C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Which C 5 year is best?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:27 PM
  #21  
yelloyello's Avatar
yelloyello
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Last C5
No, but just about everybody on this forum has!!
I couldn't agree more!! Too bad they don't want to listen to those of us that buy the car to make the needed improvements
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:56 PM
  #22  
Zoso1951's Avatar
Zoso1951
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Rochester WA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07-'08-'09
Default low cost 99 + fresh super charged LS2=

HAPPY MODDING
let's see now what else is on my list,
larger wheels/Tars, headers, Borlas,
While I'm paying low payments I can drive my Vette, while I'm saving
up for my mods, I just couldn't wait..
Love Corvettes
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:43 AM
  #23  
JakeFusion's Avatar
JakeFusion
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola FL
Default

I'd say 02-03.

Remember, back in 2000 they reengineered the ABS system as well. So, after 01, there weren't many changes, but they did refine the car in 2000 and 2001 to give better all-around performance.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:07 PM
  #24  
C5 Curmudgeon's Avatar
C5 Curmudgeon
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 11,073
Likes: 0
From: South Joisey
Default

02-03's have the most refinements without the pre-C6 experimentation on the 04.

As someone stated earlier, the advantage the 03 has is that you should be able to find one that is still qualified for an extended warranty, which you should absolutely get.

Good luck!
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:31 PM
  #25  
SpeedyZ's Avatar
SpeedyZ
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Default

My vote would be a 2002 Z06. They have the latest and greatest code and parts (except shocks but they are cheap). And they were built before GM started testing their theory of how cheap they could build a C6!
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:39 PM
  #26  
vetteamerica's Avatar
vetteamerica
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Default

Originally Posted by byte_me
A lot depends on how much you want to pay as well....I bought my 97 (first year C5) for $18 grand with 49K on her! I think I got a steal! It has none of the leaking rear issues, no oil burning issues and is a great all around car...of course they didn't offer the 97 in the convert model...but oh well...I love her just the same!

In fact, I love her more because I don't have any payments on her as I was able to buy it out right! and that my friend is a great feeling added to her ride!

totally, I also own a 97 with 60K miles mn6 and paid $15K out right for it.

Also the 97 and 98 models came with larger ZO6 fuel injectors
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 02:35 PM
  #27  
G-lock's Avatar
G-lock
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 966
Likes: 43
From: Lansing MI
Default

2002, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001. Just my order of preference. Jeff
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 02:53 PM
  #28  
Boeingman's Avatar
Boeingman
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
Default best

2002 and above can't go wrong

Matt
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 06:16 PM
  #29  
bugmenot1's Avatar
bugmenot1
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mixermike
i bought a '98 with 28,000 on it six months ago and love it! i looked for a long time before i found the right one.lucky for me i found this forum before i found the car, learn alot here, great people.
What are some the main things you learned? I'm looking for a 98 vert
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:08 PM
  #30  
wannabe-psi's Avatar
wannabe-psi
----snake bitten----
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: midland tx
Default

the 99 had the least amount of problems according to all the road tests!!
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:19 PM
  #31  
leeman's Avatar
leeman
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Default '04 C5 owners humble opinion

Originally Posted by dwestsr
I'm considering selling my c4 and moving to a C5. Owning an 86 C4 and reading the forum has taught me to ask the experts before taking the leap. OK, I know about the column lock issue with Pre 2001 A4s (and all M6s) and the drivers side differential leak with most years. Other than price and miles/condition, what other things should I be aware of to look out for? Is one year best? Should I avoid the early C5s up to 2001? Thanks for your input.
I had my choice of many model years including the '05 C6. I decided I liked the C5 body style better than the C6. I bought the '04 because it was new at the time and was loaded with options including clear roof panel and memory package. The interior was also 2 toned. black on top and light gray seats and carpets. I learned a lot from this forum. Based on everything I have heard good bad and ugly. I would consider an '02 to '04 first, an '00 and '01 second and a '97 to 99 last.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:22 PM
  #32  
leeman's Avatar
leeman
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Default Hey Cur

Originally Posted by C5 Curmudgeon
02-03's have the most refinements without the pre-C6 experimentation on the 04.

As someone stated earlier, the advantage the 03 has is that you should be able to find one that is still qualified for an extended warranty, which you should absolutely get.

Good luck!
I have an '04 and would be interested in knowing what changes did GM make?
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:36 PM
  #33  
Last C5's Avatar
Last C5
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Default

Originally Posted by leeman
I have an '04 and would be interested in knowing what changes did GM make?
We got a C6 thermostat and housing, some wrench accessible sway bar links, a slightly different OBC and program, and 50 extra horsepower that GM made all 04 owners promise not to tell the 97-03 guys about.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 01:07 AM
  #34  
Billy52's Avatar
Billy52
Intermediate
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg GA
Default '99 had fewer problems

Per Consumer Reports, the '99 model year had fewest problems reported by owners who responded to their surveys.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 01:14 AM
  #35  
TheDVS1's Avatar
TheDVS1
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Default

Originally Posted by LS6WeekendWarrior
Yeah...I gotta go along with this poster. I think the 2002's and 2003's were probaly the peak for the engineering applications.
Perhaps, but if you're going to get a Z06, 2004 is hands down the best year. Some very nice suspension changes made a noticeable improvement. It may also be up a few ponies on the earlier years thanks to some tuning tweaks. Otherwise I'd go with anything from '02-'04.

Oh, BTW. The later '03s also got the new C6 fuel system. AFAIK, no problems with the new system.

Last edited by TheDVS1; Jul 28, 2005 at 01:18 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 06:09 AM
  #36  
06C6FVR's Avatar
06C6FVR
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 2
From: League City tx
Default

Well, I have a 99 with almost 100k miles now, and it has been a great car....the only thing I really dislike about the C5 is the seats. They are poorly made especially if you are a big person (im about 240 lb). I have driven this car really hard (2 wrecks, flooding, nitrous for about a year...about 30 bottles) and it is still running great...(ran 12.40 about 4 months ago at the track...A4 ...3.15 gears.)...These are great cars and they love to be driven hard. Dont be afraid of high miles...

Daren
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:13 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE