fasterdamitt

Hello all, I am making the leap into my first GM product in 30 yrs and first Corvette. I am hoping your comments can lead me the best direction. I am looking to buy a mostly daily driver, I do have a Avalon and Passat to cart the family around a couple days a week. I like HP but am wondering if I need 500 hp on the street and which would be the preferred Corvette for the same money. Any regrets I may have with either over the other.
Of all the research I have done it seems to be down to these as they both will cost about the same at the end.

2001 C5 base LS1 6sp 75,000 miles with intake and exhaust mod. Bolt on a Pro Charger after purchase.

OR

2005 C6 LS2 Z51 6sp 76,000 miles with intake and exhaust mod. No other mods.

Thanks, Tom

James2002z06

If it has 500 horsepower , then it's had a ton of work done to it...this is going to get good..

dangerz

I would suggest going to an '06 c6 if you're going to do c6. 05's had some issues being a first year run. Besides that, I wouldn't worry about the power. Power can be added. The real questions are:

Do you think a c5 looks better than a c6?
Do you like the c5 interior more than a c6?

I was somewhat in your boat recently. Was debating between a c6z51 or a c5z06. I like the looks of the c5 a lot more, so I went with that.

James2002z06

Sorry I didn't notice it had a pro charger on it , hell yes by the dam thing and go have a blast

fasterdamitt

I like the looks of both. Not sure if which is a better car for driving, reliability and investment if I have the same amount of money in either one. I like the more HP I would have on the C5 with the ProCharger but would it be better buying a C6 instead and leaving the HP alone...

fasterdamitt

I would be adding the ProCharger after purchase. That's why the 2001 C5 would be about the same investment as the C6.

jrose7004

I'd get the C5.

c5vetteguy

Start with the C5, which'll cost less. If you think you need more after that, add the SC.

oldschoolvette

First off congrats on the change of heart / enlightenment.

I like the C5 I have owned two and my nieghbor has a C6. To me C5 looks better. Buy it and put the SC and go have fun

Chilliwack vettes

Seems like you don't have a favourite regarding C5 or C6. If that is the case then get a C6 ('06 or newer).

fasterdamitt

Nope, no favorite. I know some are bias to the look of one over the other. I am aiming towards the best purchase of the two for my satisfaction and investment down the road.

MG RED 99

Have you considered pricing out a C6 Z06. Would this be in your ballpark at all. What's your end budget. What kind of power are you acustomed too now. Have you had 300 or 400 hp cars. If so the C6 may feel slow for you after some time. The C5 with a supercharger would definitely be faster than the LS2 C6.

Do you want auto or manual?

When it comes to the 2 cars you chose, personally it would come down to which body style I preferred better. If you plan on supercharging, my guess would be if you get the C6 it wouldn't be that much longer for the funds to supercharge it down the road maybe in a year or 2.

DDaaryl

Buying a vehicle with Mods (and questionable history) is never a good investment. The original design works fine unless you are on the track or are one of the Duke boys from Hazard County

SaberD

i would find a c5 as close to stock as you can get. Drive it around for a while and get used to it before you start adding power and suspension. you will really learn the car a lot better this way.

baxsom

75K miles on a 13 year old car. I would get the newest car you can afford. Remember this is the C5 section. Did you ask the same question on the C6 side?

baxsom

who actually considers an intake and exhaust "questionable mods"

Used cars are never investments. You don't buy a used car as an investment unless its value is already on the upswing. A C5 will be an investment in another 20 years or so.

fasterdamitt

C6 Z06 is more than I want to spend. Yes my last two cars had 400hp approx. M6 is what I want. I'm looking at 20 - 24K done.

fasterdamitt

Good cars usually bottom out on value at some time with age. I was referring to the 2001 C5 priced around 16k not dropping drastically in the next 5 years. The C6 will be priced in the low 20's and I know will drop more in 5 years!

Phanni

2001's only had problems with the LS6 engine, not the LS1.

Buy the cheaper car enjoy it then decide if you need more HP, I suspect you won't

fasterdamitt

No I did not ask C6 owners. I figured C5 owners might have more years with the car and have a better opinion.

But then again, maybe C6 owners had both.....