Hi, guys: I'm kinda new to the Forum but I'm really finding it very useful when I have questions. I'm in my 50's now and still haven't gotten a Vette which has been my dream since I was 12!! So I'm taking my time now and searching all over the place. I think this place is a great way to start.

My question is, do you find the C5's to be comfortable for long trips? Also, how are the convertible tops holding up on, say, a 1999 or 2000 Vette? Any other information anyone can give would be great appreciated. Thanks for your help!!

Steve(NJ)

 

Well I will chime in first. I bought my 2002 convertible about a month and half ago and drove it a little over 10 hours (637 miles) home. Made one 15 stop for a bite to eat and one (yes one 30.6 mpg) stop for gas. Car was extremely comfortable. I'm 5,9 and was able to stretch my legs out and the power lumber support was great on my back. All in all the car was very comfortable and for a corvette the ride isn't too bad at all and I have the optional Z51 sport suspension. I would highly recommend getting the sport seat option as these have more seat settings.
My car has been garaged since new and the top still looks new. Seems to be holding up very well. Hope this helps.

 

I've got a 99 convertable with 74K. The top is holding up very nice, only a little fraying on the side where the top corner of the window meets the bottom corner of the top. Nothing to be worried about. As far as long rides, well, I've never been more comforable. I average around 32 mpg on highway (22 city). If I were you I would look into having what ever vette you find fully inspected by a GM mechanic if possibe. There have been some pretty nasty scams out there. With that said, don't take the dealers/owners word about the vette having a full service performed. Go ahead and do a complete fliud flush (tranny, radiator, oil, ect.) and make sure you "drive" the car before you buy. Those quick little trips around the block from a dealer don't cut it. Drive it around for atleast 15 to 25 miles just to make sure no DIC (drivers instrument cluster) warning messages appear. Many dealers disconnect battery terminals which causes the computer to need to be "recalibrated" to the car, hence no warning messages upon simple start up and run around the block. Lastly, be confident that what ever vette you end up in, there are thousands of people with enough information on here to basically complete a total rebuild on a vette without any trouble. This site is another vette essential for owners! Good luck, have fun shopping for your American Dream Car, and be wary of those scams. Welcome to the club....

 

I bought my 1998 Convertible a year and a half ago.
Drove it 12 hours home. Very comfortable. I'm 6'2".
We've taken several other long trips with it with no comfort issues.
The convertible top is still original and is holding up very
well. Just a couple of "rub" marks on it. but not even close
to thinking about replacing. My car has 42,000 miles.

 

Can't speak to your years as I have an 04, but I would offer this.
Look for an 02 or newer. The way the prices are, if you spend some time you can find a later model with decent miles for a great price. When I say great price, I mean mid 20's. While I wish my perfect 04 with less than 15k miles was worth more, the reality is 30ish. Some say a low of 28, some say a high of 34. I consider that to be a great car for that kind of money.
My car goes and rides great. I have the MSRC adjustable suspension only available on 03's and 04's.
Spend some time researching, and good luck.

 

01' with 43K on the clock. Top is still new looking (Treat annually).
I am NOT a small person and I have been on several long trips and consider the C5 very comfy indeed!!

 

I just want to thank you guys for your replies. They are very helpful. This is a great site for Vette owners and Vette lovers. I am going to take a lot of time to make sure it's a good investment. There's a family owned small Corvette place about 40 minutes from me. It's called Conte's Corvettes. He has all years and his cars are in excellent condition. The only problem is I think he's a little high priced.
But he sends me emails whenever his inventory changes.

 

There is nothing better than my vert for trips. I've been to Cape Cod (500 miles each way) a number of times and Aiken, SC (530 miles each way) a number of times also. We recently took my 2008 Cadillac CTS to Aiken and my wife said anymore trips and we're taking the vette, It's more comfortable and just eats highway miles. Mine is a fully built 403 with 510 RWHP and it's a great trip car. I also use it to commute in DC rush hour with no problems.

DO IT!!!! -- NOW.

Kevin

 

Can't comment of the vert since I have a coupe. I find the car so smooth and easy to drive on long drives. I think choosing the right suspension is key. I went with the F45 Selective Ride Control. When I'm by myself I'll put in in either Sport or Performance mode, and when with the wife or on longer trips, I put it in Tour mode. I can feel a difference between all 3 settings. I've heard a lot of people say that they don't feel any difference. Both my C5's - past and present had F45 and I made sure I checked out the system well to make sure I felt the difference.

