I own a 97 torch red corvette c5 and I still get compliments everywhere I go. I'm not a rich guy by any means but when I drive it I feel like a million bucks I just love my c5
I watch many "car guy reviews". Know what? Your one of the best I have seen. You are to the point, not trying to be a stand up comic, objective and thorough. Well done.
The reason these cars are hated by most young people is that most people don’t like performance. They like the illusion of performance, but not the real thing. So people like pretty cars never designed to be serious performance cars with bits of carbon fiber tossed in the interior paired with huge electric adjustable heated leather seats, with 4 doors and a big trunk. Why? Because the car is not meant to be driven fast. It’s meant to be interactive socially. To bring 5 people in the car with you, and have it be more special than a Corolla. That’s not the same thing as being an adrenaline junky. The Corvette alienates these types of people, and undermines them when it wins races. And people don’t like that. They hate it, even.
I bought a 2003 Corvette convertible with an automatic. I did a lot of research and then this video made up my mind. Everything the owner says is true, good and bad. I have had it for over four years and have not tired of it at all only putting less than 4000 miles on it since purchasing it. I have owned over 80 cars and this car is the best by far.
+J. ANTHONY Well, I love the C6... Uhhh, my selling of the car had nothing to do with any disappointment whatsoever with the car itself. I loved the C5. I have a back problem, and it got worse... And I found I couldn't hardly get in & out of the car anymore.... So it sat in my garage for a couple years, and I got a good offer on it, and sold it.... Fast forward a couple years, I found a really good deal on a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 First Edition. It had miles, and a few issues, but nothing I couldn't fix. So I fixed it up, and now it's 100%. I actually really like it. Much more "normal" proportioned car, all day comfortable. VERY fast car. Obviously, I went from one type of car, to a different type of car.... But for me it's been a good move. You're a lot younger than I am. You hopefully have not discovered the joys of a back problem yet....
+Patrick Morrissey I'm sorry to hear that. I can only imagine. My C5 is lowered slightly and I already find getting in and out of it annoying. If I had back issues I can't even fathom what that would entail. I do really like the design of the Challenger. I think they did a really good job of making it look retro without overdoing it.
Have always liked the C5 convertible the best looking. Nice silhouette, flip up Headlights, round tailights as it should be and of course the third pedal it's the only way to go! Thanks for the ride.
i really wish other vette owners would wake up and realize why the interior is the way it is... its build that way for WEIGHT REDUCTION!!! thus making the car far faster, handle better, and have better gas mileage! Oo
American cars have lousy interiors compared to European ones. So to me, your claim is just a way to apologize the fact that US car interiours are crap. Creak, creaky plastic that easyli cracks, sad facts for US cars manufactured in USA areotherwise are great vehicles.
I love that the interior is made like it is. They spent the money where I want them to spend it. Fuck a leather wrapped dash, that was money that could have been spent on performance; that or it's making the car more expensive than it needs to be. (looking at you Porsche) Posh interiors are for women's cars.
Great video! I also have a 2004 convertible (torch red/black) and I pretty much agree with all you’ve said. Interior is certainly not high quality but mine is still in great shape and has never been an issue with me. Hope to have mine for many years to come. Thanks for the video.
im saving up for a 2011 , c4 and c5 are reliable cars ive talk to 10 diff mechanics in 5 diff states and they said they hardly see corvettes in their shop , its just damn i remember when c5s were new , u can get a 97-2000 for like 15-20 thou , and 01-04 for 21-25 thou and yeah ur basically paying for the mileage , c4s are usually like under 15 thou ,unless u get the 96 grandsport or a 90s zr1 ,c3s are going up in price a little well for the good condition ones , u can get one for the same price as a c4 maybe lil more , ive liked corvettes since i was 4 yrs old im 22 now , always will be a corvette guy and a chevy guy
I also own a 02 C5 Torch Red Convertible - still in mint condition... The only upgrade I have made was to put the double din Kenwood radio in.. Nice having the Bluetooth and navigation. I only drive about 2500 miles/yr but when I take it out and pull up at a red light people still compliment the car and tell me they want one just like it. This is my 7th Vette and also has been my favorite. I highly recommend if your looking for a fun to drive exciting sports car to seriously consider the C5 ! Thanks for your Review !
