I'm looking at getting into a Corvette C5 or C6 and realized today when trying to register that I already had an account and was considering a Vette 12 years ago. Back then I/we (wife) ended up with a 1998 Mercedes 500SL. Fun car to drive.... a costly nightmare to work on.

Anyway, as I do the research, my biggest choices seem to be auto tranny or manual, convertible or coupe (don't care for the look of the hardtop at all) and C5 or C6. I know there's a ton of info on all of these and I've been doing a lot of research but I wanted to pick the brains of you experienced folks a bit to see if you regret holding out for the perfect car and ending up with something less than ideal - maybe too many miles, too high priced, worse condition, etc. because you just had to have a certain body style or color, etc.

I guess what I'm saying is that at this point I could go either way on most things but don't want to regret it later. I'm pretty open on color, could easily drive a manual or auto and like the styling of both the C5 or C6 well enough. The coupes look awesome but I do like the idea of being able to drop the top totally open-air and put up the top if it starts to rain (btw... awesome feature of the 500SL was the hardtop for winter that you remove and run with the soft top in the summer). If I got to make choices I'd take a C5, manual tranny in a fastback coupe - probably yellow or silver. I'm ideally looking for something with low-ish mileage, likely from a private party that I can verify some good service history on. Budget-wise? I'd like to stay under 20K and that leaves me some room for repairs/maintenance/mods.

Thanks for all the great info around here. I'm a message board junkie and want to buy a Vette just so I can hang out here. You guys seem like a great group

 

There are plenty of cars, both C5 and C6, that would meet your criteria. One thing I have found over the years is that if you really want particular options/colors on a car, don't settle. You will end up regretting the buy at some point. If you are truly flexible on what you will accept, then that is another story. If you have access to being able to test drive examples of each type of car, take the time to do so - it is a way of narrowing your choices to something you will really like. Check out both the C5 and C6 Corvettes for Sale sections - lots of good cars to consider.

 

My own “must haves” consisted of HUD and a strong preference for one with the sports seats.

A manual gearbox would have been good but over here the few that ever come up usually cost about $10k USD more than the equivalent with auto so that was one compromise I did have to make. Maybe F45/F55 switchable suspension would have been nice but, again, I couldn’t exactly be too picky, else I’d have been waiting forever with how rare that is to find over here! It might be something for you to consider though.

Enjoy the search

 

When looking at C6's I have found the 2005 to be less money and less desirable. It was the first year for C6 and the automatics don't have the paddle shifters. It's easy to make any of these into a money pit with mods. If you need giant horsepower buy a different car. It starts with HP, then brakes, then suspension, soon clutch and rear, it never ends and long as you feed it $$$.

 

You should be able to find a C5 that meets your criteria without too much trouble.

Like Vetteman Jack says, don't settle. I always tell people, don't buy a "but" car. They ask what is a "but" car and I tell them, it's car you bought that almost met all your criteria. Then you say, "I really like this car BUT I wish I had bought as silver one instead of black" or whatever criteria you settled on.

Also you know the top can be removed on a coupe, right?

 

Another thing to consider if you want a convertible, the C5 top is manual while the C6 is power -- absolute idiocy that you could buy a 1997-2004 $20K ragtop Cavalier and get a power top while the while the C5 costing 3X that didn't.................... gee thanks GM

 

My opinion: The launch of the C5 in 1996 was the most difficult time in my career as an automotive engineer. We had significant start-up issues with the product we supplied to Bowling Green. Also had issues with our product breaking during the vehicle dyno test. Fortunately, there was a chassis/suspension component that was shutting down the assembly line rather than us. This difficult experience has left a permanent passion for the C5 in me so a C5 is the only Corvette (assuming I can only afford one Corvette) for me. If my '99 6 speed were totaled today, I would begin an immediate search for an '01 or later 6 speed. I am afraid I would really be in for sticker shock though. Just the other day, I was driving by Columbia Chevrolet in Montgomery Ohio and there is a yellow C5 sitting on the lot. I checked their web site and they are asking $32,000!

If I were to look at the C5 versus the C6 objectively, without hesitation I would go for a C6. To me, it is more refined, better fit and finish, and better parts availability.

 

Really important point to keep in mind.

 

Buy the one that you like. They are all good.

 

Oh yeah, but it looks to be a two person job for the coupe and my 5'1" wife probably wouldn't be much help.

It's funny.... I actually see it being manual as a benefit. One less thing to break. Of course, I'm a bit biased since I screwed with the auto-top on my Mercedes for hours and finally spent $$$ to get it fixed.

 

I would recommend watching the C&S Corvette Videos on the C5 and 6. He covered the good and bad on each and what years to buy.

I just got a 2002 C5 convertible $22K 31k miles. It is snow car clean. I had a few things to fix like seat bushings and removed a mouse nest from it sitting.

Use care on low mile cars as they have their own issues depending on how and where they were stored and cared for.

the C5 sweet spot is 02-03 with 15k to 59k miles. These cars were driven enough to save the sitting issues.

The top with no power is no issue. Like stated less to go wrong.

The C5 is also less computerized so it can be easier and cheaper to repair or modify. Less power but you can change tha easily if you want more.

04 is good but be aware fuel pumps and sending units mean removal of the rear end, exhaust and torque tube. 02-03 do not require this.

01 can have oil issues

01 and later I believe have LS 2 intakes and blocks, 5 or 10 more hp.

 

In 1997 I had the opportunity to buy a corvette. I looked at 96 and 97. Chose a C5. Ordered a 98. Didn’t have the opportunity to see forward in time to what years were the best. My 98 has been a great car. With 52000 miles I guess I have been extremely luck.