newbie; need help with C5 selection

[TacoBill]

Hi All! New to this forum.
Here's a background info on me, I have previously owned a C4 (92) and I'm very familiar with the LT1 and the (C4) features of the various model years. But, I have pretty much no clue on C5's.

Here's my question:
I'm tossing around the idea of picking up a C5 Coupe, 6 spd, between 97 - 00 (01 and up start to get out of my price range). Is there a 'better' one between those model years? (ie. Did one year have more problems/recalls, features, or simply just better built?)

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[warren s]

I to am looking to go with a C5.

There were various small changes made to each year to resolve minor issues. The only year I would stay away from is the first year, 1997. NOT that they are bad, but minior refinements in the next years resolved some small issues.

I also learned that low milege means a higher price but not a better car. (With in reason) A 98 with 10,000 miles does not mean its in better shape than a 99 with 40,000. It just means it sat undriven alot.

Good luck.

 

[VETTEX2]

get the newest you can afford , assuming the options are all the same......I'd get at least a 99

 

[atmmac]

I to am looking to go with a C5.

There were various small changes made to each year to resolve minor issues. The only year I would stay away from is the first year, 1997. NOT that they are bad, but minior refinements in the next years resolved some small issues.

I also learned that low milege means a higher price but not a better car. (With in reason) A 98 with 10,000 miles does not mean its in better shape than a 99 with 40,000. It just means it sat undriven alot.

Good luck.

You hurt my cars feelings!

Try and get a vette with the active handling. It came out in 98 as an option. The F45 selective real time dampening is cool too i love it!

Pick out a winner,
Andy

 

[Likecars]

Not sure how much digging around the forum you have done, but the tech center proved invaluable for me while shopping for my 00 in June.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

Check out the tech tab.

Have you driven a C5 yet? I was, still, amazed at the change from my 93. There weren't as many as I expected in SOCAL (with low milage).

 

[04cmnthru]

Spent alot of time researching different years. My suggestion is to find a clean, relatively low mileage, and unmodified 2001. There were a number of improvements over the years that all come seem to have come together in 2001 including a little more horsepower. Agree with atmmac, mileage is only one indicator. Service record, garaged etc may mean more that 5-1oK miles give or take.

 

[Tripleblack51]

Spent alot of time researching different years. My suggestion is to find a clean, relatively low mileage, and unmodified 2001. There were a number of improvements over the years that all come seem to have come together in 2001 including a little more horsepower. Agree with atmmac, mileage is only one indicator. Service record, garaged etc may mean more that 5-1oK miles give or take.

04cumnthru,
With all due respect to you, but coming from an '01 owner (I bought it new in 2000) I would not make an '01 my first choice.
While you are correct that there were a few improvements that year, many '01 cars are known for consuming oil.
Mine is an '01 six speed and for the first 5000 miles "used" a quart of oil every 800-900 miles. GM had a TSB on this and if a car was deemed "worthy" would do a re-ring. I opted for not having the re-ring because I felt that I could live with adding one quart between chnages.
Today, at 33,000 miles my car usually uses at least one quart between oil changes. I change my oil every 6000 miles.

Aside from that, my car has been great.

If you find a good deal on an '01, try to find out if it is an oil "burner" or if it's had the re-ring.

I wish you luck. There are a lot of beautiful, well-maintained used C5s out there.
The hunt will be lots of fun!!

Regards,

Pedro

 

[drags1998]

I also would LOVE to have a C5, I do agree with what someone said: Buy the newest one you can afford. BUT LISTEN, EVERY YEAR, they make small improvements,Just enjoy the hunt. take your time,find the one with all the toys you need,and GET IT!!!!!!!!

 

[04cmnthru]

Tripleblack51 et al - no offense taken. I was coming from my perspective on the few improvements Chevy seemed to have made going from 00 to 01, but not as an owner of an 01 (talked myself into an 04). At the time, I was torn between a 99-00 on the basis of price and an 01. The great part about the forum is that we to share real world experiences that can actually help people out. This gives Taco Bill even more information to make a smart buy decision.
Regards
Ed

 

[Tripleblack51]

Tripleblack51 et al - The great part about the forum is that we to share real world experiences that can actually help people out. This gives Taco Bill even more information to make a smart buy decision.
Regards
Ed

I agree 100%.

By the way, great choice on your CE coupe.

That Lemans Blue is a beautiful color.

Regards,

Pedro

 

[b_pappy]

Pretty much what every else said, only also make sure you get the extened warranty! General Motors Protection Plan is very good, and apparently prices can vary on that policy. Scan the forum awhile and take your time in finding the right car for you. I see you live in Sa Cal somewhere, I live in Northridge, bought mine at Rydell's, real happy with my deal. From the small world dept, I'm an aircraft designer and my son also takes TaeKwonDo.
Bruce

 

[TacoBill]

Thanks everyone for your input, was very helpful.
I'll poke around in the tech section and around this forum for more info.

likecars: Yes, have driven a C5 once. And yes, it's alot different from my 92 that I used to own. That pretty much started the itch again!

 

[Likecars]

Well, you'll have to scratch it.

GMPP was a good mention. I did it and have had been able to work a new HUD and the column lock issue under it. I mentioned my HUD was blurry when it was in for service recently and without any arguing they replaced it. That pretty much paid for my warranty.