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MavrikTA · 03-10-2008, 10:56 AM

I wanted to post this, to maybe help any others who are in the same situation that I was a week ago. I traded my 01 TA, modded with MS3 cam, full exhaust, gears, spray, and optioned out with a T56 tranny, for a 2002 base, stock, automatic C5 Corvette. I was really concerned about the trade off.
Would I feel slow?
Would I catch 'mod fever' and go nuts(ie...broke)?
Would I regret buying an Automatic tranny?
The following is my take on the differences between a Vette and a TA(of course this is applicable to the Camaro, also.)

INTERIOR:
I actually like the Fbody interior, but the Vette is much more comfortable. There are a ton of options, gadgets, and toys! HUD, DIC, traction/handling modes, all this makes you feel like you are more in control of your vehicle and gives a dork like me, something to play with.

The MPG guage is awsome, and is now all I have on display with fuel prices the way that they are! The interior is def. more cramped(side to side) than an F-body. You sit much closer to your riding partner. The doors are SOOO much easier and lighter than Fbodys that I had to really work at not swingin them open like I was used to! Your field of vision is way better also, you can see around and behind you during lane changes much better. However, the nose is more difficult to 'feel', and parking with any curbs is a bitch....this will take some getting used to.
EXTERIOR:
This thing is LOW! Couldnt even get onto the rack to have oil changed!
POWER:
I dont know why, but this thing hauls ass! Even after my modded TA, this thing feels fast! Maybe its the weight difference? And, surely cant beat 27mpg!
HANDLING:
Aside from the interior, this is my favorite part of this car! This thing is on rails! I just put new tires on Saturday, because the factory Run Flats were shot. Man, did that make a difference! The car is as quiet as a Cadillac inside now, and nearly as smooth! Handling is just rediculously sharp.
OVERALL:
After a week of getting aquainted with the C5, and doing a comparison to my previous F-bodys, I am very happy(and suprised) to report that I have absolutely NO REGRETS! As a matter of fact, this is quickly becoming my favorite car, a title once held by a WS6 Trans Am.
It is fast, handles like a racecar, rides smooth, gets great fuel mileage, gets looks all the time, and is just plain fun to drive...even going slow.
So if anyone else is on the fence with the same questions, do yourself a favor....cross it!

NOTE: this is simply my opinion and experiences. I am not, and never will "bash" F-bodys....they will always hold a special place in my heart....meanwhile, the Vette will hold a special place in my garage!

03-10-2008, 10:56 AM	#1
MavrikTA 12 Second Club Trader Rating: 27 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas....thank God. Posts: 592	Corvette Vs. Trans Am(Personal review) I wanted to post this, to maybe help any others who are in the same situation that I was a week ago. I traded my 01 TA, modded with MS3 cam, full exhaust, gears, spray, and optioned out with a T56 tranny, for a 2002 base, stock, automatic C5 Corvette. I was really concerned about the trade off. Would I feel slow? Would I catch 'mod fever' and go nuts(ie...broke)? Would I regret buying an Automatic tranny? The following is my take on the differences between a Vette and a TA(of course this is applicable to the Camaro, also.) INTERIOR: I actually like the Fbody interior, but the Vette is much more comfortable. There are a ton of options, gadgets, and toys! HUD, DIC, traction/handling modes, all this makes you feel like you are more in control of your vehicle and gives a dork like me, something to play with. The MPG guage is awsome, and is now all I have on display with fuel prices the way that they are! The interior is def. more cramped(side to side) than an F-body. You sit much closer to your riding partner. The doors are SOOO much easier and lighter than Fbodys that I had to really work at not swingin them open like I was used to! Your field of vision is way better also, you can see around and behind you during lane changes much better. However, the nose is more difficult to 'feel', and parking with any curbs is a bitch....this will take some getting used to. EXTERIOR: This thing is LOW! Couldnt even get onto the rack to have oil changed! POWER: I dont know why, but this thing hauls ass! Even after my modded TA, this thing feels fast! Maybe its the weight difference? And, surely cant beat 27mpg! HANDLING: Aside from the interior, this is my favorite part of this car! This thing is on rails! I just put new tires on Saturday, because the factory Run Flats were shot. Man, did that make a difference! The car is as quiet as a Cadillac inside now, and nearly as smooth! Handling is just rediculously sharp. OVERALL: After a week of getting aquainted with the C5, and doing a comparison to my previous F-bodys, I am very happy(and suprised) to report that I have absolutely NO REGRETS! As a matter of fact, this is quickly becoming my favorite car, a title once held by a WS6 Trans Am. It is fast, handles like a racecar, rides smooth, gets great fuel mileage, gets looks all the time, and is just plain fun to drive...even going slow. So if anyone else is on the fence with the same questions, do yourself a favor....cross it! NOTE: this is simply my opinion and experiences. I am not, and never will "bash" F-bodys....they will always hold a special place in my heart....meanwhile, the Vette will hold a special place in my garage! __________________ 03 C5 Corvette....painfully stock... 2 liter is a Coke size, not engine.