Best C5 year to buy?
03-06-2006, 09:19 AM
#24
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Best you can affordThat said AH became standard in 01 but some 01s had excessive oil useage issues.
02 onward may be a good plan.
03-06-2006, 09:20 AM
#25
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CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Originally Posted by DJN
2002 - 2004
Not that there are any major flaws in any of the C5 years, but the later years are your best bet.
03-06-2006, 10:02 AM
#30
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Frizzle86
Buy the newest model with the lowest miles possible for your budget.
.
03-06-2006, 10:40 AM
#31
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2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by EricR-TX
03 because it's the 50th anniversary of the Corvette. 04 because it's the newest C5 possible.
Here's a list of what changes were made over the years I hope it helps.All of this information was collected from the Corvette Forum message board, so do not take it as absolute gospel. However, it should be somewhat close.
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1997
Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler, xx, xx, ??
97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.
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1998
Convertible becomes available
Active Handling becomes available late in year
The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)
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1999
26# injectors substituted for 28#
Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
HUD introduced
only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
? Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
door sill trim plates added
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2000
Millennium Yellow available
? "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
Pup cats added to CA models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)
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2001
return to 28# injectors for all models.
Second Generation Active Handling
Nassau Blue discontinued
Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
New soundproofing + foam in all cars
Smaller keyfob
electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
lighter AGM battery
Thickness + Material in vert change
Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
Hardtop/FRC discontinued
Pup cats added to all models
Stronger synchros in all transmissions
Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
metal valvestem caps (late year)
Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
hardtop body style
rear brake ducting
screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
Titanium exhaust system
lightweight windshield
New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002
Z06 Changes:
Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
Less restrictive intake airbox lid
Descreened MAF
Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
slight piston redesign *
clutch strength upgraded.
HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
Electron Blue color offered
Steel endlinks changed to aluminum
Aluminum automatic transmission cooler case (all models)
AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player now standard on Coupe and Convertible
AM/FM/Cassette only available with 12-disc CD changer on Coupe and Convertible
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003
Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's
2003 anniversary edition with Anniversary paint and decal option.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.
2004 Commemorative Editions. CE Z06 comes with carbon fibre hood and has decal package.
03-06-2006, 12:02 PM
#33
Melting Slicks
"Stockman" gave you the right info. There were differences. See which ones are of value to you. You'll have to pay more to get them.
I like my 2003 for reasons stated already.
I like my 2003 for reasons stated already.
03-06-2006, 12:10 PM
#34
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Depends on what you want to spend..I bought a low mileage 99 for $23k a year and a half ago. You can throw on Polished Y2k's like I did and she'll look like an 04 at a huge cash savings!! 
03-06-2006, 12:12 PM
#35
Team Owner
with the earlier post about getting one that's clean with low mileage.You'll never work out all the bugs.. of course sometimes that's half the fun.
03-06-2006, 12:18 PM
#36
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CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by MetalVette
I wanted to ask you C5 folks a question. I want to buy a C5 Vette, but which year is the one to get and why?
Any year C5 - as long as the Vette is in good/perfect shape. Forget about problems - unless it is the oil burning issues that occurred in the 00/01 and were not fixed under warranty.
I want a C5 where all the bugs have been worked out, Example I know the first years ate alot of oil.
This is a completely wrong statement - only the 00/01 had issues and then only certain of the Vettes manufactured in those years. Most issues were fixed under warranty!
I currently have a 96 C4 with the LT4, the best of the C4's because all the issues have been dealt with. I would really appriciate any feedback any why that year would be the best.
Please understand that the C5's represented a 'great leap forward' over the C4's. C5's, all years, are a great vehicle.
Buy what you can afford, and what you want. Do due diligence on the car of your choice - and enjoy the ride..
Thank again.
Any year C5 - as long as the Vette is in good/perfect shape. Forget about problems - unless it is the oil burning issues that occurred in the 00/01 and were not fixed under warranty.
I want a C5 where all the bugs have been worked out, Example I know the first years ate alot of oil.
This is a completely wrong statement - only the 00/01 had issues and then only certain of the Vettes manufactured in those years. Most issues were fixed under warranty!
I currently have a 96 C4 with the LT4, the best of the C4's because all the issues have been dealt with. I would really appriciate any feedback any why that year would be the best.
Please understand that the C5's represented a 'great leap forward' over the C4's. C5's, all years, are a great vehicle.
Buy what you can afford, and what you want. Do due diligence on the car of your choice - and enjoy the ride..
Thank again.
03-06-2006, 12:49 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by MilleniumVette
A recent Corvette publication listed the '99-00 models as the best buys.
Good choice too.
I've been happy with my '00 even though it has had the oil consumption problem (not common with the '00s) and the rear differential seal leaks. But, some problems are common regardless of what year you get.
03-06-2006, 02:27 PM
#40
Race Director
I have an '04 and am happy with it because it is the newest model C5 that was made. However, I think that for the maximum retained value, the 2003 anniversary edition will do best in the long run. They aren't really worth anything extra right now, but 20-25 years from now, they will likely be worth more than any other year C5.