Get out an drive one someday -- if you can find one try the GrandSport with a 6 Speed manual tranny, - The Grandsport handles like no car I have ever driven. And you are right about the interior upgrade from C5 to C6 -- pretty nice job Chevy did with all that plus it is so much quieter than my C5 was.
One thing I am finding out -- keeping the black Corvette clean and shiney is like having a high maintence girlfriend. :-0