Vette VS. RX-8
 

1

I've seen that billboard on here...still funny!

The Vette, specially the Z06, is a formidable good track car. In our local BMW club auto-x events, they usually end up with the best times (for good drivers, of course).

However, being only a two seater is not a car I would personally consider, unless it was an "extra" car, or 2nd car to my "main" car.

The $55k Z06 is impressive on an autocross course.

Not as impressive as my $5k 125 shifter kart, but impressive nonetheless. :)

I was seriously debating buying a used C5 before I got the '8. The cars are fast as hell, and handle VERY well. After reading the corvette forums (and seeing how many actually have 100k miles), I decided on the rx8. Problems that I consider to be pretty big are commonplace on the c5. Plus, the extra seating was fairly appealing, and the interior was MUCH nicer.

Still, bang for the buck, I don't think you can go wrong with a c5.

Why wouldn't you source the publicly available and unbiased reliability statistics for sports cars to help make such a decision? I'm talking of JD Power initial quality and long term reliability and Consumer Reports. If you did you would see that the Corvette C5 is one of the most reliable in its class.

babylou: Yes, because it also sells much smaller numbers.

But like Winter I looked at a used vette before buying my 8. Just the insurance difference alone was enough to sway me. Next the cost of repair on the vette is prohibitive for my budget, so that idea died quick.

Have you seen how many C5 are on the road? I could be wrong but I think the C5 is one of the best selling sports cars out.

Because statistics don't generally say things like, 'The diff will start to leak at around 25k miles' or ''the handbrake on this car is for appearance only'. I try to get as much data as possible (including JD Power and Consumer Reports), and I find internet forums to be the best way to find out what issues people are having the most problems with. You just have to accept that it's only the people having problems who are posting complaints (nobody posts 'Got in the car today. Started it, went to work, came home. Ran fine.').

As a current owner of '00 C5 I would have to say the car has been very good to me. Even after the mods I have performed on the car it has never broken down on me (knock on wood). Yes, the e-brake is a joke, the interior is not what it should be, and the diff. does leak. However, most of these items are small problems to deal that can be easily fixed. But everytime you step on that gas pedal all those things just simply vanish. You can't beat the sound or power of a healthy American V8.. Now I just need the rotary engine to compliment it.

As the proud owner of a '99 FRC C5 AND an RX-8, I have to say that they both have their respective strengths and weaknesses. I love them both and would not part with either.

hey how'd that guy get banned?

I'd say the Corvette, (C5 at least for now, don't know much on the C6) is America's best all around sports car. Would I get one?...Hell no. I can't stand American cars. But like I said, there is no denying it's capabilities.

Why are these two cars even compared? Different aminals each one.

What is amazing is how the Z06 is coming down, and if you find a guy hurting to sell you can get a 405 hp beast with 20,000 miles for 33-35 but most of them sell for around $38,000. I drive my car daily and have put 20,000 miles on it and dont have any problems(best car I have ever owned)

When I bought my 97 c5 it was in the shop all the time,then my 99 had a few recalls and little things went wrong, just shows over time they get things right.

Im inpressed with the new C6. I hope it will be as nice in quality as looks....I will have a C6 Z06 500hp...if they keep the price right.

Banned
 

He can't answer you because he was banned for being a bad boy.
He is a pain and does not hold back. I know this guy (Douglas Green) he also has a place here in Aspen. I can also tell you that he is a old man that directed old t/v shows Hawaii five-o and the first few magnum PI's http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servle.../personid-51990 He also has a winery in Africa http://www.fastmoving.co.za/detail.jsp?providerNo=2622
He also has written several books.
He is (was) a full on pain in the butt, but I know him and so does a lot of people in Las Vegas.
I am a new member but I have been a guest on this site for 5 or 6 months. (please don't ban me because I know him, other members know him too.)
I think Doug is just a old man with nothing better to do.

Malcom

The C5 has one of the worst long-term reliability ratings in Consumer Reports. Pick up any copy of CR from the past few years with car ratings and the C5 always gets "well below average" reliablility ratings. IIRC it was the 2002 car issue, they had a bar graph comparing the reliaiblity of "sports cars", the vette was dead last, and its rating was so far below average that it was literally off the chart. Not that CR is the last word in car ratings, but if a car consistently does that poorly in their reliablility ratings, I'd think twice about plunking down $50k of my hard earned cash on it.

The RX-8 of course, has a completely unproven reliability record since it's been out for less that a year. However, if past non-turbo rotaries are any indication, I'd bet that it will hold up pretty well.... but only time will tell.