I Love my 04 Spiral Gray
Best year for C5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,207
From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It's always the last year of the run - the '04 for the C5's - just like the '96 is the best C4, IMHO
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: CT
My 2 Cents
Hi,
I am going to say that the year may not be as important as who owned and how someone drove the car prior to you buying it. Yes GM added improvements and changed things that needed to be changed and that is definitely a bonus and something to look for if you can afford it. But if the car wasn't maintained in an excellent way, was beat, and I mean the crap beat out of it, I would be hesitant on that particular car. (Although these cars are really strong and seem to take a lot of abuse.)
Look for all maintenance records and the type of person who owned it. Not all Corvette owners drive their car hard, beat it, abuse it etc. Different people buy these cars for different reasons and they usually are religious on maintenance. I am not saying all Corvette owners don't maintain their cars, but chances are good if you got the records and the owner doesn't seem like they took it to test and tune every other day, it is a good bet that that Vette was babied. I only say this cause this was how I always purchased cars and had pretty good fortune. I own a 97 with 132k and brought it from a person like I mentioned above. The car runs stronger than the day I brought it and I don't baby it now or for the last 60K. So maintenance and who owned it and how they drove it can play a big part in your decision. This is my two cents and can be taken or left. Hope it gives some food for thought.
I am going to say that the year may not be as important as who owned and how someone drove the car prior to you buying it. Yes GM added improvements and changed things that needed to be changed and that is definitely a bonus and something to look for if you can afford it. But if the car wasn't maintained in an excellent way, was beat, and I mean the crap beat out of it, I would be hesitant on that particular car. (Although these cars are really strong and seem to take a lot of abuse.)
Look for all maintenance records and the type of person who owned it. Not all Corvette owners drive their car hard, beat it, abuse it etc. Different people buy these cars for different reasons and they usually are religious on maintenance. I am not saying all Corvette owners don't maintain their cars, but chances are good if you got the records and the owner doesn't seem like they took it to test and tune every other day, it is a good bet that that Vette was babied. I only say this cause this was how I always purchased cars and had pretty good fortune. I own a 97 with 132k and brought it from a person like I mentioned above. The car runs stronger than the day I brought it and I don't baby it now or for the last 60K. So maintenance and who owned it and how they drove it can play a big part in your decision. This is my two cents and can be taken or left. Hope it gives some food for thought.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,385
Likes: 24,790
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
They are all good. Obviously as the model progressed things were improved. Best advice - buy the lowest mileage, newest one you can afford with the options you want.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Hi,
I am going to say that the year may not be as important as who owned and how someone drove the car prior to you buying it. Yes GM added improvements and changed things that needed to be changed and that is definitely a bonus and something to look for if you can afford it. But if the car wasn't maintained in an excellent way, was beat, and I mean the crap beat out of it, I would be hesitant on that particular car. (Although these cars are really strong and seem to take a lot of abuse.)
Look for all maintenance records and the type of person who owned it. Not all Corvette owners drive their car hard, beat it, abuse it etc. Different people buy these cars for different reasons and they usually are religious on maintenance. I am not saying all Corvette owners don't maintain their cars, but chances are good if you got the records and the owner doesn't seem like they took it to test and tune every other day, it is a good bet that that Vette was babied. I only say this cause this was how I always purchased cars and had pretty good fortune. I own a 97 with 132k and brought it from a person like I mentioned above. The car runs stronger than the day I brought it and I don't baby it now or for the last 60K. So maintenance and who owned it and how they drove it can play a big part in your decision. This is my two cents and can be taken or left. Hope it gives some food for thought.
I am going to say that the year may not be as important as who owned and how someone drove the car prior to you buying it. Yes GM added improvements and changed things that needed to be changed and that is definitely a bonus and something to look for if you can afford it. But if the car wasn't maintained in an excellent way, was beat, and I mean the crap beat out of it, I would be hesitant on that particular car. (Although these cars are really strong and seem to take a lot of abuse.)
Look for all maintenance records and the type of person who owned it. Not all Corvette owners drive their car hard, beat it, abuse it etc. Different people buy these cars for different reasons and they usually are religious on maintenance. I am not saying all Corvette owners don't maintain their cars, but chances are good if you got the records and the owner doesn't seem like they took it to test and tune every other day, it is a good bet that that Vette was babied. I only say this cause this was how I always purchased cars and had pretty good fortune. I own a 97 with 132k and brought it from a person like I mentioned above. The car runs stronger than the day I brought it and I don't baby it now or for the last 60K. So maintenance and who owned it and how they drove it can play a big part in your decision. This is my two cents and can be taken or left. Hope it gives some food for thought.
good advice
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That's what I would do. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,148
Likes: 1
From: U S A
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
One thing I think is definately something to consider is the magnetic ride suspension. Only available on 03 and 04. That is the only thing I would trade up my 00 for.
Other than that I agree get the best car lowest miles for your budget.
Other than that I agree get the best car lowest miles for your budget.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
