Corvette Vs Trans AM

[Bender]

Ok, I know the topic is stupid but I could not think of what elese to put. Baiscly I have a chance to trade my daily driver which I feel like is going to break on me soon in for a 2002 Trans AM Collectors Edition. But the price got me thinking and some people on the C3 fourm about getting another Vette. My first question is dont they have the same engine, The LS1? If they have the same engine then why does the vette have more Horse Power? I want to compare all the features of the vette and the Trans AM. Do they still make T-tops for vettes? I have a C3 and I love them. I thought they were wrong about finding a C5 for less then a Trans AM but I was wrong, I just found a 99 for 22k compared to 27k total with taxes. Its just that the trans am seems to ahve some nice stuff inside. I am looking for a 6 speed manual vette. Also dont they have any collector editions of vettes? I thought they had like a 30th or something? I dunno tho the trans AM may be better for a daily driver since I can fit more then one other person in it and I do have a 81 vette which smokes if I floor it to much but what ever :/ arg I keep changing my mind every time I drive my vette, When it runs good I am happy when it smokes I feel like getting the trans am.

 

[taracatac]

The LS1 in the T/A has been detuned to make less HP than the vette (C5). The vette is faster, handles better, and will hold its value far more than the T/A

 

[Bender]

I was always told vettes have the worse resell value? Now what about features of a 98-00 vette vs a 2002 trans am WS6 pkg? If I am getting the vette I want a ton more features. Also is it possible to be able to find a 00 vette with glass T-tops and 6 speed manual for around 22k or a little higher? Im willing to wait a few months for the right car to turn up. Also you can retune it if its been detuned

 

[Hib Halverson]

The main differences between Corvette LS1s and F-car LS1s are:

Exhaust restriction...the TransAm has either a lot more (base) or somewhat more (WS6)

Camshaft...the Corvette cam is slightly different

Also, the Corvette uses drive-by-wire and the F-car uses a throttle cable.

 

[6 Shooter]

No T Tops n C5 Corvette's

A friend owns a pontiac dealership . . . he's modified a 2002 Firehawk's LS1 to as close to an LS6 as possible . . . but he's still got an F-Body not a Y-Body/Corvette . . . I kid him all the time bout being a Vette Wanabe !

Don't get me wrong, I had a sweet Z-28 F-body - LT1, 6-Speed, Borla 3" Cat Back, Cold Air Induction, T-Tops, Leather, 17"Chromies, CD, with all the other pwr options . . . but in no way did it compare to my current C4 Corvette.

F-Bodies are unibody cars . . . Corvettes are uniframe cars and the C5/C6 has the great hydroform rail technology to boot.

IMO - The ride of late model Y-Body cars are superior to F-Body cars.

U'll probably have a hard time finding a 2000 6 speed Vette for around 22k this time of year . . . if u do find 1 . . . it'll more than likely have tons of miles on it.

Good Luck Hunting/Deciding

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Bender]

What time of year would be the best year to get a vette really cheap? And are all of these features standard? Also is any C5 vette going to have way more features then a trans am?

Heads-up display *I have heard of this before but forgot what it is*
Active handling * Tracation control?*
Sport seats * Type of bucket seat?*
Memory package *Whats this*
Power everything *Both seats are power? Trunk opens with button? Keyless entry?*
Automatic headlights (twilight sentinel)?
Dual zone automatic climate control *How nice is this?*
AM/FM/CD Delco Bose sound system * Do these speakers have some thump?*
Protective body side moldings *?*

Is this standard in all C5's?

