Differences between '98 - '01?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Differences between '98 - '01?
I have been looking to buy a C5. I can afford to buy up to about a 2001, but once I started searching I found out that some 00-01s can burn oil? (don't want to deal with that) So I am wondering what are all he good/bad differences between 98-01 C5s? Not just the actual car, but also problems with specific years? recalls? Any one year better than the others as far as reliability?
I am now thinking of buying a lower mileage '98-'99, instead of a year or two newer.
I am now thinking of buying a lower mileage '98-'99, instead of a year or two newer.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
2000- 2002 -03? had some issues with excessive oil consumption as well as piston slap. Go to pistonslap.com and read all about it. Thats what steered me to a lower mileage 99. 2000 and up have 5 more horsepower and 10 to 20 lbs more torque. 2 of the corvettes I looked at 2001-2002 had piston slap when I was looking and shopping for a vette. It goes away when the car is warmed up but sounds like crap in the warm up stage.2000 and up have 5 more horsepower and 10 to 20 lbs more torque. Not really a big deal especially if you do any mods. I highly recommend an extended warranty with whatever you buy. I've had a transmission issue with mine since after I bought it. The dealership has done about $3500.00 worth of work on it in the last 2 month and still can't fix it. Good luck. Oh yes one more thing. The 1997-99 wagon wheels kind of .date the car and some people think they are ugly. I like my chromed wagon wheels. The new C6 has the wider spoke rims that kind of look like wagon wheels but no on has said a thing about them. I'm sure in 3 years when they change the wheel style people will think they are dated also..
Last edited by David426; Feb 27, 2005 at 08:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
in model year 2001; there were many behind-the-scenes changes.
Starting in 2001, all automatics were minus the column lock mechanism
Starting in 2001, there was a reported major re-write in the PCM software. Mainly, reducing the intrusiveness of traction control and AH.
Starting in 2001 all C5's came standard with Active Handling.
Starting in 2001 (or maybe it was 2002 ???) all LS1 engines had the larger diameter MAF.
What do all these changes add up to??? IMO; very little except for the A4 having no column lock mechanism
Starting in 2001, all automatics were minus the column lock mechanism
Starting in 2001, there was a reported major re-write in the PCM software. Mainly, reducing the intrusiveness of traction control and AH.
Starting in 2001 all C5's came standard with Active Handling.
Starting in 2001 (or maybe it was 2002 ???) all LS1 engines had the larger diameter MAF.
What do all these changes add up to??? IMO; very little except for the A4 having no column lock mechanism
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Thanks guys thats what I'm looking for. I found this:
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
But its just actual changes to the car and nothing about "problems" year to year.
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
But its just actual changes to the car and nothing about "problems" year to year.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Also wanting to hear more about the A4 in the C5s. I am gonna have to buy an auto and was wondering what are common problems?
I probably won't be getting an extended warrenty since I'll be buying from an individual, not a stealership. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a good deal with a ext. warrenty.
I'm gonna add C6 chrome or grey wheels to whatever I get asap.
I probably won't be getting an extended warrenty since I'll be buying from an individual, not a stealership. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a good deal with a ext. warrenty.
I'm gonna add C6 chrome or grey wheels to whatever I get asap.
Last edited by AllTaken; Feb 27, 2005 at 08:24 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 66
From: Whittier California
I purchased my 98 Vette a little over 2 years ago with 41,000 miles. It now has about 59,000 miles and runs real strong. No oil burning problems. Had to replace oil sender. CLB was performed by the dealer before I purchased the car. The consensus around here is "buy the newest car with the least miles. Good luck with your search.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 775
Likes: 36
From: Nashville, TN
got a 98 coupe last year with 27,000 miles on it.
If I had to buy one now, I would get one with a HUD!
Anyway, since my buy I have put in $5K for mods. Gonna spend an extra $2K for headers, hiflow cats, xpipe next week.
Bet the HUD if you can!
If I had to buy one now, I would get one with a HUD!
Anyway, since my buy I have put in $5K for mods. Gonna spend an extra $2K for headers, hiflow cats, xpipe next week.
Bet the HUD if you can!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 15
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by AllTaken
Well I'm probably gona go with a '99 since there are plenty around with under 50k miles and I'd have more $$ for mods.
