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There are a lot of C5 owners in my car club. Everyone I have talked to like them, I haven’t heard any negatives.
I personally wouldn’t get the convertible, or Z06, but that’s just my preference nothing more.
I would get as highly optioned and as low miles as possible. Most C5’s have been owned and cared for by older drivers so most aren’t as abused. If you find one and the owner has a Mr T starter chain set you may want to find another C5 to look at.
My FIL had a 97 C5 (m/t if that matters) and it was plagued with problems, it was in the shop about 6 times in one year he told me. Seemed most of his problems were all electrical if I remember correctly. If I were you, Id skip the C5 and go right for the C6 if you have the dinero.
C6 is ugly in my opinion, well the front end is anyway.
I like the rearend treatment however.
also of course the cheapest I have seen a C6 is close to $30,000.
I can pick up an early C5 for half that if I look hard enough.
1997 was first year and it can be expected to have more bugs than following years.
Also by now any early problem is worked out on the particular car.
I have an 89 Roadster that I bought new. Corvettes are more than just a car. You are buying into a tradition. Under the rear deck there is enough room for a small suitcase. Check out the insurance. Note: The tires were much more expensive back in my day. They were about 350 each and would burn out every 20k miles (They got a lot cheaper... 200 each last time I bought a set. You can get them online at the Tirerack. Only have it worked on by a Corvette shop. Anyone else including the dealer is like a backyard mechanic.
C6 is ugly in my opinion, well the front end is anyway.
I like the rearend treatment however.
also of course the cheapest I have seen a C6 is close to $30,000.
I can pick up an early C5 for half that if I look hard enough.
1997 was first year and it can be expected to have more bugs than following years.
Also by now any early problem is worked out on the particular car.
I find the front end much more attractive on the C6. Whereas the C5 ripped off the Mazda RX-7, the new front end is Ferrari 360 Modena-ish, I like it! The back end is nice looking too, if not overly bulky. As for the C5, I drove several, and while mildly pleased, they felt cheap. The new C6 is much better feeling as far as quality goes, and its faster too.
Having just turned 40 I guess it is time for my midlife crisis car.
I quite like the look of the C5 Corvette(1997-2004) and it is a pretty good performer so would like your thoughts on them.
I would want a maunal transmission,probably coupe although a convertible is interesting.
There are only two of us and we pack light.
Pro's? You can get them at bargain prices.
Con's? If you do it for the "look at me I have a vette" mentality know that everyone and his brother has a C5 vette (for that sake, everyone and his brother have a c6 vette). They don't stand out as special anymore.
Also try to get the Z06 engines (2002 onwards) or you will find yourself being beat by modern day WRX's and Mustang Cobra's (technology is catching up with them) - and you don't want to suffer that disgrace.
I really don't care what others think,or I wouldn't drive a 10 year old Dodge truck..
Of course my old truck could pull most other trucks in half.
I would think with a little tweaking an 'old C5' could be quite swift.
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The back end is nice looking too, if not overly bulky. As for the C5, I drove several, and while mildly pleased, they felt cheap. The new C6 is much better feeling as far as quality goes, and its faster too. 
