First time poster here. I've been reading the forums for a few months and I've been enjoying some of the opinions and the back and forth that goes on. Not sure how to format this so I'm going to fly by the seat of my pants.

First:

As the title implies, I'm asking for opinions so I think I'll state what I'm looking for first then I'll tell you all a little about myself and what I'm looking for in a vette.

What I'm trying to determine if one or two particular years of the C5 Generation is more highly regarded than any of the others. Would you value a newer year with higher mileage over an older model? Or are the initial years of the generation considered to be better?

Please try not to focus on the numbers that I use as far as the mileage vs price vs year. I am trying to be very general with the assumptions below and I'm looking to get into an argument about how realistic the numbers are if you know what I mean.

Here we go.

If you had a set amount of money. Let's say 20k, and you had the opportunity to buy the Vette of your choosing that fit your criteria (body style, tranny, color, mods) and you could pick between a 1997 with 30-40k miles, 2001 with 60-70k miles or a 2004 with 90k + miles which would you choose? Any why?

About me:

55 years old. Never owned a Vette. Always wanted a Vette. Think I'm going to get one this year. I've definitely settled on a C5. I live in the Northeast (Western Mass).

I will be using it as a DD. It won't be driven during the winter but I will probably use it in the rain. My Vette driving season will be from around April to November, maybe a little into December.

I am not mechanically inclined so I need something that is going to be very reliable. So I'm looking for dependability, not something that is going to be going into the shop frequently.

Looking forward to your opinions.

Thanks,

 

First off, Welcome to the forum.

If you have 20K to spend on a C5 I would look for a 2002-2004, For 20K you should be able to find a low miles C5 in that price range, Say a 2002-2004 with 20K miles, It might take a few to find it, But I know they are out there.
mr.Bill

 

Buy the best one that speaks to you. Each year has it's ups and downs. You can't really go wrong with a good example of any year.

 

In your scenario I would pick the 1997 with 30-40k miles but like Bill points out, you should be able to find a late model C5 with around 20K miles in your price range or a maybe a little higher depending on the body style where you live and when you buy it.

 

 

That pretty well sums it up and it was the first post to boot.

 

I agree w/Mr. Bill too in regards to year models to consider.
Only consider looking at an auto matic.

Manual shift should be out of question for you, by the criteria that you have posted. (Manual C/5's are too problamatic & costly.)

 

Looks like you got good advice already so welcome aboard

 

Good advice already given. The only thing I would add is pricing may be stronger during your expected driving season. Seller's may be willing to deal more in the off driving seasons. Don't rush into it! Welcome & good luck!

 

2001 GM made some nice changes, so an 01 or newer would be my choice.

Don't worry to much about the miles, C5s are known to go 150-200k without to many worries!

 

Why?

 

I don't have anything against '97's, but you would choose a first year C5 that is 15 years old and you have $20K to spend? Don't seem right. I got my '01 convertible for $16K three months ago. There should be lots of nice late model C5 choices if you have $20K to spend. Especially coupes.

 

Agree with everyone except the transmission mention. I've seen no consistent indications of the manuals being any less reliable than automatics. If your DD is going to involve commuting/traffic, then an auto would likely be a better choice.

 

Coming from a 6 speed owner.

 

I bought a 2001 convertible with manual transmission last year with 60,000 miles. I paid $19K for it but it was garage kept and flawless. The Navy Blue and Light Oak is so hard to find I really didn't care if it had cost a few grand more. I bought it from an individual so there was no delaer markup involved. I have been very happy. Just remember, over 100,000 miles and you are looking at potentially down the road costs with mechanicals like clutch and suspension, etc. If you get a good price you can factor that in. Good luck.

 

Go to Autotrader and plug in what you are looking for and use Any Distance for location.

Set your upper price limit at $21,000 and see what comes up. You will be surprised at the number of cars available. And you can generally talk them down a $1000, so set your limit a little higher.

 

Simply go to the tech section & you will see the proof is in the pudding.
One thread after another in regards to hard shifting, notchy shifting, I can't shift my car, etc, etc.
Why is my shifter sloppy?
Who makes the best shifter?.
How do I replace, adjust my shifter?
That's just a few of the shifter aspects.
Now let's go into the C/5's manual hydraulic's, now that's
DOUBLE TROUBLE

Why does my clutch pedal stays to the floor ?.
How do I bleed?
How do I get air out of the system?
Do you think my slave is bad?
Is my clutch bad?
Do you think my clutch M/C is bad?
Which clutch, p/plate t/out & pilot do I get?
I don't know how & I don't want to change out my clutch/parts., myself.
How much will it cost?

Let's see those costs numbers, for parts/labor = $3,000
The list goes on & on & on.

Listen, lets not sugar coat these C5, manual cars.
There are just too members here on the forum that have had them.
Not to mention a manual C5 is much harder on the differentials.
You see very few auto matics grenading their rear differential cases, compared to the manual cars

When you own a manual tranny C/5 it's not a matter of if/might I have a clutch /shifting problem..but when.

The OP mentioned that the car is going to be his DD.
And above all, he said that he is no machanic & doesn't want his car in & out of the shop...That equals to "Don't buy a manual C5 period".

 

Do the same with ebay motors too. Just be mindful that auction prices/bids on more expensive cars will inflate the results, but limiting to 'buy it now' will eliminate possible cars you might be interested in.

 

Go look at and drive some Vettes. Decide what you really want, color, transmission, options etc. You already have the 20k budget set, so buy the best one, that fits your criteria that you can find. I would be looking at 2001-2004 models. You will know it's the right one when you find it.

 

Makes perfect sense to me. However, I would never own a Vette with an auto. Now, if it was a sequential manual or dual clutch auto, then I'd be more inclined. I like the control you have in the twisties with a manual transmision sport car. If I was hauling or had a lot of hill starts or if it was my daily commuter like the OP then, it would make perfect sense.