I love these "one post wonders" who sign up to stir the pot.
Facts are that C4, 5 and 6 are all easy to work on as long as you have good tools and service data. I own a 95, an 04 and a 12 and work on all of them myself. In fact, in some respects, due to better diagnostics, more simple assembly and less problems with parts availability, the C5 and C6 are easier to work on that is the C4.
As for the torque tube linking the engine to the transaxle, that's part of why C5 and C6 handle far better than does a C4. The C5/C6 structure is so much better than is that of C4.
I'd take on your "700-hp Vette" with my 500-hp C6 on any road course. The only place I might be in jeopardy is on a long straight and that's if you could get the car to hook off the turns and we only ran a couple of laps. If we ran a lot of laps, my car's much better brakes would negate most of your extra 200 horses.
Chevrolet needing to build a "Vette like a Viper"...I can only
In the most recent ZR-1 vs. Viper test at Laguna Seca by Motor Trend magazine, the Viper got it's ass kicked.
As for my wearing a suit and tie and manicuring my nails?