What year should I get
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Get the lowest miles and the newest model year that you can afford. Just like any used car it is a roll of the dice too what you will get. You will hear about the sticky at the top of the page that you should read. In my opinion I don't know how anyone can read those and still want to buy a C5. In my case i bought my car new in 98 and those things did not exist. You will also hear that the early cars 97 to 00 should be avoid like the plague. They have their problems then again all used cars do. But not all those models have those problems. My 98 has been a great car from the get go. So I'm sure you will know when you have found the right.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Dec 14, 2017 at 08:43 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
While I agree some of the later years are better there is so much more than year to consider. Manual or auto? Coupe or vert? Color? Mods? (run like hell if it's molested or raced) read the stickies on site. Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
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From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
Conventional Wisdom
Conventional wisdom would suggest that you should get the newest, lowest mileage Corvette that you can afford. That's probably not bad advice. But you may find a 2004 Corvette with low miles that appears to be a real bargain, only to discover that it has been abused.
Conventional wisdom would also steer you away from cars that represent the earlier years of a generation because no new design is without some issues and it can take a year or more for the manufacturer to discover the issues and weed them out. That too is probably not bad advice. But you may find a 1997 Corvette where any issue you might possibly have encountered has been addressed by the previous owner(s) at their expense.
I bought my first Corvette last week. My approach was to be open in terms of the year, options, color, mileage & etc. I looked at several Corvettes and drove the ones I was interested in. I ended up buying the car that looked the best and showed the most evidence of having been taken care of (it was well used, as in not abused) and most importantly drove the best. I wanted a good looking car to drive, not garage.
Good luck and happy hunting...it really can be half the fun!
Conventional wisdom would also steer you away from cars that represent the earlier years of a generation because no new design is without some issues and it can take a year or more for the manufacturer to discover the issues and weed them out. That too is probably not bad advice. But you may find a 1997 Corvette where any issue you might possibly have encountered has been addressed by the previous owner(s) at their expense.
I bought my first Corvette last week. My approach was to be open in terms of the year, options, color, mileage & etc. I looked at several Corvettes and drove the ones I was interested in. I ended up buying the car that looked the best and showed the most evidence of having been taken care of (it was well used, as in not abused) and most importantly drove the best. I wanted a good looking car to drive, not garage.
Good luck and happy hunting...it really can be half the fun!
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David - welcome to the forum and 
for doing your research before jumping in and buying a Corvette.
The C5 is really a pretty reliable platform. Does it have some common problems - sure, but not all cars will experience any or all of those issues. The early C5s (97-00) are to the point where some parts are no longer available through GM and used is the only way you will find them. And if some parts go bad, they may not be able to be fixed.
Even some parts for the newer C5s are starting to be hard to find, but for the most part they are available or can be fixed. Keep in mind that beginning in 2001, the C5 had a lot of upgrades done to it compared to the earlier models. Plus there was the bump in HP in the base model and the creation of the Z06.
I bought my 2003 a little over 8 years ago and other than routine maintenance, I have had zero problems with the car. You may end up having the same experience regardless of the year you decide on. I would recommend having whatever car you are interested in looked over carefully and if possible, see if maintenance records are available. The stickies at the top of the page have some great info in them and are not meant to discourage you from buying a C5 but rather to ensure you have as much information as possible before purchasing a vehicle.
for doing your research before jumping in and buying a Corvette. The C5 is really a pretty reliable platform. Does it have some common problems - sure, but not all cars will experience any or all of those issues. The early C5s (97-00) are to the point where some parts are no longer available through GM and used is the only way you will find them. And if some parts go bad, they may not be able to be fixed.
Even some parts for the newer C5s are starting to be hard to find, but for the most part they are available or can be fixed. Keep in mind that beginning in 2001, the C5 had a lot of upgrades done to it compared to the earlier models. Plus there was the bump in HP in the base model and the creation of the Z06.
