I just bought a '97 A4, 273 rear, exactly what I was looking for as a DD, good fuel economy, decent ride. Found it for 7G's, dumped 3G's more to make it right and look good, we're very happy with it.

 

if you like it have it checked out by some one who knows vettes and if good go for it good luck

 

 

Vette or Ugo,,,,do your homework and check out the car AND the previous owner(s) as well!



Good luck and enjoy!

 

I have a 68, 97 and 05...obviously I don't heed your advice!!!

The 97 had about the same issues as the other c5s. (I've had three other c5s.) No regrets ever about buying mine. It had approx 130,000 miles when I got flooded two summers ago...with no big problems...AND she's my beater vette, so she's seen many, many 1/4 miles runs and autocross events.

She now has a new engine AND transmission...the transmission bit the dust at about 132,000 I think.

So yeah, this 97 owner disagrees with the naysayers.

 

Don't recall giving YOU advice.

 

Soon as I saw the OP's post, I knew this was going to turn ugly. Remember OP, opinions are like......you know the rest.
97's are jsut as good as any other year. The differences are pretty negligable. Passenger side door key hole, 5 HP more on the '00 and up, different wheels, HUD. Other than that, I know of no problems specific to the 97's, that the other years didn't have as well.
Check it out good, make sure you don't get "wagon wheels" , and enjoy your C5!

 

http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C..._in_models.pdf

At the 01' model year MANY improvments were done-I wouldn't buy anything earlier than an 01'.

 

if you're just being funny...

if you're being a smartass...i seriously doubt you're any more qualified to give advice on this than i am. (I'm on way more than my 3rd vette. )

then the OP won't have any competition from you on getting the 97.

 

Nothing wrong with buying a '97 - it had basically the same issues as the other C5s over the course of the production run. Look for a noisy fuel pump, rocking seats, rear differential leaks, etc.

I have some Word files that might help you out. If interested, PM me your e-mail address and I'll forward them to you. Good luck in your search.

 

It is well know that the first model years quality is not as good as the later ones,the workers though moving slower are unfamiliar with a totally new car and so make mistakes.However by now most of those minor problems probably have been corrected.The C5 was constantly up graded as the production went along so I would look for the latest model year you can find in your price range,considering mileage and condition.

 

You might find the following 2 links useful.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

Nothing wrong with the earlier C5s. However, a lot of improvements/refinements were made over the years. The most significant were made in 2001.

I would recommend trying to get a 2001 - 2004 model because of that, and just the fact that they are not as old. With a 97, you are talking about a car with 12 year-old paint, electronics, rubber seals, etc.

Hope that helps.

 

Maybe this will help..................

1997
• Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
• All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler
• 97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

1998
• Convertible becomes available
• Active Handling becomes available late in year
• The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)

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

2003
• Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

2004
• Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.

 

Your entitled to your opinion but IMHO this is myth perpetuation. I own a 68 big block and it is one of the finest Corvettes I have ever owned and I own and have owned many over 38 years. Early 68's were given a bad rap by car mags but the later production cars were excellent. I have to talked with many original owner 68's and they loved them. What's wrong with 84's? They had cross fire injection but it wasn't problematic. The 96 was an excellent final C4 especially with the LT4.

The 97 was not problematic either. I had a 98 and currently own a 2002. Same basic car. So IMO the original poster should not shy away from a NICE 97. A good friend of mine bought one new and he still has it. No problems at all.

 

Not being funny!
I don't care what the OP does-if she wants to buy the worst of the run, it's her money. The later model(s) have many improvements and bug fixes.

 

Nothing wrong with the earlier C5's. As stated earlier by Matt, you also get the return style fuel system which is great. As long as it's well taken care of, you should be good to go! These cars are a lot of fun...especially when modded

Good luck!

 

Doug, in 12 years any bugs in the '97 that the op would be buying have been worked out.

I bought my wife a '97 Coupe with over 100k on the clock and the thing seems brand new. It even takes a 100shot with no complaints. If I can spray the crap out of a '97 with over 100k on the clock, I think the op will be fine.

Just as with any vehicle purchase I would do a thorough inspection or take it to a mechanic to be checked out. There may be minor issues like old shocks that wouldn't keep me from buying as that's an easy and fairly cheap fix, but there could be major ones like oil leaks or worse that would cause me to walk away.

Good luck.

 

I forgot to mention that I owned an 84 at one time as well.

 

I too find it irksome that "experts" are always shouting to buy the newest model and avoid early production models as inferior. When I had my '86 it was the same crap and now that I have a '99 all you here is "don't but anything older than an "01" If that were the case then the '64 Mustang, '67 Camaro, '55 T Bird, 63 Split Window Corvette, etc., would be train wrecks and virtually worthless. The condition of the car, options, and maintenance are more important than the year is.

 

Haven't heard of any major problems with any 97.