 

[builtfspd2]

your question is two fold. first, you most likely will get better deals on a vette during the winter months in cold climates such as new jersey (northeast). but you can find them any given time due to peoples circumstances upon selling.

as for options, some vettes will have all these options while others will not. the heads up display and the twilight sentinel you wont find until the late 1999 or 2000 models, not available before then unless put in by the previous owner. heads up display projects the speed and other info on the windshield while driving.

active handling (code jl4) can be found on most c5's. it helps control the car during possible spins and such. i know it was improved in 1998.

sports seats are bucket seats, usually with a small opening near the headrest and are (ribbed) seats.

that i can remember, the memory package can be found on almost all the c5's, its a feature on the drivers arm rest that you can have the computer set to memory your personal settings: seat postion, a/c settings, etc.

bsm (code b84) body side moldings........

all these options can be found, you just have to find the right car. be patient, there are a lot for sale. 700 on e-bay, countless others from dealers and autotrader.com and cars.com. just have to do your homework.

i sold my 2000 black/black auto with 76k for $21,900.

keep looking, good luck!

 

[JOV]

Lets also not forget F45 adjustable suspension settings (sport, tour and performance)
active handling and power-telescoping steering wheel, with easy exit where the drivers seat powers back and the steering wheel powers down to make it eaiser for the driver to exit the vehicle.

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Well, the fact is that even though the cam is different in the F-car vs. (C5) Y-car LS-1's, the engines put out about the same power. Both cars make ~ 300-310rwhp in stock trim, with the F-bodies actually making slightly more on average than the 'vettes. (some people claim the torque tube robs power from the 'vette, but I think it was probably just bad cam selection by Chevrolet in trying to get rid of the EGR system) BTW: The WS6 and Camaro SS were rated at 345HP in thier final year...and the engine was basically the same as the ones that were rated at 305 when they first came out. And they were CERTAINLY the same as the base Z28 and Trans-Am of the same year rated at 310. You can't tell me a cat-back and cold-air intake gives you 35hp! The F-cars were way underrated by Chevy since the LS-1 was introduced in them in 1998.

One of the big performance factors between the two (in LS-1 trim) is that the F-body weighs ~300 pounds more than the 'vette. Also, the 'vette has a much better frame. So the 'vette will certainly out-handle, and more often than not out-accelerate an F-Car.

The radio's are the same between the two. I don't believe you can get auto-climate control in the F-car. Also, the F-car does not have Active Handling (although they do come with ABS and optional traction control). The 'vette doesn't have T-tops, but the whole top comes off on the coupes. It's easier for a girl to remove a T-panel by herself like on an F-car, but a guy (as long as he's regular size for a guy) can usually handle the 'vette roof by himself. The F-car has more storage space and back seats for kids (it would be cruel and unusual punishment to put an adult back there) where the 'vette is only a 2-seater, even though the C5 does have ALOT more space in it than a C4 for storage.

After owning each, if I had a choice and the money was similar (or even if the 'vette was more) there would be no question that I would get the 'vette. Much better car in almost every category. Much better engineering, much better fit & finish.

The F-cars are nice hot-rods to drive around and race and such, but the 'vette is a much more refined car in doing the same things.

-Dave C. '04 Z06

PS: In answer to your question, the 'vette had it's 50th anniversary in 2003.

 

[Bender]

Thanks every one, now all I have to do is find a fully loaded 99 or 2000 for less then 25k and not a million miles and I will be set, I am going to go put my other car in auto trader. Is that a possible price? In the mean time I think I will get a job and put new jets in my C3 and hope that stops it from dying out on me. I will have more questions tonite proably Thanks every one I am glad I did not pay 27k for that car.

 

[Edmond]

I for one believe that the prices of preowned C5's will take a temporary dip this summer due to the fact that a lot of people would sell in anticipation for the C6.

2 seats vs. 4 seats? Hey, it's your car that you drive. It's not a taxi! :L

Wait a few months and go with the Vette'. Whoever told you that Vette's have the worst resale value doesn't know what they're talking about.

Have you considered an LT4? With a good driver, they can hold their own against a lot of C5's. I personally prefer the styling of the C4. For what you're willing to spend; you could get a nice LT4 and get some mods done with the change you'd have left over.

