Corvette C5 & C6 Info Please

[McLaren]

So, next year, I begin the search for the Civic's, & possibly, the TL's replacement. With this, I have already decided 2 things; 2-door & anything but FWD. I've had my fun with this combination & I want something more. With that, I've already looked at the classic E36 & potential E46, as well as a rare-as-can-be used Genesis Coupe 3.8.

But, what I'd like to know is what to look for in the Corvette market. C5s are going for easy pickings & first model C6s are around the same price.

So, regarding the C5 & C6, what do I need to look for & avoid with these in mind.

• Trims:
  I honestly don't know all the trims, but what trims are must-haves, if any?
• Mileage:
  I'm trying to avoid 60K+, but how far can the LS go before one should be worried?
• Reliability/Maintenance:
  What are the first things to go? And when maintenance comes, what am I looking at?
• What's best:
  Regarding C5's, what years are better?
• Insurance:
  I've heard insuring C5s are easy as hell, so what exact deals have you seen offered?
• Anything else worth looking at?

Keep in mind I am not looking at any Z06s from either generation. I am also not set on a Corvette, but this is info I'd love to have handy come inspecting time, & I know YSSMAN along with others on here know their 'Vette stuff, so your inputs are graciously appreciated.

If you do have a suggestion for another car, you are free to voice it, but please answer these questions if you are. My main goal right now is gathering all the needed information before I start hitting lots. Also keep in mind before suggesting that the car needs to be going for under $30K used. If you can find one new, know for a fact a 4-year finance option is available for $400/month, which I'm not expecting anyone to know off-hand.

 

[YSSMAN]

Lets see...

1) Trim Levels
The good news is that for the C5 and C6 Corvettes, the actual levels themselves didn't change a whole lot. There is the "basic" Corvette sans goodies, followed by the Magnaride models, with the Z51 and Z06 versions making the top spot. Yes, the C6 added the ZR1 and Grand Sport, but unless you've got a lot of money, they're out of the question. In terms of actual capability, there isn't a massive difference between all of the versions of the car, and furthermore, its nothing that minor parts swaps wouldn't be able to fix.

In my opinion, the sweet-spot is the Z51 in both generations (particularly with the C6), but, a Magnaride-equpped car with the right set of tires can be just as capable performance wise, but also have a much better ride if you want to make it a daily driver. I'd probably avoid the special-edition Corvettes as well. They are collectors items among Corvette fans, and they will pay whatever they want for them. Its usually a bunch of stickers, and not much else.

If it were my money, a late-model C5 Z06 would be just about right in my book for what to shoot for. They can be had for under $25K in pretty solid shape, and still go like stink by comparison to most sports cars out there these days. Problem is that the C6 Z51 is just as fast, and has a much nicer interior. Are pop-ups worth it? That's up to you.

2) Mileage
Hmmm, that's a tough one. There are a lot of daily-driven Corvettes up here, and as far as I can tell, they last. The cars should stay healthy well into the early 100K range, and given the (general) relationship to almost every other GM product in terms of parts, the LS1/LS2/LS3 and the 4L80E/6L80E should be solid as a rock as long as you're looking after it.

3) Reliability
The Corvette is notorious for electrical issues and poor panel fitment. It seems to depend on where the car is and who has maintained it, but for example, a neighbor of mine has an early C6 convertible that has never had an issue. We have other friends who have bought numerous Corvettes, and have had a lot of trouble with dashboard lights, switches and buttons continuing to function, etc. The C5s obviously, eventually, are going to have issues with the pop-up headlights, which can be as much as $300 a piece to fix. I've also heard of some axle issues with some models, but I believe it was an issue that was worked out near the end of the C5 generation, on into the C6.

4) What Years are Better?
For the C5s, the later the better. Reliability increased, power went up on both the LS1 and LS6, and as I recall, there were moderate chassis modifications that came on later down the line. I'd say go 2001+ on the C5. For the C6, as I recall, MY2007 had a lot of well-deserved improvements that turned the Z51 into an obscene performer for the price.

5) Insurance
I've heard its cheap too, but I don't know specifics. I'd say shop around, but I imagine rates are pretty flat. How bad could it be with the majority of owners being 50 year old males?

