If you were looking to buy a C5 convertible, (which I am)which year would you buy, and why?

Bob.

 

 

Decide what you want...and wait for it.

http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/4434367098.html

 

I'd want a 04. It's the last one.

 

Besides, the '01 and up models have a lot of upgrades to them that the '98-00 cars do not have.

 

01 and that's what I got. It's nearly the exact same car as the 02-04 but cheaper.

 

 

Have had a 99 and a 2001...2001 and up all the way!!!!!

 

I have a 98 convertible and love it. As long as the car you get has been well taken care of I don't think it really matters. With that being said, regardless of what year you get these are aging cars and things will go wrong so be prepared to deal with that.

 

I'd get a C5 Z06 because you just can't beat the looks of a FRC.

 

The sweet spot for corvettes are midyears generally, the brand new ones in a series generally have "issues" and the last of the run are leftovers and the factory is already gearing up for the next generation. 01-03 are your best choice, I think the 04' has some gas leak issue between the tanks that was expensive to fix (you can search for the issue).

 

Thanks to all who posted in this thread.
What I wanted to know was, were there big differences between the years.
I know the styling is the same,but I wasn't up on engineering differences, if any.
I have been looking for a long time to find that "special C5 convertible that was in my price range.
I had a good idea which year I wanted (2004) and yesterday my search finally came to an end.
I found the exact one I wanted.
It is an 04 convertible.
Magnetic red (though it looks more copper which I really like) with a tan and black interior, and a new tan top.
It's a one owner, and has only 53000 miles on it.
A custom car cover comes with it.
It has all the goodies with one exception, and that is, no hook up for an mp3 player.
It does have a 12 cd disc changer so for now that will do just fine.
I wonder if there is some kind of adapter to use to connect an mp3 player to the existing radio.
The inside looks like it was never sat in.
No cracks in the seats, dash, or panels.
Tires have about 4000 miles on them.
Now the best part, the price.
Because the owner is moving, and no garage or carport in the new location (only street parking I am led to believe) he wanted to make sure it got sold before the move.
He wanted $20.500. or best reasonable offer,knowing full well it was way below market value for a 2004.
I offered $19000, and tomorrow I get to drive it home.
I will post pictures once it is in my driveway.
Oh, the first thing I did was to check the vin to see if it was one of those with the gas leak problem.
Thank God it wasn't.
I breathed a sigh of relief after finding it was not in that group.
I am sure I will have some question as time goes by.
Right now I am really excited.
The search was a long and exhaustive one that lasted over a year, but come tomorrow, it will have all been worth it.
Bob.

 

Finally here.
I brought the convertible home from San Diego last night.
It was a great drive that I had not done in years, and the fact that I was behind the wheel of my "new" C5 made it all the better.
Here are some pictures I took today.

Bob

 

Congrats on a beautiful car and an awesome price!

 

Congratulations! That is an incredible price for a vert! If I still lived in CA I would have insisted on a vert but not that practical for a daily driver in KS. Enjoy and don't forget the wave!

 

An '04 'cause that's what I own....

 

Good looking car you got there, congrats.

 

CONGRATULATIONS Calguy, that is one super-smart '04 convertible you have there.



Fantastic price, great color, right year, you are going to love every minute of it.


.

 

A wonderful find and a very good price...congratulations!

 

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!