Best Year for C5 Coupe
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
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Michael S. Palmer
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
1 vert burned a ton of oil had to be warrantied
1 Coupe burned 1qt per 1000
1 Z06 also had major oil burning issues
At one point I owned a high mile Z06 but it was good. I still say 01's are bad news unless you look at the service history.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Alexandria Northern Virginia
I have an 00 and an 04. Would recommend the 04 all the way. I speak from experience working on both. Better parts overall (for example the intake is the LS6 piece, exhaust manifolds are the higher flowing ....yes I know there are other years with these parts, metal anti-roll bar end links, top post battery less likely to leak on computer), neat color packages available and very affordable these days. Many low mile examples to be had.
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Cassidy
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IMO, all the C5s were good cars. However, the latter ones had upgrades or additional options/standard features. For example, the '97-98 cars did not have the HUD and the active handling option was introduced mid-way through the '98 model year.
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I've had two C5's. The first was a 98 coupe and my current is an 02 coupe. They feel the same to me. Some changes over the years but basically the same car. Get as nice a car as you can for what you can afford to pay, regardless of the year.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
in 2001 the Active Handling system got a major softeware upgrade; though I don't think it mattered much to us weekend scenic drivers.
Also starting 2001 - the automatic trans models did not have the column lock mechanism. But that's so easily taken care of nowdays that it doesn't matter much either.
Also starting 2001 - all C5's had the larger diameter torque tube found on the Z06.
And strarting 2001 - all C5's had the larger Z06 MAF.
But still... the 1997 is a great C5 to own & drive.
Also starting 2001 - the automatic trans models did not have the column lock mechanism. But that's so easily taken care of nowdays that it doesn't matter much either.
Also starting 2001 - all C5's had the larger diameter torque tube found on the Z06.
And strarting 2001 - all C5's had the larger Z06 MAF.
But still... the 1997 is a great C5 to own & drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: N E area of state Kansas
To speak to the olders ones. You are getting the same car (almsot) for often less money. I have a 99, and looked for that year as my favorite. I can't think of any options that came out after 99 that I would want. I was able to get the active handling and also the color I wanted (navy blue metallic). I also got the key fob that unlocks on approach and locks when I walk away.
Newer ones did get a better intake (ls6) and that netted a total of 5 hp. Not a real big diffrence. I say the best corvette is one that you find that has the options you want, and the color you want. Year is a lot less important than miles in this case as the newest c5s are over 5 years old now, and the oldest are 12. I would prefer a 9 year old car with 50k then a 5 year old car with 80k. That is just me.
If I had to avoid a year, it would be 97. Lot of options that had not yet come out. When you open the back hatch after a wash/rain water also runs in to the inside as the weatherstrip design was not the best. That being said, it is a very minor complaint and the 97 is awesome. The missing options are only important if they are options you want.
Newer ones did get a better intake (ls6) and that netted a total of 5 hp. Not a real big diffrence. I say the best corvette is one that you find that has the options you want, and the color you want. Year is a lot less important than miles in this case as the newest c5s are over 5 years old now, and the oldest are 12. I would prefer a 9 year old car with 50k then a 5 year old car with 80k. That is just me.
If I had to avoid a year, it would be 97. Lot of options that had not yet come out. When you open the back hatch after a wash/rain water also runs in to the inside as the weatherstrip design was not the best. That being said, it is a very minor complaint and the 97 is awesome. The missing options are only important if they are options you want.