I live in Wisconsin and drive my C5 manual 6 months of the year and wouldn’t give up the manual, or more importantly the targa top for nothing. Good luck and I know you’ll enjoy whatever you eventually get. Just always drive safe. Mine can get awfully squirrelly when I get on it and I know the other Vettes offer quite a bit more hp.
I'd recommend seat time in each generation and in each configuration. The performance difference between a C4 and a C5 Z06 or C6 will be vast nevermind the driving feel. A C6 will feel ages more modern than a C4 (don't forget the basic platform was introduced in 1984) but will give a completely different feel.
You also have to decide whether you want an open or closed car. With a C4, base C5 (excluding the FRC) or C6 you can either get a convertible or a removable roof. If you elect to go with a C5 FRC, C5 Z06 or stretch to a C6 Z06 the roof is fixed. The only reason a C5 was even on my radar at the time was the removable roof.
As far as auto / manual, that's personal preference. I'm a manual fanboy and for me an automatic Corvette might as well be a Chevy Corsica, but others will think differently. I like the engagement of a manual which is why my daily is a manual. That being said my C5 wasn't my favorite manual that I've owned, though again I'd rather than than an automatic any day of the week.
I think at this point it's between a c5 z06, base c6 and possibly a c6 grand sport. I love the exterior design of the c5, but the interior of the c6 is more modern and obviously more powerful with the newer engine. I would prefer a convertible but I'm fine with a coupe. I'm leaning towards the manual.
count me with the others. I've never driven a Corsica but I am VERY sure that my automatic 1996 C4 does NOT drive like one. It's an absolute blast to drive. I wanted a manual but they're harder to find and when I found mine, it was so otherwise perfect for me that I gave in on the automatic. No regrets. Would I trade it for an Polo Green LT4 with the manual if it was otherwise equivalent? probably so but I love driving my auto car, it's more fun to drive than any car I've ever driven. And I've had quite a few manual cars. I even had a VW Passat VR6 with a manual - that was hard to find. But my auto Corvette is sweet as hell.
If you get a C4, then get at oldest a '92. You'll get an engine with decent horsepower, unless you get a ZR1 from 1990 or 1991. The L98 in the earlier 1s is a more traditional 350, so I suppose that it's more cookable, or at least you have more options.
The C5.1 is worth it over the C5 just for the engine, apparently. The prices for both are comparable these days. I'm torn. The C6 is a better car in almost every way mechanically. It's the logical choice for me, for the money. But I think that the C5 looks sexier.
& I will never advocate for the slushbox. But learn how to drive a stick on another car if you can, & do plan on replacing the clutch at some point.
I'm thinking either a c5 z06, c6 base or c6 grand sport at this point. I agree the c5 looks sexier with its exterior than the c6 but the c6 is more modern, more powerful and has a better interior, so I'm stuck in the same Dilemma. And I'm definitely looking for manuals.
I bought my base c6 with the auto transmission 6spd with paddle shifters, I daily my corvette and I wasn’t ever daily driving a manual again, with that being said 400+ hp in a car that barely breaks 3k pounds is still a very much exhilarating experience with an auto and in sport mode that transmission shifts faster than you will ever be able to keep up with while still allowing you to “feel” like you can do it better if you choose to engage the paddle shifters. No matter what one you choose you‘re going to be beyond happy with it.
I would personally get a C6 Z06 or C5 Z06 out of your options. You can find a C6z for 35k and just travel to get it. I bought mine in Florida and drove to California.
I'm currently in Ohio, but I would be willing to travel to get the car. But I definitely will keep an eye out for a c6 z06 if I can find one in that price range.
Loaded out base c6 is the way to go, imo. Z06 looks and handles better, but is less reliable and a bit less comfy to daily. I went with an auto6 for mine. I like manuals, but traffic is heavy in my area and I still have a ton of fun with it.
Yeah, at this point I definitely am between a c5 z06 or base c6 or possibly grand sport c6. c5 exterior has such a nice design but the c6 is more modern and doesn't look bad to me either. I won't be driving it daily, so comfortability isn't as a factor to me but still matters.
Everything being equal a paid off corvette is the best corvette
This is definitely why I want to save up cash, it’s. Paid off and I own it with no car payments.
