Should I get a Corvette ?

[AndyBe]

A Corvette is one of those cars that's on my list of things to own and drive while I can. So: I'm looking to sell my 97 Mustang GT and replace it with a Corvette. Now I've seen a decent C5, 1999, with low miles and nice condition. But for the same price I can get a low miles nice condition 2005 Mustang GT. Is the Corvette really such a superior car ? Of course the first main obvious difference is the engine. Chevvy 5,7 as opposed to a Ford 4,6. I'm a little confused by the large price difference.
Anyone with Corvette & Mustang experience care to comment ? At the moment I'm more inclined to upgrade my Mustang for a newer Mustang.

[franv8]

Depends what you want really,

Malc would be best to comment - he's got a new Mustang and has had Corvettes.

Riding in his and also a 99 Corvette (and driven the Corvette) - I'd say the Corvette is obviously the more focussed sports car, and I think I'm right in saying significantly quicker, but the Mustang means you'll get more for your money (newer), and more practicality. Looks are subjective, so you decide!

Only real way for you to answer this is to take the C5 for a test drive, the differences and the important things to you will become apparent.

[anonymous-user]

Yes!! IMO the Mustang is mainly for people who want a US performance V8 but need the full 4 seats for the kids. Corvette is a serious performance car without the compromise; and just enough creature comforts to make it easy to live with.

For the comparison you're looking for you could usefully talk to LuS1fer who posts on PH quite a bit. He's had a C5 and currently runs a Mustang. This extracted from his PH profile,

"Satan Silver 2005 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 5 speed manual.
462bhp Vortech supercharger with chargecooler.
Pro-Speed exhausts & Corsa X-pipe; Hurst shifter; Steeda strut brace; Tokico D-Spec dampers; Roush lowering springs; Billet control arms.
Weld Evo 20 x 9/10.5" wheel; Dunlop Sportmaxx 275/35 tyres.
Legend splitter; Cervini side ducts; GT500 rear spoiler.

"SOLD October 2005
2002 405bhp Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in electron blue."

[C5RagTop]

The answer is yes. Where is the car you've seen being advertised? Someone here may know it.

[300bhp/ton]

AndyBe said:

A Corvette is one of those cars that's on my list of things to own and drive while I can. So: I'm looking to sell my 97 Mustang GT and replace it with a Corvette. Now I've seen a decent C5, 1999, with low miles and nice condition. But for the same price I can get a low miles nice condition 2005 Mustang GT. Is the Corvette really such a superior car ? Of course the first main obvious difference is the engine. Chevvy 5,7 as opposed to a Ford 4,6. I'm a little confused by the large price difference.
Anyone with Corvette & Mustang experience care to comment ? At the moment I'm more inclined to upgrade my Mustang for a newer Mustang.

That's tough question.

It does appear due to the popularity that the s197 Mustang prices are not holding as well as previous models. So in this case you can get a much newer Mustang if you so wanted.

The Mustang is a very nice car, I personally really love it. But I do feel it needs some work doing on them to make them perform as they should.

The Vette on the other hand is a far more capable machine right out of the box. It also has much greater tuning possibility also.

One thing to note - yo can't buy a cheap Corvette. C4 prices are strong and seem to be on the up. The C5 probably still has a little value left too lose, but its still a good investment.

If you can live with only 2 seats then the Vette may be the answer. Personally I love Corvettes but I like having more seats.

A last option would be to look at an Fbody. The Camaro/Trans Am use the same engine as the Corvette (same power, just advertised as less HP ).

You can pick these up for less money, then spend a bit making it handle better and go even quicker than the Vette.

The Ls1 was available in Corvettes from 1997 - 2004 and inthe Fbody's from 1998 - 2002.

In either case if you plan on any mods I'd try and get at least a 99 models year. NOTE: model year and not UK reg, they usually aren't the same.

The 97/98 cars have different heads, injectors and ECU. Nothing wrong with them, but if you plan on mods it makes it a bit more difficult and requires more thought.

If you have the money go for a 2001+ model year. These have a different intake manifold (plus some other changes) and generally perform better.


Trans Am:


Camaro:

[C5RagTop]

That Trans-Am seems to be moving around the showfield at Carlisle, Pennsylvania????

[uk_vette]

The WS6 is very good.
TBH, I was a little disapointed with the 'vette.

It was beatifull, but there was just not as much power as I had expected.

I had heard all the hype, but even though it was good, so was the WS6.
.
.
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Both very quick.