best year?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,079
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I would concentrate on the 01-04 cars - major improvements were made beginning with the '01 model and as mentioned, parts availability is greater than the earlier models. My '03 was trouble free for the entire 9+ years I owned it.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 75
From: Chicago
What about the 01s burning oil?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
In the market for a c5, any years i should steer away from?
.02 registered...
With the exception of the F55 shocks as Lyle explained...( post #3).
.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
The best but I might be bias
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
If you get a Z06, some 2001 and all 2002 may have had defective valve springs installed. If they are yellow you most likely have the defective ones. Also as mentioned above some 2004 had fuel tank leak issue. Those with vin #45110258 (Oct 8, 2003) to 45125500 (March 18, 2004).
In addition there was a problem with the column lock system for MN and auto from 97-2000 and MN from 2001-2004. The remedy is to install an LMC5 module.
In addition there was a problem with the column lock system for MN and auto from 97-2000 and MN from 2001-2004. The remedy is to install an LMC5 module.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
That's a tough one- depends on how you define "burn." The issue appears to have been with the piston rings (flutter), that at higher rpm allow oil to get past them. Manuals appeared to report the most oil consumption, and some opine that is most likely due the engines running in the higher rpms.
I add a couple of quarts between oil changes on my '01 manual and it has over 116,000 miles. I don't consider that excessive.
I add a couple of quarts between oil changes on my '01 manual and it has over 116,000 miles. I don't consider that excessive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
IMO - Best year is any - look more for original owner if possible, not a young kid if multiple owners, not tracked, well maintained C5. Check it out all over well. Ask questions. Get one in the 50-75K range to optimize price & possible future needed repairs. There are so many old timer garage Queen owners. This is what I would do.
Last edited by RedC5; Sep 6, 2021 at 02:17 PM.