C5 Corvette (1997–2004): Specs, Price, Problems & Best Years

Name: C5 Corvette original MSRP and production by model year
Creator: CarWhere Research
License: https://www.carwhere.com/terms

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The C5 Corvette was sold for the 1997–2004 model years as a coupe, a convertible (from 1998) and a fixed-roof hardtop that became the 2001 Z06. Its 5.7L LS1 V8 made 345 hp, then 350 hp from 2001. The Z06's LS6 made 385 hp in 2001 and 405 hp for 2002–2004.[1][2][5][6]

Model years: 1997–2004[1][8]
Engines: 5.7L LS1 V8 (coupe, convertible, hardtop); 5.7L LS6 V8 (Z06, 2001–2004)[1][5]
Horsepower range: 345 hp (1997–2000 LS1) to 405 hp (2002–2004 Z06)[1][6]
Original MSRP (1998): $38,060 coupe / $44,990 convertible, including destination[2]
Body styles: Coupe with removable roof panel (1997–2004), convertible (1998–2004), fixed-roof hardtop (1999–2000), Z06 hardtop (2001–2004)[2][5]
Assembly plant: Bowling Green, Kentucky[1]

C5 Corvette trims, engines & horsepower

Manufacturer ratings. A dash means no source we could verify publishes the figure.

Model / variant	Years	Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Transmission
Coupe (LS1)Removable roof panel; the only C5 body style for 1997.	1997–2000	5.7L LS1 OHV V8	345 hp @ 5,600 rpm[1][3]	350 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm	4-speed automatic (4L60-E) or 6-speed manual (T56)
Convertible (LS1)Added for 1998.	1998–2000	5.7L LS1 OHV V8	345 hp @ 5,600 rpm[2][3]	350 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm	4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
Hardtop (LS1)Fixed roof, Z51 suspension standard; GM's 2001 kit calls it the stiffest, lightest and quickest Corvette of its time and the basis of the Z06.	1999–2000	5.7L LS1 OHV V8	345 hp @ 5,600 rpm[3][5]	350 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm	6-speed manual only
Coupe and convertible (LS1)New intake manifold for 2001.	2001–2004	5.7L LS1 OHV V8	350 hp @ 5,600 rpm[5][6][7]	375 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm (manual); 360 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (automatic)	4-speed automatic (standard) or 6-speed manual (MM6)
Z06 (LS6)10.5:1 compression, 6,500-rpm redline, titanium exhaust.	2001	5.7L LS6 OHV V8	385 hp @ 6,000 rpm[5]	385 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm	6-speed manual (M12) only
Z06 (LS6)20 hp more from hollow-stem valves, a higher-lift cam and a lower-restriction intake.	2002–2004	5.7L LS6 OHV V8	405 hp @ 6,000 rpm[6][7]	400 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm	6-speed manual only
50th Anniversary EditionCoupe and convertible only; 50th Anniversary Red paint, Shale interior, Magnetic Selective Ride Control included.	2003	5.7L LS1 OHV V8	350 hp @ 5,600 rpm[7]	375 lb-ft (manual) / 360 lb-ft (automatic)	4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
Commemorative EditionLe Mans Blue paint marking the C5-R racing program; the Z06 version adds a stripe scheme and a carbon-fiber hood.	2004	5.7L LS1 (coupe, convertible) or LS6 (Z06)	350 hp (LS1) / 405 hp (LS6)[8]	—	—

C5 Corvette original MSRP by year

Base price when new, as published by the manufacturer — not today's value.

Model year	Model / body	Original MSRP	Destination	Note
1997	Coupe	—[1]	—	GM's 1997 kit lists the base price as TBD.
1998	Coupe (1YY07)	$38,060[2]	—	Includes destination and handling charges, per the 1998 order guide.
1998	Convertible (1YY67)	$44,990[2]	—	Includes destination and handling charges, per the 1998 order guide.
2001	Z06	—[5]	—
2004	Coupe	—[8]	—

Original prices come from GM's own order guide as reproduced in the GM Heritage Center vehicle information kits. Only the 1998 guide prints prices; the other C5 kits we opened do not, so those years are left blank rather than estimated. Options, taxes and dealer fees were extra.

C5 Corvette production by year

Model year	Units built	Note
1997	9,752[11]	Coupe only.
1998	31,084[11]
1999	33,270[11]
2000	33,682[11]
2001	35,627[11]
2002	35,767[11]
2003	35,469[11]
2004	34,064[11]
Total (years listed)	248,715

The GM Heritage kits for 1997–2004 do not print production totals, so these figures come from a secondary reference and add up to 248,715 cars. Treat them as approximate.