I bought my 2003 a little over 8 years ago and other than routine maintenance, I have had zero problems with the car. You may end up having the same experience regardless of the year you decide on. I would recommend having whatever car you are interested in looked over carefully and if possible, see if maintenance records are available. The stickies at the top of the page have some great info in them and are not meant to discourage you from buying a C5 but rather to ensure you have as much information as possible before purchasing a vehicle.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Avon Lake OH
All the above suggestions and advice are excellent answers. Personally I made a list for both the C5 & C6 and outlined as much info that I could find concerning all updates and changes for each model year (yeah I know, but I am an **** retentive automotive engineer, so what can I say).
Every time I did so, I ended up wanting either a low mileage unmolested '04 C5 Z06 or a '08 C6 Z51 or any LS7 equipped model swapped in or otherwise - none of which were ever even close to being within my budget limitations. So why/how then did I end up with my '99 FRC you ask? Well the PO of my car has been a very good friend of mine for over 20 years and he owned this car for 8-1/2 of those years. I knew the car well and he had spent a "metric f*ck ton" (his words) of cash on modifications - not to mention he made me a deal that I simply could not refuse.
Everyone here has their own story - but I think you would be safe with any '01-04 models that was been well cared for and not abused. If you are not mechanically inclined or do not do your own maintenance, then by all means make the time/effort to have any prospective candidate gone over by a known trustworthy independent mechanic that is familiar with Corvettes. It will be money well spent.
Best of luck with your search!
Every time I did so, I ended up wanting either a low mileage unmolested '04 C5 Z06 or a '08 C6 Z51 or any LS7 equipped model swapped in or otherwise - none of which were ever even close to being within my budget limitations. So why/how then did I end up with my '99 FRC you ask? Well the PO of my car has been a very good friend of mine for over 20 years and he owned this car for 8-1/2 of those years. I knew the car well and he had spent a "metric f*ck ton" (his words) of cash on modifications - not to mention he made me a deal that I simply could not refuse.
Everyone here has their own story - but I think you would be safe with any '01-04 models that was been well cared for and not abused. If you are not mechanically inclined or do not do your own maintenance, then by all means make the time/effort to have any prospective candidate gone over by a known trustworthy independent mechanic that is familiar with Corvettes. It will be money well spent.
Best of luck with your search!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
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The only year models I wouldn't buy would be a '97 (only because it's the very first model year, and those cars tend to have more problems), and maybe the '01s (because they seem to have more oil burning issues), but I'm still on the fence about the '01s...
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The 97 really didn't have the teething problems some first year of the Generation models did. I have a 97, my 3rd C5 after owning a 98 and 2002 coupe. It's my favorite of the 3. Great car to drive. It seems the more it gets repeated that 97's are somehow inferior, the more people believe it. They can be very good deals if you find a nice one. The same was true of the 68's after the press panned the early cars when they came out. Had one of those also. One of the best Vettes I have owned. The 64's have been rumored to be the worst of the midyear (63-67) run. Well the one I had was as good as any midyear I have owned and I've had a few. Most 64 owners agree.
My advice is to buy the lowest mileage (97-04), well cared for Corvette at the best price you can find.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Greensboro Nc
At the risk of sounding like a defensive 97 owner The 97 really didn't have the teething problems some first year of the Generation models did. I have a 97, my 3rd C5 after owning a 98 and 2002 coupe. It's my favorite of the 3. Great car to drive. It seems the more it gets repeated that 97's are somehow inferior, the more people believe it. They can be very good deals if you find a nice one.
The same was true of the 68's after the press panned the early cars when they came out. Had one of those also. One of the best Vettes I have owned. The 64's have been rumored to be the worst of the midyear (63-67) run. Well the one I had was as good as any midyear I have owned and I've had a few. Most 64 owners agree.
My advice is to buy the lowest mileage (97-04), well cared for Corvette at the best price you can find.
