Best C5 year?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: League City TX
Best C5 year?
I have been a member of the C3 side of the house for years now. As I have decided to do a full restoration on it, the engine and trans already out and the summer in full force here in Houston, I have been looking for a C5 to cure my need for Vettedom. I have found a very nice 04, but wanted to hear everyone's thoughts as to what year is better that another, or what caveats there are to any particular year.
It seems that there are more 02's on the market here in H-Town than any other .. are there problems with them?
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
It seems that there are more 02's on the market here in H-Town than any other .. are there problems with them?
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 29
From: McKinney TX
This has been debated in many threads. Of course everyones 'best year' is the one they are driving. But typically it is agreed upon that 02+ are the 'better' years. Upgrades were added in 01, but some of the 01s had oil burning problems which were corrected for the most part in the 02+ model years. 
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
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From: SC
I have a different view. The 97-99 are the "best bang for the buck" because, for little money you can have a c5 vette that basically looks the same as any c5 and runs about the same. I am an honest person, who thinks the c6 is a better car, so why spend so much money on a c5 when you can have a c6 for a little more money. for under 20K you can have a nice 97-99 c5, if you are going to spend more than 20K, spend an extra 15-20K and get a c6... just my 2 cents here....
I think just about everyone is going to be biased with the year that they have.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Happiness is Busch in Victory Lane!
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I Drive a 2001.
I would say the best year is 2004 as Chevrolet constantly improves its product.
However
The Corvette you will like Most is the best year. I Dreamed of a Magnetic Red with Oak Convertible.... When I found one I was in Heaven!!
What is your dream?
It's all about Personal Taste. (Cost, Looks, HP, Age)
I would say the best year is 2004 as Chevrolet constantly improves its product.
However
The Corvette you will like Most is the best year. I Dreamed of a Magnetic Red with Oak Convertible.... When I found one I was in Heaven!!
What is your dream?
It's all about Personal Taste. (Cost, Looks, HP, Age)
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 320
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, California
I think the differences of the 01 model year to the 04 are pretty subtle. Don't get me wrong there are differences and some of them such as the AE and the collectors edition are pretty bold and beautiful. Unless you are looking for something like that, it's more important to look at the individual car rather than the model year. A very clean 01 is probably a better buy than an 04 that has been driven hard.
All things equal, I would say buy the newest model year within your budget. For me that was an 02 about a year ago. I love and have had nothing but trouble free fun since! (knock on wood) I knew I wanted a mag red coupe with black interior. It also had to be an M6. It took me a year to find one.
Hope you find what your looking for! Have fun!
All things equal, I would say buy the newest model year within your budget. For me that was an 02 about a year ago. I love and have had nothing but trouble free fun since! (knock on wood) I knew I wanted a mag red coupe with black interior. It also had to be an M6. It took me a year to find one.
Hope you find what your looking for! Have fun!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: League City TX
great info
Yes everyone's favorite is the year they own .. should have seen that one coming.
As far as my dream, would be an 04 red convertible with tan or creme interior. I have yet to see one for sale. Typically the C5's in my price range are the 02 and earlier, however I found a gem in this one I'm going to test drive on Monday.
04 coupe silver chrome wheels, 40K for $29K - the only downside in my eyes is the black leather interior - only because its Houston - it's not even May and we're already exceeding 85 degrees.
As far as my dream, would be an 04 red convertible with tan or creme interior. I have yet to see one for sale. Typically the C5's in my price range are the 02 and earlier, however I found a gem in this one I'm going to test drive on Monday.
04 coupe silver chrome wheels, 40K for $29K - the only downside in my eyes is the black leather interior - only because its Houston - it's not even May and we're already exceeding 85 degrees.
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I really like my '00, but normally I feel the last year of a model run is the best since it has all the updates.
