2004 coupe
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2004 coupe
Good day I am highly considering in buying a 2004 coupe just want to know how reliable that year is from some of you that own that same year. I already own a 1984 c4 and we all know how those are. any advice would be most appreciated.
thanks
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Reliability of any 12 year old car depends on how well it has been taken care of. C5s are pretty reliable overall and since an '04 is the latest C5, it should be as good or better than the rest.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
thank you for the helpful info
Check the last part of the VIN against this range:
45110258 through 45125500 VIN date range Oct 8, 2003 through March 18, 2004
If it falls into that range you might want to check the GMVIS for the cars VIN to see if GM has already serviced the fuel tanks..
Cars in that range were subject to a Special Warranty coverage, that has now expired, for possible failure of the fuel tanks. If the tank fails now that the warranty is ended you can expect to pay out of pocket for the repairs. Here is a link to the type of failure that could occur:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=42084
The majority of the time the drivers side tank fails but in some instances it is the passenger tank and in very few instances it is BOTH tanks.
If you are a DIY person you can purchase any used C6 through current C7 fuel tank and a few other small components and do the repair yourself for not much more than the cost of the used tank. (Insure the tank is a C6 or C7 tank and NOT a C5 tank as there is no way to recognize the good from not so good C5 tanks) If your skills require a stealership to do this type of work expect to spend between $2K and $3K for the repairs.
Beyond that read through the stickies at the top of the General and Tech C5 Forums to learn MUCH about the C5.
45110258 through 45125500 VIN date range Oct 8, 2003 through March 18, 2004
If it falls into that range you might want to check the GMVIS for the cars VIN to see if GM has already serviced the fuel tanks..
Cars in that range were subject to a Special Warranty coverage, that has now expired, for possible failure of the fuel tanks. If the tank fails now that the warranty is ended you can expect to pay out of pocket for the repairs. Here is a link to the type of failure that could occur:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...ictureid=42084
The majority of the time the drivers side tank fails but in some instances it is the passenger tank and in very few instances it is BOTH tanks.
If you are a DIY person you can purchase any used C6 through current C7 fuel tank and a few other small components and do the repair yourself for not much more than the cost of the used tank. (Insure the tank is a C6 or C7 tank and NOT a C5 tank as there is no way to recognize the good from not so good C5 tanks) If your skills require a stealership to do this type of work expect to spend between $2K and $3K for the repairs.
Beyond that read through the stickies at the top of the General and Tech C5 Forums to learn MUCH about the C5.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 332
Likes: 41
From: Mesa, AZ
Owned an '85 C4 for ten miserable years. About swore me off from ever owning a "newer vett" again. In Oct'13, happened across an '04 by accident. Original owner, unmolested with 11,700 on the clock. Coupe, six speed, MY with light gray interior. Against my better judgement at the time, purchased and haven't looked back. 18,300 now and the car is amazing. The only money spent besides fluid changes has been for cosmetic upgrades and a few items to improve overall performance. Car has every available option minus polished five spokes. Has been rock solid in every aspect. 31.5-32 MPG at 80mph with cruise on. The redhead likes the roominess of the seating and interior compared to the C4. Car is way more comfortable to drive than the C4.
We did look at several other cars as a comparison, including C6's. This was by far the best bang for the buck. Didn't steal it, paid $23,500.00. Very happy with the end result.
Chas
We did look at several other cars as a comparison, including C6's. This was by far the best bang for the buck. Didn't steal it, paid $23,500.00. Very happy with the end result.
Chas
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
now those are the kind of stories i like to hear thank you
Owned an '85 C4 for ten miserable years. About swore me off from ever owning a "newer vett" again. In Oct'13, happened across an '04 by accident. Original owner, unmolested with 11,700 on the clock. Coupe, six speed, MY with light gray interior. Against my better judgement at the time, purchased and haven't looked back. 18,300 now and the car is amazing. The only money spent besides fluid changes has been for cosmetic upgrades and a few items to improve overall performance. Car has every available option minus polished five spokes. Has been rock solid in every aspect. 31.5-32 MPG at 80mph with cruise on. The redhead likes the roominess of the seating and interior compared to the C4. Car is way more comfortable to drive than the C4.
We did look at several other cars as a comparison, including C6's. This was by far the best bang for the buck. Didn't steal it, paid $23,500.00. Very happy with the end result.
Chas
We did look at several other cars as a comparison, including C6's. This was by far the best bang for the buck. Didn't steal it, paid $23,500.00. Very happy with the end result.
