2003 C5 Corvette —> 2023 Camaro 2SS 1LE

Jorlebar · 08-06-2023, 08:14 AM

Has anyone made the transition from C-5 Corvette to a new Camaro SS 1LE?

I have a low mileage 2003 Corvette Coupe that has been excellent. I’ve had a new Camaro on order since January. Looking forward to it arriving but apprehensive about letting go of the Corvette.

I am hoping someone has an informed opinion about how these two great cars stack up. There is 20 years difference between model years but arguably the vette was ahead of its time and the 2023 Camaro has not been updated in a while.

Please share your experience. Thanks, Jason.

PostalLDMC · 08-06-2023, 09:48 AM

I had a 03 vette long ago and the 23 Camaro will do everything twice or more better. Plus, you'll have foot space that the vette never had for size 13 shoes. but then again, I'm 6'2".

m6-lt1 · 08-06-2023, 10:16 AM

I drove a c5 z06 not too long ago. That car is a much better comparison than a regular c5. Performance wise the c5z is about the same as a gen 6 ss. The ss 1le will out accelerate and out handle the regular c5 by a lot! The interior is miles ahead. The only thing the c5 does better is it feels smaller and more raw (if that’s your preference). Otherwise a c5 non z06 can’t be compared to the gen 6 ss 1le performance wise. A gen 6 ss 1le can actually do a decent job of keeping up with a c8 z51.

CHASLT1 · 08-06-2023, 10:31 AM

I went from a 2004 Z51 C5 to a LS2 05 GTO and the C5 seemed slow vs the GTO. So the 2023 LT1 with a over a 100 more HP will feel much better.

FarmerFran · 08-06-2023, 11:39 AM

I had a 99. The Camaro is nothing like that car, at all.

Memphis SS · 08-06-2023, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorlebar

Has anyone made the transition from C-5 Corvette to a new Camaro SS 1LE?

I have a low mileage 2003 Corvette Coupe that has been excellent. I’ve had a new Camaro on order since January. Looking forward to it arriving but apprehensive about letting go of the Corvette.

I am hoping someone has an informed opinion about how these two great cars stack up. There is 20 years difference between model years but arguably the vette was ahead of its time and the 2023 Camaro has not been updated in a while.

Please share your experience. Thanks, Jason.

I don’t think you will be disappointed with your new SS.

CamaroRSOnt · 08-07-2023, 03:13 PM

I had a C7, went to the SS this year, had a RS in the past. Bigger, bit heavier car so not quite as nimble in the corners but nicer on the highway ( I have mag ride). I would say with the A10 the SS is near as quick as the C7 as well from 0-60. I like the Camaro better than the 'Vette but that's just me (my wife is much happier).

I was planning on buying a C8, waiting to see the design when it came out. That look is what pushed me to go back to a Camaro, not a fan of the C8 design. Too busy, looks like two different people designed the car, front and back.

FH212 · 08-07-2023, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorlebar

Has anyone made the transition from C-5 Corvette to a new Camaro SS 1LE?

I have a low mileage 2003 Corvette Coupe that has been excellent. I’ve had a new Camaro on order since January. Looking forward to it arriving but apprehensive about letting go of the Corvette.

I am hoping someone has an informed opinion about how these two great cars stack up. There is 20 years difference between model years but arguably the vette was ahead of its time and the 2023 Camaro has not been updated in a while.

Please share your experience. Thanks, Jason.

My dad owns a 2003 50th anniversary Corvette. I have spent alot of seat time in that car. I really love it for what it is. But its hard to compare between a C5 Vette and a 6th Gen Camaro. The 6th Gen Camaro is faster, brakes better, handles better and has a better quality interior. The Vette is a great car and will always be. But I dont really think the 2 cars compare at all.

