Harley6

I posted here a couple months ago about my desire to replace my current car, a low-miles 2006 Mustang GT, with a C5 Corvette. I've been reading this forum, looking at listings and doing what I can to know as much as I can about the C5 in order to make a good decision. Last thing I want to do is get rid of a very nice, nearly perfect car in exchange for a car that makes me regret it (But it's been a lifelong dream to own a Vette, and I'm not getting any younger).

I'm going to look tomorrow at a 2004 Commemorative Edition coupe. Is there anything in particular with that car -- and the 04 in general -- that's better and/or worse than other C5s? I'm fairly aware of the usual issues with C5s, especially the early years. If there's anything specifically I should look for when I check this 04 out, feel free to let me know.

Thanks for all the advice on here. This is an awesome site.

Vetteman Jack

Some '04s had a problem with the fuel crossover pipe (cracking and leaking fuel) but I do not have the VIN range handy. Other than that, the list of common problems mentioned in the C5 buyers sticky at the top of the page should cover things for you.

Good luck with the car.

RSbeast

I made the same move two years ago and sold my 06 GT to get into a c5. Coincidentally I had shopped c5s prior to my mustang, but decided to go for the mustang at the time as I was very familiar.

My 3v premiym car was bought stock. It ended supercharged, air to air, full exhaust, fuel, etc to the tune of 460rwhp on 8.5psi which is as far as Id trust the shortblock.

Overall the mustang is a nicer, better built car with a much higher level of fitment and extremely easier to work on/hold up to abuse.

If you are going for straightline fast, keep your mustang. It's cheaper.

That said, I hated the remote shifted 3650, the early drive by wire (un noticable in the c5 btw), the limits of the 3v, and the overall non sports car feel. Oh and who can forget 2 piece plugs. Largest peeve was a fixed roof.

That said, it really was better as a drag car. The corvette has a 10x nicer transmission but the clutch hydraulics are crap. Stock suspension is garbage. Like the mustang; once you add tires it's horrid to turn and it exploits all weakness. The LS is a great engine, but the valvetrain noise and mild slap (car depending) is off putting.

Try them both and be honest with yourself. Then pick an end goal, then drive a 5.0 with a tune etc. I love my vette but for the $ there are better options.

RSbeast

RSbeast

Waaaay cheaper to mod and easier work on btw

Harley6

Thanks for the advice. I'm not a racer and have no plans to race or even modify a C5. Just looking for something that drives nice and has a certain "cool" factor. Value down the road also means something to me, and I'm told a C5 will hold its value much better than an 06 Mustang GT.

I Iove my Mustang and it would take a nice C5 to get me to part with it. One big factor is the smoothness of the ride.

My Mustang is the GT Premium and the suspension is so stiff that every ripple in the road is felt in the seat of the pants. Road noise also is pretty loud. My wife has pain issues and it really bothers her to ride in it. I've been told the C5 is much smoother, to the point that one person told me it rides like a Caddy (is it that good?). The only C5 I've driven was a Z06 and it definitely doesn't pass out smooth-ride test (awesome car, though).

RSbeast

Mine is a z51 car; Id say the cars are around equal in ride quality as far as bumps go, with the nod to the mustang. The c5 has more road noise than any other car I've ever owned however. I've run non runflats in both Michelin pilot sports and Hankook Ventus evos and it's still very noisy. Really spend time in both. A c6 is a much better lateral move from an s197 car. A c5 is a good sn95 replacement. I've had both.

Kenny G

Cool factor?

You already know the answer..... C5 all the way!!!!

Tom Keitzer

I'm afraid I must disagree with RSbeast!! I own an '07 Mustang GT Premium convertible and an '02 Vette convertible. I just don't feel that the Stang is half the car the vette is. Ride, power, handling, you name it. Now the Stang is very nice but..........just not in the same league. As far as problems are concerned, the ONLY thing I have had to replace on my 02 C5 is the left headlight motor gear. About $50 and an hour of my time. 43K on the vette clock. Have had many more issues with the Stang, but then again nothing very expensive or serious. But good luck whichever choice you make.

bikeriderga

If the power and handling is what you are after, look at a Z06.

RSbeast

I won't argue that the corvette doesn't have higher performance thresholds stock; that really isn't a question. But it's not as well built. One was designed and engineered almost 10yrs newer. You also have a vert; which although I like; are heavier still and have pretty twisty chassis. I'm just stating for ride and overall quality; the vette is not the nicer car, it's a nice car; but we really shouldn't kid ourselves on the ill fitting and poor material sourced interior, cheap molded bits and flimsy leather/seats. The panels on vettes fit for crap, things don't line up at the same planes in hard light, huge gaps due to expansion in older composite technology, **** paint etc etc.

