General C5 preference questions... years, etc.

[HallenTi]

I currently own a 1990 (C4) coupe, and am thinking of replacing it with a C5. I'd like to know what you current owners feel are the best year(s) for the C5, given that I would like to have between 1997 and (probably) 2003 - due to budget constraints.

I think I would prefer a coupe, but would consider a roadster provided you feel they are affordable (worth the extra price) and reliable (within reason of course ). Would you recommended an automatic or a manual transmission? Do you have and recommend the "active suspension" (think it has another name)? Anything else I ought to look for when I go looking for one? Anything would be appreciated... Tim

 

[Patrick]

Hi, Tim.
So, which year of the C5, eh? See, the problem is that with each model year, Chevrolet introduced little refinements or features that might not have been on the previous model. It's still the same basic car, with the same basic feature, but the later into the C5 production run you go, the more "gee whiz" features you find.

That said, pretty much any model year of the C5 will be a huge leap in performance over the L-98 in your '90. Personally, I would try to stick with the later years in your search, as you're more likely to find those having lower miles. But that's just me.

Good luck with your search! And don't forget to check out Vette Finders, as one of our supporting vendors.


-Patrick

 

[HallenTi]

Patrick,

Thanks for the tip on the Vete Finders... I will check them out! I am not so much looking for "gee-whiz" as reliability, as my C4 had some of those features, and over the years many have failed or been trouble. For example, I have the power sport seats and have one that functions about 35% of the "features", and one about 70% and the repair of them is costly. So, "basic" isn't necessarily out of the question for me. I'd like relatively low miles, well maintained, and just something I can drive "care-free" for a while I guess. I bought the C4 knowing that there would be SOME things to fix given the age/mileage, but I didn't look deep enough and found that there were a LOT of things to fix...

I am open for the years, figuring 1997 to 2003, which seems to be a wide range to search through, but newer might leave me "cash poor" for anything that might need tweaking!

Tim

 

[DRTH VTR]

The newer, the better. Each year, some of the issues were fixed or improved. '97 and '98 had noisy fuel pumps, for example. The '97 had traction control, but not active handling. I never did care for the "wagon wheels" on the '97-'99. It is really up to you and what you can afford. As far as the transmission goes, it depends on what you like. The automatics were much more common than the sticks. My first Corvette ('97) had the automatic, and the main reason that I traded for my Z06 was that I wanted the 6 speed. The auto is strong and reliable, and better for bracket racing. It "learns" how you drive and adapts to your style. But I just love to control what gear I am in all the time.The C5 is a very comfortable, dependable car. I have used mine as a daily driver for about 5 years. I really love the C4's; they are great cars. But there are many ways that the C5 offers improvement. They are stiffer and more solid. I am a big guy, so the fact that the transmission is in the back is a big advantage. The footwells are huge.

 

[Rain]

Yes, night and day -

More refinement in the C5.. Tons of Mods and aftermarket stuff out there.
Lots of used C5s with decent pricing and many are well taken care of (and more have nice modifications already on board)


Differs by the owner, but when I was shopping last Fall, I wanted:

6 speed (my C4 is automatic)
Dual climate control (susan rarely wants the same temp. as I do)
HUD - nice C5 gadget in Head Up Display
Color - Susan said anything but red or yellow (white only if red interior)
Active Handling - another feature that seems to get rarely used, but nice if its on there
Coupe - it fit my budget better
Under 50k miles unless the deal was a SUPER deal wtih higher miles
99-01 - because those fit my budget

After a couple of months, I had narrowed it down to a few and I started making offers.

As they say, get the newest C5 that fits your budget that is in the best shape.

Good luck and keep asking questions
Rain

 

[early shark]

Pretty much most of the refinements were made or taken care of thru the '01 model year, so '02 & '03 models should be the most reliable for your search.

I ordered a '02 coupe late in the model year, vin# 33893. No issues at all with this year.

 

[Baron138]

I think 02, 03, and 04 had everything just about right. They made refinements every year, so by the end of the C5 years, they had it right.

 

[Tom73]

Tim, you sound like me. I too had a 90 coupe. Sold it and bought a new '04 at the end of the model year (Nov 04) and got great discounts with hard to beat financing (0%)

I would go with as new of a C5 as you can afford. As others have said, they made improvements and refinments every year, so each year got a little better.

When I got mine I went with the convertible. I figured that a Corvette is impractical and a convertible is impractical so why not get them together I also went with an automatic. Car was bought for a curiser and for a highway car. Auto works best for those issues. Am not a racer or a hot rod, just an old man, so did not need the standard. (I get the shifting in the C3 454 and the old Porsche )

tom...

 

[Green LT1]

I just sold my 96 and bought a 19,000 mile 97 in like new condition. I agree with with the prior posts, as newer is usually better. However, if you can find a really nice 97-99 for a great price, why not go that way? You get 95% of the car for maybe 60 - 70% of the price. It all depends on how hard you want to look, and how much you want to spend. Judge each car on its own merits, and don't rule out the earlier C5's as a group - there are some great cars for good money out there. Good luck!

 

[jrose7004]

I would but the newest lowest mileage C5 I could afford!

 

[Wyodude]

I think 2002 and up would be my pick, mostly because I have a 2002. However, the HUD was standard on these models and the 350 HP engine as well. You can't go wrong with any Corvette, but I understand some of the squeeks and rattles of the earlier models were fixed by about the third or fourth year. Price certainly has much to do with selection. I would certainly prefer a really low cost low mile 97 to a modestly low priced 2001 as an example. No matter what year you buy, you will enjoy it!