Differences between 97, 98 and 99...?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 115
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From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Differences between 97, 98 and 99...?
Sometime in the near future im going to be selling my 98 WS6 car and I will be looking at picking up a C5. Since mortgage and other car payments keep me from buying a newer C5, so other than the motor differences (head castings, etc) what are the differences between the years? Should I be looking for certain years over another?
Funny what you realize you do not know about certain cars reguardless of the amount of parts you sell for them on a daily basis...
Thanks
Funny what you realize you do not know about certain cars reguardless of the amount of parts you sell for them on a daily basis...
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,997
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From: Clanton AL
"A good 97 is almost like a good 04." or so I've heard. Active handling didn't come on 97's (maybe 98's too, search and you will get the specifics), HUD and a few other goodies didn't come out until a bit later. I also read in a thread that the oil passages changed a little bit for better oiling ut I haven't heard about any oiling problems because of the earlier years.
"Get the latest and best model you can afford" I've also read here on CF. Personally, I would get the 99 as it seems this to be the best year for the early c5's. My friend bought a 99 in the beginning of 99 and it he is driving it as we speak, car has over 170,000 miles and has never been down, ever. He had column lock and a windshield wiper motor and the a/c unit go out and that is it
, hope I have good luck with my 02 with 65k (had mine since March and bought it with 56k, I mean to drive this car a lot.
"Get the latest and best model you can afford" I've also read here on CF. Personally, I would get the 99 as it seems this to be the best year for the early c5's. My friend bought a 99 in the beginning of 99 and it he is driving it as we speak, car has over 170,000 miles and has never been down, ever. He had column lock and a windshield wiper motor and the a/c unit go out and that is it
, hope I have good luck with my 02 with 65k (had mine since March and bought it with 56k, I mean to drive this car a lot.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 66
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From: Ft.Myers FL
I hear alot of good things about the 1997 model but I also have one,, it has just rolled over to 44k miles and so far I have had to replace the water pump and just recently the sway bar end links(just looked a little dry rotted) but never gave me any real problems. Other than that I love my car, very ofter it's mistaken for a 2004.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,865
Likes: 67
From: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, L.A California
Originally Posted by r6realtor
I hear alot of good things about the 1997 model but I also have one,, it has just rolled over to 44k miles and so far I have had to replace the water pump and just recently the sway bar end links(just looked a little dry rotted) but never gave me any real problems. Other than that I love my car, very ofter it's mistaken for a 2004.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
7,8's had the permeter valve covers, return fuel system(2 lines); the only big difference would be the JL4 introduced mid year '98
vert in 98
FRC in 99
I'd buy one with 100k miles for around 13-15k, IMHO
vert in 98
FRC in 99
I'd buy one with 100k miles for around 13-15k, IMHO
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 665
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From: DON`T MAKE ME BLEED MY OWN BLOOD!!! TX
I`ve got a 97 too.I bought it almost 19 months ago with 60k.Currently it has 76k on it.Besides mods I haven`t spend any money for repairing anything oh yeah just the column lock problem(Which is common on C5s).It`s running like a clock tik tak tik tak
.All depends on your budget U can find a very nice 97 with a low mileage between 40- 60k around 14 to 18 G`s.If u buy a stock one which I suggest U might want to change wagon wheels and Exhaust system,and of course a better air intake(Basic Mods).Just take your time and be patient I am sure u will find the one that suits u.By the way forgot to mention mine is a daily driver not a garrage queen.And here u go 
Spiral Gray is my buddy Serkan`s Car (03 Anniversary Edition) and Sebring Silver(Lighter Gray) is mine 97.
.All depends on your budget U can find a very nice 97 with a low mileage between 40- 60k around 14 to 18 G`s.If u buy a stock one which I suggest U might want to change wagon wheels and Exhaust system,and of course a better air intake(Basic Mods).Just take your time and be patient I am sure u will find the one that suits u.By the way forgot to mention mine is a daily driver not a garrage queen.And here u go Spiral Gray is my buddy Serkan`s Car (03 Anniversary Edition) and Sebring Silver(Lighter Gray) is mine 97.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
My '98 has been flawless at 46K miles, including several cross country road trips......the best ever in a C5. It will be 9 years old in November! I also have the F45 option for the adjustable shock valving. I'd prefer just a standard suspension if I had to do it again....much simpler if needed to be replaced. But no problems with it either. As you can see, I still like my stock wagon wheels that came on '97, '98 and '99's.
Good luck.....
Good luck.....
