steveorino

Most of my adult life I have loved the C3 design. I have a 1981 vette. Lately, though I have been admiring the C5 design lately. I think it has enough curves to make it look like a Vette (to me)

I'm toying with the idea of selling the '81 and buying an '02

Has anyone else done that? Any regrets? No, I cannot keep both.

rcs128

You will LOVE the C5. Some C3s have looks and fine performance (for their era), but a C5 is hands-down better for ride, handling, comfort, reliability, features, etc. I had a C3, and while I miss it and loved it, I sure wouldn't kick my C5 out of the garage to make room for it.

sprinter1104

Man that's a tough call. I have an 82 and a 2000 and love em both. I drive both cars several times a week. But, If I had to choose, I'd keep the C5. No doubt about it.

devnull

I have C5 and am ALWAYS looking at C3's... Great car, but apples and oranges.

One day I will have a C3 next to the C5...

71vetteinva

Sure, I used to own a 1971 C3 and now I own a 2000 convertible. The C3 is a beautiful car, but I wanted something more modern and more reliable, which meant another Corvette!

leadfoot4

My wife had a '79 C-3. She bought it brand new in the fall of '78, shortly after we met (traded in a '76 on it). She kept it until the spring of '97. She didn't drive it through the winters, and since she was a school teacher, it didn't get a real workout in the summer either. So it was in decent shape when we sold it, but the usual "older car" issues crept in over time.

I bought a C-5 new in June of '01, so I think I can make some valid comparisons. First, the interior room is so much greater in the C-5. As a "car guy" all my life, I always was drawn to 'Vettes. But as I topped out at 6'2" tall, C-2s and 3s didn't have the room for me, so I never considered buying one for myself. The C-5 easily solved the space problem, so that was why I initially considered one.

My wife always made an issue of having fully functional air conditioning. She spent a TON of money on trying to keep the A/C working on her '79. It seemed to need a continuous flow of $$. My C-5 has been flawless.

The C-3 rode like a truck. Several years before we sold it, I went through the suspension COMPLETELY. New poly bushings everywhere, new coils in front, and most importantly, a fiberglass spring in the rear, as well as gas shocks all around. That improved the ride TREMENDOUSLY, but it was still a tad rough. By comparison, the C-5, even though I've lowered it, rides like a Cadillac, and the handling isn't even in the same universe. Keep in mind, the C-2 and 3s suspension was designed in the late 50s, in preparation to be introduced in the fall of '62, for the '63 Sting Rays.

Straight line performance (and, surprisingly, fuel economy).....Need to ask???

Hope this helps.......

Robletto

I had a Nice red c3 1974, sold it and got the C5, I sure miss that car my only regret is ...I want both. C5 are a lot of FUN also KEEP YOUR C3It will be a lot easier to get a C5 then a nice C3.

Robletto

ME TOO !!

kww

The C5's have come so far since the C3's. I've owned some later C3's and currently own a 74 L82/M21. The 74 is a real time machine and is fun to drive-for the short haul but after getting out of that 74 and into my C5 it's like getting off a park bench and sitting in the lap of luxury.

red99bird

I have a 2002 silver coupe & a 1978 Pace Car with only 11,425 miles on the clock. The 02 is by far the better car but the Pace Car is so damn sexy. My wife loves the Pace Car

love my car

Look AT MY VETTE PICS ON THE LEFT,MY 71 IS THERE.i MISS THE CAR,YEA I SOLD HER,GOT A PRICE I COULD NOT PASS UP.BUT THE DRIVING IS NIGHT AND DAY,I SAY IF YOU CANT HAVE BOTH THE C5 IS THE ONE TO HAVE.......................

Dalannex

I'm the other way from all of the previous posts. If I can't have both the C5 would have to go. My C3's are here to stay. When you drive around in a C3 people notice you, they love the car and can't help but come up to it for a look. Other classic car guys want to talk shop with you right away. When you drive a C5 you don't even get a second glance. My 1981 has more power and gets the same gas mileage as my 99'. It rides and has brakes the same as my 99'. The steering is just as good as the C5 with the new rack and pinion I just installed. It does however have no storage space for luggage compared to the C5 and it is pretty crowded to sit in and drive compared to the C5. I imagine the A/C in the newer car works better, but I don't use the air in either one because if I'm driving the top is down or off. The C3 and C5 are just different cars. The C3 is a classic style that gets noticed, the C5 is just another car on the road. Both are fun in their own way, but I think you see which one gets my vote.

Now bring on the verbal assault guys.


-Justin

brntstauf

with everyone.

I too sold my 74 stingray for a 99 C5. While I do agree the C3 is more of a head turner, I have not regretted the decision. The handling and suspension is much nicer on the C5, More interior and cargo space, better gas mileage (if that matters to you). and you dont have to worry as much about breaking down on those long trips. Just a better vehicle all around.

I say go for it.

merlin5353

I've got both.
My '71 is a REAL head turner, a classic Stingray/ Mako Shark shape. It has a distinctive rumble. It also squeeks and rattles, my feet stay HOT, has NO storage space, and is not the greatest handling car; also 12MPG.
My '04 gets noticed, too. It's super off the line. It's quiet, the A/C works great; quiet and comfortable ride. Great mileage (24 around town) and easy for me (6foot4) to get into (my daily driver).
depends what you're looking for, I guess. I'm keeping both and I'm a happy camper.

Crab

I agree with merlin5353 .......I really could'nt decide to sell our 1980 just to step into a C5. There are a ton of C5's at affordable prices, but not so many C3's in the same condition as the 80. The C5 is far and away the better ride with all the modern technology and creature comforts.
I just love driving a car with a carburator and I don't know which one I'd sell if I had to. To me both cars handle very well on the highway and are both comfortable . I hope I never have to choose between the two.

firemanbob

Sold me 75 convertible w/55,000 miles on it last October. Wanted to upgrade so I had room to throw in my golf clubs and such. While I miss my C3, my C5 is such a pleasure to drive, there is no comparison.

steve8

I had a perfect silver anniversary edition w/L-82 that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I don't miss it at all.
The C5 is a fantastic car, available at a reasonable price.
I love my 04 vert.

KeyoRacing

I've had a c-3 and a c-4 and to be honest if I had to go backwards I'd just drive different car. I'm very happy with my c-5 and unless I could get a c-6 I can't see wanting different Vette. once you move into a better car i just can't see why i would want to drop down to a car with less. I understand some people like the lines of older cars...(I still like the 67's) I think once you make the change you'll be VERY happy with it.

billla

I just sold my 2nd '69 Roadster and bought an '03 Z06. I can't tell you it wasn't an emotional change, but...

The C5 looks like a classic update to the '69 lines - which I don't think the C4 did. It's got all the C3 styling cues that I loved...not quite as "Coke bottle" from above...but just beautiful lines.

As for the C5 as a performance car, it's more than I ever aspired to with my C3. I was considering an LS swap, T56, massive suspension changes, etc....but I got all that "free" with my C5. It's a riot to drive - smooth, comfortable and downright nasty past 3,000 RPM.

I will always have a soft spot for the '69...but I think Zora would be very happy with the C5, as am I.

The C6 is...another matter - but that's not the question in this thread

jlsru

I too sold a 75 roadster to get my 99 FRC.I miss the 75 but do not regret the decision at all. I bought the 75 with 29,000 miles in 1998 and sold it in 06 with 40,000 miles.I have owned my 99 for 1&1/2 years and have put almost 20,000 miles on as just a summer play car.I hope to have 82 CE sitting along side the 99 someday.The 99 is here to stay.