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I like the old British tubs; Bugeye Sprites, Spitfires, TR4 and 6, MGs. Sports cars are about excitement and not necessarily about pure speed and never about comfort.
It's much more fun to go fast in a slow car than slow in a fast car.
This does not make sense: go fast in a slow car. Slow cars DON'T go fast, they are SLOW cars. It's more fun to go fast in a fast car than go slow in a slow car.
Anyone who bashes the Miata has never driven one in earnest and jumps on the "har har hairdresser har har" bandwagon. The Miata is one of the most engaging and purest of driving cars built in the last 25 years. There's a lot of manufacturers that wish they could have built something like it but literally everything that tries to be it just falls by the waist side. In the way that the Mustang defined the "pony" segment the Miata continues to define it's modern class of small, two-seat roadsters.
The Viper is a good comparison but it's pricing structure puts it above the C5. The older clamshell models are starting to creep up in price and about the lowest price you'll find compared to the same time period the C5 was built would be 03-04 models (some have crept below $30K but it would be a questionable buy).
As much as the purists want to bash post-air cooled 911s they're still incredibly good cars and early non-turbo 996s (the 911s built in the same time period the C5 was built) that are fairly well-sorted can be found for C5 money easily. They're going to be slower, but just as engaging in the driving experience. And the 2+2 seating makes a good argument if you need to haul a kiddo or two. I'd gladly own a good 996 alongside my C5 were I in the market.
Viper I'm a long time Corvette guy and always will be but I did add a Viper GTS to my garage 2 years ago. It is an absolute blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and the quick steering ratio with fat Michelin Pilot Super Sports make the handling great. Wish I bought one sooner.
And they keep getting better every year! OOPS my bad.
I think Corvette is more than just an amazing performance car, its something that grabs you at an early age and follows you until you realize you're finally in a place where you're able to purchase one. Its a culture of people who love cars and driving. The orhee cars likely have that to among their owners, but once you commit to loving one of them its hard not to.
That 'grab' happened to me in 1955 at the age of 8 when a neighbor bought a new Vette and gave the kids a ride. After owning two previously, I still have that 'tingle up my leg" when I get into my vert an go cruzing.
NFL[/QUOTE]
For me it's a lifelong fever, caught it at age 12, bought my first at 19, bought my 4th at 67.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by ZERRY 316
And they keep getting better every year! OOPS my bad.
The fact that they no longer make them won't diminish the pleasure i get driving this great car.
They are a blast to drive. Have you ever driven one? I still love my Corvettes, that will never change.
Did you read what she posted? In 4th at speed you're at 1:1 so the weight difference isn't the deciding factor, so yeah my statement stands, you might win by a few inches, but you aren't "toasting" anyone. Especially one that's modded.
The GT runs high 12s, the C5Z runs low 12s...a straight line race wouldn't be that close, and on a track the Z would destroy a GT...if you want to be a running advertisement for Ford, why don't you go post in a Mustang forum?
I don't think YOU read your posts...you did say holding it's own should be an insult to the Corvette...who should be insulted are Ford and Chrysler for producing modern cars that are barely faster than the 20 year old designed C5...and most of those aren't as fast on a race track...
I guess I am in love with you Corvette. Just have to put this out to all you car guys. Is there another sports car on the planet that can compete with the Corvette (within reason), price wise/looks/reliability/maintenance/insurance premiums/fuel economy/comfort/preformance and just pure fun?? Let me know if you found one...and NO the Pontiac Solstice doesn't count,
To me of all the categories listed above only one really matters "just pure fun". To achieve the "just pure fun" status two other components are required, "looks" and "performance". Who really cares about the rest? Insurance? Fuel economy? Comfort? Really? When I was shopping for a Vette my ONLY criteria were looks and performance. I was well aware of the performance going in and once I found the one I enjoyed looking at and being in I bought it. That brought the final result I experience every time I climb behind the wheel. There are many many Sports Cars in the world that fulfill my criteria for looks and performance. Achieving pure fun behind the wheel is subjective and I'm fairly certain not all would get me there. To answer the OPs question in its entirety, for me, I would have to say no.
