Which year C5 to buy?

[FERL 73]

I don't have a clue what to shop for in a C5. I'm wanting a C5 as a driver and am looking in the 1997-2002 range. Are there specific issues I should be aware of when shopping. Should I avoid any certain years? Should I avoid any options or should I shop for specific options?

 

[JBsC5]

Decide if you want a coupe or convertible. Decide if you want a stick shift or automatic. I'd recommend active handling which became available sometime in 1998 as an option.

If you go with an automatic, I'd recommend the G92 option which is the 3.15rear gears.

I've had both the automatic and a stick...and I personally sold the 99 C5 automatic with 26K miles for around 26 grand because I wanted to drive a stick shift. For me it was the right decision and I'd bet the person who ended up with my 1999 is very pleased with the car.

Like I said..I only sold it because I wanted a stick shift.

I'd say what you want to spend is paramount to deciding what year you should buy. JMO

If you can..buy a 2002..that would be the best year..

every year the corvette team refines the car so the newer the better.

 

[tomls1]

ferl -- welcome to the cac.

i have a 98 six speed and it's awesome. i have not done any mods to it at all, but probably will be doing some soon.

i'm a fan of all corvettes, and all c5's for the matter. it really depends on how much you want to spend...newer is always nice, but if you want to save some bucks, i totally recommend the 98. it's a whole lotta bang for the buck

 

[Greg C]

If you can swing it go for a 2002, get the Active Handling along with the Real Time Damping. Memory pkg is real nice, remembers all your settings for seats, mirrors, steering wheel ect.........if you have never owned a convertible before I would try to spend some time in one before you buy.......nothing like open air motoring...........go to a Chevy dealership and spend some time in a couple new ones......check out all the options.........
2004's have a different type of selectable suspension system, but besides that everything else is pretty much the same. all that info is on the different C5 Corvette sites on the net..........take your time, keep an eye out and sooner or later you will run across one that is the right deal.....but have your money ready.....when you find the right one......with the right options and hopefully low milage you will have to move quick.......use the internet.........I had been looking for 2 or 3 months and found a 2000 with 1234 miles on it.............be patient............good luck

 

[VAmagred01]

My $0.02 worth:

I would say go for a 2001 or newer. More power, chrome exhaust tips, new-to-2000 rims, etc. You get more for your money. Also, definitely go for the MM6 (manual) tranny. More torque and rediculous acceleration. Personally, I went with the coupe (targa). In my opinion, it has a sexier profile with the long, sloping rear glass. Plus, if you want open-air motoring, just pop the top and throw it in the back. You get the benefits of a hard-top coupe with the luxury, open-air pleasures of a convertible. How can you go wrong??

These are my personal thoughts/preferences. Always purchase what best suits your needs and desires.

 

[warren s]

I would just stay away from the 97. Only about 9000 built, but the percentage of problems was higher.

The C5s from 98 to 03 are almost identical, just small differances.

I am also looking.

 

[fhturner]

I would say go for a 2001 or newer. More power, chrome exhaust tips, new-to-2000 rims, etc. You get more for your money. Also, definitely go for the MM6 (manual) tranny. More torque and ridiculous acceleration. Personally, I went with the coupe (targa). In my opinion, it has a sexier profile with the long, sloping rear glass. Plus, if you want open-air motoring, just pop the top and throw it in the back. You get the benefits of a hard-top coupe with the luxury, open-air pleasures of a convertible. How can you go wrong??

I agree with your personal preference of the coupe over the convertible-- while a convertible would be fun with the top down, I just never have liked the look with the top up as much as the coupe. Same goes for FRC/Z06-- the back end of the roof line is "chopped off" too quick for my tastes. I, too, like the slope of the coupe to the rear of the car-- very smooth lines... Also, couldn't agree with you more about the coupe being the best of both worlds. I don't feel I need a convertible when I can just pop the top off of my coupe!

In the year model consideration, I would have preferred a newer car, but for me it simply came down to affordability. I'm not "well off" enough at this point in my life to afford a new Corvette or one as recent as you recommend. I knew from the outset that I'd be looking at a '97 or '98 (with slight possibility for a '99) just from the cost standpoint. I'd like the improvements in the newer models, but I got lucky and found just about everything I could want in my '98: Torch Red coupe, manual transmission, interior amenities like leather sport seats, dual-zone AC, memory package, and, of course, 12-disc CD changer!

