I've been talking to a guy about trading my FD for a 98 stock silver C5 6 speed with 29K miles. Since I'm moving to Florida soon, I want a car that won't be so affected by humidity and heat. After driving my car hard in the humid high 80s we've been having, I'm getting some heatsoak and have to let it cool for a while.

Anyone have any experience with C5s? I know the car won't perform as well as my FD but I'm not looking for something faster. There's no rotary mechanics in the area I'm moving to and Pettit is too far - figured if something went wrong with a C5 it wouldn't be too hard to get fixed. I know they run low 13s at 106-108 or so stock.

 

c5s a great car a friend of mine has a 2002. very fast but drives sloppier than my fd. what i mean is the handling not as tight (hatchback version). guess it comes down to are you willing to "drive" to get your car repaired ( i have to drive 100 miles PFS and 200 to KDR both out of state.) i personally wouldn't do it but i am not in your shoes. if it won't bother you that the c6 is coming out next year and ALOT of people have them I say do it, only because it sounds like your leaning that way.

 

Not to burst your bubble, but NA cars are not immune to humidity and heat either. There's a minimized effect but you still notice when it's real hot out. (Try the middle of Texas with high humidity and mid-to-high 90's! )

C5's are fun cars. They are bigger cars though ... so it does take some adjustment. You'll get to really liking the low-end torque .... something you never had in the FD. With modest bolt-ons, it's a 12-second car, easy. And the car already comes with big, fat rubber .... so you won't have to splurge on bling, bling rims. Considering my current host of problems, I'm contemplating a similar swap for myself.

 

A C5 is a car that IMHO is the closest thing a Domestic has come to the RX-7. It is a big car though and you will feel it. Gone will be high piched sound of the rotary and the turbos spooling. In its place you will have the low rumbling sound of a V8 that is sure to shove you back in your seat even off the line. Im sure the FD gives more feed back to the driver, being a smaller car with 400 lbs weight difference you will feel in responsiveness, regardless of the fact that the FD and C5 pull similar Skid pad/slalumn Numbers.

Where in Florida are you moving? Not sure if I'm going to end up in the Palm Coast/Jacksonville area or back to Atlanta....

Oh yea, Im from PA originally (Pittsburgh) good choice on the move.

Remember when you drive the C5 that The -7- CAN'T lose!!!

 

Everytime I have to fix something on my car, that's the first thought that's run through my mind. Over the last 3 years, I've threatened my FD at least twice a year that I'm replacing it with a C5 and then it seems to magically start running fine again.

My father now has a 03' Z06 and it's freaking sweet. It is a night and day difference from my FD, however my FD is not as modified as yours. I've never driven the standard C5 so I have no comparison. For a sporty car to drive everyday, I would definitely do it. If my father hadn't owned every year Vette for the last 20+ years, I would already have one. But for me, when/if I toss my FD, I'm going after an older Viper since it still won't be a daily driver.

I would suggest you go drive one. See how you like it. Good luck!

 

i actually have the pleasure of being able to drive an FD or a 2003 Vette Convertible on any given day. My daily is the FD and my dad's weekender is the Vette. I love them both, and like everybody else said...its night and day. C5's are reliable, and make insane amounts of power pretty easily. So IMO, if ur looking for a car thats almost as quick as the FD, without the problems, the C5 is the closest you'll ever get

 

I agree you need to drive one to see if its right for you.

Also remember this.....low end tq only FEELS fast, which can make for a fun ride but dont let it fool you into thinking its faster than your car cause it feels it. TQ is a very decieving feeling

STEPHEN

 

I have an FD, my uncle has a C5 - the first time I drove it I couldn't believe how much it reminded me of the FD, expecially compared to a buddy's C4 (****) corvette. Anyway, it's a very nice car. After driving it I thought, "well, that's the first Corvette I've ever driven that I would consider buying myself." Big improvement in quality over previous vettes.

 

I live in FL, and i drive my FD only on the weekends and i used to daily drive it. Its fine down here with the heat/humidity.. all cars are subject to it.

A C5 is a GREAT car, lots of styling cues from the FD and i absolutely love the way they look. They are a bit different in driving.. they have a little more body roll and are a bigger car. They still STICK to the pavement though, so you can still be as ballsy as you want to be. Very predictable cars, IMO Traction control is gh3y, so you'll want to disable it. Anyways great car, great interior.. lots of space.. just a Great car! Its up to you!

 

I too have uttered the old trade for Vette curse. It's a great car. I'm currently going sinlge on my 7, and if I don't like it, i'm selling it, and stepping into a Z06, or an 03 Cobra.
Having to drive a long way for support is a pain in the ***. There really isn't that much support in Boston, so I drive over 5 hours to KD when something needs fixing. I love long drives, but i'm tired of that drive. I don't mind fixing a car form time to time, but when it's a big project just to get to your mechanic, it can be a drag.

 

No Brainer
Trade or keep, you get a great car either way.

 

uhh if the result is the same either way, wouldnt that make it a difficult decision (exactly the OPPOSITE of a no brainer)?

 

The guy that has the C5 said he noticed a tremendous difference in handling with S03 tires rather than the run-flats which suck. He used to a have a 94 FD and wants back in an already built FD. He doesn't have any support in Charleston, SC where he lives so that concerns him. But he likes the fact my car is setup sequentially still with good power that will help compensate for the torque the Vette has. He seems to think his car is a factory freak since he's driven a few 99s and other Vettes and says his is much faster although stock. I hope the deal goes through - I love my car but I think it's time someobdy else takes it over. I've heard from many people that the C5 is very comparable to the FD in many aspects. Interestingly, he said his C5 outhandles his old 94 FD which doesn't seem right but who knows. I guess people are just addicted to FDs