The $45,000 Red Corvette Dilemma

4721 Views 88 Replies 41 Participants Last post by ValidUsername, 1 d ago

ValidUsername

Discussion Starter · 6 d ago

3

Hello TCL,

First time creating a thread (I think), so here goes:

I've been contemplating a fun weekend car for awhile now. I've bounced around with various options but keep coming back to Corvettes, as both of my parents owned red C3 Corvettes back in the 70's and the Corvette has been my favorite sports car since I was a kid.

I have a budget of about $45,000 with flexibility either way, it would purely be a weekend car for backroad trips with my wife or the occasional vacation. My dilemma lies in what generation to go for, I'll make my (perhaps inaccurate) case for each below:

C5 Z06

- The car I grew up lusting for, the C5 always appears in my head when I envision a Corvette. I've long heard about how the C5 Z06 is a performance bargain, and of my options I've found them to be the most affordable with the fewest miles. Of concern to me is the interior, I know well these are from the days of Chevrolet going to the GM plastic parts bin.

C6 Grand Sport / Z06

- These still catch my eye on the road, the wide, low stance just looks good to me. I was a passenger in a Z06 for a test drive once and still haven't forgotten the feeling, of my options it would likely be the most performance-oriented (I think), and also give me the most top-of-the-mountain halo car emotional bond. I don't really have a "con" to offer for this option other than it might be a bit hardcore for what I envision, but I feel that's a silly concern in the Corvette market.

C7 / C7 Z51

- I visited the Bowling Green plant in 2014 when these were brand new, and recall them sitting in the lobby of the Corvette Museum all roped off waiting for their owners. It being the newest of my options is a plus, and I don't hate the idea of an automatic as I recall Chevy making lots of noise about how good they are in these cars. The optional aero add-ons spoiled the look of the base car a bit for me though, to my eye these look a touch plain without the race car splitters and valences.

So there it is, thanks ahead of time for any feedback. If I'm missing the mark completely let me know, a Corvette tops the list but I'm open to other suggestions!

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Heaven7

· #2 · 6 d ago

With little actual knowledge on these, I’d either go C5 Z06 as I think its such a modern classic and iconic looking Vette, or with a C7 because those look amazing and still very fresh for being a nearly 10 year old design. Also last of the “classic” FR-layout cars.

The C6 isn’t as pretty as either, to my eyes.

whalemingo

· #3 · 6 d ago

I vote C6.

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Iroczgirl

· #4 · 6 d ago

I'd go with a C5 50th anniversary edition...for the mag ride.

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landstuhltaylor

· #5 · 6 d ago

I would not buy a C5 as a weekend car unless that weekend involved a trailer.

The C7 is by far the best street car of the 3, but the one I liked the least on track. I don't think those issues are things you would ever run into on any sane public road drive. Personally, I'd be targeting the C6 as the general styling of the later cars isn't my thing.

nix6speed

· #6 · 6 d ago

$45k isn't going to get much of a C7 in this market. If you can get a nice one for that price then go for it. Stay away from first year Vettes in C5/6/7.

C6 Z06 is an experience like no other from a performance perspective but be aware of the LS7 valve issue. Mine had 'fixed heads' and it still dropped a valve on the owner after me.

C6 Grand Sport is also a great option. Widebody. Targa Top. Manuals have a dry sump. LS3s might as well be bulletproof. 08+ base C6s are a good option as well.

C5 Z06 is the cheapest price of entry but be ready to deal with the "fun" of a 20 year old sports car with 90s GM electronics!

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Nealric

· #7 · 6 d ago

C6 grand sport with manual would be my vote. But they are sort of the track junkie car of choice so you need to make sure you aren’t buying a track car (given that’s not what you are buying it for).

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zmt2

· #8 · 6 d ago

C6Z is the classic, and more of a special/weekend car.
C7 is an awesome do it all car, realistically not much smaller performance envelope. Won't feel as special as the LS7 but it's really a world class car all around.

C5 is old and feels old at this point, and not in a way that's charming to me personally. I'd pass.

it's a tough choice and I didn't ever end up having to make it, best of luck!

LT1M21Stingray

· #9 · 6 d ago

C4 ZR1

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IdontOwnAVW

· #10 · 6 d ago

Don't bother with the C5.

C6 Z06 if you want to experience the noise an LS7 makes at 7200RPM, or a manual Grand Sport if you're content with a 6.2.

StressStrain

· #11 · 6 d ago

C5 is old and you'll have to want that old feeling to enjoy it.

C6 Z06 and GS get my vote. GM really pulled off that low and wide look.

freedo84gti

· #12 · 6 d ago

as the owner of a C5, i say go for the C6. its just a better car.

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2 doors

· #13 · 6 d ago (Edited)

2

$45k will get you a Concours level C5 Z06. Not a good option for a fun weekend car, IMO. You could cut your budget in half at least for those. I paid $12.5k for my somewhat high mileage red C5 Z06 in 2020.

