Model year changes?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Model year changes?
Hey gang. I just read the sticky above, but for the life of me, I couldn't find the model year changes! 
I was also wondering which year you guys recommend (ok, I know, if I had all the cash you'd say '04
)
But are there any major changes that make a year significantly better than the other? Thanks again!
I was also wondering which year you guys recommend (ok, I know, if I had all the cash you'd say '04
)But are there any major changes that make a year significantly better than the other? Thanks again!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Originally Posted by GrayC5
Thanks Gray...that's EXACTLY what I was looking for. Seems like '01 is the year to get!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,434
Likes: 524
From: PNW Cougar Country WA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Think a big difference is getting one that has been taken care of very well and low miles....then you will find differences in options etc through the years. Would buy as new as you can for the money you want to spend. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
biggest difference is between the 97-00 and the 01-04... the rest are the same...
i drive the 00 and drive the 01, most noticible change is the exhaust tips and oil dipstick location... same thing thru its 7 year reign tho.
i drive the 00 and drive the 01, most noticible change is the exhaust tips and oil dipstick location... same thing thru its 7 year reign tho.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner
Thanks Gray...that's EXACTLY what I was looking for. Seems like '01 is the year to get!
Do a search on the VIN (through the dealer) and ensure that if the car you are looking to buy either had the rings replaced or was not one that was affected.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Wow. Great replies everyone. Well, after reading your replies it seems like I've come up with this conclusion: You can't go wrong with any year C5!
Goonie, so are you saying that you can't feel much difference between these C5's? I know the '01 has the LS6 block...does it make a huge difference from an '07?
Coming from an NSX, the '97 6speed 290 hp is like nite and day with the earlier 5-speed 270 hp ones...Is it the same for the C5 or are the differences minor?
Another question thats been bugging me the most is the sound deadening foam placed in '01. Is there much of a difference in road noise between earlier and later C5s?
How about the Active control thingy? I believe that came out in '99, right? Is it standard on all C5s afterwards?
Goonie, so are you saying that you can't feel much difference between these C5's? I know the '01 has the LS6 block...does it make a huge difference from an '07?
Coming from an NSX, the '97 6speed 290 hp is like nite and day with the earlier 5-speed 270 hp ones...Is it the same for the C5 or are the differences minor?
Another question thats been bugging me the most is the sound deadening foam placed in '01. Is there much of a difference in road noise between earlier and later C5s?
How about the Active control thingy? I believe that came out in '99, right? Is it standard on all C5s afterwards?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
saint i dont see any difference in performance, i actually think my 00 is performing way better than the 01...
its all the same in the end... u picked a vette to buy youre BUYING A VETTE...
go for the lowest milage! best bang for the buck.
its all the same in the end... u picked a vette to buy youre BUYING A VETTE...
go for the lowest milage! best bang for the buck.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 11
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Originally Posted by GrayC5
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner
How about the Active control thingy? I believe that came out in '99, right? Is it standard on all C5s afterwards?
Model Year 1998 Press Release - Corvette Active Handling System Debuts
The second generation active handling came out at the start of the 2001 model year and it also became a standard feature that year.
Model Year 2001 Press Release - More Agility...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner
How will I know whether the car has the active handling system or not? Is there a button somwhere?
Chevrolet Corvette C5 RPO Code List
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Originally Posted by rhubarb74roadster
There is a big difference between Active Handling I and II .. I have had both and the original Active handling was too aggressive for me .. AH II is much better .. and the main reason I got an 01.
Sorry to bug you folks again. You mentioned that the gen. II is intrusive than gen. I, but how are they at saving your butt. I don't think I'd mind the intrusion (I'm a total track newbie), but am more concerned about the safety. Will a gen I suffice?
Is there a huge difference between JUST traction control and Traction Control + Active Handling? Thanks again! 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Haw River North Carolina
Originally Posted by TOPLS90
Think a big difference is getting one that has been taken care of very well and low miles....then you will find differences in options etc through the years. Would buy as new as you can for the money you want to spend.
Big Time. One with more options that's been poorly cared for is not as good as an older one given lots of TLC