6) "Others"
I'm not totally sure what else there would be to look for. With the way things are, it seems like their used values have leveled off a bit, but it seems to depend. I think what you're going to have to ask yourself is the "is it worth it?" question over and over. Sure, I love Corvettes, and I'd be willing to deal with it, but it may not be worth it for everyone. A used 2004 Z06 is going to run you roughly $25K, and there are a lot of solid cars, both used and new, that can be had in that price range. Step up into a C6, and you're adding another $5K to the picture.


I guess the one thing that I thought of when writing this as an "other" worth looking at would be the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP. Hard to find? Yes. Worth it? Totally.

 

[McLaren]

Major kudos, Brad.

Only 1 thing.

In my opinion, the sweet-spot is the Z51 in both generations (particularly with the C6), but, a Magnaride-equpped car with the right set of tires can be just as capable performance wise, but also have a much better ride if you want to make it a daily driver. I'd probably avoid the special-edition Corvettes as well. They are collectors items among Corvette fans, and they will pay whatever they want for them. Its usually a bunch of stickers, and not much else.

Any way to tell what trims are equipped by looking at the exterior or interior on the C5? A lot of the ones I'm looking at, just list them as a Corvette Hard Top, or Convertible, and give nothing about the trims available.

 

[YSSMAN]

Visually, I can't think of any way to tell the difference on a C5. You would have to ask the dealer for the spec sheet on the car to know what suspension is underneath the car. the FE1 would be the "standard" kit, the FE3 being the Z51 model. The F45 and F55 models would be the Magnaride versions. Obviously, with those, there will be buttons on the console to change the settings. It seems like the Z51 models were still a "secret" of sorts at the time, so Chevrolet didn't want to make it a big deal package.

For the C6, the easiest way to see if it is a Z51 is to check the brakes. Those were cross-drilled, as I recall.

 

[JCE]

I am also not set on a Corvette,

Thank god. There are other, better more enjoyable cars out there bro.

But to contribute at least something of substance to this thread. The Corvette (C5 in particular) is cheaper to insure than a Ford Mustang GT, Camaro Z28/SS, Trans-Am WS6/Firebird Formula, M3/M5, 2005+ Pontiac GTO, Scooby WRX, anything with a Mercedes badge, anything with a Lexus badge, anything with an Audi badge that has a V6-V8 under the bonnet and anything with an Infiniti badge. The list goes on actually. The symbol rating for a 2000-2003 C5 is 19, most of these I listed are 20-25 (27 is the top end of the scale). If you snag a C5 (and please no C6's as they did not have popups and that makes them pointless junk) please get one that has a 6spd manual and doesn't have anything but a black interior. At least with a black interior you won't be staring at endless panel gaps and hideous lines.

Oh, and don't forget to dynomat or use other sound deadening material under the carpet--the drone at highway speeds can get on your nerves. That is unless you get a vert/targa and or play the radio loud.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, the issues with sound can be easily fixed by replacing the tires. The OEM Goodyear Eagles (F1s, I believe) are terrible, and should be tossed immediately. A quick change of tires can dramatically increase the performance of the car, so its a worthwhile investment. As for the arguments for and against a C6, I'd say its worth it if you have the money. The improvements inside and out make it a much better car, let alone the mechanical improvements. Thing is, you have to justify the costs. You can pick up an '07 Z51 for around $30K, which is faster than the C5 Z06, but said Z06 costs at least $5-7K less.

 

[Tornado]

As I understand it, little in the way of changes actually occurred to the C5 (Z06 excepted) other than the introduction of trims and options as time went on, so the only real difference between a standard '98 and an '05 would be the year on the registration.

 

[Keef]

The OEM Goodyear Eagles (F1s, I believe) are terrible, and should be tossed immediately.

Eagle F1 GS EMT run-flats on the C5, and Eagle F1 GS-2 EMTs on the C6. Eagle F1 Supercars on the C6 Z51. All terrible tires. Get Michelin PS2s instead for better performance, if you can handle the stock performance to begin with.

As for the automatics, nobody actually knows how an automatic transmission works. All they know is that the GM units YSSMAN cited never stop working. They just don't. They're terrible transmissions from beginning to end, and you always want them to die, but they just keep on truckin.