302crossram · 08-07-2023, 05:10 PM

base C5 is just a little bit better than a gen4 SS SLP Camaro
Gen 6? not even close

laynlo15 · 08-07-2023, 05:33 PM

I went from a 03 anniversary to a Gen5 SS and then to a 16 SS, then to a C7 Stingray and now back to a 2022Lt1 with Maggie 2300 and TooHighPsi Port Injection. Been all over the map.

ZPirate · 08-07-2023, 06:27 PM

I haven't owned C5, but I did have a 2006 C6 with Z51 package and a 6 speed manual for a number of years. All I can say is that my 2022 SS 1LE is so much better than my C6 was. So I can only assume the same regarding a C5.

I was never a fan of the C6's steering. It was vague, had little feel and had the turning radius of a boat. And the shifter was so notchy that I had to upgrade it. No such issues with the 1LE. The Alpha platform is a great chassis.

laynlo15 · 08-07-2023, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPirate

I haven't owned C5, but I did have a 2006 C6 with Z51 package and a 6 speed manual for a number of years. All I can say is that my 2022 SS 1LE is so much better than my C6 was. So I can only assume the same regarding a C5.

I was never a fan of the C6's steering. It was vague, had little feel and had the turning radius of a boat. And the shifter was so notchy that I had to upgrade it. No such issues with the 1LE. The Alpha platform is a great chassis.

I don't have a 1le but I can tell you that the C5 and C6 are in the ball game of the Lt1 or Lt4 Camaro or a C7. Night and day difference. I think the C6 is the next Gen that was better then the C5 for sure. I also had a 99 C5 which was a head and cam, headers and 6 speed. It didn't like drag radials. I had a 85 Corvette and 91 Corvette. I had driven the C6s several times and it was a good generation compared to the previous Corvettes.

CHASLT1 · 08-08-2023, 06:07 AM

All my C6's were very good. They were all non Z51 and my 2021 LT1 seemed to handle about the same. My Z51 C7 is a big step up.

GM-ACE · 08-08-2023, 06:33 AM

Currently driving a C7 Z51, no major complaints, but I'm going back to a Camaro. Same engine as the Vette, but with more features and the 6M is sooooo much better with the LT1 than this 7M.
But I have to say, if I were a diehard Corvette owner, I would've been pissed to find out I spent 15k more, for less.

08-06-2023, 08:14 AM	#1
Jorlebar Drives: 2023 Camaro 2SS 1LE, 2003 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5	2003 C5 Corvette —> 2023 Camaro 2SS 1LE Has anyone made the transition from C-5 Corvette to a new Camaro SS 1LE? I have a low mileage 2003 Corvette Coupe that has been excellent. I’ve had a new Camaro on order since January. Looking forward to it arriving but apprehensive about letting go of the Corvette. I am hoping someone has an informed opinion about how these two great cars stack up. There is 20 years difference between model years but arguably the vette was ahead of its time and the 2023 Camaro has not been updated in a while. Please share your experience. Thanks, Jason.

08-06-2023, 11:39 AM	#5
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,032	I had a 99. The Camaro is nothing like that car, at all. __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 Vert TR-6060 Sharkskin "Sharky" Firecracker Red Wrangler Willys, 3.6L eTorque, 850RE 8 speed automatic, 25W Willys package, Technology Group, Convenience Group (aka $600 garage door opener), Cold weather Group, Trailer Tow and HD electric group with AUX switches, 3 piece black freedom top.

08-07-2023, 03:13 PM	#7
CamaroRSOnt Drives: 2023 SS Vert Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Ontario Posts: 241	I had a C7, went to the SS this year, had a RS in the past. Bigger, bit heavier car so not quite as nimble in the corners but nicer on the highway ( I have mag ride). I would say with the A10 the SS is near as quick as the C7 as well from 0-60. I like the Camaro better than the 'Vette but that's just me (my wife is much happier). I was planning on buying a C8, waiting to see the design when it came out. That look is what pushed me to go back to a Camaro, not a fan of the C8 design. Too busy, looks like two different people designed the car, front and back. __________________ 1978 Z28 T-Roof 1984 Berlinetta 2007 Solstice Supercharged 2014 C7 Z51 2020 RS Convertible 2023 2SS Convertible

