Another saving grace of the early 2000s was the 2004 Chevy Corvette. While it was already a fan favorite, the C5 also got a beautiful special edition model to commemorate the end of its generation.

Corvette Museum

takes on a trip down memory lane to appreciate this iconic sports car.

How good is the 2004 Corvette?

The 2004 Chevy Corvette came in coupe, convertible, and Z06 varieties. The former two are powered by a 350-horsepower V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

The C5 Corvette could also be had with a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual gearbox is the sole transmission for the Z06, which also comes with 405 horsepower on tap.

The automatic transmission makes the 2004 Corvette faster, according to

NewCarTestDrive

. In testing, both the coupe and the convertible could reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds with this gearbox.

Corvsport

learned from MotorTrend that the Z06 could reach 60 mph in merely 4.2 seconds.

At the time, pretty much every critic agreed that the 2004 Corvette was an excellent blend of agility and comfort. Acceleration comes easily, both transmissions are smooth, and the car is easy to handle.

Test drivers also appreciated the lack of body roll around hairpin turns. This solid suspension makes for a somewhat rigid ride, but it certainly doesn't detract from the overall experience.

This Corvette's lightweight construction also doesn't allow for much insulation. Still, it's not a dealbreaker: most sports car drivers appreciate a soundtrack of burning rubber and engine growls.

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All about the Commemorative Edition model

In 2004, Team Corvette didn't have a single loss at the American LeMans racing season. To celebrate that, along with the C5's amazing legacy in general, the 2004 Corvette Commemorative Edition was released.

It was offered in an exclusive LeMans Blue and Shale color scheme, with LeMans emblems along the exterior and headrests. Commemorative Edition coupes and convertibles also have polished alloy wheels.

Commemorative Edition Z06 models have red and white racing stripes from the hood to the rear. This version is nearly 11 pounds lighter than any other 2004 Corvette thanks to the carbon fiber hood.

Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition models were also more costly thanks to their plentiful racing enhancements.

MORE:

The 2012 Corvette, Truly a 'Supercar'?

How does the 2004 Corvette stack up against newer models?

Fortunately, the only considerably downgraded factor of the 2004 Chevy Corvette is its price. When it was released, a base 2004 Corvette retailed for $44,535. Nowadays, most drivers only pay

about $13,000

for this excellent piece of modern American muscle.

The C6 Corvette received some good powertrain upgrades, but it couldn't match the C5's fuel economy. One year before the Corvette became a mid-engine powerhouse, the C7 achieved a 0-60 time below four seconds.

The C8 Corvette's mid-engine layout, extra carbon fiber, and more potent V8s give it superior handling. Still, the 2004 Corvette is one of the fastest and most stylish sports cars that you can find on the used market.

MORE: The 2007 Corvette: Still Hot, Now Affordable

How much is 2004 Corvette insurance?

Unlike some Corvettes, the 2004 model's resale price is a bargain. With such a quick depreciation rate, you can expect to enjoy lower insurance premiums.

To save even more on auto insurance, you can shop for quotes using the

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