I do wish I had Active Handling and perhaps Selective Ride Control, but I'm quite happy with what I've got. I've still got a Corvette after all!!!! [Continuing to pinch myself after nearly 2 months! ]

 

[VAmagred01]

fhturner:

I'm the same way....I'm not independently wealthy....just an honest, hard-working guy. When I went shopping for my Vette (a year ago), I knew that I wanted a brand new one (initially a 2002) but I wanted a certain color (Mill. Yellow). I was going to order it but the salesman told me that it would be a 5 mo. before he could get that color.:eek He had a convertible in the showroom in Mill. Yellow and a couple of Z06's in various colors but, as mentioned, I don't like the lines of them as much as the coupe. There was one in the showroom that was beautiful and caught my eye. Problem: it was a 2001. The color was gorgeous but feature-wise, it was stripped. It had exterior options but no interior ones. It only had 9 delivery miles on it and it hadn't been out of the showroom. It had the MM6, F-45 suspension, high polished wheels, side moldings and nothing else. He really wanted to get it out to make room for the '03's. He cut me a deal that I couldn't refuse.....so I didn't! The rest is history. Some Vette owners would look at the lack of amenities as a downside.....I see it as weight reduction!:L As you said, fhturner, "I have a Corvette"...that's all that matters!

There's a Corvette out there for every enthusiast. It's up to you to find that one that fits!

 

[GrandSportC3]

I bought my 98 Vert 4 months ago and haven't had any problems so far.. I already drove over 12000 miles :eek :eek and also did over 50 Drag Strip passes with the car... My '98 has all available options including active handling...

 

[FERL 73]

Thanks for the info. Any more thoughts you have please keep them coming.
Can someone explain/describe the HUD?
What's the deal with 2001 oil consumption?

 

[VAmagred01]

The HUD is a very nice feature to have....but of course, not a necessity. The HUD (Head-Up Display) projects an image onto the bottom-left corner of your windshield. You can toggle through different display options (e.g. speedo, oil, trip, etc.) to suit your needs. It's very nice.....keeps your eyes up in lieu of looking down at the dash. I haven't heard of any problems or complaints.

As far as oil consumption in 2001's, it's not a big problem. Mine consumed oil for the first 9K miles. I have 12K on her now and I haven't had to add oil since. The service manager at the dealership told me it's due to the high performance engine. It "eats" the oil. I just kept a bottle of oil in the garage or back storage compartment. So, if you get an '01 or newer with low mileage, make sure that you add oil (a drop or two or just enough to top it off) whenever the prompt comes up on the DIC. My salesman told me that he sold a guy a Corvette not too long before mine and the guy blew his engine because he kept ignoring the prompt and never added oil. It's something that has to be done....no serious problems or side affects....just the nature of the beast for the first few thousand miles.

Good luck!,
Kenny

 

[Jim D]

I love the hud and glad I got it with my 99, as has been stated,anything 98 on up is OK . Just test ride a few with differant options and see which ones you would really like. For me its the hud, seat memory package, nad vert. Warren you are looking yaa hoo, good luck with your search it took me 7 months, Jim

 

[ArkShark]

Hi all.
I am beginning my search for a Corvette as well, and was wondering the exact same question. I was lucky to find this site and that question.

So, it looks to me a 1998 is going to be good buy. I want a manual, convertible, and apparently, the active handling system.

Any other options I should go with?
Anything I should stay away from?

Also, why does the search for your Vette take so long? 7 months? Ack.
I am going to be financially able to purchase come next spring...should I start my search now?

Mike

 

[Blade]

I had a new 1998 and traded in for the 2003 50th Edition late last year. The cars look about the same. The 98 was the second year of C5 and it still had some bugs to work-out. So the newer the better. But you will not go wrong with any year Vette you get. THERE ARE NO BAD CORVETTES! Find what you want (options, transmission, Vert/Coupe, etc.) and buy it. The HUD is a really nice feature. The more options the more the fun.

 

[JOV]

When I purchased my Y2K C5 new it was fully loaded. I never thought that I would appriciate all the options, but I do. One of the best option is the power telescoping steering wheel along with the power seat memory. I never thought I would care for the HUD but its great on long highway trips at night where you don"t have to look down at the dash. Just my $.02 worth, but what ever year you decide on enjoy the ride, enjoy the fever, and save the wave!!

 

[tomls1]

corvettekyle,

my search took about 5 months. it started as a search for 91, then a 94, then a 96 and finally i found the 98. since it was taking so long, my savings account was going up and i was able to end up with a c5...and i'm totally happy about that. don't get me wrong, i still love c4s, like nc 50anny said..."there are no bad corvettes!"

the only catch to starting your search now is that you may find the perfect vette tomorrow, but not be in a position to buy it until spring...that would totally hurt!!!:bash :bash :bash

good luck with your search...you'll love the c5 and the cac is a wealth of info. i wish i had the hud:duh

 

[early shark]

I ordered an '02, a coupe with all options except body side mouldings and front license plate frame. Great car, probably wouldn't order HUD again, works fine, but don't think it's necessary. I too like the looks of the coupe the best, convertible is also nice looking with top down, not so nice with top up. The '02 has aluminum end links that don't need to be changed if you want to add the larger Z06 sway bars to a coupe or convertible, necessary on earlier models. No problems so far, only 4000 miles on it after 1 year of ownership. Depreciation is probably the biggest factor, I think finding a used model is way better than purchasing new. I was pretty lucky with my purchase, car stickered for $50,805 and dealer ordered and sold to me for $44,729 out the door. Good luck in your quest for the C5.