08-07-2023, 05:33 PM	#10
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	I went from a 03 anniversary to a Gen5 SS and then to a 16 SS, then to a C7 Stingray and now back to a 2022Lt1 with Maggie 2300 and TooHighPsi Port Injection. Been all over the map. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

08-07-2023, 06:27 PM	#11
ZPirate Drives: 2023 Summit White Camaro ZL1 M6 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,763	I haven't owned C5, but I did have a 2006 C6 with Z51 package and a 6 speed manual for a number of years. All I can say is that my 2022 SS 1LE is so much better than my C6 was. So I can only assume the same regarding a C5. I was never a fan of the C6's steering. It was vague, had little feel and had the turning radius of a boat. And the shifter was so notchy that I had to upgrade it. No such issues with the 1LE. The Alpha platform is a great chassis. __________________ 2023 Summit White ZL1 M6 (delivered 10/15/23) 2019 Dodge Durango R/T (daily driver) 2003 Nissan 350Z (modified) 2022 Rapid Blue 1SS 1LE M6 (delivered 2/19/22) (Sold) 2009 BMW 135i (Sold) Last edited by ZPirate; 08-07-2023 at 07:01 PM.

08-06-2023, 09:48 AM	#2
PostalLDMC Drives: 2022 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upper Mid-West Posts: 276	I had a 03 vette long ago and the 23 Camaro will do everything twice or more better. Plus, you'll have foot space that the vette never had for size 13 shoes. but then again, I'm 6'2".

08-06-2023, 10:16 AM	#3
m6-lt1 Drives: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,038	I drove a c5 z06 not too long ago. That car is a much better comparison than a regular c5. Performance wise the c5z is about the same as a gen 6 ss. The ss 1le will out accelerate and out handle the regular c5 by a lot! The interior is miles ahead. The only thing the c5 does better is it feels smaller and more raw (if that’s your preference). Otherwise a c5 non z06 can’t be compared to the gen 6 ss 1le performance wise. A gen 6 ss 1le can actually do a decent job of keeping up with a c8 z51.

08-06-2023, 10:31 AM	#4
CHASLT1 Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tampa FL area Posts: 795	I went from a 2004 Z51 C5 to a LS2 05 GTO and the C5 seemed slow vs the GTO. So the 2023 LT1 with a over a 100 more HP will feel much better.

08-07-2023, 05:10 PM	#9
302crossram Drives: 2023 Sharkskin 2SS Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: NWFL Posts: 758	base C5 is just a little bit better than a gen4 SS SLP Camaro Gen 6? not even close

08-08-2023, 06:07 AM	#13
CHASLT1 Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tampa FL area Posts: 795	All my C6's were very good. They were all non Z51 and my 2021 LT1 seemed to handle about the same. My Z51 C7 is a big step up.

08-08-2023, 06:33 AM	#14
GM-ACE Old school tech Drives: Ruby 1LE - 2024 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 288 View My Garage	Currently driving a C7 Z51, no major complaints, but I'm going back to a Camaro. Same engine as the Vette, but with more features and the 6M is sooooo much better with the LT1 than this 7M. But I have to say, if I were a diehard Corvette owner, I would've been pissed to find out I spent 15k more, for less. __________________ Previous Camaros: 2021 Riverside Blue 2SS/RS A10 \| 2019 Riverside Blue 2SS/RS M6 \| 2013 Crystal Red 1SS/RS A6 \| 2010 Imperial Blue 2SS/RS A6 One & only Corvette: 2015 Stingray Z51 Ordered 2024 Radiant Red 2SS 1LE Ordered: 6/15/23 Accepted: 7/5/23 3000 - 7/5 ---> 3100 - 7/19 3300 - 7/20 --> 3400 - 7/20 -->TPW - 8/7 4300 - 8/14 --->4B00 - 9/5 DELIVERED 9/20!!

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