So I test drove a base C5 Corvette

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
08/11/2014 at 22:21 • Filed to: None

I may have mentioned that. Here's my thoughts

It looked like this but with C6 wheels, which are so much better

The red is a bit much for me. It's a Corvette, I feel like it grabs enough attention as is without being bright as hell. Red also doesn't hide shitty 90's GM paint quality well at all, there were chips all over the place, orange peel like crazy, and although it seemed well taken care of it was covered in swirls (easy enough to fix).

The interior on the C5 is often lauded as being shit-tacular. I disagree, I actually find the interior to be reasonably decent. Replace the antiquated radio with a touchscreen head unit and it's a really nice place. Materials are okay at best, maybe when new it was shit but as a cheapish used sports car it's not even close to being bad. The Bose audio sounded fantastic , the automatic climate control was really nice. The whole cabin is shockingly roomy: I've only driven the convertible C6 and this thing is a temple by comparison, largely because of the unobstructed access to the cavernous rear hatch area.

The seats are also quite comfortable and have power adjustable lumbar and side bolsters. That's a really nice feature for a fat man like me: instead of being insanely invasive all the time like the recaro's in the ST twins, they are just flat out comfortable and supportive, and iimmediately adjustable from couch comfort to track ready.

The steering wheel is pretty crappy though, I'll give you that. Who cares, how does it drive?

Well, it's a Corvette. That means it makes a shitload of torque, glorious sounds, and is altogether fast in a straightline. The C5 is reasonably powerful: in the C6 my reactions were HOLY FUCK THIS THING IS FAST AS HELL while in the C5 it was more like HOT DAMN THIS THING IS QUICK! The internet tells me it's 4.7 to 60 which is very very fast.

The steering feels light compared to the C6 which is great because I felt like it was a little bit too heavy in the C6. This was a pretty nice balance between comfortable and sporty. Same goes for the clutch, compared to the C6 this was more comfortable IMO. The shifter, ugh. This had an aftermarket short shift of some kind, I hated it. It took way too much effort to shift, I kept not being able to get it in gear which I just don't understand: it wouldn't go into first a couple times, I grinded a few gears here and there. It wouldn't be surprising to do that if I was new to manuals but I daily one, something was off. Of everything with this car that would have been my biggest dealbreaker. I have to find one with the standard transmission and see what it's like. If the previous owner thought this improved the car, it must be a horrible stock shifter.

We took it down a relatively curvy road and I drove it fast. I was a bit surprised at the amount of body roll. It was certainly not like driving a tall hatchback or floaty sedan, but surprisingly high for what it is. The C6 was flat as Kansas around similar bends, this had quite a bit of give. Overall that made the C5 feel more like a grand tourer than a proper sports car: a little bit over the line towards muscle car rather than sports car.

Taking the top off doesn't really hurt handling much. It is glorious though: the targa roof is brilliant. Easy to put on and take off by yourself, really opens up the car. Cabin noise is surprisingly quiet with the top off so long as you don't roll up the windows.

Overall, I still love the Corvette, and I'm even more convinced that C5 is the way to go. The C6 is the better car, no doubt, but for the money the C5 is hard to beat. I have to get one with the Z51 package though, for daily use the base model is fantastic but for autocross I feel like it would be a let down. I'd like to get it in black and with the HUD as well. My target will be a 99-01 black coupe with Z51, HUD, and manual 6 speed.

If you find yourself shopping for an affordable sports car, do yourself a favor and drive a C5. The Corvette is a seriously good car and the values are totally reasonable (although many people's asking prices are too high). I know for sure I will own one in the next few years now, it's that good.

DISCUSSION (35)

Dsscats > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:26

So dump the Sonic and get a C5?

Kailand09 > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:27

How much would it be a deal breaker to not have the Targa? I want the better performance of C5Z or C6 base coupe, but would rather spend less than C6. The Z seems it will retain more value than a base C5... But no targa might be a deal breaker for me too and force me to save longer and nab the C6.

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:29

was flat as Kansas

LOL

Jayhawk Jake > Dsscats
08/11/2014 at 22:30

Nope, Sonic is staying for a long time.

I'm going to save up to pay cash for a C5 in another year and a half or so. Either buy it outright or pay a huge down payment on one.

Jayhawk Jake > Kailand09
08/11/2014 at 22:36

For me? I don't want to give up the targa. I really like having the option to take the roof down, and I don't like the look of the fixed roof C5.

I don't pay attention to values because I don't really care. I'd like to drive a Z06 but I don't think I'll be willing to give up the style of the coupe.

I'd consider going for a C6 if the prices come down, but honestly I think I'm leaning more towards saving some money and using the difference to customize my car. More power is easy to come by, and a nice head unit would be an easy modification that would improve the car a lot.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/11/2014 at 22:37

Self deprecating humor is best humor

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:38

"We took it down a relatively curvy road "

...where the hell is there a curvy road in Wichita?

