I am new to the forum. I am a car guy and have owned a bunch of cars. It is a hobby and for the most part my wife puts up with it.

I have decided to add my "stable" and have come to realize that pound for pound and overall to include (cost/maintenance/reliability/fun/etc.) that a Corvette is a good purchase. I think right now that the C5 generation is a great car and for the money I consider it a "sweet spot" in the corvette timeline. My purchase of a 63 split window is just going to have to wait.

So, as experts of the C5 community I want your solid advice. If you had 20K and wanted to purchase a C5 Corvette, what year and options would you consider a best buy. I value speed, reliability, and resale. What should I stay away from and what is coveted?

I appreciate any advice and understand that there will be a bunch of different opinions. That is great and only adds to the discussion. I can't wait to see the feedback...

 

You can't go wrong with any year and any model...they all have a place. I would stay away from the unpopular color schemes, like yellow exterior with red interior...the socalled ronald mcdonald version.

 

Welcome..
First off you have 3 body choices.
Coupe with removable top, Best of both worlds.
Z06/FRC has a non removable top and the Z has more HP.
Convertible.
I would look at 2001 or newer with the least amount of miles you can find.
If you get a non Z I would look for a Z51 car, It has tighter suspension.
You might want a HUD, Telescoping steering wheel.
Check for oil leaks in the rear area, Make sure fuel gage works.

 

I had 01 vert for 6 years, and now a 02 Z and they are very good cars for sure, also had a 94 vert and it was also very good. all year c5s seem to be very dependable.

 

Thanks -

Why the 2001 and beyond? What changes did they make after 2001 (althouht that is actually the year I was looking at).

Transmission choices?

 

Any options to stay away from in terms of reliability?

What does 20K buy you if you find a good C5 between 40-50K. Any Mileage that scares you?

 

Mileage is subjective. There are 100,000+ mile cars that look new and ride new. There are 20,000 mile cars though few that look like a dumpster, ride like garbage truck and smell like one.

I almost puked once when I saw a couple of Vettes(C6 &C5) that looked like that and I wanted to say something, but it's none of my business.

 

Mr. Bill pointed out the three body styles so first decide that part. Then you have decide if are particular about color.

Then it boils down to the newest, lowest mileage one you can afford. Of course options play into the picture too. In 2001, the stock HP was bumped up to 350 so that is one reason to go '01 and higher.

I think when you find the "right" car, it will hit you, like it did me. Cruise the forum and stickys here for common problems, but overall, this is one fun and reliable ride!!

 

with what he says

 

Welcome
I have had vetts since 1970. My 2000 coupe A4 driver is the best all round car I have ever had, fast, good lookin low maintiance.
2 yrs ago spent 15K$ 75K on the clock we drive it 4 to 5,000 per year
Chuck

 

I recommend a 2002 to 2004 convertible. All bugs worked out, beautiful car. Therenare no scary options to avoid. I would not get RTD only because it is expensive to repair.

 

in 2001 they worked most of the bugs out of the 97-2000 cars. i just bought a 6speed coupe with 50k miles for 18,900. im sure you can do better for 20k.

 

I see suggestions regarding 2001 or newer. Mine is a loaded 2000 and has been "bugless", so I don't know what bugs are being referred to. My friend has a 99 and it has been totally reliable as well. Also the jump in horsepower in 2001 was only from 345 to 350. It costs next to nothing to make up the difference.

Just decide on what color and options you want and find the best one available within that price range. Post up some pics when you get one.

 

You my friend needs to do a search on the pre 2001 Vette, In the year 2011 the pre 2001 Vettes self destruct.
Just joking... Sunday morning humor without coffee...

 

All good advice. Thanks all.

Happy Holidays.

 

In 2001 HUD was standard equipment.
You also get the bump from 345 to 350 hp.

As far as resale, just get the normal colors and stay away from heavily modified cars and you should do fine.

 

I understand some of the 2004 models have had cracked fuel crossover pipes. Also F45 variable suspension shocks are very expensive to replace.

 

Personnaly, I own an '02, triple black vert, and I couldn't be happier. The only thing I have had go wrong was a left headlight gear motor. Very easy to fix. I bought the car three years ago for $26K with a whopping 19K miles. So there are very good deals to had out there. I would go with a stick myself. What's the point of a muscle car if you can't go thru the gears? Just my opinion though. But I hope you have an understanding wife. Once you have one, and you feel so inclined, adding mods can be like a sickness. I have it. So far, custom wheels and tires, non run flats, cold air intake, headers, and Borla exaust. Good luck!!!

 

I've been an automotive tech for 30 years and can tell you from my experience, that if GM built everything as well as the Ls engine series and the C5, C6 'vettes, we might not have any other automakers. OK, that might be a slight exaggeration, but my point is you can't hardly go wrong with any C5 that has been maintained.

I personally Wasn't a Corvette fan until the C5. I liked the styling of the earlier 'vettes but felt like they lacked mechanically. The C5 and C6 however, are world class automobiles.


Just my .02, Jack.

 

My '99 Coupe has been a flawless performer and has not had a single issue in the 5 years that I have owned it. My wife and I have had '98's, '99's, a 2000 and a 2002 and all have been very reliable with few issues if any, which were minor and common in any year C5 (one column lock, one headlight module).

Many of the common problems that people have with their C5's come from lack of use/neglect which will occur in any make/model car neglected and rarely used. Then there are the cars that are abused but you can pretty easily pick them out.

I recommend any of them '97-'04, they are all great cars. There is no "best year" of the C5 but I have read some statistics, possibly here, that the '99 model year reported the least problems. If you don't base your choice on purchase price alone, then you should do fine. Condition and mileage are always most important with a used car.

The only option that makes a difference on value and resale IMO is a 6 speed manual transmission. I don't think that body style makes too much of a difference in resale but there a far fewer C5's in the FRC/Z06 body style therefore possibly increasing their resale value over other C5's in years to come for pristine examples. The only C5's that I see premiums paid for are the '98 Pace Cars, White '99 FRC's and '04 Z16's that are basically kept in new condition with extremely low miles but you won't get one for $20K.