racwld1

i am in the market for a c-5 i really want a convertable but really need to know the best year to look for, is one better than the other or certian options i should look for ? i really dont want a c-6 they are very easy to come up with in my area, i just really dont like the rear end look. thanks. buy the way if anybody wants to do some trading i have a really nice 1999 500 sl benz to trade.

jrose7004

Why the 04 of course. It was the last year they made C5's so all of the bugs were worked out.

hattitude

While I agree that is true with the C5's......

I believe that is generally true with any make/model run. They usually get better as the model progresses, as all "issues" that pop up get addressed.

Of course, any C5 is better than no C5.......

peter pan

Get the newest one you can afford, if you plan on boost go pre 2003

STALION

Find one with low miles dated 2001 and up! I say this because the majority of changes occurred in 2001 and not to much was done after.

cnd_beancounter

Why pre-2003 for boost?

dobewillie

02 is cool

jon c

Ron Dittmer

Regarding convertibles.......2002-2004 are better for the following reasons.

- much thicker canvas top for a more quiet & insulated ride when the top is up

- improved rear seal on the top across the toneu cover, eliminating the paint abrasion problem in the far corners of the cover

- improved door glass-to-canvas clearance, reducing or eliminating the wear on the canvas inside corner there.

Basically GM redesigned the convertible top address customer complaints on these topics. The 2001 model year might have some of this applied, but my 2001 (sold 3 years ago) certainly did not have the redesigned rubber seal.

My 2003 vert top is really really (really) nice compared to the 99 vert I sold last June.

rebelheart

I would think hard before buying a late production 2003 or a 2004 model as there is a very serious leaking fuel tank issue that GM in avoiding.It would cost you upwards of $2400 to replace the tanks and crossover tube.

JMc

A lot of nice changes and fixes were made in the 2002 production year.

Dominic Toretto

The thread on this topic is VERY MUCH worth the read and has convinced me to completely avoid those year C5s. Chevrolet needs to step up and address that very serious and life-threatening issue. I'd only buy an 01 or 02.

-Alex

JMc

'01's had the oil consumption issues. But I expect those have probably been sorted on most used '01's by now... I think '02's might have been the first year for the electrochromatic mirrors, too. Might be wrong about that.

Dominic Toretto

1 Quart Royal Purple... ~$10.00 versus ~$2,500.00... nuff said

Oh and all 2000 and prior years and 5 less horsepower.

-Alex

Castrellon

Except the cracking cross over of the tanks. Or was it the filler neck?

joshtownsend

2002 seems to be the conciseness for best year VS price... All issue were worked out by then and there is really no difference between 2002 and later years.

Hammer99

However, I have had only a couple of minor issues w/my 99.
If I were to total it today, I would have no reservations buying another.

racwld1

thanks guys, i live in bowling green and have never heard of the fuel tank problem i really appreciate the heads up, now all i have to do is find a really nice 02 vert.

JW Motorsports

Word on the street is the 99's are the best.

GOZ2FST

I have a '99 and have had it since 2000. Sure little things went amiss but I kept after them. The only big thing was I fried the A4 transmission and had it replaced at 85k miles (thanks extended warranty).

I don't plan on getting another - no need - and I still don't care for the C6 backside either.

So here's my advice to you. Maybe more important than what year - find one that's been well taken care of. I decided long ago to just maintain mine really really well - with the occassional upgrade/mod. Find some guy who has decided he needs a Z06 or something but has NOT skimped on maintenance of his C5.

Age and mileage has a way of turning up weaknesses in any car - it's whether or not they were taken care of that is key here. So find any C5 - and if it has repaired seats, replaced brake rotors, etc etc - as long as it isn't a total lemon - you just may have found a fun reliable car. What you DON'T want is a late year C5 that has NOT been taken care of. Find one that's been loved - any year. You will be able to tell because it will look like it and owner will rattle off all the things he/she took care of.

Good luck - they're a LOT of FUN! ! !