What changed year by year

The C5 changed little in its basic structure over eight years. Most updates were power, suspension and equipment, and the fixed-roof body introduced in 1999 turned into the Z06 two years later.

Model year	Key change
1997	All-new fifth-generation coupe: aluminum LS1 V8 (345 hp), rear-mounted transmission, built in Bowling Green, Kentucky
1998	Convertible added; Active Handling stability control introduced in mid-1998
1999	Fixed-roof hardtop added, sold only with the 6-speed manual and Z51 suspension
2000	Z51 Performance Handling Package upgraded with larger front stabilizer bar
2001	Z06 replaces the hardtop with the 385-hp LS6; LS1 rises to 350 hp; second-generation Active Handling standard; oil-change interval extended to 15,000 miles or one year
2002	Z06 rises to 405 hp and 400 lb-ft; head-up display standard on Z06
2003	50th Anniversary Edition; Magnetic Selective Ride Control offered on coupe and convertible
2004	Commemorative Editions in Le Mans Blue for coupe, convertible and Z06; final C5 year

Sources: [1][2][4][5][6][7][8]

Specs: 0–60, top speed and weight (GM figures)

GM published performance data in its press materials and notes that the numbers came from closed-course testing. They are a useful baseline for comparing models, not a promise for any particular used car.

Spec	1997 coupe	2001 coupe	2001 Z06
Horsepower	345	350	385
0–60 mph, manual (sec)	4.72	4.5	4.0
0–60 mph, automatic (sec)	5.05	5.0	—
Quarter mile (sec / mph)	13.36 / 109.4	13.22 / 109	12.6 / 114
Top speed (mph)	172	175	171
Curb weight (lb)	3,218 manual / 3,229 auto	3,246 (2002–2004 kits)	3,118 (2002–2004 kits)
Wheelbase (in)	104.5	104.5	104.5
Fuel tank (gal)	19.1	18.5	18.5

Sources: [1][5][6]

Fuel economy

These are fueleconomy.gov ratings, which the EPA restated using its current test method, so they run lower than the window-sticker numbers GM printed at the time (for example, GM listed 19/28 mpg for a 2002 manual). fueleconomy.gov lists one manual and one automatic Corvette per year; the Z06 is not split out.

Model year	Automatic (city / hwy / combined)	Manual (city / hwy / combined)
1997	16 / 24 / 19	16 / 25 / 19
1998	15 / 23 / 18	16 / 25 / 19
1999	15 / 23 / 18	16 / 26 / 20
2000	15 / 23 / 18	16 / 25 / 19
2001	16 / 24 / 19	17 / 26 / 20
2002	16 / 23 / 19	17 / 26 / 20
2003	16 / 23 / 19	17 / 26 / 20
2004	16 / 23 / 19	17 / 26 / 20

Sources: [6][9]

Which C5 to buy

Coupe: the most common C5. It has a removable roof panel and a large rear hatch (24.8 cu ft of cargo space per GM), and it was offered with either transmission every year.

Convertible: sold from 1998, with a real trunk (13.9 cu ft with the top up). Curb weight is almost the same as the coupe's.

Hardtop (1999–2000): the lightest LS1 car, offered only with the 6-speed manual and Z51 suspension. GM later used this body for the Z06.

Z06 (2001–2004): LS6 engine, M12 6-speed manual only, FE4 suspension. The 2002–2004 cars carry the 405-hp rating; 2001 cars are rated 385 hp.[3][4][5][6]

C5 vs C6: the key differences

If you are deciding between a late C5 and an early C6, these are the published differences between a 2004 and a 2005 Corvette.

	C5 (2004)	C6 (2005)
Base engine	5.7L LS1 V8, 350 hp	6.0L LS2 V8, 400 hp
Base torque	375 lb-ft (manual)	400 lb-ft
Wheelbase (in)	104.5	106
Headlamps	Retractable halogen	Fixed xenon HID
Base coupe curb weight (lb)	3,246	3,179

Sources: [2][8][12]

C5 Corvette problems & recalls

The NHTSA recalls dataset lists no campaign whose defect summary names 1997–2004 Corvettes. A 2004 lower control arm campaign (04V273000) mentions the Corvette but lists no model years, so it is not included. Run any C5's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before buying.

Check any specific car for open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Best and worst C5 Corvette years

Each call is tied to a documented fact — a mechanical change, a recall or a published rating — not opinion.

