2004 Chevrolet Corvette Review
Fuel Economy
19 - 20 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
An excellent car that never ceases to amaze us. Cheap interior trimmings aside, the current-generation Corvette is the best thing GM has going for it.
Pros
Ultrahigh performance, daily-driver livability, bargain sticker price.
Cons
Some low-grade interior trim, can't get the Z06 as a coupe or convertible.
What's New for 2004
To celebrate the last year of the C5, Chevrolet is offering a Commemorative Edition package on all models, including the Z06. In addition to special Le Mans Blue exterior paint and a Shale interior, Commemorative Edition 'Vettes will have special badging and polished aluminum wheels. The Z06 version will have a carbon-fiber hood, Le Mans stripes and "Z06 only" wheels. Other changes for 2004 include revised shock valving on the Z06.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Wow! What A Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Corvette 2dr Convertible (5.7L 8cyl 4A)
Review
Well, this is my third corvette, first a C3 - 1980, next a C4 - 1992 and now this C5. It is incredible, the improvement over the C4 is staggering. The car is a monster and handles like a dream. I wanted a convertible, but I thought I wanted a C6 because of the higher HP. However, after driving both, I decided on the C5 (2004) because I thought the interior was much nicer and roomier. I really felt the C6 interior was "cheapened" compared to the C5. Some have complained about "noise" from the run- flats, but I don't experience that problem. All in all, dollar for dollar, this is an awesome car!
Favorite Features
6-speed, windows automatically opening upon putting top down, automatic or "memory" seat and steering wheel settings upon entering and exiting vehical. Fast, handling, and did I say fast?
Suggested Improvements
Louder stock exhaust, has been my comment since the C4's. Z06 has much better sounding exhaust.
Dream Car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Corvette 2dr Coupe (5.7L 8cyl 4A)
Review
I'd wanted a Corvette since I first became aware of cars at 13 (in 1966!). Finally got one at age 50. Bought mine new in Spiral Gray with every possible option. Other than replacing the battery in the first month as a preventative measure and fixing the gas tank (common problem) in the first year, this car has been "bullet-proof". I live in an area where there are multiple exotics, Porsches, Ferraris, etc and my car gets as much, if not more, attention. I love it. Fast, great looking and a virtual time machine making me feel 16 again.
Favorite Features
Everything about it! And the "Corvette Wave" is cool, too!
Suggested Improvements
Yes, it seems a bit cheap on the inside but I can live with it. The stock run-flats are awful!
Original 5 year owner comments
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Corvette 2dr Convertible (5.7L 8cyl 4A)
Review
I have owned and driven this Corvette for almost 5 years. There is really nothing as much fun as a top down cruise in this car. This car was a daily driver for the first 2 years and then a weekend garage queen since then. No issues or problems just routine oil changes. 33,000 miles and loving every minute.
Favorite Features
Style, heads up display, factory magneisum wheels, power, & waves from other Corvette owners.
Suggested Improvements
Run flat tire are noisy and top up air noise above 80 mph but this is a sports car....who cares.
Amazing machine
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2dr Coupe (5.7L 8cyl 6M)
Review
I recently purchased a silver 2004 Z06 with 25,900 miles. The car is stock. I am amazed by the performance value of this car. The engine is incredibly flexible. The sound of the motor at 6,000 RPMs is amazing, and the car pulls like a locomotive. I am also amazed at the relative comfort of the car - the seats are very comfortable (I am over 6 feet tall) and the ride quality, though firm, is wonderful. I am surprised at how docile the car is in 'adult driving' mode - driven maturely around town, the car is eminently livable. For an enthisiast, this is a comfortable daily driver. I am amazed at the performance value with the Z06 as compared with other high-performance cars.
Favorite Features
A street-legal race car that pulls double-duty as a grand tourer The sound of the engine at 6,000 RPMs in full-attack mode The rocket-like thrust at full throttle The stop-on-a-dime brakes that don't fade The tight and responsive steering The amazing value compared to other supercars
Suggested Improvements
Gas mileage, though excellent for such a performance beast, is not terrific, but this is truly nit-picking given the amazing performance of this very affordable rocket launcher of a vehicle
Still Tryin'
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Corvette 2dr Convertible (5.7L 8cyl 4A)
Review
This is my 4th Corvette (93, 99, 02, 04). I don't know why I keep trying. I've loved Vettes since I was a kid and keep hoping someday I'll find one that doesn't have problems. This one has had problems with transmission (hard shifts), broken stabilizer links and brakes squealing for 2 years. Dealer said brake squeal is normal after their 4th attempt to fix. All 3 C5s were convertibles and all leaked around the windows when driving in the rain. All of my Vettes averaged about 3 visits to the dealer per year for repairs not counting normal maintenance, with each visit being at least 2 days. You would think I drive them hard, but I've been told I drive like a little old granny. So that's not it.
Favorite Features
I've always loved the head-up display. It's hard to drive other cars without it now. I also like the gas mileage. I get 30 highway, 21 city. Not bad for all those horses.
Suggested Improvements
Tighten all those bolts better to reduce squeaking and rattling. Better quality control overall. My other cars don't break down nearly as much. Finally, better training for service technicians. Fix it the first time, not the fourth.
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