Best years for C5's
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 732
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From: Timberlake Ohio
Best years for C5's
What are thre pros and cons of all years of C5's, what were the improvements in horsepower, options stuff, etc, been looking around for a Nice Daily Driven C5, probably an 03' - 04' with low miles, preferably a Z06 and the car has to be a Manual Tranny, would appreciate whatever help you guys can give, want to join the C5 Crew, currently own a 2001 Camaro SS Road Racer, 1971 Blown 6-71 Nova SS, and a 1964 Vintage Chevy Cheetah, Thanks for your help!!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,293
From: Central Ma
Read the sticky at the top of the page for some good info. I have an 04, so 04 is the best year. Find a low mileage vette, and the best that you can afford, there are plenty of them out there.Good luck.
Let Me Bignofi That For U
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 415
From: I Lack Boundaries
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Originally Posted by WWK888
Just get the newest car you can afford...each year had refinements and slight improvements.
Good Advice! Look here to shed a little more light on the differences.
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 4
From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
IMHO, the greatest number of improvements and refinements were made with the 2001 model, although there were some '01 models with high oil consumption issues. Generally speaking, I would say '01 to '04 would be your best choices.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Generally the newest one you can afford is what I would have said also...
But what happens when you can afford anthing you want including a C6?
I just purchased a 98 Ragtop, 20000 miles 6 sp Z51 completely spotless
never saw rain C5 in February... I started my search last summer and obviously was not in any great rush
I could have purchased any damn one I wanted but this was absolutely
perfect in the respect that it had almost everything I wanted ..(2000 sytle Chromed wheels, Blackwing intake, Borla Exhaust,...NO HUD however...balancing that was it was NOT black. (never again)
Honestly I was looking for a 2000 to 2003 but when this one came along
I wrote the check very quickly...
So I would say...BUY the Corvette that is equipted with what you want
and has been well cared for...
My only hang up with this car was it was Sebring Silver a Color that honestly never "worked" for me..it just did not "jump"..
But after owning it for these short 2 months...The damn thing still looks
clean..
Bob G.
In the garage:
64 72 & now 98 Ragtops
76 & 79 Coupes
But what happens when you can afford anthing you want including a C6?
I just purchased a 98 Ragtop, 20000 miles 6 sp Z51 completely spotless
never saw rain C5 in February... I started my search last summer and obviously was not in any great rush
I could have purchased any damn one I wanted but this was absolutely
perfect in the respect that it had almost everything I wanted ..(2000 sytle Chromed wheels, Blackwing intake, Borla Exhaust,...NO HUD however...balancing that was it was NOT black. (never again)
Honestly I was looking for a 2000 to 2003 but when this one came along
I wrote the check very quickly...
So I would say...BUY the Corvette that is equipted with what you want
and has been well cared for...
My only hang up with this car was it was Sebring Silver a Color that honestly never "worked" for me..it just did not "jump"..
But after owning it for these short 2 months...The damn thing still looks
clean..
Bob G.
In the garage:
64 72 & now 98 Ragtops
76 & 79 Coupes
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek N.C.
Originally Posted by 24695bob
Generally the newest one you can afford is what I would have said also...
But what happens when you can afford anthing you want including a C6?
I just purchased a 98 Ragtop, 20000 miles 6 sp Z51 completely spotless
never saw rain C5 in February... I started my search last summer and obviously was not in any great rush
I could have purchased any damn one I wanted but this was absolutely
perfect in the respect that it had almost everything I wanted ..(2000 sytle Chromed wheels, Blackwing intake, Borla Exhaust,...NO HUD however...balancing that was it was NOT black. (never again)
Honestly I was looking for a 2000 to 2003 but when this one came along
I wrote the check very quickly...
So I would say...BUY the Corvette that is equipted with what you want
and has been well cared for...
My only hang up with this car was it was Sebring Silver a Color that honestly never "worked" for me..it just did not "jump"..
But after owning it for these short 2 months...The damn thing still looks
clean..
Bob G.
In the garage:
64 72 & now 98 Ragtops
76 & 79 Coupes
But what happens when you can afford anthing you want including a C6?
I just purchased a 98 Ragtop, 20000 miles 6 sp Z51 completely spotless
never saw rain C5 in February... I started my search last summer and obviously was not in any great rush
I could have purchased any damn one I wanted but this was absolutely
perfect in the respect that it had almost everything I wanted ..(2000 sytle Chromed wheels, Blackwing intake, Borla Exhaust,...NO HUD however...balancing that was it was NOT black. (never again)
Honestly I was looking for a 2000 to 2003 but when this one came along
I wrote the check very quickly...
So I would say...BUY the Corvette that is equipted with what you want
and has been well cared for...
My only hang up with this car was it was Sebring Silver a Color that honestly never "worked" for me..it just did not "jump"..
But after owning it for these short 2 months...The damn thing still looks
clean..
Bob G.
In the garage:
64 72 & now 98 Ragtops
76 & 79 Coupes
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by John's/Pewter/Oak/01
IMHO, the greatest number of improvements and refinements were made with the 2001 model, although there were some '01 models with high oil consumption issues. Generally speaking, I would say '01 to '04 would be your best choices.
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All years of C5s were good. My advice - find the lowest mileage car that has the options you want at the price you want to pay and if it checks out, buy the thing. You won't regret it.