Chas
Administrator
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The 2004 has all the updates available for the C5 generation and it has some of the same problems as the earlier years too. Check out the stickies at the top of the page that talk about buying information. They are full of useful information.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I bought my 04 vert in 2014 thinking I had a lot of knowledge of the car’s year bennies and problems. Only after purchase and being on this forum for many months did I find out what little did I know. But, I have had no problems with the car since purchase. Like in all used car purchases, you have to use your prior experience, research, mechanic evaluation and visual impressions to make your decision. Then it is just plain luck on how well you bought. The car is 12 years old and even if the car has low mileage and great maintenance records, s@#t happens.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 940
Likes: 81
From: Lake Villa IL
I have had my '04 for over six years now and besides changing out the SWPS and general maintenance has been trouble free and a blast to drive. I have the Z51 option and all other options except the 12 disc cd changer. Much more pleasurable drive then my '96 C4 was. Great on trips and 30 mpg at freeway speeds I call it my economy car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
I bought my 04 vert in 2014 thinking I had a lot of knowledge of the car’s year bennies and problems. Only after purchase and being on this forum for many months did I find out what little did I know. But, I have had no problems with the car since purchase. Like in all used car purchases, you have to use your prior experience, research, mechanic evaluation and visual impressions to make your decision. Then it is just plain luck on how well you bought. The car is 12 years old and even if the car has low mileage and great maintenance records, s@#t happens.
I spent two years on this site researching and reading about others experiences before I owned a Corvette. I bought a 49k mile 99 from a dealer and all I had was a carfax and a gut feeling this was the car for me. Turns out I did extremely well and have zero issues. Outside of what you have already been told, I would have no issue with an 04 especially if it was a Z16 Z06
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
Hello, I've been saying the following for years, and not just for vettes. Mileage on the clock is nice to see if its low, but its not everything. Maintenance history, accident history, how it was used (drags, autocross etc if you can determine that), a thorough pre-purchase comprehensive bumper to bumper check by an independent shop/tech who is intimately familiar with these cars and documentation about any mods are all extremely important. C5's are great cars if you choose with care but can be an expensive nightmare if its a problem car. Don't be afraid to walk away from any car for any reason or suspicion. Make the car prove itself to you via the above. There are a lot of very nice C5's available across the country. As other forum members have pointed out, reading the stickies at the top of this page is a must. I know forum members who have been around a long time are probably tired of me repeating the above, but my motives are good. Better you should choose carefully and be happy with your new baby than to have a bad experience and be soured on the whole thing. This forum is a huge source of info on any question you could imagine about these cars, free and for the asking! Best wishes to you!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
My 04 has been good to me for almost six years. Had the dim hvac but it was cheap to fix. Replaced the starter and battery. Driver side mirror auto dimming went bad and replaced it with a regular one and replaced a door latch. 74000 mi daily driver stays outside. Oh and the plastic trim around theHUD is all cracked from the sun. 6 speed.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 53
From: Southern US
I bought my 04 coupe a year ago. It's a long story but I got it from an ailing relative. As such, I did almost zero research on the car. 74,400 miles. Turns out it has had 6 owners, slight damage to the front left at some point (repaired), been repossessed and sold at auction several times. Incredibly, despite all of that, the car is very clean aside from the road rash you would expect from a car with now 82,000 miles on it. I've had a few nuisance issues crop up (broken shifter grommet, fallen HUD, dim HVAC display) but I've been able to repair all of them myself, with help from this forum. Under the hood, everything is nice and clean and runs great. I have enjoyed the heck out of this car and I would buy it all over again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Bought a 04 Spiral Medium Gray Vert 6spd ... a couple of years ago with 20k miles on it...it now has a little over 40k... have done a bunch of things to it... most were simply by choice not because it needed it or had to be done... I LOVE this car... I have owned my share of GREAT muscle cars and LOTS of other vehicles... other than my high school 65 Rag top GTO THIS is my favorite car so far...well, I still LOVE my 69 SS Chevelle too, it's just a different kinda beast. I say GO FOR IT I don't think you'll regret it...
Anything we can do to help before or after your purchase.... just ask and we'll try to find you answers.
Anything we can do to help before or after your purchase.... just ask and we'll try to find you answers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rpans-waa.html
Last edited by 73Corvette; Apr 29, 2016 at 12:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 2
From: Whidbey Island WA
That would be in your floor board...literally.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rpans-waa.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rpans-waa.html
Dang!