What year is best C5 to buy/why?

[Vref]

What year is best C5 to buy and why?

 

[DRTH VTR]

The newest one that you can afford would be best, as there were incremental improvements each year. I never liked the '97-99 wheels (aka 'Wagon Wheels') very well.

 

[Edmond]

This summer would be the time to get a deal on C5's. I'm sure dealers want to blow them out so they have room and a good alotment for C6's.

 

[atmmac]

If you want a good deal with a lot of options go for the 99. They had active handling and HUD offered. The 97 had neither and the 98 only had active handling offered.

 

[04cmnthru]

Although I ended up with an 04, I had concluded that an 01 was probably the best used buy because there were a number of performance/styling improvements made over the 2000 and earlier cars (intake manifolds, MAF [I think], wheels,exhaust tips) , very good low mileage cars were plentiful, prices were pretty reasonable.

Not sure but I thought Chevy also took care of the premature leather wear at some point by replacing the bolster material with vinyl (don't know for a fact- read it somewhere) and installed a quieter fuel pump. The only rap I have heard on 01s is that a small number might have oil consumption issues.

 

[Vref]

I want a red/tan auto, convertible, with the hud & chrome wheels. Is any year any different than the others for those options?

 

[Vref]

Although I ended up with an 04, I had concluded that an 01 was probably the best used buy because there were a number of performance/styling improvements made over the 2000 and earlier cars (intake manifolds, MAF [I think], wheels,exhaust tips) , very good low mileage cars were plentiful, prices were pretty reasonable.

Not sure but I thought Chevy also took care of the premature leather wear at some point by replacing the bolster material with vinyl (don't know for a fact- read it somewhere) and installed a quieter fuel pump. The only rap I have heard on 01s is that a small number might have oil consumption issues.

What is MAF? Excellent info, thanks

 

[drags1998]

Lots of good info here!!!! But remember, EVERY YEAR they make improvements to these cars!!!!! shop around & buy the best one that you can afford

 

[TedDBere]

In mid to late '03 they uppdated the fuel system to eliminate the fuel sending problems that plagued the vette. There were no changes to the '04 year from '03 so I'd go for an '03 Anniversary Red model. You get the F55 MSRC suspension, the HUD and all the convenience upgrades available. There are a lot of them out there so you should be able to find a deal.

 

[Edmond]

What is MAF? Excellent info, thanks

Mass Air Flow. It is the sensor between the air filter and the intake.

As for wheels; a lot of owners go with chrome wheels even if they didn't come from the factory. You can buy those yourself if you find a car that fits your requirements and that's in your price range.

Check out Corvette Trader; there are lots of Vette's there.

 

[Vref]

Excellent, I am coming from a 355 Ferrari. I am sick of $800 air conditioning switch boxes and $1500 to re-key the car. So a 2003 sounds like a bargain.

 

[MsSchroder]

Ferrari! cool. (got any pics?)
If you're coming from a ferrari, may I suggest an 02 or later Z06. (But I'm a little biased)

Tammy

 

[DRTH VTR]

Ferrari! cool. (got any pics?)
If you're coming from a ferrari, may I suggest an 02 or later Z06. (But I'm a little biased)

Tammy

I agree with Tammy. I am also biased; I certainly enjoy mine.

MAF senses the amount of air coming into the intake, so that the computer knows how much fuel is needed.

 

[Vref]

Most pictures are too big, I get an error when trying to upload. Got to have a convertible, that takes the Z06 out of the picture.

 

[Roadfrog]

I'm not biased at all but I would buy an '03, Torch Red ZO6 exactly like mine. In fact, mine is the best single C5 made. No bias, just the facts. :L Being cool is a 24 hour a day job.

 

[MsSchroder]

I would hate to give up the ferrari. Nice photo.

 

[Zippy]

2004....Fantastic deals on the latest & greatest C5.

 

[bluecoupe]

2001 came standard with the "better" version of Active Hadling and better intake. The HP for the C5 and Z06 were bumped up too. If you can afford it you would be better off getting a 2004 with all the discounts and full warranty it is the best Corvette bargain of the past 50 years. I drove past a car carrier with 6 black 2004 C5s last week and most dealerships have one or two on their lots so there is plenty of product to chose from. You could also wait until people start getting delivery of their C6s and selling their C5s.

 

[Vref]

My big issue is depreciation, I am tired of i. The Ferrari was $120K about 2.5 years ago, now worth about $85K. I would have the same problem on a 2004, therefore, I was thinking of a older C5 and get away from the depreciation issue, at least so much of it. Looks like a 2001 C5 is the car for me.

 

[bluecoupe]

Whatever year C5 you get make sure to get it up in the air.

There are jacking locations that require special "pucks" to be inserted in the frame when it is put on a lift. Some C5s have had their fenders cracked where the fender wraps around under the car near the frame. This can be fixed by a good auto body shop but it will surprise you how much a small crack can end up costing if done correctly.

There is also a small sub-frame under the nose of the car called a skid bar I have seen these bent up pretty bad on C5s. Not too hard to replace but if you bought a Corvette and didn't check it and then saw it a week after you own it when you finally climb under it you would be shocked :eek . Plus what esle did the prior owner put it through?

Another area to be aware of is the windshield. I don't know what they are making these things out of but they chip really easy and the sparkle that results can be distracting in bright sun. Changing a C5 windshield is a big job when done right the windshield with HUD is an expensive piece.

Ripped driver seat bolster is another problem on the early C5s. Again another easy fix but somewhat costly.

With so many Corvettes out there to chose from I'm sure you'll find what you want and in good shape. Be selective. If you do see one with a few problems get the price down and make it like new. These cars have their quirks but they are basically kit cars. If something breaks or wears out finding parts and expertise is not a problem.

Happy hunting.
Frank 2001 Coupe, Navy Blue Metalic, Z51, six spd.