Ekul61

Just want to make sure if I spend the extra money on a 01 or 02 it will be worth it down the road?

Mike98SilVert

Get the C5 with the lowest mileage in the best condition and with the transmission you prefer. Not one problem with my 1999 Coupe.

Mike94ZLT1

Love my 99, I have had zero problems with it that were not due to me modding it extensively. Other than normal maintenance, I have had no reason to do anything to it other than that damn mod bug which I had already had a TERRIBLE case of years before I got the car.

rodknock

My 99 has been flawless only 33 thousand miles but

1SGRET

My '99 Nassau Blue FRC runs flawlessly as well...but mine just rolled over 23,000 yesterday...

momo20

every year has a issue or two...some are common then others...i really do think just buy the one that you like the most ..and deal with the little things as the come along if they even do...with the wealth of information on this fourm...most of the issues are in most cases an easy fix....i bought my vette 730 miles from my front door with only seeing videos of it from the dearlship...and it has been 100% issue free...i took a 23,000 chance..and thankfully it worked out...

Silverbullet00

I have put 40K plus on my 2000 that had 40K when I bought her,,,lots of mods and some related problems since then,,,,all Vettes have issues stock or not! You are buying a performance Chevy. You are also buying the previous owners attention to detail. Do your homework and then roll the dice. Not a real answer to your question. How is this for an answer? My C5 2000 cammed, headers, CAI, tweeked suspension Z51, tuned C5 coupe is NOT for sale. All mods done since I rolled the dice!


Dice in the cup,,,,rattle,,,rattle,,,,



Good luck! The people here will be your best support! They have been for me!

ztheusa

Just a casual read of this thread shows how important it is to keep your Corvette completely stock if you value reliability.

momo20

i disagree with that..i think as long as one keeps up on regular maintance then the car would be trouble free

Xx_Black-out

There isn't a big difference in the years you are looking at. Get the car YOU want!

Hell, some mods even help reliability... An example, the Z06 valve springs.

memmer

Are there not some improvements in the 2001 and after that should be considered ??

bontrager

I purchased a 2000 vert about a year ago with 11,800 mile and love it.

I currently have about 14,000 miles on the odometer.

However if I knew that this forum had existed before I bought the 2000, I would have purchased a 2001 or newer.

there is a link somewhere on this forum which describes all of the changes from year to year.

For example the 20001 model has an ls6 manifold which provides a little
better air flow to the engine. This is only one of the changes.

More importantly the EBCM (Electronic brake control module) on 1999-2000 models can not be repaired and GM has quit making them.

This controls your ABS braking system. Also there are thousand vet owners with 1999-2000 that have never had this problem regardless of mileage.

However, reading further down there is an electrical company in Tennesee that contends that they repair them with a 90% success rate. The cost is $495.00


Just like Sinatra sang "if I knew then what I know now" I would buy a 2001 or newer.

Good luck.

IMXCITD

i would buy the best corvette that works for you...regardless of year. So...if I come across a vette that I like that has been modded to a degree that I am comfortable with...then that's the vette for me. Whatever vette you buy....research it thoroughly...then buy and enjoy!

Vetteman Jack

Nothing wrong with getting a '99 - I had one and I liked it - was trouble free during my ownership. But the '01+ cars did have some improvements over the '00 and earlier cars. Here's some of the changes (as posted here on the forum):

All of this information is variously collected from the Corvette Forum message board, so do not take it as absolute gospel. However, it should be somewhat close.

1997
• Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
• All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler
• 97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

1998
• Convertible becomes available
• Active Handling becomes available late in year

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

2000
• Millennium Yellow available
• "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
• Pup cats added to all 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) – mid-model year change.

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 Convertible change
• Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + Convertible
• 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
• 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 diameter 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)
• Transmission 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 valve springs
• 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

2003
• Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

2004
• Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.

Bottom line is make sure you carefully check the car over for any issues, have it looked at by a good mechanic if needed, see if it has a documented maintenance history, and if you want a certain color or options, wait until you find just what you want. If there is not much difference in price between the '99 and an '01-'02, I'd probably go with the newer car.

robertlthomson

LOVE my 99 and it just turned over 50k. Zero problems and nothing but enjoyment. Good maintainence is the key.

Johnny_B_Good

Newer cars are usually better than older cars. Good luck whichever way you go.

jrose7004

Get the newest low mileage car that you can afford.

fendermender

I think it depends on what you mean by extra cash? As far as down the road...who knows? I would expect the later models do depreciate down in price the same as older ones. While the later C4s seem to command more, they spanned a longer time period with more significant changes along the way. C5s are pretty much all identical with the exception of some relatively minor changes that have been noted. So I would expect them to flatten out at some point and be pretty equal.

The ECBM issue seems to get more talk here than on other forums. I have read the threads and even tossed in my $.02 . I have no statistics but just from reading posts, it would seem the repairable 01-04 ones have a higher failure rate. Obviously this doesn't help if you happen to have one of the 99s that fails. Sort of a catch 22. I plan to drive mine and deal with the problems as they occur. If you do a lot of internet reading ,as I have been, you can get caught up in worrying about everything than can go wrong. These are just my opinions.

SueTaing

I would save up for an 01 (I have an 00)

Cheaper TPMS, possible to repair ECBM (Mine is giving codes), more torque, ls6 manifold, and of course speedway white :P

Ekul61

Thank you all for all the imfo. You guys are great. I would love more opinions. The one I buy will be with 60 k or less miles and well taken care of. In the 18 to 21g price range. 6 speed removable top. Thank you