Which would you purchase, 03 or 04

[pns0ccc]

Any difference between the 2003 and 2004 corvette. I've test drove the 2003yesterday and liked it. It feels slightly different than my 1996 as far as the ride but the new runflats may be the reason. Anything special I should look for. The prices in my area range from 19k to 25k with less than 40,000 miles.
My other option is a 2005 ($25k from Sarasota Fl, Volvo) but I'm never sure about the first production run of any vehicle. Thanks

 

[Eric]

I always say buy the newest you can afford but there really isn't much difference between 02-04 C5s. The prices have really taken a dive so this is a great time to buy one. As for what to look for, there really isn't much on a C5. Nylon bushings in the seat tracks can wear leading to the infamous rocking seat - easily detected by a jack rabbit start and a hard stop. It's an easy fix but can be a bargaining chip for price. Also, there's a lot of electronics under the battery tray and the old Delco batteries could leak acid so just look under the battery to make sure all is cool. Be sure to pull the codes to make sure nothing ugly is lurking, here's a link that covers pulling codes. You can pull the codes on a test drive, only takes a few minutes.

Overall, C5s are very dependable, great driving cars. And you're gonna love the extra leg room, especially if you drive it as much as I drive mine.

Good luck in your search!

 

[jrose7004]

If you like the 50th badging I'd say go for it, if not the 04 is the best a C5 will ever be because it's the last one.

 

[TooFast]

Hi:

I went from a C4 to a C5 and for me the difference was incredible. I was where you were about 3 mos ago and I ended up buying an '04 convertible. I felt the C6's had a more plain/generic interior, I prefer the C5. The C6's have more HP, but that was not a deciding factor for me. I agree with other posts, once you decide what "C" you want to buy, buy the newest you can.

 

[Fullback32]

C5 or C6? For myself, I like my pop-up headlights.

03 or 04? Which one has the better price and which one is in better shape for the price? Differences are negligable.

 

[bwing]

I bought an '03, then again, the '04s weren't offered yet. :L

 

[Tuna]

Any difference between the 2003 and 2004 corvette. I've test drove the 2003 yesterday and liked it. It feels slightly different than my 1996 as far as the ride but the new runflats may be the reason. Anything special I should look for. The prices in my area range from 19k to 25k with less than 40,000 miles.
My other option is a 2005 ($25k from Sarasota Fl, Volvo) but I'm never sure about the first production run of any vehicle. Thanks

Unless you're looking at a ZO6, the 2003 and 2004 are pretty much the same. The '04 ZO6 got a different suspension to make it ride a little better without giving up any handling.

'04 had the Commemoritive Edition while the '03 had the Anniversay Edition. All '03's were badged as 50th Anniversary cars and not all are Anniversay Editions. In '04, only CE's were badged as CE's.

Comparing C4's to C5's is comparing apples to oranges. Lots more room in a C5 and better overall ride. C4's 'like' to be tossed around when driving hard. C5's prefer a driver with finesse.

When you buy a C5, if it still has the original Goodyear runflat tires, consider changing them out to Michelin PS A/S ZP tires - the Michelin is a all around better tire and still runflat.

 

[ITguy]

I have a 04 C5 and love the heck out of it. A drivers car. Interesting thing is the VIN states it a Commerative model but it just plain silver c5. Strange.

 

[BigJimZ16]

I've got two '04s and love them both! Biggest problem of the day... to shift or not to shift.... top down or A/C... Get the newest you can afford, you won't go wrong. By the way, I agree with avoiding the first year of anything, too many potential problems.