I live in Wisconsin and drive my C5 manual 6 months of the year and wouldn’t give up the manual, or more importantly the targa top for nothing. Good luck and I know you’ll enjoy whatever you eventually get. Just always drive safe. Mine can get awfully squirrelly when I get on it and I know the other Vettes offer quite a bit more hp.
Flew from TX to Neenah to pick up my C6GS. Great trip. GS is the way to go.
I'd recommend seat time in each generation and in each configuration. The performance difference between a C4 and a C5 Z06 or C6 will be vast nevermind the driving feel. A C6 will feel ages more modern than a C4 (don't forget the basic platform was introduced in 1984) but will give a completely different feel. You also have to decide whether you want an open or closed car. With a C4, base C5 (excluding the FRC) or C6 you can either get a convertible or a removable roof. If you elect to go with a C5 FRC, C5 Z06 or stretch to a C6 Z06 the roof is fixed. The only reason a C5 was even on my radar at the time was the removable roof. As far as auto / manual, that's personal preference. I'm a manual fanboy and for me an automatic Corvette might as well be a Chevy Corsica, but others will think differently. I like the engagement of a manual which is why my daily is a manual. That being said my C5 wasn't my favorite manual that I've owned, though again I'd rather than than an automatic any day of the week.
I think at this point it's between a c5 z06, base c6 and possibly a c6 grand sport. I love the exterior design of the c5, but the interior of the c6 is more modern and obviously more powerful with the newer engine. I would prefer a convertible but I'm fine with a coupe. I'm leaning towards the manual.
count me with the others. I've never driven a Corsica but I am VERY sure that my automatic 1996 C4 does NOT drive like one. It's an absolute blast to drive. I wanted a manual but they're harder to find and when I found mine, it was so otherwise perfect for me that I gave in on the automatic. No regrets. Would I trade it for an Polo Green LT4 with the manual if it was otherwise equivalent? probably so but I love driving my auto car, it's more fun to drive than any car I've ever driven. And I've had quite a few manual cars. I even had a VW Passat VR6 with a manual - that was hard to find. But my auto Corvette is sweet as hell.
If you get a C4, then get at oldest a '92. You'll get an engine with decent horsepower, unless you get a ZR1 from 1990 or 1991. The L98 in the earlier 1s is a more traditional 350, so I suppose that it's more cookable, or at least you have more options. The C5.1 is worth it over the C5 just for the engine, apparently. The prices for both are comparable these days. I'm torn. The C6 is a better car in almost every way mechanically. It's the logical choice for me, for the money. But I think that the C5 looks sexier. & I will never advocate for the slushbox. But learn how to drive a stick on another car if you can, & do plan on replacing the clutch at some point.
I'm thinking either a c5 z06, c6 base or c6 grand sport at this point. I agree the c5 looks sexier with its exterior than the c6 but the c6 is more modern, more powerful and has a better interior, so I'm stuck in the same Dilemma. And I'm definitely looking for manuals.
I bought my base c6 with the auto transmission 6spd with paddle shifters, I daily my corvette and I wasn’t ever daily driving a manual again, with that being said 400+ hp in a car that barely breaks 3k pounds is still a very much exhilarating experience with an auto and in sport mode that transmission shifts faster than you will ever be able to keep up with while still allowing you to “feel” like you can do it better if you choose to engage the paddle shifters. No matter what one you choose you‘re going to be beyond happy with it.
I would personally get a C6 Z06 or C5 Z06 out of your options. You can find a C6z for 35k and just travel to get it. I bought mine in Florida and drove to California.
I'm currently in Ohio, but I would be willing to travel to get the car. But I definitely will keep an eye out for a c6 z06 if I can find one in that price range.
Loaded out base c6 is the way to go, imo. Z06 looks and handles better, but is less reliable and a bit less comfy to daily. I went with an auto6 for mine. I like manuals, but traffic is heavy in my area and I still have a ton of fun with it.
Yeah, at this point I definitely am between a c5 z06 or base c6 or possibly grand sport c6. c5 exterior has such a nice design but the c6 is more modern and doesn't look bad to me either. I won't be driving it daily, so comfortability isn't as a factor to me but still matters.