Late model or... later?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Late model or... later?
Hello everyone! I'm StoCK and this is my first post. I don't yet own a 'vette, but I'm currently looking, and that leads to my question:
Is it worth the extra money to pay for a '02 C5 (vert.) rather than a '98-'00? I've read that changes were made to the car in '01 that made it more driver friendly. Because this car will be my daily driver (and only form of transportation), do you think I should go with the newer car?
Thanks for any help!!!
Is it worth the extra money to pay for a '02 C5 (vert.) rather than a '98-'00? I've read that changes were made to the car in '01 that made it more driver friendly. Because this car will be my daily driver (and only form of transportation), do you think I should go with the newer car?
Thanks for any help!!!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Well, speaking as someone with an 02, I can say its a very good year 
The important thing is to pick a vette with low miles that has been kept in good condition. Little things like the wear in the seat, how clean the engine bay is, etc. Tells you alot about how much the person cared for the vette.
Getting back to your question, 02s and up are a bit more bug free than older vettes. the 97s and 98s suffered from things like noisy fuel pumps, easily wearing seats, oil consumption problems (the 01s had alot of that as well) electrical gremlins, etc. By 02, little changes were made to limit these problems, hp had been boosted to 350 in 01 and alot of gremlins had been worked out although stuff like the fuel guage, column lock and rocking seats seem to be prevailent in all years and even in C6s now!
My advice is to spend a little bit more, get the newest vette you can afford and most importantly, inspect the vette thoroughly, see if the owner is a true enthusiast or a guy who just bought it because it was cool.
The important thing is to pick a vette with low miles that has been kept in good condition. Little things like the wear in the seat, how clean the engine bay is, etc. Tells you alot about how much the person cared for the vette. Getting back to your question, 02s and up are a bit more bug free than older vettes. the 97s and 98s suffered from things like noisy fuel pumps, easily wearing seats, oil consumption problems (the 01s had alot of that as well) electrical gremlins, etc. By 02, little changes were made to limit these problems, hp had been boosted to 350 in 01 and alot of gremlins had been worked out although stuff like the fuel guage, column lock and rocking seats seem to be prevailent in all years and even in C6s now!
My advice is to spend a little bit more, get the newest vette you can afford and most importantly, inspect the vette thoroughly, see if the owner is a true enthusiast or a guy who just bought it because it was cool.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Hoover Alabama
Originally Posted by StoCK
Hello everyone! I'm StoCK and this is my first post. I don't yet own a 'vette, but I'm currently looking, and that leads to my question:
Is it worth the extra money to pay for a '02 C5 (vert.) rather than a '98-'00? I've read that changes were made to the car in '01 that made it more driver friendly. Because this car will be my daily driver (and only form of transportation), do you think I should go with the newer car?
Thanks for any help!!!
Is it worth the extra money to pay for a '02 C5 (vert.) rather than a '98-'00? I've read that changes were made to the car in '01 that made it more driver friendly. Because this car will be my daily driver (and only form of transportation), do you think I should go with the newer car?
Thanks for any help!!!
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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The common advice is to buy the newest car you can afford. Corvettes generally improved with age - and some of the problems just carried on through and to the end of the model run.
I wouldn't foresake an older car with low mileage just to get a newer model year with higher mileage.
I have a '98 that I bought last year with 38K on the odo - it now has 46K, and except for one thing it's been one of the most troble free cars I've ever owned. That one thing is that it seems to like me spending lots of money on mods!
Remember that MOST Vettes are treated to the best and babied by their owners. So an older car could be a real cherry!
Oh and BTW - here's a link that shows the differences between model years, and it's a pretty complete list.
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
I wouldn't foresake an older car with low mileage just to get a newer model year with higher mileage.
I have a '98 that I bought last year with 38K on the odo - it now has 46K, and except for one thing it's been one of the most troble free cars I've ever owned. That one thing is that it seems to like me spending lots of money on mods!
Remember that MOST Vettes are treated to the best and babied by their owners. So an older car could be a real cherry!
Oh and BTW - here's a link that shows the differences between model years, and it's a pretty complete list.
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
Last edited by blacksedan87; Nov 10, 2004 at 12:11 PM.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
I agree with blacksedan87. While there may be some MINOR advantages to the later models, in most cases, at the same price point you have to get a newer car with more miles on it. Given a choice between, oh let's say a 98 with 30K miles and a 2001 with 75K miles, I'd take the 98 every time. Sure, there MAY be a gremlin in there somewhere, but the 97-98's were almost as reliable as the later models and one thing for sure, regardless of what year model you buy, a machine that's been run hard for 75K miles is going to need some work soon.
You buy the newest LOW MILEAGE car you can afford, not just the newest.
You buy the newest LOW MILEAGE car you can afford, not just the newest.
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My theory is go with the newest car you can afford. You may have some warranty left with an '02 that you probably won't have with the earlier years.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Midland TX
Suggestion:
Looking though some of my previous threads & posting questions such as the one you asked. I suggest making a mental note of who responded. There are many members that I can’t wait to see what their comments will bring.
Looking though some of my previous threads & posting questions such as the one you asked. I suggest making a mental note of who responded. There are many members that I can’t wait to see what their comments will bring.
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