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by Dave@LivernoisDSS
Sometime in the near future im going to be selling my 98 WS6 car and I will be looking at picking up a C5. Since mortgage and other car payments keep me from buying a newer C5, so other than the motor differences (head castings, etc) what are the differences between the years? Should I be looking for certain years over another?
Funny what you realize you do not know about certain cars reguardless of the amount of parts you sell for them on a daily basis...
Thanks
Funny what you realize you do not know about certain cars reguardless of the amount of parts you sell for them on a daily basis...
Thanks
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Some of the '98's had the active handling option and it was widely available on '99s. HUD came out in '99. Any of those three years are fine cars.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Wellsboro Pa
Bought a Sebring silver 98 a year ago and love it to death. We went to Miami this May from northern Pennsylvania, put 3100 miles on it during this trip. The car is comfortable, handles great and of course motors down the road. The gas mileage was better than either of my other 2 vehicles, 26 mpg for the whole trip. I guess you can tell that I really like the 98.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,396
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From: new york
Hi Dave how's it going my advise to u is buy a fixed roof vette dont go with the coupe. I owned both and would never buy another coupe. There are problems with wind noise with the coupes, also there prone to have rattles and LEAKS!!!!!!!!!!! Im sure i will get flamed for my comments but im being truthful. Look for a 99 or 2000, 2001 the fixed roof were Z06 'S FLAME ON Fellow members
QUIMBO
SEEYAAAH
QUIMBO
SEEYAAAH
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
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From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Bought my 98 new. It was built in November of 97 and I took ownership in December 97. I have 127K miles with lots-a-mods. No active handling or HUD. Does have the F45 suspension option.
The only problems were the normal ones and had those early. Fuel Gage sending unit problem. One abnormal problem was the Steering position sensor. Replaced the gears in the left front headlight door.
Lowered the car to the max on stock bolts and that stiffened up the suspension and added Hotchkis sway bars.
Been on the track and off still pulls through the gears just like the day I got her. No plans on changing, She is a keeper!
Plus she is long ago paid for!!!
The only problems were the normal ones and had those early. Fuel Gage sending unit problem. One abnormal problem was the Steering position sensor. Replaced the gears in the left front headlight door.
Lowered the car to the max on stock bolts and that stiffened up the suspension and added Hotchkis sway bars.
Been on the track and off still pulls through the gears just like the day I got her. No plans on changing, She is a keeper!
Plus she is long ago paid for!!!
Last edited by BlueDragon; Aug 3, 2006 at 04:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,125
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From: SC
I have a 98 and love it. It is a toy, not a daily driver so I did not want to spend big bucks for a car that is VERY HARD to tell any difference between years. Other than me, very few people will ever know it is a 98 compaired to an 04... It is a chevy, so you will have a few problems here and there. I know, go ahead an bash me, but it's not a Honda, toyota, or Lexus so it is not and never will be as dependable as the above mentioned cars. But, it is a sports car that hauls ***, and get more attention than most cars will ever dream of... If you want a car that will take you anywhere with little concern of break down, get one of the above. but if you want a true sports car, that turns heads at a very good price, buy an early model c5, great car for the money...
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
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From: Roswell Ga
Other than a few options that you may or may not have on your list as "gotta haves" such as active handling and HUD and different wheels, I could care less which year C5 I was looking at. Every one of them has an excellent record of performance and reliability. I'd go for the lowest mileage, least expensive one I could find.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 66
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From: Ft.Myers FL
Originally Posted by quimbo
Hi Dave how's it going my advise to u is buy a fixed roof vette dont go with the coupe. I owned both and would never buy another coupe. There are problems with wind noise with the coupes, also there prone to have rattles and LEAKS!!!!!!!!!!! Im sure i will get flamed for my comments but im being truthful. Look for a 99 or 2000, 2001 the fixed roof were Z06 'S FLAME ON Fellow members
QUIMBO SEEYAAAH
QUIMBO
SEEYAAAH
USAFVET
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 179
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From: Huntsville AL
Differences between 97, 98 and 99...?
Love my 99C. Born Aug 98. Just bought mine in Feb. Had 33k miles, one owner. No leaks, no problems, enough power for me to make my hands sweat when I crank it up. Have all options. LOVE my 99C. Don't wait 45years to buy what you want, just do it!
Enough said
Enough said
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Bar Mills Maine
Have a '97 with 73K... taking her in for an oil change tomorrow... chaged the wheels, did some other cosmetic "fun stuff" to her, but have only had the "typical" fuel gauge (and in my case oil gauge) problems to contend with ! No complaints here ! 