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:38

Have you ever seen a Lotus out there? They must have zero customer base in a place like that.

Jayhawk Jake > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/11/2014 at 22:39

Right across the street from mel hambleton there's like 3 bends. It's not special, but it's relatively curvy compared to the infinitely long and straight roads in the area.

Enough for me to notice the body roll...

Kailand09 > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:42

See, that's the thing. Ultimately a modded coupe C5 would be really good if I didn't care about retaining value. Some mods to suspension, a bit more power, maybe a few interior and cosmetic mods. It could turn into a perfect car.

I just don't know that I'd be OK knowing most of that money is gone. But, the targa is a huge plus... I'm with you there, and I'm sure my lady is too. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for your write ups though, great insight

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/11/2014 at 22:44

I've seen an Arial Atom out here.

And yes, I've seen 4 Lotus's I think. 3 Exiges and 1 Elise

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:44

lolwut

Jayhawk Jake > Kailand09
08/11/2014 at 22:45

Eh, I have bought 2 new cars. I'm over depreciation.

As far as I'm concerned I just want to enjoy my car. If the time comes to sell it and I don't get much so be it.

I wouldn't do much beyond bolt ons. Maybe a couple suspension tweaks, new wheels, new head unit, minor cosmetic stuff, intake/exhaust.

Kailand09 > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 22:47

That's true, I haven't really bought many cars yet. It's good to hear the thoughts from someone who's been down that road before.

More to think about now for me... lol

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Jayhawk Jake
08/11/2014 at 23:03

My target will be a 99-01 black coupe with Z51, HUD, and manual 6 speed.

Nice choice. Personally I won't own another black car, but they look killer when clean. I just wanted to point out that the years you really want are 01-04. They got the second generation Active Handling, and a few minor tweaks to the engine including the new (for 01) LS6 intake manifold, and rated at 5 more hp (to an even 350) and I think 25 more ft-lb to 375. They also don't have the wagon wheels like your picture, and I still think the thin spoke / y2k wheels look good on the C5.

I can't remember who it is anymore that makes the kit, but somewhere you can get a modified dash piece to cleanly fit a double-din head unit. The factory is the 1.5 DIN that GM was using at the time, and I don't think it's straight forward to put in a double-din without modification.

The shifter in your Sonic I'm sure is way more light to use, but it also runs to a transmission that doesn't have to deal with nearly as much torque. It might be worth looking into which shifter that C5 had, they're not all made equal. And ever since I first upgraded the shifter in my second car, every car I've had has gotten the same treatment. The stock C5 isn't terrible by any stretch of the imagination, but it can also be improved upon. I think a cheap, and far from being high effort, switch that some people do is to buy a C6Z shifter from someone who has upgraded.

Jayhawk Jake > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
08/11/2014 at 23:35

My current car is black. As much of a bitch as it is to keep clean, it just looks so damn good. Plus I like washing cars, although that may change if I have two black cars to take care off...

I'd probably go for the C6Z shifter from what I've read. Something with a reasonably short throw that's still comfortable to use. I might end up just leaving it stock, the Sonic has long throws and that doesn't really bother me, and in the Corvette it's not like I'd be shifting that much. Hell at autocross I could probably just run in second gear from start to finish with as much torque as the LS1 has

01-04 would be nice, but the price starts to climb from what I've seen.

Thanks for the info, definitely keeping it in mind as I move forward

camaroboy68ss > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 00:10

I feel a short throw it really only need if you drag race a stick car. id just toss the handle. I yanked the one in my 98 as soon as I got it. the 01-04 is the best years of the C5, I have heard though that early Z06's (o1-mid 03) that the valve springs had a high failure rate from the factory.

Shifty > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 00:38

Buy it. Keep an eye on the harmonic balancer, put in a good shifter (the MGW is a wonderful unit), do the AntiVenom mod-see CorvetteForum.com, and if it's an 98 to 01 model, replace the plastic sway-bar links with Moog/C6/or Z06 metal versions, and you'll have a very fun car.

Jayhawk Jake > Shifty
08/12/2014 at 08:22

I'm not going to buy one for another year and a half probably. Gotta have somewhere to put it first ;)

From what I'm hearing from other opponauts I think I'm shifting my target vette to an 01-04 black coupe with the Z51 package. Hopefully I can find one around $15,000 in a few years. NADA says that's about the right price, but most people list them at least $3000 more than they should.

Jayhawk Jake > camaroboy68ss
08/12/2014 at 08:25

I highly doubt I'd go for a Z06. The only scenario I get a Z06 is if some long lost relative of mine has one with 20,000 miles in their garage and decides to let me buy it from them for $10k. I have no doubt it's the best performing vette, but I'm not a fan of the fixed roof so I'd rather save some extra cash and get a coupe.