I don't know why so many people think the GT is so fast...GT350s, Cobras, Shelbys, yes, those are fast, but the GT, not so much...a C5Z is easily faster...and the Mustangs are more like 600 lbs heavier...
I think you should take one out for a drive before you make those comments. 435 hp over 350 or 360 hp. May be a little heavier but youd be surprised
The GT runs high 12s, the C5Z runs low 12s...a straight line race wouldn't be that close, and on a track the Z would destroy a GT...if you want to be a running advertisement for Ford, why don't you go post in a Mustang forum?
Pretty sure I've been banned from all of them
And no, that's not really how a highway run is going to work.
2 seat go fast car with cool lines? Sports car. Always has been.
Hi! Yeah, I'll go with that too!! Just somewhat larger, and more comfortable, than the other sports cars I've had. There certainly is no arguing with the "go fast car with cool lines". The C5, in my humble opinion, is one of the most beautiful cars produced to date with its incredible aero type styling. Have a good one!!
The fact that they no longer make them won't diminish the pleasure i get driving this great car.
They are a blast to drive. Have you ever driven one? I still love my Corvettes, that will never change.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by El original
Almost zero for creature comforts...
I agree. No cup holders, no cruise control. Not as uncomfortable as some people think they are though. The newer ones aren't as primitive as the very early Gen 1 cars. I've taken my Gen 2 on trips and it's not too bad. Not as comfortable as a Vette and they aren't cheap. That may be why they never took off with mainstream buyers. They get alot more attention on the road than Corvettes. Fun car, but bang for the buck the Corvette is number 1.
I think you should take one out for a drive before you make those comments. 435 hp over 350 or 360 hp. May be a little heavier but youd be surprised
I have driven one. My wife's cousin has a 2011 GT 6 speed...it's fast, but it didn't feel any faster than any of the C5s I've driven...and that extra 60 or 70 hp is hauling around A LOT more weight...
I have driven one. My wife's cousin has a 2011 GT 6 speed...it's fast, but it didn't feel any faster than any of the C5s I've driven...and that extra 60 or 70 hp is hauling around A LOT more weight...
I'm talking the new s550 model. Night and day difference. Take one for a cruise. You'll be surprised. I'm not bashing vette sat all, but the new mustang is an awesome driving car and all the comforts of a luxury car.
I'm talking the new s550 model. Night and day difference. Take one for a cruise. You'll be surprised. I'm not bashing vette sat all, but the new mustang is an awesome driving car and all the comforts of a luxury car.
I have no desire to drive one...I'm not a Mustang guy...and FWIW, it SHOULD be MUCH faster considering it's design is 20 years newer than that of the C5...
I have no desire to drive one...I'm not a Mustang guy...and FWIW, it SHOULD be MUCH faster considering it's design is 20 years newer than that of the C5...
One could make the argument that the mustang is making near LT1 power with a lot less displacement. Throw a coyote in a C5 and see what happens. That motor is leaps and bounds ahead of the LS1 due to a number of factors. The only reason its not as fast as a 430 hp Corvette is the weight and its not SUPPOSED to be light. Mustangs have come a long way.
Compare a c5 to an SN95 new edge (easy for me... i have both) Stock for stock the mustang will run like a low 14. Maybe a 13.9 if you're lucky. A good driver in an LS1 Vette can run a 12.9.
Now look at the newest stang and base vette. Its like 12.8 and 12.2 respectively. The gap is narrowing. But they're two totally different classes of cars, two totally different feelings.
Corvette will always be king for me, but you can't ignore the numbers.
That motor is leaps and bounds ahead of the LS1 due to a number of factors.
Depends. The Coyote 5.0 doesn't have the low and mid range punch in torque that the LS1 has, but of course torque comes from cubic inches, or a substitute for cubes such as forced induction or No2...
09-28-2017, 08:49 PM
I'm a long time Corvette guy and always will be but I did add a Viper GTS to my garage 2 years ago. It is an absolute blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and the quick steering ratio with fat Michelin Pilot Super Sports make the handling great. Wish I bought one sooner. 
when I get into my vert an go cruzing. 
NFL[/QUOTE]
Almost zero for creature comforts...
