1997 to 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
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| Photo: Chevrolet |
The Draw: The C5 generation Corvette launched in 1997 with the intention of becoming a truly-world class performance car. With the likes of Porsche and Ferrari in its sights, the V8-powered, all-American performance car packed 345 horsepower, a surprisingly easy-to-drive character, timeless looks and plenty of high-tech. Today, you can pick one up for a relative steal in the used market. Look for V8 power all around, and manual or automatic transmissions.
The Checks: Look under the nose for signs of damage from grounding out, which can provide an idea of how carefully the model you’re considering was driven. Check the driver’s seat for signs of wear to the rails and seating surfaces, and be sure any power seat adjustments work as expected. Have the differential inspected for leaks, and triple-check for proper operation of the pop-up headlight assemblies. Ditto the power windows and air conditioner. Inspect the area under the battery for signs of excessive corrosion, which could be caused by a battery leak. Check for any malfunction or ‘check engine’ messages or lights. On convertible models, inspect the top for rips, confirm proper operation, and check for moisture in the floorboard carpeting, which could result from a roof leak. Avoid heavily-modified models, including those with forced induction, unless you’re extensively familiar with Corvette engine tuning.
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| Photo: Chevrolet |
