2002 or 2004
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area Denton County
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Weak theory!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
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.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
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.
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.
Drifting
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
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
Zuti
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
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....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 11
From: Virginia
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.
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.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area Denton County
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.
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.
