From my other post(s), it seems like the general consensus is to get the newest Corvette that you can afford. This would be an early(ish) C5. Are there any years to stay away from? I know the first year(s) of a new model are ones to usually stay away from, so would it be best to avoid the '97 and maybe '98 models?

Thank you for any advice.

 

2001 and newer, 2004 would be the best

 

I totally understand about getting what you can afford. If you ask everyone in here what year is the best year everyone would say the year they own.

Let me ask you just a few questions.. Are you looking to Finance a C5? If so you might have to look at getting a 2002 or newer depending on your bank. Most banks do not want to finance a 2002 C5. Although I was able to get my bank to finance my 2002, although it is a credit union.

Some companies offer finance options for older C5 and C4... Although be careful look at the interest rate and how many months, you could end up buying a C6 for the money you really ended up paying for an older C5...

If you have the cash look at getting a 99 or 2000... Look for a corvette that has really been taken care of... My 1985 Corvette has 200k and stills runs... So it really depends on the previous owner... best of luck

 

As stated, its all in how it was taken care of. I can personally state that the '99 was a good year but I took good care of mine. Its currenly in the hands of my son at over 330K on it and still going.

 

There really is no year to avoid. From the beginning to the end of the C5 production, the driving experience is remarkably consistent. The later years had some options not available on earlier years. I've had several C5s and still have two, my 98 that I had for 6 years was absolutely wonderful. The 03s that I have now, I thoroughly enjoy.

Best of luck in finding the one that's right for you.

 

There is a lot of rumors about 01 and 02 's having piston slapping and oil consumption issues... I have an 01 and have none of those issues. Its going to rely on how meticulous the previous owner(s) are/were, and basically the luck of the draw.
Best of luck with your search and let us know what you choose.

 

The 98 I had was one of the best cars I ever had.

 

Since you asked...

Staying away from the first year of a new model seems to be good general advice (not specific to Corvettes), as the second year will have a number of bug fixes revealed by the first year's full rate production and service history. My '98 was built in May, meaning there were 18 months of bug fixes. I'm happy with the car, it appears previous owner had the column lock removed, and there's no evidence of a previous leaky battery problem. Knock on wood, but there's no issues with the electronic climate control display, and I'm not seeing the "service traction control" issue. On the other hand, the power seat does rock a bit, someone previously jacked the car incorrectly and broke a rocker panel ear (and fixed it by screwing a self-tapping machine screw through the bottom of the panel into the frame), and the passenger's side power window motor has gone on strike a couple of times (but has worked on 73 of the last 75 days I've had the car).

Hey, the car's not perfect but it's mine

Checking the forum to learn what common C5 problems to look for is a smart thing (do as I say, not as I did: as a total noob, I lucked out using the "ooohhh, pretty..., wheee, fun to drive..., me want" approach, trusting a local long-established, family-run small-town Chevy dealer to deal honestly in used cars, and my subjective impressions as an engineer that this was a refined vehicle that had been well cared-for). I'd done enough homework to know what a fair price to both of us would be, scrutinized the CARFAX report, and did a gut check to decide I could stand the finanical pain should I need to unload a lemon, but I didn't know to look for any of the stuff I mentioned above until after I owned the car and started reading Corvette Forum (thanks, folks )

But, to tell the truth, knowing too much might have kept me looking for the "perfect" car, instead of buying one that turned out to be in realistic good shape (it's the engineer's curse, and why we're the bane of salesmen the world over). And the wife and I would have missed out on a helluva lot fun and some new friends this summer in our first Corvette.

"...you wanna know something? Every now and then say, '<WTF>'. '<WTF>' gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future." --Miles's squirrely advice to Joel Gooden (Tom Cruise's character) in Risky Business.

But I digress.

When I upgrade to a C6, I'll be looking for at least a 2006.

Other posters have commented on difficulty getting loans for older cars. This is true: bank rules don't discern between 10-year old 'vettes and 10-year-old clunkers. The only bank to offer a loan wanted 13.95% You'd be better off refinancing one of your other vehicles with cash out if it's late model, using a home equity loan (relatively low interest and it's usually tax-deductible... but be smart and pay extra principal every month to pay the loan off in as few years as possible, not the typical 10-year repayment schedule for a home equity loan) or finding some other collateral for a loan (e.g., my credit union will accept common stock as collateral on a near-prime-rate loan).

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

 

Don't know about piston slap, but my sense reading the forum is that high oil consumption seems to be associated with sustained high RPM operation in racing.

 

Honestly I'd go for low mileage more than anything else. If you can get a 99 with 20k miles for 20grand and you can get a 2004 with 50k miles for say 20K. I'd get the 99'

Mileage is the most important factor, combined with color and options, body style. All c5's are very well built...with preference going to the 2003's and 2004's.

I wouldn't take a 2005 c6 if it were free....they're duds.

 

Talk to us...

 

First year cars are usually to be avoided. Not so with a "97" Corvette! I personally believe the "97" vette to be the most trouble free of the c-5s. Althow they lack many of the later options offered on newer cars they certainly are great and dependable cars! I have peraonally had 2 "97"s and both were very dependable drivers!
Dave

 

All the years of the C5 pretty much had the same common problems - column lock, rear differential seal leak, rocking seat, etc. That said, not all cars will show the symptoms. I would recommend getting the most current, lowest mileage car that your budget will allow. And even then, be sure you check the car over carefully for any issues.

 

 

Google GM C6 and buy-back....you'll find out real quick.