2002–2004 Z06Best bet

The strongest C5: the LS6 rated 405 hp and 400 lb-ft, 20 hp more than the 2001 Z06, with head-up display standard.[6]

2001–2004 coupe and convertibleBest bet

LS1 raised to 350 hp with more low-end torque, second-generation Active Handling standard, and a longer 15,000-mile oil-change interval.[5]

1999–2000 hardtopBest bet

Lightest LS1 C5 (3,173 lb in GM's 2000 kit), manual and Z51 suspension standard.[4][5]

1997Check carefully

First model year: coupe only, and Active Handling was not offered until mid-1998.[1][5]

Model-year complaint data across every Corvette: Corvette years to avoid.

What to check before buying a used C5 Corvette

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm any open campaigns have been completed.
Start the car several times and watch the Driver Information Center for a 'Service Column Lock' message.
Confirm the model from the VIN and options: only the Z06 has the LS6 and M12 6-speed manual, and only 1999–2000 cars are LS1 hardtops.
On a Z06, ask for engine service records. GM fitted the LS6 with stiffer valve springs than the LS1 to handle its higher rpm, so any valvetrain work should be documented.
On a car with F45 Selective Real Time Damping or 2003–2004 Magnetic Selective Ride Control, check that the ride-control system works and shows no 'Service Ride Control' message.
Check that the tire pressure monitoring warning works. C5s came on extended-mobility (run-flat) Goodyear tires and no spare.
Use the RPO list on the service parts label to verify special editions (Z25 50th Anniversary, 2004 Commemorative) rather than relying on badges.
Check the oil life monitor reading and service records against GM's interval of 15,000 miles or one year (2001 on).

C5 Corvette prices today

Prices on used Corvettes vary widely with mileage, options and condition, so we don't publish a single value. Compare current listings below.

Corvette prices & listingsCurrent market prices and listings by model year.Search Corvettes for saleLive inventory search across dealers.Free Corvette window sticker checkEnter a VIN to check for the original factory window sticker — options and MSRP as built.

More Corvette research

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Frequently asked questions

What years are C5 Corvettes?

The C5 covers the 1997 through 2004 model years. It launched as a coupe, added a convertible for 1998 and a fixed-roof hardtop for 1999, and that hardtop became the Z06 for 2001.

What is the best C5 Corvette year?

For outright performance, a 2002–2004 Z06 with the 405-hp LS6. For a coupe or convertible, 2001–2004 cars have the 350-hp LS1 and standard second-generation Active Handling. GM's 1999–2000 hardtop is the lightest LS1 car.

Are there C5 Corvette years to avoid?

No C5 year is singled out by an NHTSA campaign that names the Corvette. The 1997 car was coupe-only and lacked Active Handling, which arrived mid-1998, so later cars are the safer pick if you want those features.

How much did a C5 Corvette cost new?

GM's 1998 order guide lists the coupe at $38,060 and the convertible at $44,990, both including destination. The other C5 kits we opened do not print prices.

How much horsepower does a C5 Z06 have?

GM rated the 2001 Z06's LS6 at 385 hp and 385 lb-ft. For 2002–2004 it rose to 405 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. Every Z06 has a 6-speed manual.

C5 vs C6 Corvette: what's the difference?

The C6 replaced the C5 for 2005. GM's 2005 kit lists a 6.0L LS2 V8 with 400 hp and 400 lb-ft, against 345–350 hp for the C5's LS1. The C6 is 5 inches shorter on a longer 106-inch wheelbase (the C5's is 104.5), swaps the C5's pop-up headlamps for fixed xenon lamps, and adds keyless access. A C5 Z06 at 405 hp still out-rates a base C6.

What gas mileage does a C5 Corvette get?

fueleconomy.gov rates 2001–2004 manual cars at 17 mpg city and 26 highway, and automatics at 16 city and 23–24 highway. GM's original labels were higher, such as 19/28 for a 2002 manual.

Sources

Every figure on this page is footnoted to one of these sources. Secondary references are used only to corroborate manufacturer and government figures.

1997 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (press kit, order guide, specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1998 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (order guide) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1999 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
2000 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
2001 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
2002 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
2003 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
2004 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy, 1997–2004 (web services vehicle records) — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
Recalls Data (dataset 6axg-epim) — NHTSA via U.S. DOT data.transportation.gov
Chevrolet Corvette (C5) — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
2005 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, Corvette, Stingray, Z06, ZR1, ZR1X, E-Ray and Grand Sport are trademarks of General Motors.