The best C5 year?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Wasilla Alaska
The best C5 year?
I think I saw a thread about this a week or so ago but I'm curious, the C5 is interesting to me and I hope to buy one later this year so I was wondering if there is a certain year that seemed to have it alltogether, I think many were saying the 2002, well that makes it currently 4 years old and the ones I have seen listed are well affordable to me, I bought my 2002 Silverado dually when it was 2 years old and its the last year of that model design run, the 2003 had numerous changes but my truck with now about 75,000 has had no problems at all. I am thinking of the 2002-2004 but did the last year or two have significant changes? basically I'm willing to spend $25-35,000 with no less than $2,000 but possibly more than $5,000 down.
From the wizened sages on the boards I ask this....
Buy a 4 or 5 year old C5 thats the latter part of the model run with the bugs worked out, or a 2 year old C6 thats relatively still new and unknown? My goal purchase date is next year or year and a half cause I need to make a few more payments on my dually. Is the C6 really that much better?
From the wizened sages on the boards I ask this....
Buy a 4 or 5 year old C5 thats the latter part of the model run with the bugs worked out, or a 2 year old C6 thats relatively still new and unknown? My goal purchase date is next year or year and a half cause I need to make a few more payments on my dually. Is the C6 really that much better?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Austin, TX
I have a '99, but I say go for an '01+ since those are the LS1s that really started hauling some ***
I love my C5, but even though I haven't gotten to drive a C6, the interior is a huge leap forward. More room, and much nice fit and finish. Plus you get 50 more hp and a fatter torque curve to boot.
I love my C5, but even though I haven't gotten to drive a C6, the interior is a huge leap forward. More room, and much nice fit and finish. Plus you get 50 more hp and a fatter torque curve to boot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Atwater CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
99 is the best year
No doubt in my mind 99 is/was the best year. No brag, just fact. No bias just the truth. No prejudice, just actuality. No lies, just reality. Took GM two years to get the bugs out, and then trying to improve on perfection, they put some in.
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Hootchie Mama! Here we go again... Can new "A4 vs. M6" and "Coupe Or Vert" threads be far behind? 
But to answer your question, everybody knows that 2002 was the absolute best year for C5's. It's common knowledge by now
But to answer your question, everybody knows that 2002 was the absolute best year for C5's. It's common knowledge by now
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I'm partial to the '00, but there were a few improvements made in later model years that makes them attractive. Get the newest model with the least mileage on it that you can afford is good advice.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Wasilla Alaska
Thanks guys, I'm a noob in all respects here, new on boards and next to nothing on Vettes, the only Corvette I ever worked on was an engine overhaul on a '76 back in 84, I think it was a 454.
Anyhow I have been on other discussion boards like for certain firearms or illumination tools and by far I know what I am doing because I started making LED flashlights years before they appeared on the market and its quite easy yo distance onesself from the new member with the common dumb question. Anyhow the 2002 sounds good to me, next I'll head over to the C4 forums and ask them what they think cause I just realized why buy one Vette when two can be had? After all I am a master mechanic with custom shop experiance building show cars years ago, I think I may get a cheap 84 and up C4 and use that as a project car. I really would like a absolutely new car with me as the first owner but as I found out that those high payments like the $700 a month I pay on my Silverado (4 yr) plus the $450 I pay for my wifes car leaves me not much for other funds to customize with.
Anyhow I have been on other discussion boards like for certain firearms or illumination tools and by far I know what I am doing because I started making LED flashlights years before they appeared on the market and its quite easy yo distance onesself from the new member with the common dumb question. Anyhow the 2002 sounds good to me, next I'll head over to the C4 forums and ask them what they think cause I just realized why buy one Vette when two can be had? After all I am a master mechanic with custom shop experiance building show cars years ago, I think I may get a cheap 84 and up C4 and use that as a project car. I really would like a absolutely new car with me as the first owner but as I found out that those high payments like the $700 a month I pay on my Silverado (4 yr) plus the $450 I pay for my wifes car leaves me not much for other funds to customize with.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Schenectady NY
Originally Posted by JMc
Hootchie Mama! Here we go again... Can new "A4 vs. M6" and "Coupe Or Vert" threads be far behind?
But to answer your question, everybody knows that 2002 was the absolute best year for C5's. It's common knowledge by now
But to answer your question, everybody knows that 2002 was the absolute best year for C5's. It's common knowledge by now
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I'm partial to the '00, but there were a few improvements made in later model years that makes them attractive. Get the newest model with the least mileage on it that you can afford is good advice.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have an 02
By now its had all the regular faults: new battery, leaky diff and bad door module
Its got the 1SC package so it has HUD, memory and all the gucci add ons. It had a few changes over previous years that I like such as AH.
02 seems like a good year.
By now its had all the regular faults: new battery, leaky diff and bad door module
Its got the 1SC package so it has HUD, memory and all the gucci add ons. It had a few changes over previous years that I like such as AH.
02 seems like a good year.
