Vette Guys: C5 or C6

RedVenom48

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Those that may own currently or have owned either a C5 or C6 Vette, what are your opinions on them? Im curious about maybe parking a Corvette next to my Shelby in the future. Id want a coupe, with automatic so my wife can drive on road trips. I think a C5 would make a great starting point for a relatively cheap Mexico car once I get done building my GT500.

I see the C5 starting to get closer to the 4 digit price territory, and there appear to be a SHIT LOAD of parts available.

Then again, 2005-2007 LS2 powered Corvettes are also heading down. I know the LS3 is a beastly LS engine, but the 08+ Vettes seem to still be expensive. A 97-04 would make for a super cheap payment for the wife and I, and I can slap an LS3 junkyard engine in it when I blow up the LS1. :D

I wonder if there is a dropoff for car values coming? I remember there was a bunch of speculation that the lockdowns plus Hertz going bankrupt would absolutely crater the used market. Yet, here we are with used prices at nearly all time highs.


@03Sssnake @jeffh81 What say the resident darkside car guys?
 

jeffh81

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Those that may own currently or have owned either a C5 or C6 Vette, what are your opinions on them? Im curious about maybe parking a Corvette next to my Shelby in the future. Id want a coupe, with automatic so my wife can drive on road trips. I think a C5 would make a great starting point for a relatively cheap Mexico car once I get done building my GT500.

I see the C5 starting to get closer to the 4 digit price territory, and there appear to be a SHIT LOAD of parts available.

Then again, 2005-2007 LS2 powered Corvettes are also heading down. I know the LS3 is a beastly LS engine, but the 08+ Vettes seem to still be expensive. A 97-04 would make for a super cheap payment for the wife and I, and I can slap an LS3 junkyard engine in it when I blow up the LS1. :D

I wonder if there is a dropoff for car values coming? I remember there was a bunch of speculation that the lockdowns plus Hertz going bankrupt would absolutely crater the used market. Yet, here we are with used prices at nearly all time highs.


@03Sssnake @jeffh81 What say the resident darkside car guys?


@ZYBORG had a C5 Z06 so he probably has soon info


Me personally Im not a Vette guy except for the C7 and C8 so I aint got nothing for ya bro
 

Tractorman

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I have an 05 C6. I enjoy the car. A plus for the the C6 is available 6 speed auto. I feel the interior is much better in the C6, which is what steered me that way. They are very fussy over the battery in the FOB and car battery to start. Other than that, it's been a good car. Popping the roof off and cruising around is fun.
 

Klaus

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I have a c6z and love it. Interior is trash but the driving experience more than makes up for it. c5zs are equally bad ass. If you go c6z make sure you get one that has the heads done (as i am sure you are aware).

Keep your eyes peeled on the classified section of the corvette forum. There is a very nice H/C/I SCd cyber grey c6z listed for 36 at the moment. That is a monster car at a great price.

Bringatrailer also has very good pricing as the blow dried assholes on that site are too focused on bmws and porsches.
A super nice c5z just sold for super cheap and there is an anniversary version up right now.
 

Machdup1

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C6 LS3 + Boost = win

My boosted LS3 drives like an old guy car until I stick my foot in it, then it is a blast.
 

BlckBox04

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C6 without a doubt. I’ve driven both and there was just something that stood out to me more about the c6
 

Mojo88

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I owned C5 and C6. I would absolutely opt for the C6, and I would grab the LS3 (2008+). Shop hard and you can find great deals. On both of those cars, I owned them for about 3 years each and then sold them (in one day for the C5 and in one hour for the C6) for almost as much as I paid for them.

The cars I bought were babied garage queens. I kept them the same way. Clean, perfect cars sell fast.... and it's enjoyable to drive them while you own them.
 

Logan2003Cobra

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I’ve owned an ‘85, an ‘03 Z06, and a 2010 convertible automatic.

The C5, while noticeably better than the C4, still felt like a crude, raw, good old fashioned sports car when compared to the almost grand touring feeling C6.

The LS2 can also make very good power with heads and a cam so I wouldn’t let that hold you back.
 

nxhappy

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i only had one vette, my c5z. that bitch was a ROCKET. no lie. Just a open intake and a tune ....mother ****er would fly. with cams and a 4.10 gear ....jesus have mercy. on the low low ....imma viper/gt500 guy, but I liked it. Some of the c5's would drop valves 01s and 02 I think. Also had stupid issues with electrical components. Had to buy a door module....a new one is $800 so I bought a used one. C5z for 20k is pretty hard to beat, other than a Terminator.
 

RedVenom48

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Thanks for all the replies guys! Did a bunch of research tonight. LS2 is a great engine, but Id want the LS3. 2008 Corvette with a Texas Speed 427 Stroker kit and a Procharger.

I dont know what in the hell has bitten me, but Ive come to the conclusion that a Procharged Vette is ****ing awesome. Must be all the "That Racing Channel" 1320video and Street Car Video Ive been watching lately. The GT500 isnt going anywhere, and Ill always be a Ford guy... but I cant ignore how awesome the LS engine is. Toss that bitch in a 3200 pound car with boost and its no wonder they make great racecars.

I love my GT500 5.4, but its almost criminal how easy it is to not only build a 427 out of an LS3, but how relatively inexpensive it is too. Even if a Vette is seen as a basic bitch White dude's car... it wont be after I get done with it.

.......... Im almost even thinking about shelving the build plans for the GT500 and going with a take-off TVS, trinity injectors and boost-a-pump and calling her good for now. Ok, Ill put in the timing system and cams I got for it too, lol
 

Mojo88

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...... Id want the LS3. 2008 Corvette with a Texas Speed 427 Stroker kit and a Procharger........

Holy crap, did you actually find that car, or is that just a wish list? If you found it, post a link so we can look (unless you're worried that one of us will buy it, haha).

I had a 2008 (top car in my avatar pic), tuned LS3, awesome car. Drove like a Toyota Camry, very comfy.
 

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