ValidUsername said:
I've been contemplating a fun weekend car for awhile now.
I have a budget of about $45,000 with flexibility either way, it would purely be a weekend car for backroad trips with my wife or the occasional vacation. My dilemma lies in what generation to go for, I'll make my (perhaps inaccurate) case for each below:

If this is the intened brief, skip any generation Z06. The fixed roof and track tuned bits means they are worse for your use case. The first time I took my wife (who says she hates convertibles) to lunch on a nice day in mine, she said, "I wish the roof came off."

Personally, I'd go targa for most versatility of security and optional wind in your hair moments that would be nice on a back road cruise. Even a base LS2 C6 will have plenty of power to be fun.

In my dream garage I'd have at least 2 Corvettes. I'd make my C5 Z06 a pure track toy (it's double duty now) and get a burgundy over tan targa C6 or C7 mag ride for the cruiser car to do what you want.

edit: I like this one. C6 base, LS3, Manual, good cruiser and weekend getaway car.

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ghost03

· #14 · 6 d ago

C7 is peak Corvette IMO and that got my vote.

But C6 Z06 is peak performance/dollar, so that's a close second.

I would leave the C5 in your dreams. They're getting old; both mechanically and technologically. With all the progress since they came out I am quite concerned it will be a don't-meet-your-heroes situation. Don't get me wrong--they're great cars--but for $45k I think the C7 makes more sense. Especially for your use case.

2 doors

· #15 · 6 d ago (Edited)

landstuhltaylor said:
I would not buy a C5 as a weekend car unless that weekend involved a trailer.

nix6speed said:
C5 Z06 is the cheapest price of entry but be ready to deal with the "fun" of a 20 year old sports car with 90s GM electronics!

zmt2 said:
C5 is old and feels old at this point, and not in a way that's charming to me personally. I'd pass.

At this point in its life cycle, you should only buy a C5 because it's all the Corvette you can afford.

But in its defense, I will say the interior complaints are somewhat overblown. Yes it looks like a bad Fisher-Price toy inside. That's only really a problem if you like to sit in your garage and stroke your dash. "All you gotta do is..." change all the touch points, mainly seats and shifter. The seats are literally the worst seats in the history of the automobile for a sporty car. But the gages are simple and clean and a pleasure to look at. If you care about driving, the view out the windshield and the sound of the exhaust is all that matters.

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MAC

· #16 · 6 d ago

C6 is the only truly good looking Corvette since the C3. The stylists absolutely nailed it and then they went right back to crapping the bed again.
So C6 for me. No Z if I have to get my wife on board. She'd demand targa (I'd probably be happier with that too)

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mpower22

· #17 · 6 d ago

Gen6 camaro lt1 trim with sunroof? My 21 with bose and sunroof was less than 40K. Best bang for the buck performance vehicle out there.

landstuhltaylor

· #18 · 6 d ago

2 doors said:
At this point in it's life cycle, you should only buy a C5 because it's all the Corvette you can afford.

But in its defense, I will say the interior complaints are somewhat overblown. Yes it looks like a bad Fisher-Price toy inside. That's only really a problem if you like to sit in your garage and stroke your dash. "All you gotta do is..." change all the touch points, mainly seats and shifter. The seats are literally the worst seats in the history of the automobile for a sporty car. But the gages are simple and clean and a pleasure to look at. If you care about driving, the view out the windshield and the sound of the exhaust is all that matters.

It is that bad. The interior is no better than my 4th gen Camaro. That's exactly why at the time when shopping fun DDs I wound up with an E46 M3 instead of a C5Z.

The C5Z only makes sense no for 1. Budget like you said 2. You have some personal attachment to that model or 3. You want a cheap track toy that isn't slow.

The later Corvettes are better on the street, and I would still buy an E46 M3 over a C5 for that usage too. Which is why I still have mine.

GLI Dan

· #19 · 6 d ago

I generally agree with the input so far.

Skip the C5 - I've driven a few, all very short drives. Other than v8 noises, a generally 'just ok' experience.

C6 Grandsport - In my opinion, the sweet spot of your options, and I agree - as badass as they are - the Z06 isn't necessary and will likely be a drawback for your use case.

C7 - The one i would go with, but I care about creature comforts/interior etc and this generation seemed to have taken some considerable steps forward from the C6. That said, at $45K you're at the cusp of decent condition driver, and a high mileage needs TLC option.

sicklyscott

· #20 · 6 d ago

Agree with most of what's been said, here. C7 is by far the better cruiser. C5Z has hit the bottom of its depreciation curve and is special in its own right. However, out of all of those I'd opt for the C6Z. The LS7 is special and it'll always be.

In order of my preference:
1. C6Z
2. C5Z
3. C7 - and if you're very flexible, get the GS.

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