Pretty much why I picked up a C5Z06 a year ago. Affordable, raw power, timeless body style and manual transmission. It’s a total blast. I can’t see myself ever upgrading to a newer Vette. Don’t care about the extra hp, 405 is more than enough. Great video, I feel the exact same way about the C5. Did you ever upgrade to C6?
The C5 saved the Corvette. The interior quality was not great, but helped save weight. I have owned more C5 Corvette's than ANYONE. Period. Let me know if you want any info on the C5.
.Great video J. I own Four of these ( 2 hatch and two roadsters)with various mileage and that lets me play as I wish . Two 6 spds let me get my shift on and two autos for just bangin around town. All four for under 40k and all nice looking with various rim and tire combos.Best fun under 12k anywhere.
My first vette was a C5 - i really loved it but was seduced by power and bought a C6 with LS3. Now i have a C7 which i plan on keeping but really wish i still had my C5, so im probably going to be in the market for one soon! C5 still looks grrrrreat!
Sounds good! Yes, to me, there's nothing like a manual gearbox. Never get enough running through the gears. I have a modified 2006 Subaru WRX. Not quite the top speed as the C5 but it manages 150. Another great point you made is regarding the mechanical feel! The WRX definitely fits that description. All the sounds it makes are really endearing and like you said, make it certainly never boring. There's not a million buttons to complicate everything. Just a plain interior, three pedals and a gearshift!! All you need.
+Jeremy Corrao Absolutely. Cars these day are becoming too numb and complicated. As you said, a simple interior and a good manual transmission are all you need. I tend to hate modern cars as they mostly moved away from this. I love that generation of the WRXs. Those boxer motors sound pretty good too. It has been a while since I've driven one but I remember really liking them. I remember some fun dropping the clutch in an STI of that age too.
I own a 2000 millennium edition convertible with the Z51package, high performance rear and high performance 4 speed automatic. All stock from the factory, manuals are nice but I'll take my automatic all day everyday!
I own a 69 blue convertible corvette and a 2002 Metallic red corvette convertible with 24000 miles. I love them both but if I really want to push it the 02 is hands down a much better car. I have looked at the new C7 but I don't fit in the seat right. I am tall like you but I am a Bodybuilder and my shoulders stick out way too much. I don't have that problem with the C5. Anyway, great review
Not boring at all 😊 This is a very nice review, using all the right vocabulary only a true "petrolhead" guy can use 😊 I was listening to you and thinking about the raw and mechanical connection my 90's air cooled 911 establish with me everytime I drive it. Not good for daily ride, but its noise, performance, and overall sensations make me feel again 22 instead of my actual 44 y old. Keep more of these coming, Anthony, I almost could feel the torque of that american muscle car flowing...cheers 👍😉
Great job on video I have c5 2004 convertible love it 😊 but I just notice that my speed meter is different from original one when it 90 your only doing 62
I have a Silver 02, Love it. I have a touchscreen and BU camera so backing up is easy. Targa top is nice. Auto trans is less work. Air Intake is the only mod. Great Car for 12k
Bruh...a vette is still a head turner no matter what, got a 2000 C5 kinda highly modified in and out and sure do will smoke those new sports car in a flick. Keep that Vette running.
hey there i'm about to pull the trigger on C5 it's an Auto 2000 convertible the only this is it has an issue with the traction control system and the oner had it fully disabled my question is would it try to kill me even if i drive it respectively i came into it from a 500 HP Sti
Take the top down and you can see. Usually you are ahead of the others so why look back. I bought mine with Corsa exhaust. The first 2 people I saw when i bought it said Beautiful car
Probably dependent on your age... Ive had both. My C5 is Auto and I love it ! If you do your research you will find that there is hardly any performance difference between Manuel/auto on the newer vettes... The new c8 is only available in Auto...
