I have found a 99 convertible with 16,000 miles and a 02 convertible with 15,000 miles- other than price- what is the major difference in the 99 C5 and 02 C5?

Thanks for your insight!

 

I think maybe the difference is on the 2002 you get the LS6 intake (5 more HP) and the oil consumption issue was taken care of.

 

Purchased my 99 in February of 07 with 42,000 miles on it. Have driven in all kinds of weather, cruising, spirited, and long freeway, added some tasteful mods, (gears, air, catback, and LS6 intake) and have had no problems, issues, or concerns. Very pleased! Decide what you want, be wise, and what ever year, it can be a great joy.

 

The search button.

 

I've got a 99 and love it. So far, knock on wood, no problems. I guess alot depends on the $$ difference. As far as I know the 99's didn't have an oil consumption issue. There is one big cosmetic difference and that is the wheels. The 99 has the Godawful wagon wheels

 

Yea I am not a fan of the wagon wheels!

 

However the plastic applica I've seen on those wheels make them look really nice. My 2 cents it to purchase as much as you can afford without going overboard.

 

I think the advice I was given on here was to set your budget, then add a few thousand dollars and buy the newest, lowest mileage unit your (new ) budget allows. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Keep in mind that if you EVER plan on modding the car, if you're saving thousands on the 1999, you'll have more $ available later for mods. Also, depending on how far you go with mods, you'll end up replacing many of the improvements that the 2002 comes with (better heads, intake, etc).

High rpm oil consumption was resolved in 2002 but its not like the 1999's burn oil horribly, its just a high rpm ring flutter issue. If you're not road racing, you'll likely never notice.

I have a 1997 that I bought with 99k mi on it. That was the only way I could get into a C5. I have since upgraded the entire suspension, heads, cam, headers, clutch, shifter, etc so the $ I saved getting a higher mileage older C5 was put into mods rather than having a pristine lower mileage newer C5.

It's all about what you want.

Keep in mind there "might" be fewer electrical issues with the 2002 but its usually a crap shoot....there are guys with blinker, EBCM, PCM, ground issues on 2002's just like 1997's or anything inbetween (just ask Bill Curlee).

Quick story, a friend got a 1997 C5 with 7,000 orig miles....but he paid a premium for the lower mileage. The car ended up having a decent amount of electrical issues (mostly due to a leaking battery which is a famous issue on c5's due to electrical placement) and he sold it a few years later. My 1997 C5 has had fewer electrical issues and cost me approx $5k less.

 

I'd buy the newer Vette.

 

need more info, whats the prices and whats the colors and options?? are they what you want??

 

Have look here, for more information. Buy the best you can afford.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1673207

 

Go for the '02

 

Some of the differences:

1999
* 26# injectors substituted for 28#
* Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
* FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
* HUD introduced
* Only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
* Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
* Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
* Door sill trim plates added

2000
* Millennium Yellow available
* "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
* Pup cats added to all models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
* Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
* Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
* No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
* Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

2001
* Return to 28# injectors for all models.
* Second Generation Active Handling
* Nassau Blue discontinued
* Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
* New soundproofing + foam in all cars
* Smaller keyfob
* Electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
* Lighter AGM battery
* Thickness + Material in Convertible change
* Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + Convertible
* 85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
* LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
* All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
* All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
* LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
* Hardtop/FRC discontinued
* Stronger synchros in all transmissions
* Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
* Metal valvestem caps (late year)
* Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in diameter from 55 to 63 mm.
* Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
* Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
* Hardtop body style
* Rear brake ducting
* Screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
* F1 Supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
* New LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
* M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
* Titanium exhaust system
* Lightweight windshield
* New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
* Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
* Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
* Transmission overtemp warning light on DIC
* 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
* Redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
* Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
* FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

2002
* Z06 Changes:
* Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
* Less restrictive intake airbox lid
* Descreened MAF
* Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
* Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
* Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
* Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valve springs
* Higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
* Slight piston redesign *
* Clutch strength upgraded.
* HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
* Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
* Electron Blue color offered
* Steel endlinks changed to aluminum

 

^^^Im not a C5 guy but thats some good information. Always wondered what the differences were

 

We have both. My wife's is a 99 coupe and mine is an 02 Vert. We love them both... No issues either right now. We did have a run with OPS on my wife's but it has been good for a year now....

 

You can't go wrong with either.

You will have less depreciation with the '99.

 

Jet Jock- thanks for the great info- all all the responses-thank you!

 

a 2002 will have Active Handling:
a 1999 might not

if these Corvettes are A4's... then the 1999 will have a column lock mechanism:
the 2002 will not.

I believe that the 2002 will appreciate engine mods a little more, as it already has the LS6 intake manifold and the larger diameter MAF.

 

Active handling on the 2002 would be a big reason to go with the 02. I have traction control on my 1997 which works ok, but the active handling is much better.