A couple people have pointed out the 01-04 are the best years, so I will try to get one in that range, I doubt it's significantly more expensive to go to an 01 or 02 over a 99-00, especially in another year and a half to two years.

camaroboy68ss > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 09:41

I don't think so, the main reason the 01 and later cars are better is because a few of the Z06 only parts originally were stuck on the ls1's such as the intake and even the block in some cases. I am basing a lot of this on what happened in the Camaros but I know chevy well enough to know if they did this to the Camaro line then the Vette more than likely got it as well. I think the vettes prices will still drop for a couple years but it seems SS Camaro and WS6 birds are holding now.

Jayhawk Jake > camaroboy68ss
08/12/2014 at 09:47

I'm curious to see what happens with C6 prices over the next few years. I imagine as C7's start to trickle out to the used market the C6 prices will start to come down and C5 will follow. If the prices stay where they are that's okay, I think I can find an 01 for the price I want.

Another reason a lot of people push the 01-04 C5 is Chevy made the 'active handling' multimode traction control standard on those.

camaroboy68ss > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 09:52

my grandpa had a 01 roadster with that. never messed with it. he only put 500 miles on it before selling it. His 06 trailblazer SS though was quicker than the vette out of the hole. that vette got amazing mpg though. the little reader was showing 28-32 on the hwy at 65. car was an auto though. the early C6's have gotten fairly cheap. they will drop but I don't think either the C5 or 6 will get to low levels comparable to a late c3 or c4

Jayhawk Jake > camaroboy68ss
08/12/2014 at 10:06

It's going to be a funny day when I own a Corvette and it gets better mileage than my Sonic...

I would be shocked if C5's or C6's ever get down to the cheap C4 level. They are too well sorted and reliable to reach that point, at least until someone starts flogging them half to death and tries to sell one with 200,000+ miles on it. I suspect the C5 will bottom out around $10k, and the C6 will eventually get to current C5 values.

My long term dream is to get the C5 in another 1-2 years, then trade it for a C7 in another 5-6 years.

Fuelish > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 13:07

Great article, gave me good insight into purchasing a C5. What kind of reliability issues would a C5 have after 70k miles? I'm trying to gauge how much it would cost to maintain over a few years since it will be taking most of my savings to buy it. THANKS!

Fuelish > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
08/12/2014 at 13:08

What kind of other benefits do you get with the 01-04? What's their reliability like after 70k miles?

Jayhawk Jake > Fuelish
08/12/2014 at 13:12

Not a clue. I haven't seen any major problems reported with newer C5s. Other people on here know more than I do so hopefully they can answer it.

Jayhawk Jake > Fuelish
08/12/2014 at 13:15

Here's a post on the Corvette forum giving a rundown of common issues:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-tech/984927…

Shifty > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 17:07

II were to be more year-specific, I'd look at 02-04....if you can hold out for a Z06, that's the way to go, but plan on more dollars.

Jayhawk Jake > Shifty
08/12/2014 at 18:29

I don't want a Z06, not a fan of the hard top

n54 & s38 > Jayhawk Jake
08/12/2014 at 18:44

If you're having trouble getting it into gear, it migh be the hated GM skip-shift from this era which forces you to go from 1-4 if you're not flooring it. Easy enough to disable though.

Jayhawk Jake > n54 & s38
08/12/2014 at 19:11

Nah, it wasn't that. It didn't want to go into gear from a standstill

Fuelish > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2014 at 11:06

You're the man.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Fuelish
08/14/2014 at 03:25

I will forward this by mentioning that I don't own a C5 myself. I was shopping for one last year, and I do own an LS1 car. I have been trying to keep a good amount of knowledge on them, just because I like them.

I can't recall right now what exactly was changed, but in 01, the factory rev limiter was bumped from 6000 to 6200. Somewhere along the line, the selective ride was upgraded. I think it went from RPO F45 to F55. I would presume that it's a next-gen upgrade along the lines of the AH, but obviously still not as good as the MRC that they have today. I personally would want a Z51, so the selective ride didn't garner so much of my attention.

As far as reliability.
I have a picture saved that I was going to upload but kinja apparently doesn't like me right now. Google didn't find me the image online again to link to, but it did find these:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/234…
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569324248-pos…

My LS1 has 123k miles, and I've had no troubles. It's putting out more than factory HP (haven't had on a dyno, don't want to make a guess here), and when I bought it the rev limiter had been bumped to 6800. And it was a guy's college car. The limiter is at 6500 now, but I'm sure it's seen more abuse before I got it.

Much of the C5 is simple and reliable.

Fuelish > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
08/14/2014 at 08:15

Nice, that's what I like to see. I've got 265,000 on my '98 E320. I've always put a lot of miles on my cars. A C5 would be a daily driver for me and I want to make sure it's not going to put me into a hole.