I Drove A C5 Corvette Today

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
08/17/2014 at 21:07 • Filed to: None

It even has the right number of pedals. Jayhawk Jake is right, it's a SERIOUSLY underrated car.

So for any of you who have driven a corvette, you know you sit extremely low to the ground. Just like my S2000, you have to fall into this car. But, once you're in it, it's all great. The seats are comfortable, the driving position is nice, and there's a lot of visibility.

What's most amazing to me is the sheer amount of gas mileage one can pull out of this car. With the 6-speed, going 60 in 6th gear is only generating 1300 rpm; it's fucking nuts. At times I was cracking 40mpg on the instant MPG. My average MPG was 30.1, which is just mind-boggling for a 5.7l V8.

This car has jumped right up into the top 3 for my new car search currently going on.

Any question, of course feel free to ask.

DISCUSSION (47)

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:11

What year was it? Looks like it has the HUD, how did it look? How was the shifter?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:12

Kinja'd!!!

MUSTANG!!!!

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:13

Kinja'd!!!

I just wish the interior was all-red! If only the black parts, top dash and steering wheel were red too :)

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:13

Kinja'd!!!

oooo a Pantera!

Flavien Vidal > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:13

Instant MPG is... meh... :)

Letting the car go in 4th gear downhill, I can reach.... 99mpg!!! :) But other than that, yes, the Corvette is an economical car, if you don't kill the accelerator as often as possible. On a racetrack, I'm at 5 to 6 mpg with mine, 30mpg on the freeway. You can litteraly choose your gas consumption haha

EL_ULY > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:14

(insert "but interior materials and corners blah blah" FP style comments) lol.

C5 is kickass! I want a C5 Z06 as bad as cookies.

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:14

If I ever get a C5, I'm *definitely* doing the European tail light conversion!

(sorry no more picture uploads, but I promise it's not a rape gif!)
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/attachm…

Jay Lauer > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:16

It was an 01 I think. Yup, it's got the Heads up display. It looked great really; this is the guy how has the ZR-1, L88, and other Vettes too, so it's taken care of.

The shifter was replaced by a super-short throw style. It's a really weird one. You have to muscle the fucker over into first gear with your full might, but the throws are just millimeters. Personally, I'd rather have the stock shifter.

I actually tried to buy it off of him after driving it, but it was his son's car that he's boughten twice from him. They gave it back as a present and now he's bought it again. So he's got basically twice what's its worth invested in it, so he just will keep it.

I'm strongly considering one now, next. Between this and a 07-newer Mini Cooper S, which sounds weird, I know. But, I'm going to sell the Honda first, cause I really don't want to own three cars again.

BrianNutter > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:16

keep tryin' to tell you guys. As when new, they will beat anything. double the money. Image be damned.

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob
08/17/2014 at 21:18

This one.

He's detailing it for me.

Jay Lauer > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/17/2014 at 21:18

Haha yeah there's a couple of them there. That's a 64 1/2 convertible.

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob
08/17/2014 at 21:19

It looks like an asian person laughing.

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:20

There is practically zero chance the next car I get isn't a C5 corvette. The only other possibilities are I somehow end up with a bunch of money and get a C6 or C7, or I get impatient and buy some cheap miata to hold me over.

Have you driven one with the stock shifter, or at least played with one? The only C5 manual I've been in was the one I drove last week and it had an aftermarket shifter that sounds similar: very short throw, but a workout to use.

If you wait a while (another year or two) on the vette I'll probably buy it from you when you're done with it :P

Jay Lauer > EL_ULY
08/17/2014 at 21:21

It corners just fine to me. It's not like my S2000, but it's not as light either. It's also way more comfortable and more relaxed than my car. The Honda is knife's edge ALL THE TIME. Which that's great, but you don't need knife's edge going to the airport at 4:30 in the morning.

Flavien Vidal > EL_ULY
08/17/2014 at 21:21

Corners? you mean how it takes them? If so, it's not usually something brought up against Corvettes. C4s are really looked after for autocross because of its cornering abilities and C5s aren't too shabby either with small mods killing anyone else :)

Jay Lauer > BrianNutter
08/17/2014 at 21:21

I agree with you whole-heartedly.