 

I have a 2000 Convertible without the sport seats and I find it very comfortable. Even my girlfriend wants to take it on long trips. BTW, I am right around 6'4" and I find it comfortable if that helps with anything. Good luck with your purchase, you will not regret it!!!

 

First....Welcome to this great place you will have fun here!!!

Second.....Yes....I bought my first C5 this year and drove it home 1700 km...first time in a c5 and it was fantastic....C3 have nothing on C5's!!!!!
drove it from Denver to Canada straight up!!!!!


Rod

 

Just Picked Up My `01 And Drove It 2,200+ Miles Home And Loved Every Minute Of It. It Has A47k+ On It And The Top Looks Like New. I Was Thinking My Wife Would Hate It But She's Luvin Every Bit Of It! It's A Z51 And Yeah It's A Little Bumbpy On Some Roads But Man Is It Ever A Hoot! Git-r-done.......

 

My '98 now has about 63K on it - I bought it almost five years ago with 36K. My original top was also frayed around the edge at the top where the glass hit it. I've since had the top replaced - only because I didn't like the way it looked and I stumbled onto a great deal on a top that was from an '04.

One thing to note is that the '02 and newer tops were 5 ply and the older ones were 3 ply. It makes the car quieter.

I drove my car home from Chicago when I bought it - 2000 miles. My wife and I both commented how comfortable the car was on the highway and neither of us had any problem with 12 hour days in the car.

No man should go to his grave without having owned a Corvette in his lifetime. It will take 25 years off your age every time you get behind the wheel. It was the BEST thing I ever purchased and I enjoy driving it every chance I get.

 

I'm 6'1 and have taken my vert to Orlando twice, very comfortable about 2000 miles round trip. I once took my mother with me to visit my brothers and she commented that it rode as well if not better than my Gma's Buick. As far as the top goes you do need to care for it, and my 04 has a couple of blemishes near the pinch point but that is probably due to the fact that I drop the top in fairly cold weather. Gotta wear the leather C5 jacket sometime

 

I've done 13+ hr road trips in my 98 and wasn't uncomfortable at all.

As for the top. Mine still looks like new. It just needs some regular TLC with RaggTop to make sure it stays that way.

 

each of the last 3 years we've driven from 100 miles East of LA to NE Ohio & returned to Ca later in the year. Considering the comfort, passenger room, & sheer fun ( you don't get tired driving the vette) there's not a better car to take on a road trip. Twice we've driven over 900 miles in 1 day. That's pushing it for an old fart & this last time I'll admit to bit of butt ache. Had to stay ahead of a storm. The car is such a pleasure to drive, if the sun is shining we can't wait to take a short spin on a daily basis. Top is holding up well at 30K

 

I picked up my '01 'vert about a year or so ago. I've yet to take any *really* long trips with it yet, but it is my daily driver car and I find it to be extremely comfortable to drive on a regular basis. I'm 6'4" and the seats just go far enough back for me to comfortably sit on either the driver or passenger side.

Also, I just (yesterday, in fact) got rid of the runflats and put a set of Goodyear Eagle F1's on there, and I must say the ride quality went up even more so; with that switch I barely feel any of the road quality issues that we suffer here in California.

 

'01 w/47k on the clock. I bought it from a "Corvette enthusiest" not a Corvette owner. Corvette people know what it takes to keep the car in prestine condition. Do not buy from a Corvette owner. Believe me there's a big difference. I did not know anything about this until my uncle said something about this when I was looking for one. He should know his first vette was a '56 he bought new. I got lucky, the guy I bought it from was a Corvette nut. He taped off around all the lamps and cracks between body panels before he waxed it, neighbors thought he was nuts.

 

Steve,

I bought my 2001 new and it's been a great car. It currently has 28k
on it and it's been perfect. Incidentally it has the original top and it still looks new. Granted I've done many mods to the car over the years but it's very fast and looks better now than when it was delivered to the dealer. One thing that's important is keeping it garaged as much as possible. The sun can raise the devil with the convertible tops. Good luck.
Rermo

 

Steve

I'm also in my 50s and this car is the best ever. I have an 02 Vert.

The seats are super comfortable. i drove the PCH all the way from Monterey to vegas on one occasion. 10 hrs and I felt as good when I climbed out as I did when I got in. And my back is shot after flying ejection seats for 16 years.

My black top has had a clean and protectorant sprayed on every year. It sat in the Vegas sun for 3 years but it still looks good.