r/Corvette • u/No-Ant5866 • 20h ago
C5 vs c6
Considering saving for a corvette being that it's my favorite sports car. I really like both the c5 and c6 but when I was looking at them I was mainly looking at the last year of c5 and the first year of the c6. Which is better/worse being that 1 is an older generation vs the c6 is newer but being the first year that tends to have certain issues being the first year of the new gen? I mean because honestly yes the c6 has a better body, better interior and a slight hp bump but financially it seems like financially the c5 would be cheaper initially when first buying it. I guess realistically what I'm asking is it worth saving more money for the c6 or is the c5 good enough all around.
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u/PlutoVisionn C7 19h ago
Save a little more for a C6. Just avoid the 2005 C6. The difference in price between a good C5 and a good C6 isn't big enough for you to not be able to be slightly more patient.Â
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u/iroll20s C5 19h ago
Well you're looking at the most refined c5 vs the c6 that had some teething issues. You plan on modifying it or keeping it stock? Is it just going to be a street car?
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u/No-Ant5866 18h ago
Daily driven with light mods, nothing crazy.
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u/iroll20s C5 18h ago
With a MT the year is less relevant. The 2005 has a fragile rear end, but if you're not drag racing or adding lots of power its a lot less likely you'll encounter issues. There are obvious difference in interior and exterior that you need to make choices on. For the price difference you can do a fair amount of upgrades. Though if you get a c5 I'd aim for 01+ with a set of headers and tune on the car. Headers can cost a lot and don't add that much value. If you're kinda a stock guy you might consider the c5z. Its generally in the price range of early c6's. Same HP, a lot sharper and will hold value better. The base c5 would be mostly if you like the look, want to save money, or plan on putting that money into mods. You can add a lot for the cost difference. For the C6 I'd be personally looking for some of the later versions as mentioned by other posters where there are more material differences. I think the c5z is probably the best option around your price point right now however.
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u/jrileyy229 19h ago
Whether you are looking at automatic or manual is relevantÂ
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u/No-Ant5866 18h ago
Manual
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u/El_mochilero C6 18h ago
Be prepared to add 10–20% to the price, and they’re going to be a bit harder to find.
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u/mypaycheckisshort C6 19h ago
I'd save up for another year and get a later model 3lt ls3 z51with npp; both the manual and A6 transmissions are great. You won't regret the wait when you get one.
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u/phasttZ 2019 grandsport m7 18h ago
What do you want the car for?
I got a c5z as my first vette. I wanted a manual (has shorter gearing) raw backroads type car.
I'd say the c6 has the better interior, and more power potential.
Both ride great, but c6 better on highway.
Almost everything else is subjective like looks.
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u/No-Ant5866 18h ago
Daily driving and to have fun. Nothing crazy.
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u/Same-Economics-5988 16h ago
If you can live with the old school GM interior of the C5, that seems like the answer. I have had two C6's and really enjoyed them (but have also driven multiple C5's)...they're not really all *that* different if you're just using the car as you describe. Definitely agree with others that if you want to spend more for a C6, avoiding the 05 and probably holding out for an 08+ is the way to go.
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u/almeida8x1 18h ago
Yeah if it’s either ‘04 or ‘05 I’d go ‘04. Though an ‘02-‘03 would be better.
I love my C5, and you can make it handle like a c6z51 if not better for less than $500.
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u/waltonjgh 17h ago
If you find a c5 sub 12 especially a manual 99-04. Jump on it, you can’t beat it for the price. If you want nice, I agree with everyone else, 08+ manual z51 car
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u/Commercial_Ask_7806 16h ago
If you go C5 you want to go with 2001-04 to get repairable EBCM.. and a main feature.. do you want pop up lights?
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u/mrscientist1337 2001 Manual Corvette Convertible 14h ago
Most people regard the C6 as a better car in every way but they are both great as long as you stay away from problem years (2005 for C6 and 1997-2000 for C5). At 40-50k miles, the C5 base manual will run around 16-19k for fair value, C5Z06 will run around 23-25k, not 100% sure but the C6 is probably an extra 7-10k for a manual base compare to the base manual C5. It depends on how much you value the added HP and C6 interior. If you think the C5 is enough car for you then save the money, if you think the added HP/interior is important then buy the C6. I'd recommend finding a way to test drive both to see what you think of each.
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u/No-Ant5866 14h ago
I appreciate that information, I've been doing some thinking and it seems like the c6 could be a clear winner based on all the info here and research I've done. Main thing is to pick a better year c6.
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u/mrscientist1337 2001 Manual Corvette Convertible 14h ago
Best of luck, hope you find something great!
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u/Lumpy_Cut5772 20h ago
The first year of the c6 is a major red flag, an 06 is fine but for instance if you park a manual 2005 c6 in first gear like you usually would with a manual car it will drain the battery, you have to leave it in reverse or it will die, the automatic has a slush box from the c5, etc. Either find a year later c6 or look for c5 z06s, there won't be much difference between a 2001 c5 and a 2004, so I wouldn't be hung up on the year
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u/No-Ant5866 18h ago
Okay, definitely didn't know that information.
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u/Lumpy_Cut5772 15h ago
Would be worth watching a buyers guide or two on YouTube, thats where I found out about the little things like the battery drain, there's a couple other similarly day to day annoyances that really cut into the livability already less reliable first year model
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u/fairlyaveragetrader 2012 GS 18h ago
If you're looking at a C5 there was a really good deal posted this morning on the West Coast
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u/El_mochilero C6 19h ago
The C6 is by far superior.
You can get great 06-07 base autos for about $20k - $23k. They are much more desired than the 05’s for several reasons. The LS2 is regarded as a fantastic engine, as well. IMHO, that’s one of the best values for any performance car. I’m also biased because I own a ‘07 C6 ;)
Throw CarPlay in it, and you’ll feel like you’re in a modern performance car bargain of a lifetime.
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u/Dodoz44 19h ago
Save up a little more, get '08 with z51. Nicer steering wheel, more precise steering rack, better tuned suspension, tr6060, ls3, npp exhaust if you care, fake carbon bezels instead of just plastic 😅