Best year for C5?
Best year for C5? I am looking into getting a C5 sometime within the next year most likely. Am I correct in saying that the C5 LS1 Vettes ran from 97 up to?? I want to know, if there are any years to stay away from or ones that are sought after? I cant afford a Z06 so I will be looking for a "Base" vette. My only "in stone" thing is that I want to find a M6. So if you Vette guys could steer me away from trouble if there is any I would appreciate it. Thanx.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2006
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C5's are from 97-04, One word of advice, please really consider. Buy something 01-04. There are a lot of little things that they had to work the bugs out of. Also, they started using better parts on the 01's and up. I.E. intake manifold, lifters, valves, the blocks also have small differences too that make them more efficient.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chicago IL.
Originally Posted by ZexZo6
C5's are from 97-04, One word of advice, please really consider. Buy something 01-04. There are a lot of little things that they had to work the bugs out of. Also, they started using better parts on the 01's and up. I.E. intake manifold, lifters, valves, the blocks also have small differences too that make them more efficient.
I would go 2002+ I have a 03 Z06 that I got for 33,000 with 16k on it *i know thats out of your range but shows whats out there*
Best year for C5 2001+ best year for Z06 2002+.
Check MSN on used cars for the Corvette and then on the side bar put the compare across the years option. It will give a brief summary of updates for each year when you press on the year model.
Check MSN on used cars for the Corvette and then on the side bar put the compare across the years option. It will give a brief summary of updates for each year when you press on the year model.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
I've had very good luck with my 98, I've owned it for two years now and put almost 38k on it (now has close to 70k) and it's been a very reliable daily driver. I think the earlier cars have better engines in terms of oil consumption/piston slap. It seems most of the complaints for those problems come from 01-04 owners (especially 01s, that seems to be the worst year for consumption and slap)
My engine has zero piston slap and does not burn any oil at all, even when I've gone 9k between changes I did not need to add any oil!
My engine has zero piston slap and does not burn any oil at all, even when I've gone 9k between changes I did not need to add any oil!
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Originally Posted by Patman
I've had very good luck with my 98, I've owned it for two years now and put almost 38k on it (now has close to 70k) and it's been a very reliable daily driver. I think the earlier cars have better engines in terms of oil consumption/piston slap. It seems most of the complaints for those problems come from 01-04 owners (especially 01s, that seems to be the worst year for consumption and slap)
My engine has zero piston slap and does not burn any oil at all, even when I've gone 9k between changes I did not need to add any oil!
My engine has zero piston slap and does not burn any oil at all, even when I've gone 9k between changes I did not need to add any oil!
I don't really think the oil consumption is a year model thing I think it is more of how many miles the engine has on it.
My Z28 drank oil until it hit 30k then it dropped to only burning half a quart every 5k miles then it simply stopped all together when it hit about 45-50k.
I mean after the engine is worn in it seems to run a lot more smoothly.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2005
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Originally Posted by PLOEG
DUMB QUESTION TIME: What does FRC stand for????? 
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lakemoor
i have also had GREAT luck w/ my 98. it has taken daily driven abuse from my dad when he owned it and drove 120miles a day and it takes dd abuse from me and have had no serious problems with the car. small stupid **** like the fuel gauge after about an hour and a half goes to empty and my top is loosing the coating on it. other than that for a 107k monster just starting to mod it the car runs and drives beautifully. also 98's produced some of the most rare c5's if thats anything to ya.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 246
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From: Friendswood, TX
I have the same ?'s. I totaled my mach about a month or two ago and I have been looking at getting a vette or a cobra. I have been looking at 02 - 03 zo'6. is the zo6 the only one that has a trunk? or is it a trunk? I have noticed that the c5's rear window slants down more than the zo6. I like the way it looks better than the c5. and Does the top on a zo6 come off?
Originally Posted by BT03mach-1
I have the same ?'s. I totaled my mach about a month or two ago and I have been looking at getting a vette or a cobra. I have been looking at 02 - 03 zo'6. is the zo6 the only one that has a trunk? or is it a trunk? I have noticed that the c5's rear window slants down more than the zo6. I like the way it looks better than the c5. and Does the top on a zo6 come off?
Jon
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Miami, FL
I've been wondering the same thing as I would like to buy a C5 in the future, but I really want a FRC if means will allow. I think the look is much nicer than the regular hatchback, and it's also a bit lighter.. about 100 pounds if I'm not mistaken, right?
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 246
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From: Friendswood, TX
Originally Posted by Jon B.
The FRC Corvettes have the exact same roofline as the Z06 you like. They are all hardtops so, no, the roof does not come off. They do indeed have trunks, and I too like the style much more than the coupes.
Jon
Jon
Ok thanks. I have always thought a hard top meant the top was removable.
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From: Somewhere Between Mild Insanity and Complete Psychosis
2001+ is not neccissarily better.
2002 is the best, '99 or '01 would be second choice. Choose these years before '97, '98, 2000, '03, '04
2003-2004 are a PITA if you ever heavily mod. They had a different fuel system, which you have to change out to an earlier style for high HP, FI applications.
99 is the best of the early models, first year w/ heads-up. But all pre-2000 come with ugly wagon wheels.
2000 is a very quirky model year, avoid it. Pre-cats.
1997, 1998 are also not very desireable. Early problems not yet worked out, and no heads-up display.
2002 is the best, '99 or '01 would be second choice. Choose these years before '97, '98, 2000, '03, '04
2003-2004 are a PITA if you ever heavily mod. They had a different fuel system, which you have to change out to an earlier style for high HP, FI applications.
99 is the best of the early models, first year w/ heads-up. But all pre-2000 come with ugly wagon wheels.
2000 is a very quirky model year, avoid it. Pre-cats.
1997, 1998 are also not very desireable. Early problems not yet worked out, and no heads-up display.
Originally Posted by NEED2SPEEDLS1
yes FRC = HOT! they are sweet ****. gotta dig em more than the coupe~!
It's amazing how you FRC guys go nuts over them. Especially since they were considered the bare bones, econo, gotta have a Corvette but I can't afford one.
They are the same cars as the convertibles except instead of a retractable top they have a piece of plastic covering the cockpit.
They weigh less than a coupe but have a lower top speed due to the coupe's better aerodynamics (they start to buffet like my convertible did, even the Z06 has a lower top speed but that is also due to the gearing). They also always have the M6 which is cool plus the suspension stuff.
"New for 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fifth-generation Corvette added a convertible last year, and for 1999 Chevrolet's premier sports car gains yet another new trim. The introduction of the 1999 Hardtop brings the first fixed-roof 'Vette to market since 1967, offering the performance of the other trims for a lower base price. An available Active Handling System and Heads-Up Display are also new for 1999. "
It is only $500 less but if they come with the Z51 standard that might explain the difference.
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...ette&trimid=-1