vette.

 

I'm not trying to say that the vette isn't a great car but you already have a maggied Goat. Why do you want a vette? So you can spend MORE money to get the same performance you already HAVE out of a C5?

You can get a NICE 05 LS2 C6 for around 28K here in phoenix. Similar deals should be had across the country.

Go C6 or stay with the Goat unless you like spending lots of $$$$$$$

 

here in socal there are plenty of vettes for around 20k that have around 30-40k miles on them, usually they are 99-00 hardtops.