From a C4 to C5

[kingman]

Hi

Over this winter l will be hunting for a C5 (coupe/auto) to replace my C4. The question is knowing that since 97 every year after that there have been improvements in quality or l would like to think that way.

I had a Corvette magazine that went over the various changes but am unable to find it. Knowing that the 97 was the first year and the 98 was still working out the kinks, would l be better off with the 99 or the 2000.

Keep in mind that the 99 would have to be in better condition with lower miles then the 2000. I would not touch either with more them 25,000miles at most.

It's going to be tough getting rid of my 96, because besides oil & lube and normal maint. it hasn't cost me a cent and runs perfect.

I only hope that one of my club members picks it up when l sell it.

Thanks

Alan

p.s. Ifd you know of a link here or else wear let me know.

 

[warren s]

Check out the Corvette Black Book.

The changes between 98 and 99, 2000 are minimal. However the 2001 has 5 ponies more and 25 foot pounds of torque more than the 97 to 2000.

You may find that condition is what sells you on a particular car nmore than you preferance of color choice and model year. These cars ride so smooth I found many that were just a daily driver and were taken care of like one.

The price drop is steep as the mileage goes up. My 99 had 20k miles last month when I bought it. The same car with 40K miles would have been 3 to 5K less.

Good hunting!........see my post C4 vs C5

 

[drags1998]

Hi Alan, Glad you enjoyed your trip to Maine!!!!!! A good buddy of mine picked up a real nice 97 coupe with 35000 miles on it. I dont care for the color (silver) but the rest of it is AWSOME!!!!!!!!! My C4 goes good, but not ANYTHING like the C5!!!!!! Every year they make some sort of improvements,If they didnt, they wouldnt sell!!!!!! The extra HP & torque wont matter in NORMAL driving. I would buy a Cherry 97 before I bought a decent 00. Good Luck!! Paul

 

[tipcapman]

Hi

Over this winter l will be hunting for a C5 (coupe/auto) to replace my C4. The question is knowing that since 97 every year after that there have been improvements in quality or l would like to think that way.

I had a Corvette magazine that went over the various changes but am unable to find it. Knowing that the 97 was the first year and the 98 was still working out the kinks, would l be better off with the 99 or the 2000.

Keep in mind that the 99 would have to be in better condition with lower miles then the 2000. I would not touch either with more them 25,000miles at most.

.

I bought a 99 because it was the first year of the HUD and the last year of the wagon wheels.... although now I might prefer the thin spoke 2000 and sub wheels.:confused Of course they could be added later, but other options or features might not be easily retrofittable. I also figured the older the car, the less expensive. I ended up with a 3 year old car with 16k miles, with the options and color I wanted, so I had the best of all worlds.

Probably condition, low mileage, and critical options are more important than model year.... one big plus of the C5 is that they didn't change externally a lot over the years, so the older versions don't appear outdated within the series... I think that is quite good.

L

 

[Larry's Yellow Rdstr]

Hey Guy,

16,000 on a Corvette is approaching the area where it starts to run well. Change oil at least every 3000 miles or three months and the car will run fast forever.

Larry

 

[jrose7004]

My advise is always buy as new a car with as low mileage as you can afford!

 

[invinceablevett]

I'm about to do the same....go from a C4 to a C5.I started out looking at a 2001 but now I spotted a 2003 AE......I too am hesitating because my '92 hasn't cost me much thus far and for the limited use we have(overall bad weather,never winterdriven or driven in the rain)......I'm still debating because it's alot of cash to shell out....yet again........but then again we only live once.....time will tell.

 

[napacruzerC5]

I agree with other posts regarding 2001. Went from a '94 to a '01. Although I doubt if I could feel the additional 5hp difference I like the sound of 350hp. I also prefer the thinner style wheels on the 2000 or newer. Engine bay is also a little cleaner around the fuel rail cover with one less hose.