A tuner would tell you 99-04.

But, the 04 is the newer and I guess the better one.

In my Book, the 2004 CE Z06

 

The best years were 02-04 they had the final LSx revisions and as has usually been the case the later years had the most bugs worked out. the 04 CE reminds me of the 96 GS even color and striping.

Well here I am another convert. After 2 leaking intakes in my last 93 and repairing every quirk in a C4 I wanted a change and the wife said I could get a new car instead of dumping more money into my 100k mi C4. Found a 98 41k. mi. car for $14.9k. Do I miss my C4? Yes and No. As everyone has said there is something to be said about the driving experience the C4 provides. It IS different than the C5. The C5,as many have said, drives like a family car until you push it. I miss the raw performance feel of the C4 and the feeling of strapping into it. Getting in and out was never a big issue for me once I got a good routine it was like muscle memory. I always enjoyed watching other people get in and out of it too. Told 'em "Hey it is a Corvette race car 'ya know".

The C5 will grow on you though. Even with 2.73 gears and 30mpg it is quick off of the line. I was never a fan of the big butt but the lines of the rest of the car are beautiful sitting in your driveway.I can take the targa off and not feel like I am driving a piece of spaghetti. Yes the car is more refined just like the C4 was more refined than a C3. Chocolate or Vanilla you pick they both taste good. They both have their issues the C5 electronics and EBCM issues (especially the 97-00 years) can compare to the Opti, but there is a lot more support for the LSx than the LT1.As Corvettes become more computerized they become more fragile and eventually harder to find parts for. You can't buy a new EBCM module or get one repaired for a 97-00 car and they run the risk of becoming a non ABS/TC car if the boneyard supply dries up just as a ECM for a 93 is too. So there is never and end to the problems ,hell C6 owners are going through the TC/AH/ABS taking control the their cars and making them go squirrelly.

I like both cars and the more I drive the C5 the more I like it. It may very well be the answer to the question which Vette do you like best? Answer is the one I own now

 

This was a good read.

 

I've owned two C5's and just bought my first C4 a couple months ago. I like the exterior styling on the C4 more than the C5 and like the way the C4 handles as it feels lighter on it's tires. I realize that the weight difference isn't that great (about 100lbs). Just a subjective feeling on my part.