C5 FRC or Targa?

Or Z28/SS

Been looking at C5's lately as well as 2000-2002 SS Camaros. All 6 spd cars. The Camaro's are obviously cheaper, but I can can get a nice, very low mileage SS for 1/2 - 3/4 the price of the few year older C5 with normal mileage. What's the deal on the FRC, and advantages, or none over the Targa cars?

What are you going to use the car for? DD? Weekend car? Occasional auto-x and track day?

All FRCs were Z51s. A stripper FRC will be slightly lighter than a targa car, but loaded up there's no weight savings because they have the convertible X-Brace. FRCs are stiffer, though, and squeak and rattle way less than targas.

Most FRCs also had the other performance option, I think it's Z07, which gave you pretty much the rest of the performance bits that Z51 didn't. Basically, most FRCs were Z06s with regular motors.

I'd do another one in a heartbeat over a Camaro. Take good care of it and sell it in a couple years and you won't lose a nickel on it.

Thanks JG. Exactly what I was looking for. The car would be a summer DD and I would probably leave it pretty much stock.

We reaaaaallllllly like our 2002 Chevy Camaro SS SLP 6 speed car.

And it actually has space to bring crap with you as a bonus.

If you aren't going to the track, I'd get the SS, stab a cam in it, and call it a day!

Didn't someone recently post on here about the Vette being a lot cheaper to insure Vs. the Camaro? That may be good to check out. If true, that plus the increased resale value may make the Vette closer in overall cost.

If it was me I would take the FRC. They have the Z51 bits, they are lighter stiffer, and they look way better. Considering they are rarer and more sought after they will probably hold their value better.

I own a targa top C5. When I had my Z28, I only took my ttops off a handful of times, I hated them. I do take the targa off a lot though, it more open and quicker, it's very nice. The targa apparently has a lot more luggage space. It has a ton of room.

Really you cant go wrong either way but I prefer the FRCs.

I owned a fourth gen Fbody for 8 years, C5 is a way better car, pretty much does everything better. It would be easier to do some repairs on a Fbody like a clutch or some of the bigger repairs but the C5s are pretty service friendly overall.

And for future reference for readers unaware of the difference between the C5s.

FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe"

Targa/Coupe (Available with glass or body color roof, or both)

The Camaro is what I started out looking at, and is probably more my style.

These are the two I am considering. Haven't seen either, but will probably look at the FRC this weekend

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1027238844

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1023043969

Truth be told, I've driven earlier Vettes and really didn't like them. I know the C5 is something completely different, but I'm prepared to not be thrilled by the seating position, interior and the way the drive, but I have to find out.

I like both Camaro's and Corvette's. But for 2/3rd's the price and less than half the miles I would be all over that SS.

Lots of folks have been saying that you would not lose money on an FRC, I think the same could be said for a low-mileage 2002 6-speed Camaro SS. I'm not exactly up on my late 4th gen's but I know they made improvements through the LS1 years and the later is better - maybe they got Torsens and some sort of improved intake(?). Other than a 2002 WS6, you aren't going to find a more desirable 4th gen than that.

Zomby Woof wrote: Truth be told, I've driven earlier Vettes and really didn't like them. I know the C5 is something completely different, but I'm prepared to not be thrilled by the seating position, interior and the way the drive, but I have to find out.

You're also considering 4th-gen F-bodies, which are a step or two below any C5 as far as seating position and interior feel/quality. Maybe three steps.

The C5 is a vastly different car from the C4, like it's hard to believe they came from the same company.

You're both right. That's why I have a problem

Here's a downside, the back half of an FRC is hideous

TARGA for me. I have just always found the FRC's to be ugly.

That depends. How often do you honestly expect to take the targa top off? If the answer is very rare or never, go FRC. Otherwise, I'd say go targa/coupe. I agree with Gameboy the back of the FRC is gawd awful. Yes, the targa/coupe is more flexible, but it's still more than stiff enough for any street driving you'll do. I had two C5s...both were targas with Z51. I'd have it no other way...and may well get another.

I actually prefer the look of the FRC over the Targa. How often would I remove the roof? Maybe never. Called about the SS, but it's about a 1 1/2hr drive to see it, so that won't happen until at least next week.

In reply to SEADave:

4th gen values tanked when the "5th gen" finally came out.

I dig the fact that SS is in pewter, but screw that, I couldn't live with the gaping front end on those.....the Trans Am is oh so much better on the eyes.

Even if the targa top didnt actually come off and it was STILL 'flimsier' than an FRC, i'd still prefer it. I think the looks and hatchback space advantage are too much to beat.

Having said that, i WOULD take the targa top off occasionally, so that just adds another point in its favor.

I really dont think body stiffness is a big deal for most owners. It will feel stiffer and sportier than most things that most people have driven. Even if it doesn't squeak and rattle, it will still LOOK like it does. It's an old Corvette. If you want to get the impression of high quality or luxury you are looking at the wrong car.

I've done some fairly major work to a C5 and i think they are pretty ok for DIYing. I enjoy driving them and spend a fair amount of time thinking about getting one. The price is definitely right (on the low end, anyway) for what you get with a c5.

No comparison for me; the targa looks better, has way more luggage space, and it's a cleverly designed targa! I really dislike the Z06/FRC body style.

4th gens Fbodies got a plastic gas tank and ls6 intake in 00 or 01 I think, not much else changed. I think they will continue to depreciate as 5th gens come down but they might stay were they are for quite a while, Plus they will probably never get too cheap if the LS swap community stays big just because of what they are worth in parts. LS6 intakes are getting above 300 and sometimes 400, T56s seem to be going up everyday and the LS1 is still pretty high. Wheels are a few hundred if 17s, SS hood is anywhere from 400-800 for a GM one.

My 4th gen parts guy says he still gets 3200 for a T56 and LS1.

So you may not be able to drive it for "free" you probably wont loose your ass.

I also dont see C5s getting much cheaper either though, at least the early ones currently going for 15K and down.

I much prefer the looks of the FRC. Although I still prefer the looks of the C4 to the C5. As for driving, well I just got to drive a C5 briskly and it was OMG awesome. It's been too many years since I've driven a C4 to really compare.

I'd love to have a 4th gen Camaro SS or WS6 t/A. I'm just not sure I'd choose one over a Vette. And that's odd because I've never been a Vette guy.

I drove that C5 today. I could see myself living with a car like that. It was pretty impressive, but not quite what I expected. OTOH, I only drove it for 10 minutes. He sais I could have it for $13,500 if I do the inspection and e-test myself. Didn't bother with the SS car. He told me he sprayed the entire undercarriage with rubberized rust proofing, and I hate that E36 M3. Also, while doing a google search for pewter Camaros, the main pic in his ad came up as being posted originally on LS1tech and not his. Hmm.

Found a 98 SS/Z with 4.10 gear, built trans, and quality aftermarket clutch, PP, and master, owned by an old fart like me (but with money). Going to see it this week then I'll know.

All I know is you CAN fit 4 E46 M3 wheels with tires mounted inside with two passengers-barely with lots of air removed. It was amusing helping the buyer load them.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

And that's really important since it's likely the only part you'll ever see

Well, I drove that C5 and thought I'd give myself a day or two to think about it, and that was a mistake. I should have bought it before somebody else did. I haven't found another deal like it. Drove the Z28 with the 4.10 gear and was surprised at just how much it felt like an old school muscle car. So if I find a nice clean black, 6 spd Z for the right price, I'll buy that and drive it for a few years. The Vette can come later. I liked both, and definitely prefer the FRC over the targa.