Jayhawk Jake > dogisbadob
08/17/2014 at 21:22

Ehhh I've seen it in person, I'm not a fan.

Id strongly consider flush mount tail lights though

http://www.customcorvetteaccessories.com/images/500_Flu…

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:22

All the wants in the world!! What transmission?

Jayhawk Jake > EL_ULY
08/17/2014 at 21:24

Honestly I don't get the interior materials quips on the C5. I thought it was really very nice. Far from leather wrapped everything, but frankly the couple Porsche Boxsters I've been in from the same time frame are about the same quality. The steering wheel design is mediocre and the thin cheap leather doesn't seem to hold up very well, but it's a generally nice interior

dogisbadob > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:27

Yeah, but red turn signals suck and shouldn't be allowed. There's a reason that almost every country prohibits them and requires amber. European standards are written by engineers; American standards are written by lobbyists.

BrianNutter > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:28

Ever around Cleveland and want to take a ride in my C5Z lemme know. I'm going down the dark-side of license plated crazy, but it just feels right.

Jay Lauer > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:28

Haha I haven't used a stock shifter. My neighbor drives a stock C6, so I could probably check that out sometime.

Well my though lately has been to get the Mini first so I can have FWD through the winter, and then buy a C5 around December/January when nobody wants them. But we've always got a Saturn at the shop that I can drive in shitty whether.

I want to see where values go first. I'm only looking for a stick shift. I found a 97 in OKC with 110k for $8800 (which blew my mind) but it was sold already. The best I've found since is a 00 with 64k for $12500.

Sadly, the LS1 is super reliable so nobody blows them up often, so I'll just see if cold weather brings values down.

Jayhawk Jake > dogisbadob
08/17/2014 at 21:29

I've never seen a problem with them. It's not like anyone uses theirs anyways...

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:29

This is funny. I am planning on getting an S2000 and only ever drive an S2000 in GT6 — TheLOUDMUSIC recommended I drive the C5 Z06 in GT6 and I was really surprised how much I liked it that now I really respect C5 Corvettes, far more than regular C6s now.

Jay Lauer > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
08/17/2014 at 21:29

It's an auto I believe.

Here's the garage.

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:31

I think the C5 is either replacing the Miata as a go to bang for your buck sports car or it's just going to be the next step in the path after one masters a Miata. The biggest thing holding me back is the Vette guys telling my to just stick with my Miata because it's nearly as fast at the autocross but my tires are soooo much cheaper. Maybe I'll meet somewhere in between and just put an LS in my Miata.

JR1 > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:33

I have really always wanted one of these ever since I started "shopping" at 16. Dollar for dollar I don't think it can be beat. But I have to ask does it make you squeal like a little girl under full acceleration?

EL_ULY > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:34

lol yup, love how they drive considering it size. Plus dat poweerr!

Jay Lauer > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
08/17/2014 at 21:35

I only ever played GT3 back 6 years ago or so, so I can't comment on how accurate video game cars are.

My recommendation obviously is to drive them in real life, which I know is easier said than done. The S2000 is great, I love the car. It's very much a adrenaline-junkie's knife-edge car. It's great running up the gears and carving corners, but highway driving sucks. Also, sometimes you don't want knife's edge; like driving to the airport at 4:30 in the morning. But, that's not bad enough to not buy one.

The C6 is what the S2000 isn't. It's not as light or agile as the S2000. But it's more comfortable and relaxing to drive distances than the S2000. I do a lot of highway driving, so I'd like the Corvette as a place to be.

EL_ULY > Flavien Vidal
08/17/2014 at 21:36

ohh yes! They are soo beast. Again, I reaaaly need a C5 Z06 in my life. Want to get back to autoX and hell, not having a clumsy slow car anymore lol

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 21:36

The C6 has a totally different shifter. I drove a C6 manual, that shifter was very nice.

I wouldn't buy an automatic corvette unless it was an exceptionally good deal. My plan is still to buy one in spring of 2016, but situations can change. If I got a big raise before then, not that I expect one, I'd probably get one sooner.

