jrprich

The "best" Corvette is the one you are driving..................

Vetteman Jack

I won't deny that the new Corvette is an amazing car - technology, performance, looks, etc. But the C5, even though it is at a minimum 14 years old, still can turn heads, hold its own performance wise, has proven to be very reliable, and is a hoot to drive every time you get behind the wheel.

It was a groundbreaking design from the previous generations and now it is a bargain for someone wanting to get into a very special sports car.

cnemike

I have a black 2001 Z06. It is my second Corvette after owning a 1993 for about 15 years. The C5 is so much more of a car in my opinion. For one thing I'm not battling with that damn Optispark distributor and a wide variety of intermittent electrical issues, not that the C5 doesn't have its own shortcomings. I've been through the dreaded column lock issue, the hard to get to oil pressure sending unit failure and presently working on the no turn signals problem. But still I wouldn't trade this car for any other, except for one car in particular which was built using many parts from a C5. That car is the Mosler MT-900. I would like to put an LS7 in the 2001 Z06 or bolt on a turbocharger, but that is all bragging rights as the current LS6 is more motor than I know how to keep hooked to the road.

The Boyd Coddingtons F-9s were a deal I couldn't pass up. $900 with 50% Michelin PS2s

toycar2000

Best Corvette for the money. Great Power Tour Ride, fun at the dragstrip and just a nice all around 25 mpg driver. You can't get more car for the money and they look great besides.

bjones7131

I had a 01 coupe and loved it. it has much more room in the cabin than the c6 & c7. I too like the hideaway headlights. Had few flaws but what car hasn't. I currently have a 2017 GS & it is bad in its own right. I love them all some more so than others.

DaBoz

Bought mine new in '04.... still loving it!

🍻

King Lear

I owned a C3 for 12 years that I loved and never thought I would get rid of it. I test drove a C6, didn't like it because to me it just had too much crap in it. It also had a lot less leg room. My dad had a C4 and I couldn't stand it. I bought my C5 for 8k two years ago, rebuilt the engine, A & A supercharger, RPM trans, Z06 rear diff with 3.73 gears and 580hp at the wheel later it is beyond a doubt the best one I've owned or driven. In all fairness I've never driven a C1 C2 or C7. For me though the C5 is the best.

FSJim

I love my C5 too. Apparently the editors who wrote the article did as well as that is my silver vert in the picture. Pretty cool to see and unexpected.

Wall-E

Owned number of Corvettes over over 40 years except for "gap" to build a home & raise a kid. So, Corvette-less for over 10 years for first time since under 20 - went out looking for 1 two years ago.
Although well aware of the world of Corvette I had not really kept up. Anyway --- taking a fresh careful "look"at them, really, I quickly thought the looks of the C5 & C6 were backward. To me they took a step backward with the 6. In particular the front.

Front of C5 slick, smooth, flowing, ... C6 a grinning frog complete with big bug eyes.
I am truly entertained by the 5 owners who have gone to the expense of replacing the pop up headlights with "plopped on" afternarkets. And am fully convinced if the 5 had headlights on top of the fenders those same people would be converting them, at great expense, the other way !
I fully appreciate & understand why the front was radically opened up : to radically improve airflow - at the expense of appearance.
Additionally, as others have mentioned, they were and are an incredible value. I paid 15k for an original owner low mile one - it's probably never going to be worth less than that. That's called money in the bank.
Although performance overall has been upped in the C6, by adding an A&A supercharger I more than caught up.
Theres a reason why the Cord, I believe the first automobile with retractable headlights, has long been considered one of the most beautiful, and most collectible, and most photographed.
For those of us who were around at the introduction of the C3 the "disappearing" headlights were the talk of the town. Ever see one with the headlights repositioned to the TOP of the fenders ?

Trkdrvr

I GOT ONE!!!!

Mickeyrx70

I've only owned one Corvette, my 2002 Coupe, and I've not driven any other generations. But I cannot imagine enjoying any model Corvette more than this one. Of all the cars I've owned, never have I remained so enthralled with a car for so long. It's thoroughly enjoyable.

Torque Obsessed

I test drove a C5Z, C6Z, C6 LS3 manual and C6 LS2 automatic on the same say. Drove the tires off them. To me, the C5Z rode better, had better outward visibility and felt like it wanted to "play". It seemed eager to turn and ready for fun. The C6s all rode much stiffer. I bought my C5Z the following day. I consider trading up every few months but can't find a newer Vette I like better than what I have. At this point I've added enough power and braking upgrades that I really don't need more. Oh and it's paid off. It may not be the best Vette but it's the best for me .

justsox

Have a 93 ZR1, 2012 GS and a 99 C5 Torch Red over Black and it is my favorite. 100% stock from new. Every time I think of selling one the C5 is not even considered for sale. Love that car!!

Z06ster

One thing I love about my C5Z aside from the performance and styling is the trunk space! The amount of stuff I can put back there often amazes me. On top of that, there is the big middle "bucket" in the back. If you're into awesome car audio, then you can put a huge sub in it.. I've got a large 10" JL Audio w6v3 and it fits great!

RIKKI Z-06

#1637 Here!

C5R USA

The C5 is a great platform no question. I wouldn't have kept it for 13 years if I felt differently. "Best"? The C5 certainly went down in racing history having achieved a lot of success against the best in the world, and that can't be denied. However, I've had the pleasure of driving all 7 generations at one point or another if not owning them. Each has it's unique styling and personality and I could write a book report on each generation as to what I feel is "best" about each one.

As big a fan as I am of the C5, I mean I absolutely think the platform is just incredible. On paper and real world testing, it's clearly beaten by the C6 and C7, which it should be. Claiming it's "Best" I would say certainly there are some categories where the C5 would be hard to beat by the rest of the Corvette lineage, but that is some...not all. I love all Corvettes sincerely, I think they each have their "best" qualities. Just my .02

john351

Sure I'll take grief for this, but the C5 can't be the best Vette ever when (if for no other reason) it is one of the least attractive. C4, C6, and C7 all are much more attractive cars.

BigKitty

I still have my 2001 C5z.It sits quietly in my garage with 10,000 miles

my64vert

I have had six corvette's over time.....71..81..82 ..02..64..02...I still have my red with white interior and white top with stinger hood and love it for performance and remembering back in the day.......real head turner.......but for the ride ....look and comfort I have said for years the c5 was the best corvette they produced........this is my second 02 yellow convertible.......had one about nine years ago and did not realize how nice looking it was until the buyer drove it out of my driveway.....so about a year ago I bought another yellow 02 covertable with 55k on it....it is show room nice and I love it....but like the other fellow I did not see any of the 7k vette's that I would buy......most I saw were in the 18 to 20k range........at any rate......I agree the c5 is the best for looks...ride...and performance.......and I also am a fan of the hideaway head lights

grampi50

You need to get to an optometrist quick!