They're fun, they perform 'OK' stock; but they are fragile, hard to service and expensive. To me the pros do not outweigh the cons as far as quality of car.

Now id rather a corvette than my old mustang. I think it's more fun for myself etc and I'm willing to put up with the crappy parts (most days), but I will not be sold into delusion based on a nameplate.

An older ferrari is really cool and fun too; but it'll never be as 'nice' as a new Altima. It's simply what you will allow yourself to deal with.

CactusCat

You're correct on all the items. The C5 will hold its value better. Also, a Z06 is not the "smooth rider" you're looking for. Instead, the stock or Commemorative Edition will probably have a smoother ride but be aware, they're sports cars and they will not be riding like a Caddy. If the ride is of primary concern, a C6 might be a better choice. Road noise will still be there as well. It's a fiberglass car with balsa wood floors. Noise WILL be coming in. Lastly, the "cool" factor you're looking for.... I'll quote from another thread. If you pull up to a red light with a Mustang, a Challenger, a Camaro, a Charger and a Vette all sitting there, all eyes will be drawn to the Vette. That's just a given. The Vette wins the "cool" prize. Good luck on what ever decision you make. There's a lot of fun cars out there.

Harley6

Just to clarify, as much as I like it I'm NOT looking for a Z06. Just a good C5 coupe to drive while I'm in the Seattle area in the summers (im in AZ fall/winter/spring) with occasional sunny-day driving during the times I'm up there in the winter.

El original

Corvette all the way...cool factor for sure. Never seen grandma hauling groceries in a Vette! Mustang is a car for the people with no special feel. Even looking down the front hood from the drivers seat feels like driving a F150 truck. Looking down the hood of a Corvette, well you know this is not mom's grocery getter. I am not sure who's Corvette RSB was viewing but all the body panels on my Corvette are exceptional fit and finish! Paint is exceptional also. Corvette's are not for everybody...but that is what is so appealing about them. You can have your Mustang grocery getter's!

lfj2025

I own both a Mustang GT and 2004 Vette (and three other cars). I would never trade my Vette for Mustang but I would trade the GT for a Vette. Love the Vette (been trouble free) been thinking of getting the new Stingray.

F&Yb0dluvr

A 2004 Corvette had a base price of $45k a 2005 GT's was 20k you really think Ford was able to build a better car for more then half the price?
I've driven a 2008 GT 5 spd convertible before and it felt like a friggin tank compared to my 01 Vert...
Stock for stock coupes there's no comparison between 350 Hp and 3200lbs vs 300hp and 3600lbs

Harley6

The one I'm looking at is 45122768, so it looks like it falls within that range. I'm going to take a look at it this afternoon.

Is that a repair that would show up on Carfax? The report I pulled didn't show any such repair.

Harley6

Took a look at it this afternoon but didn't drive it because it was pouring here.

We gathered around a computer in the service dept. (it's GM dealer) and looked at all service records in the life of the car. No sign of work on the gas tank. There was a recall on the steering linkage that was fixed, and also a repair of the wobbly drivers seat.

When I told the sales manager that the gas tank issue is a big deal to me, he said they can't sell a car with a recall that hasn't been fixed.

Otherwise it's a very nice car. Could see only one tiny rock chip on the hood (although couldn't give exterior a thorough look because of the raindrops). Drivers seat shows wear on the left side but it's more of a scuff and not worn all the way through the leather like I've seen on others. And, given it was pouring out, it was easy to see that there were not any leaks.

Tires had a fair amount of life left but they definitely aren't brand new.

BamaJ

If you didn't know already, I guess you've found out that a lot of guys here find it hard to believe that all Corvette owners & prospective owners aren't obsessed with speed, drag racing, street racing, and doing burn-outs. Some of us are more than happy to buy a stock Corvette and maintain it's originality and just enjoy the great car as GM designed it.

Find you a good low mileage, well maintained C5 that hasn't been modded & abused, and there will be no looking back. You'll love everything about it.

Harley6

I value your advice here, and because of it my interest in this car has waned quite a bit because of the tank issue (and also tires, which I'm thinking would need replacing in a few years). And to clarify, I didn't refer to the tank as a recall. The sales manager is the one who stressed to me that they're required to fix any recall items that remain open. His point was that there was no recall on this, therefore it shouldn't be an issue. My point back to him was that it's a major concern of mine because the VIN falls within the spread of C5s produced with that crossover, and that I'm not even interested in driving it if there's no proof of it being fixed. I'm definitely not going to give up a pristine Mustang GT on the hope that the tank won't spring a leak.

I have you folks here to thank profusely for arming me with the info to raise some pointed questions as I looked at that car. Loved the LeMans Blue, the commemorative edition badging and the overall looks of the car. But thanks to you I wasn't blinded by those things so much that I overlooked some legitimate concerns.