I'm new to this site and have posted in the New Members area. I said I was interested in a C5 Corvette and was told to look at 2001 and newer cars. I'm negotiating currently on a 2004 Corvette, 33,000 miles, coupe, automatic (this is a must as my left ankle is fused due to a ton of sports injuries when I was much younger). The tires are almost new and it appears to be in very good condition.

Are there any problems with the 2004? How about with the automatic transmission? Is there anything I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Good idea to check the date of the tires, they could look new but be 10 yrs old. I have an '04 vert that falls in the Vin range mentioned but have had no issues yet. Currently 29,xxx miles

 

2004 Coupe, A4 transmission. 70,0000 miles- bought two years ago w/ 54,000 miles.

- I had the dark climate control unit problem- replaced w/ rebuilt one (about 2 hours work w/ help from posts on this board)
- replaced the run-flats w/ Bridgestone RE-760 Sport tires in OEM sizes- great move- much better ride.
- replaced brake rotors and put on Hawk Pads, flushed and refilled brake fluid
- flushed and refilled coolant
- replaced shocks w/ standard, but C6 shocks (Delco - good ride in the chuckhole environment of No. Ohio)
- had to replace seat leather- driver's side worn thru at bolster.
- replaced weatherstrips on targa top and halo.

All-in-all, not bad. Much was me being overly cautious.

Great cars. Love mine.

 

My 04....

-Instated hyper flash to resolve turn signal problem
-resoldered circut board on a/c control panel
-rebuilt motors on headlights
-installed Hurst shifter

-next project seats

the BEST of the six Corvettes I've owned

 

Bought my 04 vert in September 2014. Car fell outside of the VIN numbers with tank issues. Within 30 days, changed all fluids and repaired rear differential seal. In 2016, changed the run flats to better riding tires. That is it except for oil changes. Great car.

 

The only problem with my '04 is that I don't drive it enough.

 

Hey Rumsey - at minimum pay for a Carfax report. Not exactly precise but they are better than nothing if no prior records available. Steering lock is the only real issue IMHO but M6 is worse than the automatic. However at 33K I'd think that issue would be abated (if needed).

I think you are doing well by looking at an 04 - usually good to buy the last production year of a model. If the vehicle is clean inside/out, no leaks, age correct wear with no signs of abuse, then follow your instinct.

Either way, Good luck!

 

Thanks for the correction 8VETTE7!

 

Check out the info in these stickies:

[url]https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-general/3265266-help-for-buying-a-c5-and-also-some-technical-information-files.html[/url

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html

 

With regard to the gas tank issue, no matter what year C5, C6 you are considering, you should conduct a simple test to see if the gas tank is leaking. Once you decide on the Vette you want to pursue, take it to a gas station and fill it up before buying or conducting a mechanics inspection. Do not overfill, that is when the nozzle clicks off, stop filling. If the gas tank has a leak, you'll know from the strong gas odor that won't go away in a few minutes. The problem is not limited to just that group of 2004s. While this is the only year GM took action, other years have had the same/similar problem but GM took no additional action. A search on these forums will disclose a number of C6s reporting gas tank leaks. I know, I did the search and found this concern and had it confirmed by a Chevy service manager.
BTW, I had an 04 that I traded early this year and it was a great car. Had to replace the battery, the TPMS sensors and the harmonic balancer in the three and a half years I owned it, but I was still very happy with it. Never had a problem with the gas tank, but then mine was one of the first 2004s off the assembly line and not in that VIN group mentioned in an earlier post. Also, it is my understanding that the leaking gas tank is a fairly rare occurrence.