The 97 really didn't have the teething problems some first year of the Generation models did. I have a 97, my 3rd C5 after owning a 98 and 2002 coupe. It's my favorite of the 3. Great car to drive. It seems the more it gets repeated that 97's are somehow inferior, the more people believe it. They can be very good deals if you find a nice one.The same was true of the 68's after the press panned the early cars when they came out. Had one of those also. One of the best Vettes I have owned. The 64's have been rumored to be the worst of the midyear (63-67) run. Well the one I had was as good as any midyear I have owned and I've had a few. Most 64 owners agree.
My advice is to buy the lowest mileage (97-04), well cared for Corvette at the best price you can find.
Any reason not to get a 97 is gonna be the same as a 98-00. People just have it stuck in their heads that 1st year is never good. Sometimes true, but not in this case.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: P-town Baby! Virginia
I think you should get out there and drive a coupe, convertible and FRC and/or Z06 and see what moves you. stick or auto? targa top, convertible or hardtop? daily driver, pleasure, trips, racing etc? What color? What budget?
Many questions to answer will start you in the right direction.
Welcome and let us know how we can help.
Many questions to answer will start you in the right direction.
Welcome and let us know how we can help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
I bought a '98 new in summer '97. It was in and out of the dealer for the majority of the warranty period. BUT it's been very reliable ever since. It's sitting in my garage right now waiting for me to change the Hazard switch - waiting that is until the temps get above freezing.....
C5's are basically very solid cars, with enough performance - and cornering capability - to deal with pretty much anything you come across on the road.
If I was buying one today, I would either go for an '04 and expect to pay accordingly, or buy an early good condition car with a known history. Do not buy (IMO) an early AH car - those have the EBCM units that fail and cannot be replaced - except from the wrecker's yard.
There are a lot of one/two owners cars out there. Personally, I would avoid (like the plague) one that has had a lot of owners - who knows what they did to it. Plus avoid any car ever owned by a young driver - they probably abused the he!! out of it.
C5's are basically very solid cars, with enough performance - and cornering capability - to deal with pretty much anything you come across on the road.
If I was buying one today, I would either go for an '04 and expect to pay accordingly, or buy an early good condition car with a known history. Do not buy (IMO) an early AH car - those have the EBCM units that fail and cannot be replaced - except from the wrecker's yard.
There are a lot of one/two owners cars out there. Personally, I would avoid (like the plague) one that has had a lot of owners - who knows what they did to it. Plus avoid any car ever owned by a young driver - they probably abused the he!! out of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
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At the risk of sounding like a defensive 97 owner The 97 really didn't have the teething problems some first year of the Generation models did. I have a 97, my 3rd C5 after owning a 98 and 2002 coupe. It's my favorite of the 3. Great car to drive. It seems the more it gets repeated that 97's are somehow inferior, the more people believe it. They can be very good deals if you find a nice one.
The same was true of the 68's after the press panned the early cars when they came out. Had one of those also. One of the best Vettes I have owned. The 64's have been rumored to be the worst of the midyear (63-67) run. Well the one I had was as good as any midyear I have owned and I've had a few. Most 64 owners agree.
My advice is to buy the lowest mileage (97-04), well cared for Corvette at the best price you can find.
The 97 really didn't have the teething problems some first year of the Generation models did. I have a 97, my 3rd C5 after owning a 98 and 2002 coupe. It's my favorite of the 3. Great car to drive. It seems the more it gets repeated that 97's are somehow inferior, the more people believe it. They can be very good deals if you find a nice one. The same was true of the 68's after the press panned the early cars when they came out. Had one of those also. One of the best Vettes I have owned. The 64's have been rumored to be the worst of the midyear (63-67) run. Well the one I had was as good as any midyear I have owned and I've had a few. Most 64 owners agree.
My advice is to buy the lowest mileage (97-04), well cared for Corvette at the best price you can find.
To be honest, I've never heard of the '97s having more problems than the other years, it's just kind of a general rule of mine not to buy the first model year of any vehicle as typically speaking, the first model year tends to have more problems than subsequent models. You're the first one whose ever said the C5 is an exception to this...good to know!
