merlin5353

Yup!
I hope so, anyway. I just bought an '04 last week. Got a GMPP, just in case.

Kflyer

Thanks everyone! I've been scanner the net for 3 nites straight now looking for my perfect car in Illinois and Indiana areas.

phoenixfoundmac

Logic would suggest the 2004 just because it's the end of the line. And GM made improvements and adjustments on the car almost every year.
I may be a little biased though seeing as how I'm currently driving a 2004 around.

steve8

<-------------------- 04, with a CE vert of course being the best.

The MSRC suspension while pricey, is nice. Available on 03's and 04's.
Spend some time and you can find low mileage, excellent condition, late model examples.
Good luck.

FLATOUT

2001 of course

DMan 01'

You have to make a list from most important to least important.

I started with price
next 01-04 due to I liked the upgrades after 00"
Then low mileage/ good shape
vert
would of liked 6 speed - but had to settle for automatic

Good luck with finding what you want there are a lot out there and great fun to drive.

peter pan

1999

50th@50

Subjective data indicates 2004.

BOTYNV1

robertlthomson

Did tons of research, looked for many months, decided on the options, color, and trans, and ended up with a 99. I could not be happier! I believe ALL "well taken care of Vettes" are worth it.

vettelover84

2004

But I really love the 2001 SW Z06

Bville-Bud

Perhaps it is the one with the most complete service history, or the most **** retentive and trusted seller?

I'd rather buy a 97 from someone I trusted with a complete (and not scary) service history, than a 04 from some unknown seller without a scrap of history.

Look to see it has CLB done etc. Give me a PM and I will send you the longest C5 buyers checklist known to man.

Do you know how to check for codes after your test drive?

Best of luck!

peebee_c5

In addition to the Corvette Action Center link posted above, here's another nice site to help in your C5 research:
http://www.rogerscorvette.com/history.htm#c5info

casslaw

I went with the 99 because I loved the way the FRC looks, and it was taken care of. Everyone is right, you look for the person that loved their car, and took care of it. Age means nothing if it was neglected/abused. Look for cars with no mods, you can personalize it yourself, and it is an indication of how it was driven.

pabmd

Don't forget that even an '04 is a 4 year old car and out of warranty. If buying from a dealer, perhaps extended warranty should be considered in the purchase price and be a negotiable item. They are all great cars, but none are infallable.

spicytuna

If it weren't for my lusting of FRC's, I would have gone with a 2002.

- Slight increase in hp
- LS6 manifold (vs LS1)
- LS6 engine block (vs LS1)
- Cheaper TPMS sensors
- Potential ease of installing headers (AIR bypass)

Mind you, most of these apply to the 2001 but I'd stick to 2002 since there were some 2001's which consumed excessive oil. Besides, the difference between a 2001 and 2002 is probably a matter of hundreds of dollars.

Chemdawg99

I have an '04, and think that would be the best model year to buy. As has been pointed out, it was the end of the line for the C5 and most of the common issues had been worked out by then. Additionally, you might find an '04 with a lot of desirable options you won't find on some other model years you may come across out there because GM made a lot items that were options on '97-'03 Vettes standard on the '04 (sport seats, polished wheels come to mind).
I was lucky in that I got one that had every option avaliable that year and then some (XM radio and dealer installed Corsa Touring exhaust, HUD)

However, an good, clean, well-maintained C5 of any model year will serve you well. Shop around and by all means, don't buy the first C5 you test drive, unless you get lucky Good luck

candacedianne

I personally like my 01 Z...but that's MY personal preference.

Jaymer

any car between '01-'04. the best? i would say '04. by that year everything was nearly perfected. would i pay $8,000 more from a low millage '01 in Almost perfect condition to a low millage '04 in good condition? Nope...

env00

Y2K...are thin spokes are better than all yah's...