@@randyball7223 I love manual for the love of shifting which makes it more fun to drive. Not really concerned with acceleration times, not tracking it. They’re both fast enough. Haven’t bought any corvette yet. My plan is to do so in 2023, it will be a 2012 or 2013 C6 Grand Sport with a manual. Well preserved and hopefully less than 50k miles
You’re way better than Doug DeMuro . You’re passionate about cara but not overly delusional. You also give those important technical specs that real drivers want to know.
Great video. C5 Torch red is my dream car. Cheap interior, who cares. Excitement factor, huge. I like my cars the way I like my women, I want them to bite back. lol.
Oh, and lowering a C5 Corvette, especially in the rear, and a convertible is as good-looking as any exotic you'll see. And again, I have a C5 Z06 so I don't have that luxury ¿`_
Convertible car's are known for noise, as far as interior you're just a hear say guy all cars have plastic interior part's all car's the interior to me is perfect I am so tired of you guy's knocking it down, it's just a great car all the way around 👍
What's with the seats? Why doesn't the driver's seat have a headrest? Or are you just a really tall guy and have the seat in the lowest position? Nice car though. I've always wanted to own one of these but it probably won't happen for a looooong time because even the older vettes are super expensive here in Europe (to be honest, _everything_ is expensive over here). Even the crappiest 60's/70's Stingrays are ~10k € ($11k), good C5's are somewhere in the 25k-40k € range ($30k to $45k). As for the newest models... Those are out of the question for anyone but those working in the highest paying jobs so unless you're a lawyer or something, it ain't happening. Considering the average pay in my country (Finland) is around 3500€/month ($4000/month) and that many earn _less than half of that_, things are not looking good for me or anyone else who wants a nice car. Maybe some day...
Good catch. I am quite tall. I'm 6 foot 3 inches to be exact. This car being a convertible means I have little head room and need to tilt the seat back. If it makes you feel better, you have access to a lot of European and Japanese cars that I can't have in the United States unless they are over 25 years old. There are several cars I really want right now that I am not allowed to import. Thanks for watching my friend, all the best!
Yeah, it’s not “Supercar” performance, on the upside ,it doesn’t come with “Supercar” stupid Price-tag, from purchasing Price to Maintenance cost. people get hung up on the quality of the Interior, again you’ve got to spend insane Money to get a “ Prancing Horse” Porsche” “AMG” etc quality interior.
Awesome car man. I'm trying to trade my 350Z for one of these soon. Feel free to check out my channel if interested, I have many videos up of my 350Z as well as other car stuff!
Thanks. I'd totally recommend one. I like the Zs as well. Been looking at getting an R32 Skyline also. I love all cars. Just subscribed. Good luck on your channel.
J. ANTHONY thanks man. Any advice to give me as a prospective C5 shopper? Anything in specific to look for? Only consistent thing I've heard so far is the column bypass lock thing, seems like a cheap and easy fix
Yeah, that is an issue. I have my column lock disabled. I also have a skip shift eliminator installed. Also the clutch can stick to the floor if you let the fluid get dirty. The fluid can get dirty pretty quickly if you race a lot like I do. Beyond that, plastic trim pieces break, weather stripping will get old and cause leaks and window regulators can go out. Basic stuff from aging. The only other thing I would add is that if you don't drive the car every 5 days or so they will drain the battery. Overall they are really good cars. I'd totally recommend one that is well maintained.
+Speedaholics find one that is unmodified, that has an older owner who kept service records, and stick with 2001-2002 for the best value and most reliable. Not that '03-'04 aren't reliable, but you'll pay more. Then when you find the right one, it should bring you years of solid fun and reliability. These cars can go 200K miles if taken care of.
European n especially japanese cars from the same year have crap interiors..the C5 has nice seats n dash ..the interior looks good. Even today..all the toys n obviously the performance n engine.