The values seem to be hovering around what you've seen. I anticipate paying $12-15k for an 01 with ~60k miles. I'll be very curious to see what happens over the next two years for values: C7s will start to spring up on the used market which might push older values down a bit. I'd be surprised if they really come down much though: C4s are cheap but C5s are so much nicer and more reliable.

Jay Lauer > JR1
08/17/2014 at 21:38

Well it's not my car, so I didn't floor it. He wasn't in the car with me, but I want to be respectful. The highest I got was 3k RPM.

A C5 Vette is probably much for a first car though. I think you need a couple shitters before getting a nice car. I sure had plenty of them.

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson
08/17/2014 at 21:38

Maybe. I think it's a car you need to like, I don't see it replacing anything. They're pretty big so people looking for a miata might not be interested.

EL_ULY > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:40

I lile them also. They are ok. Plus, more worried about the... well, everything else lol. But you know these kids on the FP lol :]

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:41

I originally intended to buy a Miata to get better at autocross and improve my driving skills and then to graduate to a C5 when I felt I was ready. The more people I talk to say it would be a waste of time if I just want to go faster, which is the primary goal.

Jay Lauer > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 21:44

I guess we'll never know what a C5 shifter is like.

Yeah, it's hard to filter through the old geezers who either have outrageous thoughts on the value of their car or didn't drive them at all, and think that's worth an extra $10k. The $12k was even abnormally cheap . The next cheapest was $15,500 for a 62k example .

This one was quite intriguing , but it doesn't look like C5 Z06 values are much different than normal ones, as shown here .

It's strange. Z06 prices like that should make normal ones way worse. Why wouldn't you pay $2k more for a Z06? That in theory, should kill the base C5 price, but it hasn't. A lot of people have normal C5's at the same price or higher than you can get for a Z06.

The Corvette market is a fucked up place.

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson
08/17/2014 at 21:55

I've thought about the same thing, but in a different way: a miata to have fun and hold me over until I can afford a C5. If you've got the money go straight for the corvette

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 22:02

Is there some secret Wichita Oppo Club of Let People Drive Cool Cars that I'm not aware of? Dayumn. Also that 30mpg highway is impressive; how's the city?

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 22:05

Let's be honest here about holding out. At the end of the day every car you purchase is intended to hold you over until you can afford a C6 Z06.

Jay Lauer > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
08/17/2014 at 22:06

A lot of it is my father's friends or clients. He owns a restoration/mechanic shop so we see all sorts of stuff. A lot of them I've known long enough for them to know I'm not going to hot rod their car, so they trust me with it.

He also knew that I was looking to buy one so this was technically a test drive of sorts.

JR1 > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 22:19

Absolutely that is why I didn't buy one a few years back (also because I was 16 at the time.) Just a fun thing to do to pass the time. I have noticed the prices have dropped even more

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson
08/17/2014 at 22:20

Truth. Though I may skip straight to C7.

http://c7forum.ipbhost.com/uploads/galler…

Dat everything

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 22:23

Yeah if I went for a C7 not knowing more about the Z06 yet I would go for an optioned up stingray. I just hate that the new Z06 will be available with an automatic and a supercharger and can be a convertible.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 22:24

Oppo review ALL THE THINGS!

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Jay Lauer
08/17/2014 at 22:29

That's true. Corvettes just have a better daily drivability while still having the ability to perform. Plus you get a V8 and all that low end torque so highway driving is pleasurable and doesn't break the bank. What octane level fuel does a base model C5 need?

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson
08/17/2014 at 22:32

I think for me a C7 Z06 would be too much. Even a C6 Z06 is pushing it. Not that I wouldn't like the performance, but I wouldn't use it enough to justify the extra money.

I don't understand a convertible Z06, but I can't blame GM: make money where you can. If old dudes want to buy a Z06 vert with an auto, might as well give it to them.

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 22:36

I don't mind them making it, I just wish they'd called it something else. Like I was fine with ZR1 garbage because that was a money car not a track car, like a Porsche GT2. It just seems like they reversed it and made the ZR1 the Z06 and are still holding out for an ultimate track version that they're going to call something else.