 

[JCE]

As far as the years go, I'd rather own a 1999-2001 low mileage model than a newer one. The lower sticker price FOR THE SAME CAR peaks more my interest.

I would consider getting a C5 if I stripped the interior out, dynomatted it, put a vinyl floor in, custom fiberglass dash and some Bridgestone tires. As well as snag a 6spd and the car cannot be any shade of red or silver/grey. But I'd rather drop my $10-20k towards something else--probably German.

 

[McLaren]

As far as the years go, I'd rather own a 1999-2001 low mileage model than a newer one. The lower sticker price FOR THE SAME CAR peaks more my interest.

I would consider getting a C5 if I stripped the interior out, dynomatted it, put a vinyl floor in, custom fiberglass dash and some Bridgestone tires. As well as snag a 6spd and the car cannot be any shade of red or silver/grey. But I'd rather drop my $10-20k towards something else--probably German.

The thing I'm seeing is that early models with low mileage seem to be a little too well-priced for the age compared to 2001+ model with around equal mileage.

So far, haven't really found a C5 that interests me, but I do like these 2 C6's.
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe - White
2005 Corvette Coupe - Red

However, AutoTrader has a nasty finance option with a lot of info I don't care to share right now as I'm not entirely interested. And sending Five Star Ford an e-mail has only resulted in a response inviting me to come look at the car.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Why so automatic?

 

[YSSMAN]

The white one there, it seems, is a Z51 model with the LT3 package. Not a bad price, or at least, better than I had expected. My only issues with those early C6s are the ridiculous steering wheels, and then the issue with the non-updated steering box and suspension. Not that it makes a massive difference overall, but nice add-ons nevertheless. The red one isn't bad either, but it sounds like a "standard" model with the LT2 package.

I wouldn't fret about the slushboxes. As Keef pointed out, they're solid units (for the most part) across the board. Usually. Can't remember if the early cars came with the paddle shifters (I think they did), so you can at least feel special with that.

Otherwise, I like the white one.

 

[McLaren]

Why so automatic?

Because they're 2 of the best deals available for a C6 in Dallas, not that I care what transmission I get anyways.

The white one there, it seems, is a Z51 model with the LT3 package. Not a bad price, or at least, better than I had expected. My only issues with those early C6s are the ridiculous steering wheels, and then the issue with the non-updated steering box and suspension. Not that it makes a massive difference overall, but nice add-ons nevertheless. The red one isn't bad either, but it sounds like a "standard" model with the LT2 package.

I wouldn't fret about the slushboxes. As Keef pointed out, they're solid units (for the most part) across the board. Usually. Can't remember if the early cars came with the paddle shifters (I think they did), so you can at least feel special with that.

Otherwise, I like the white one.

The white one caught my eye, too, & I'm positive the steering wheel is something I could easily change.

Owner hasn't e-mailed me back though, as I'm hoping to go look at it.

 

[Keef]

I'd imagine an stick might be cheaper? It's cheaper from the dealership, anyway.

 

[JCE]

So far, haven't really found a C5 that interests me,

What about these?

2004 6spd 9k miles

2001 ZO6 23k miles

2004 auto 32k miles

2003 ZO6 11k miles

2003 ZO6 18k miles

2004 6spd 26k miles <-- my favorite of these listings and I would drop my own money on it I like it so much

 

[McLaren]

I'd imagine an stick might be cheaper? It's cheaper from the dealership, anyway.

I know it'll be faster, but I don't know if they'll be cheaper on the used market.

What about these?

2004 6spd 9k miles

2001 ZO6 23k miles

2004 auto 32k miles

2003 ZO6 11k miles

2003 ZO6 18k miles

2004 6spd 26k miles <-- my favorite of these listings and I would drop my own money on it I like it so much

Man, I'm not looking hard enough on Autotrader.

 

[JCE]

Man, I'm not looking hard enough on Autotrader.

No big deal. I consider myself an expert autotrader scrounger. The last one--the black 2004 6spd is just the business. If I didn't have about 15 cars ahead of it on my "short" list I'd buy one.