 

[Bender]

Nah, they are to old I have a nice looking C3 that does not run right I already have to deal with. I want a vette that I wont have any problems with because I wont be able to afford the repairs. I also want all that high tech stuff in the C5's. Any way this girl said my vette was stupid because it only had 2 seats and then went on to say how I could not give people rides and I was just like screw them they can get there own car, since I am still in high school half of the kids dont even have cars so I am always getting asked for rides. I was like I am not a taxi to give a group of kids a free ride around in a car that gets poor gas millage.

 

[Edmond]

Nah, they are to old I have a nice looking C3 that does not run right I already have to deal with. I want a vette that I wont have any problems with because I wont be able to afford the repairs. I also want all that high tech stuff in the C5's. Any way this girl said my vette was stupid because it only had 2 seats and then went on to say how I could not give people rides and I was just like screw them they can get there own car, since I am still in high school half of the kids dont even have cars so I am always getting asked for rides. I was like I am not a taxi to give a group of kids a free ride around in a car that gets poor gas millage.

Looks like you need to start talking to a different girl. :L Hey, you're still in high school and I guess all those girls are into the "Fast and Furious" crowd eh? You could always get a Ricer, then all the chicks would like you. :L

Seriously though; I would go with the C5 over the TA anyday. We have a lot of F-body owners in here and I'm not trying to offend anyone, but there's just "something" special about a Vette'.

 

[Bender]

Well I really don’t talk to her that much but it kinda of ****ed me off when she said she likes my Eclipse over my vette, I was just like WTF? Every one elese likes my vette.

 

[VetteFanatic]

Nah, they are to old I have a nice looking C3 that does not run right I already have to deal with. I want a vette that I wont have any problems with because I wont be able to afford the repairs. I also want all that high tech stuff in the C5's.

Let me get this straight........ Your in high school, looking for a C5. You already have a C3 that you can't afford to fix. You also have an Eclipse. And you don't have a job ? It took me 30 years of work to afford a C5. I labored over a C3 for 10 years that I couldn't afford to fix ... Bender, let me know how your going to pull this off !!

 

[Blade]

Let me get this straight........ Your in high school, looking for a C5. You already have a C3 that you can't afford to fix. You also have an Eclipse. And you don't have a job ? It took me 30 years of work to afford a C5. I labored over a C3 for 10 years that I couldn't afford to fix ... Bender, let me know how your going to pull this off !!

Don't know how he does it but sounds like he might buy a Vette and a T/A.

:confused

 

[Bender]

Nah just the vette and thats it.. No more cars again..

 

[atmmac]

lol i have 3 cars right now. The only reason is because my impala is for sale and i need my 6 cyl camaro for the winter. BUT i have a job and i work a lot of hours!

-Andy

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

I know what you mean. I have 3 cars too:

1. My 1997 Camaro that's my toy. It was paid off in 2001, then I modified it like crazy (it has a 454cid big block in it) for weekend cruise-ins.

2. My 2004 'vette (I'm working alot of hours to pay for this one). I bought it 2 months ago.

3. My '85 Nissan pickup that's completely rusted out but still runs...I use this to go get stuff from home depot or take old oil to the recycle place, or to go to work on rainy days (even though I do get slightly wet and it has no AC). It sure makes me appreciate the 'vette when I get back into it. It cost me $400 to buy 4 years ago. 257K miles!!! It won't die.....

I'm 35 and it took me until I was 27 before I bought my first new car (My Camaro) because a student loan payback is like a car payment, you know?

All the guys with Corvettes who are younger than 23 I would think their parents helped them buy it unless they are in the Military and have no other expenses at all. I still don't see how they can afford it even if they're in the Military, but that's the only way I can see. They can say all they want about what kind of business and such that they have, but maybe 1 out of 1000 actually bought it themselves. (Meaning with money that they themselves earned) Trading a car in that your parents bought you is the same as your parents giving you a down payment. And if you live at home, that's also your parents giving you money.

lol i have 3 cars right now. The only reason is because my impala is for sale and i need my 6 cyl camaro for the winter. BUT i have a job and i work a lot of hours!

-Andy

 

[Bender]

Well.. I have two scholarships so I make money going to school