What year is best for C5 and can it be used for DD?
 

i have a 08 c6 6speed making close to 500rwhp as my pure pleasure car and i love it:rock:


i wanted to get a c5 as a daily driver since its a fast car, great mpg and very simple piece of machinery. i know its a 1997-2004 model but which years should i stay away from and what are the difference between the years?


im looking for a black c5 coupe in auto thanks:thumbs:

If it were me I would look for a 2002-2004, Most changes were done by then.
I drive mine everyday with no issues at all.

If you want a FRC/ZO6 is only came in a 6 speed no autos were offered. If you want auto you have to look for a Vert or a Coupe.
Mr.Bill

2002

'02 to'04

I daily drive my '02 Z06.

I would say 01 - 04. The majority of changes came in 01, but depending on your income and how much you want to spend, you can easily get 97-00 for an extremely good deal, and the difference wouldn't really be that noticeable.

I think they are all good. Buy the best deal and car that you want. My 2000 coupe has 115,000 miles and is a DD. Nothing like getting to work everyday with a big grin. :D

Can't go wrong with the 03'... anniversary year and next to last year of the C5 so most of the early kinks were worked out. I believe 03' was the first year magnetic selective ride control was offered (correct me if i'm wrong folks).. so i'd be looking for an 03 or 04 with that option along with high polished aluminum wheels.

:iagree:

Any year, the condition would be the major concern not the model year.

The earlier ones had some minor things like plastic endlinks and the 01+ got the better intake but there is nothing on any of them that cant be overcome.

Plastic end links can be changed for $100 and there is a minimal difference of 5 HP between a '97 and an '04 which cannot be felt in driving the car. True there were some changes such as the intake manifiold and air box lid and additional options like HUD but nothing that would make one year a better DD than another. If you are looking at auto trans cars only, then you can choose between a 2.73 ratio rear and a 3.15 ratio rear, this would provide a noticeable difference in performance and a difference in MPG but would have no effect in its ability as a DD.

My very simple machine, a 2000 convert has been a very reliable car. Of course, being a simple machine, what else should I expect?:smash:

:iagree:

:iagree:

You're in the C5 part of the forum, so...we are biased.

:beatdeadhorse:

135K (s)miles on my '01 DD :thumbs:

Buy the cheapest one in the best condition. You can add all of the upgraded stuff yourself. That's what I did.

I used to DD my coupe when I worked. It was a great DD. There is nothing like getting off at 6 am after a 12 hr shift with a 15 min drive ahead of you in a C5.

99 is the best BTW :thumbs:

1998 and YES! it can I have one in mine:D

Really the best would be the 2004, basically had everything including the LS6 'BLOCK'

Thanks,Matt

I have an 02Z, which I DD for 12-15K miles a year from March through December. The 6 speed cars are surprisingly manageable, in fact, this thing has the lightest clutch I've ever driven.

Having said that, an 03-04 with the mag-ride suspension is probably the culmination of the C5 line in terms of technology. Since you've already got a HP monster, the only real need in making the 03-04 mag-ride an outstanding DD would be a double din nav unit.(contact Dennis at doubledmods.com)

Good luck with the hunt!