I am turning 21 in Sept. I currently drive a 1994 mustang Gt vert with custom exhaust, cobra rims, and upgraded sterio. I am transfering to a 4 year school next spring. I am looking for a car that is resonably powerful to drive on the highway as my job is 25 miles from where I will be going to school. Compared to a mustang how much is a corvette for matience such as oil changes, part costs, labor compared to a mustang? I looked at the 1999 model and loved it. I want to spend 20k max. I am looking to put 8-9k down payment and loan the rest. What kind of insurance am I looking at? About model year differences. It seems like the 97-00 are the same body and motor? What is the difference? The 97 and 98 attract me to the lower price.

The determining factor will be insurance costs and matinence compared to my mustang. If I get one with 55 someK miles what can I expect to do to it between then and 100k miles on average? Thanks in advance for any info.

I'd have to say that this is one loaded Post!!!! I don't have explicit answers to all your questions but generally;

1. Most of us do our own routine maintenance, and is one of the reasons for this Forum.

2. I would say that parts from the dealer MIGHT be a tad more then your stang but aftermarket companies make a ton of stuff for the Vette and competion seems to keep the Corvette tax pretty much in check there...

3. Maintenance costs vary from place to place, like for any vehicle shop around. One nice thing about the C5 is that it has a Diganostic Code Reader built into the car...

I have a 99 and love it!!!! But I'm biased! I haven't really heard any horror stories about the 97s, which is a bit unusual for the first model year... Here's a run down by model year;

________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
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)
________________________________________
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 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)
________________________________________
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:
o hardtop body style
o rear brake ducting
o screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
o F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
o 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
o M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
o Titanium exhaust system
o lightweight windshield
o New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
o Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
o Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
o Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
o 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
o redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
o Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
o FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)
________________________________________
2002
• Z06 Changes:
o Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
o Less restrictive intake airbox lid
o Descreened MAF
o Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
o Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
o Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
o Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
o higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
o slight piston redesign *
o clutch strength upgraded.
o HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
o 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.

Information courtesy of http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml (http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml)

I'd have to say that this is one loaded Post!!!! I don't have explicit answers to all your questions but generally;

1. Most of us do our own routine maintenance, and is one of the reasons for this Forum.

2. I would say that parts from the dealer MIGHT be a tad more then your stang but aftermarket companies make a ton of stuff for the Vette and competion seems to keep the Corvette tax pretty much in check there...

3. Maintenance costs vary from place to place, like for any vehicle shop around. One nice thing about the C5 is that it has a Diganostic Code Reader built into the car...

I have a 99 and love it!!!! But I'm biased! I haven't really heard any horror stories about the 97s, which is a bit unusual for the first model year... Here's a run down by model year;

________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
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)
________________________________________
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 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)
________________________________________
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:
o hardtop body style
o rear brake ducting
o screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
o F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
o 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
o M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
o Titanium exhaust system
o lightweight windshield
o New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
o Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
o Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
o Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
o 6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
o redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
o Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
o FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)
________________________________________
2002
• Z06 Changes:
o Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
o Less restrictive intake airbox lid
o Descreened MAF
o Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
o Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
o Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
o Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
o higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
o slight piston redesign *
o clutch strength upgraded.
o HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
o 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.

Information courtesy of http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml (http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml)


TSTAR - is the man to get answers. LOL you always have the answers or comment. I know who to hit up when I have a question! :D

Yeah that'll be the only time I won't have an answer! LOL But I'm sure I'll comment! :D

No kidding! Tim you must eat and sleep Corvettes, I'll agree you seem to always have well thought out responses to many questions on the forum! Appreciate you helping out so many!

No kidding! Tim you must eat and sleep Corvettes, I'll agree you seem to always have well thought out responses to many questions on the forum! Appreciate you helping out so many!

Careful! That sounded like my wife!!! lol

I've had a Vette since I was 17, alway loved em! They aren't perfect but it's the closest thing to perfection that I can afford! And I really enjoy helping out, everything I've learned, which really isn't much to be honest, I've learned from other Vetters, these Forums certainly do get the info out faster then back in the day don't they?

So I want to thank YOU for hosting this great Forum! Hats off to ya!

Tim, very informative on the differences between years, you really answer question in a professional manner.
Quick question, I have a 98' Coupe, and I know the fuel pump noise is a pain, (usually turn up the radio, or looking to put Borla Stingers on that may help drown it out). Any other optons to relieve noise?

The first generation pumps spun at a higher speed and had a smaller drive gear. GM updated the pump later on (larger gear, slower speed)... in mid '98 I think, in an effort to reduce the whine.

Here's a couple of ways to help with the noise;

It helps to always try and keep your fuel tank level above 1/2, not only for noise but to keep moisture (water) from getting on the pump and to help cool the pump as well.

Cover the "wall" behind the driver's seat with a noise reduction barrier such as Dynamt or Frost King, under the carpetting of course! LOL

You can also try and stuff insulation from under the car between the fuel tank and driver's seat area... I've heard of guys doing this but have seen no pics on it, I'm not sure how they keep the insulation from falling out! :D

The only viable options in fuel pump replacements I've heard about is this kit;

http://www.racetronix.com/RX-C5-FPK-2.html

Hope that helps!

Thanks again Tim for the advice. I'm going to try the noise reduction barrier. I guess by keeping the tank above the 1/2 full point the sticker shock isn't as bad, @ $3.15 a gallon premium!

I hope that you do not make a decision on buying by the gasoline prices... Many say that their 6 speed vettes get 28-31 MPG on the highway, there aren't many vehicles with 300-405+ HP that can do that and maintain a daily driver vehicle too.