Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

2002 or 2004

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 07:38 AM
  #1  
Ekul61's Avatar
Ekul61
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Grove city Ohio
Default 2002 or 2004

I am looking at both 2002 and 2004 manual coupe. Both are pristine. Both have 40k miles. Would you buy the 02 or 04. The 04 is $2000 more in price.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 07:53 AM
  #2  
printmanjackson's Avatar
printmanjackson
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

'02 and spend the $2000 on mods
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 07:55 AM
  #3  
irloyal's Avatar
irloyal
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area Denton County
Default

Just my $0.02

Take a close look at the brakes. The car that has the best brakes has likely been:
a - Driven by a more conservative/smoother driver
b - Received better maintenance.

Again, Just my opinion, but it has proven to be a decent tell for me.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 08:30 AM
  #4  
TorchRedRocket's Avatar
TorchRedRocket
Race Director
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
Default

Originally Posted by printmanjackson
'02 and spend the $2000 on mods
All else comparable, go with the '02. Some '04's have gas tank problems.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:08 AM
  #5  
Blitzkrieg's Avatar
Blitzkrieg
AKA "The CLOWN"
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Default

Originally Posted by printmanjackson
'02 and spend the $2000 on mods
02 and let the mods begin!
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:11 AM
  #6  
VETJAZZ's Avatar
VETJAZZ
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by irloyal
Just my $0.02

Take a close look at the brakes. The car that has the best brakes has likely been:
a - Driven by a more conservative/smoother driver
b - Received better maintenance.

Again, Just my opinion, but it has proven to be a decent tell for me.
Sound advice.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:25 AM
  #7  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Originally Posted by irloyal
Just my $0.02

Take a close look at the brakes. The car that has the best brakes has likely been:
a - Driven by a more conservative/smoother driver
b - Received better maintenance.

Again, Just my opinion, but it has proven to be a decent tell for me.
And if they just put new brakes on it?? Weak theory!
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:32 AM
  #8  
Ekul61's Avatar
Ekul61
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Grove city Ohio
Default

I have heard that all the gas leak issues have been fixed by owner or gm will fix them on the 04s. Is the leak still an issue
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:34 AM
  #9  
Dag Skagney's Avatar
Dag Skagney
Instructor
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 209
Likes: 14
From: Great State of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by printmanjackson
'02 and spend the $2000 on mods
Yep
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:36 AM
  #10  
n8dogg's Avatar
n8dogg
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Default

Originally Posted by Ekul61
I have heard that all the gas leak issues have been fixed by owner or gm will fix them on the 04s. Is the leak still an issue
GM is repairing these cars for 10 years from original purchase date. Have they all been repaired? No. Should you worry? No.

Right now 04s are higher in value than 02s, for a low mile car I'd say 04, but if it is something you plan on racking some miles on save the $ and go 02.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:56 AM
  #11  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
Likes: 1,822
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

I'd get the 04 if it were me. Fact is I have one.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 09:59 AM
  #12  
rebelheart's Avatar
rebelheart
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by n8dogg
GM is repairing these cars for 10 years from original purchase date. Have they all been repaired? No. Should you worry? No.

Right now 04s are higher in value than 02s, for a low mile car I'd say 04, but if it is something you plan on racking some miles on save the $ and go 02.
Last year of production and has most of the bugs worked out. The low numbers of fuel tanks affected are not a problem.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 10:05 AM
  #13  
65GGvert's Avatar
65GGvert
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,171
From: Kannapolis NC
Default

IF everything else is equal, I'd pay $2k for a two year newer model every time. It will always be 2 yrs newer.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 10:38 AM
  #14  
Zuti's Avatar
Zuti
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Default

In my opinion and in this economy, it depends on how much $2000 means to you. To some on this forum, 2K is nothing, to others, they have to scrape and save to get 2 grand for mods or anything else. So take a look at your finances. If 2K is no a big deal, get the 04, if 2K makes a significant difference, get the 02, there is not that much difference (if any) in the cars and you can spend the additional 2K making the car unique to you. It's a fun decision to have to make and probably a win/win either way! Zuti
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 10:53 AM
  #15  
Mike98SilVert's Avatar
Mike98SilVert
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,420
Likes: 4,589
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Default

I would get the 2002 and save $2K.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 11:17 AM
  #16  
Papas02C5's Avatar
Papas02C5
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
Default

I agree with the majority of posters on this thread....Get the 2002.... I have a 2002 Coupe 6 speed with the Z51 package and I just rolled over 30k on the clock and have had zero problems with it. You will not regret it....
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 11:24 AM
  #17  
jimb100's Avatar
jimb100
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 11
From: Virginia
Default

Always get the newest car with the lowest mileage you can afford is a good general rule of thumb.

In this case, if you can afford the $2000 get the 04.

Even a garage kept car with low mileage will have components that will deteriorate over time and an 04 will always be worth more than an 02, assuming same mileage, condition, etc. You'll get your $2k back and maybe more when its time to trade.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 2002 or 2004

Old Nov 23, 2011 | 11:31 AM
  #18  
Ekul61's Avatar
Ekul61
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Grove city Ohio
Default

Interesting imformation. I thought for sure people would suggest a 02 over the 04. Just seems like alot of forum members like the 02 over the 04.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 11:49 AM
  #19  
irloyal's Avatar
irloyal
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area Denton County
Default

Originally Posted by dougbfresh
And if they just put new brakes on it?? Weak theory!
I guess you are a newb to car buying huh.

1 - Always ask for the maintenance history of the vehicle.
- If they just turned the rotors, you can tell & mic' em
- If they just put on brake rotors at 40K they will look new.
- Ask if they have receipts for all the brake work
2 - If they are putting on rotors at 40K they are probably taking good care of the car.
- If it is the second time they have replaced the rotors it's been driven hard, probably many track days on a 'vette.
- If it's the first set it's likely been a street mostly car
3 - If they don't have receipts, I'd pass.
4 - If it's a dealership car, well, it may have the rotors and pads replaced, and that's good. Most dealerships give you a 5K warranty so they do stuff like this before they sell the car.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2011 | 01:32 PM
  #20  
Jistari's Avatar
Jistari
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Default

Originally Posted by 65GGvert
IF everything else is equal, I'd pay $2k for a two year newer model every time. It will always be 2 yrs newer.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:28 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE