2004 Chevrolet Corvette in Ft Worth, Texas

Vehicle Description

The C5 Corvette was a revolution, proving that performance and comfort could live happily inside the Corvette's fiberglass body. Today, cars like this 2004 Corvette convertible are astoundingly affordable ways to get big performance for a little price. And hey, this one's gorgeous, too!

The color is called Arctic White, and you already know it's a traditional favorite among Corvette fans. It doesn't rely on being flashy; instead, it's a great combination of the clean lines and no-nonsense color that make this car stand out, although we'll admit that the red stripes don't hurt a bit (don't worry, they're vinyl so they're easy to remove if you don't like them). The C5's timeless shape is pure Corvette and while it broke new ground mechanically, it stuck to the styling that dates all the way back to 1968 with its long nose, hidden headlights, and smooth profile. With just 58,843 original miles, this 'Vette has obviously been a toy car, not a daily driver, and given the way Corvette guys care about their hardware, it's almost a certainty that it's been washed and waxed regularly. Equipped with the optional "stinger" side moldings and black emblems that really pop against the white paint, it's still one heck of a good-looking car. Add in just the right stance, the vividly contrasting red stripes, and the polished alloy wheels, and you have a car that manages to be both elegant and sporting at the same time.

The C5's interior is where the biggest strides were made. Maybe we take it for granted today, now that we're in the 7th generation of Corvettes, but stepping out of a C4 and into a C5 was a genuine experience. No more clamoring over high side sills, no more miniscule luggage compartment, and the ergonomics were dead-on. Incredibly, an automatic transmission was STANDARD on the Corvette for the first time, and it is by no means a demerit when you dip into the endless reserves of torque served up by the LS1 V8. You'll enjoy watching the gauges do their dance every time you key it up, and whether you're hitting the autocross course or cruising across the country, this Corvette excels. The tan leather remains in excellent shape, the carpets haven't been faded by the sun, and, well, if you're looking for a well-preserved C5, you can scarcely do better than this. The stereo has been upgraded to a Kenwood AM/FM/CD unit with a CD changer in the trunk and satellite radio capabilities, and it sounds great. And like all Corvettes before it, the snug-fitting tan convertible top stows with little drama under a hard-shell tonneau cover.

The LS1 was the second part of the C5 revolution. The all-aluminum V8 was lighter than the old LT1 and made considerably more power, all with a wonderful European exhaust note. Unlike so many of this car's siblings, it remains completely stock, right down to the air filter, which is somewhat of a rarity in the Corvette world and it is exactly how you want your C5; no questionable modifications that would suggest it's been raced. It's clean, well-detailed, and starts and runs beautifully, just as you'd expect. Underneath it's quite clean, with no signs of foul play or winter weather, and you'll find the only notable upgrades here: a small dress-up plate behind the exhaust pipes and a set of red painted calipers. Fresh 245/45/17 front and 275/40/18 rear Michelin radials on those gorgeous polished forged aluminum wheels prove that nobody was skimping on maintenance with this 'Vette.

If you want a no-stories C5 in a fabulous color combination and loaded with options, this one is a great choice. At this price, however, it's nigh irresistible. Call today!