a bit of help on a decision
06-05-2015, 11:33 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
a bit of help on a decision
We are having a difficult time making a decision on vehicle purchase -
A) 2003 34000 mile immaculate 100% all anniversary - colors, registry, dual roof panels, etc.
B) 2005 higher on miles at 77k also excellent well kept almost immaculate
C) 2005 50k miles about the same as above
I have pricing n GMEPP for both 2005s and can extend and xfer that....can't do that with the 2003. Pricing is close so that I don't care -....
What would you pick? Honestly these are tied in the decision process!
A) 2003 34000 mile immaculate 100% all anniversary - colors, registry, dual roof panels, etc.
B) 2005 higher on miles at 77k also excellent well kept almost immaculate
C) 2005 50k miles about the same as above
I have pricing n GMEPP for both 2005s and can extend and xfer that....can't do that with the 2003. Pricing is close so that I don't care -....
What would you pick? Honestly these are tied in the decision process!
06-05-2015, 01:18 PM
#2
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Since you say it doesn't matter which you buy, I would say it boils down to what your gut tells you to buy. There is a big difference between the C5 and C6, but both are very reliable cars. My suggestion is drive them all, then buy the one that makes you smile the biggest. Good luck on your decision.
06-05-2015, 01:29 PM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
We are having a difficult time making a decision on vehicle purchase -
A) 2003 34000 mile immaculate 100% all anniversary - colors, registry, dual roof panels, etc.
B) 2005 higher on miles at 77k also excellent well kept almost immaculate
C) 2005 50k miles about the same as above
I have pricing n GMEPP for both 2005s and can extend and xfer that....can't do that with the 2003. Pricing is close so that I don't care -....
What would you pick? Honestly these are tied in the decision process!
A) 2003 34000 mile immaculate 100% all anniversary - colors, registry, dual roof panels, etc.
B) 2005 higher on miles at 77k also excellent well kept almost immaculate
C) 2005 50k miles about the same as above
I have pricing n GMEPP for both 2005s and can extend and xfer that....can't do that with the 2003. Pricing is close so that I don't care -....
What would you pick? Honestly these are tied in the decision process!
However, as a rule of thumb, always buy the newest, lowest mileage Vette you can afford if you are going to buy used.
I think the 2003 makes this one a tough choice, but it sounds like it wasn't driven very much which can be both a good thing and a bad thing.
Good because it's clear it wasn't beat up on, but bad because it probably sat in a garage a lot. Too many electronic gremlins on these cars that tend to act funny when not driven very much.
The 2005 with 50k miles sounds like it was driven just enough. The 2005 with 77k isn't too high mileage either considering it's an 11 year old car.
That said, I think you answered your own question.
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy the 2003 despite the caveat I just proffered.
2005 is the first year of the C6 whereas the bugs in the C5s were worked out by the time the 2003s came out.
Good luck with your choice
Last edited by Chemdawg99; 06-05-2015 at 01:31 PM.
06-05-2015, 01:47 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Since you say it doesn't matter which you buy, I would say it boils down to what your gut tells you to buy. There is a big difference between the C5 and C6, but both are very reliable cars. My suggestion is drive them all, then buy the one that makes you smile the biggest. Good luck on your decision.
I've driven the first two 3 times each. I am waiting on information on the 3rd as it was a late arriving entry last night.
BOTH A & B make me smile...... need more logic than that.
I'm looking at pros and cons items.... the only thing taming down the 2005 is the 77k miles this isn't going to be for fair weather day aka Sunday driving I do use rental cars 75% of the year for my job so on my cars I typically put on about 7000-9500 miles a year.
The con on the 2003 is age vs resale in the future. The con on the 2005 is 77k miles that once that is 90k it's tougher to sell it anywhere close to the price one with considerably less miles would be. The GMEPP would help that but I'd never recover the expense.
yet they both make me smile
06-05-2015, 02:36 PM
#7
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06-05-2015, 03:13 PM
#9
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06-05-2015, 03:35 PM
#10
Just my 2 cents, but every time I see a C5 I can't help but think how aged they look at this point. Not a classic yet, just old. I'd go with a C6. Massive bias here though But your choice, go with your gut and wave either way 
But your choice, go with your gut and wave either way
06-05-2015, 03:43 PM
#11
Team Owner
Well since you asked...The 2003 so called anniversary edition was the biggest let down to date from GM. They could have done something really special and what do they do? Make a regular old Corvette in a hideous color combination that sat on lots for ages.Not faster,different or anything other then that horrendous color combo to distinguish it. Furthermore,EVERY C6 is far better the any and every c5.Get the c6. Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.
Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.
Last edited by not08crmanymore; 06-05-2015 at 03:48 PM.
06-05-2015, 03:55 PM
#12
Well since you asked...The 2003 so called anniversary edition was the biggest let down to date from GM. They could have done something really special and what do they do? Make a regular old Corvette in a hideous color combination that sat on lots for ages.Not faster,different or anything other then that horrendous color combo to distinguish it. Furthermore,EVERY C6 is far better the any and every c5.Get the c6. Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.
Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.I think we have an answer!
06-05-2015, 04:06 PM
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well since you asked...The 2003 so called anniversary edition was the biggest let down to date from GM. They could have done something really special and what do they do? Make a regular old Corvette in a hideous color combination that sat on lots for ages.Not faster,different or anything other then that horrendous color combo to distinguish it. Furthermore,EVERY C6 is far better the any and every c5.Get the c6. Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.
Oh and by the way.If they are close in price all that means is the c5 is way way over priced.I do like the 03 color combination, but also it's not a "tough looking" combination therefore letting down the typical spirit of the machine.
yes I don't have the second 05 price but I'm hearing it around 24k, the 03 is 23 and 05 with 77k is 22k
that's why I'm not considering the money part, just the vehicle. Now the info about the lack of interest in the color combination is interesting input.
06-05-2015, 04:10 PM
#15
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Unless horsepower is more important to him, I think the aesthetic aspects between the C5 and the C6 are all negligible.
50 more horsepower isn't nothing to sneeze at
Just as rule of thumb, I stay away from the first year of any Corvette generation. Too many bugs usually and the 2005 had many bugs.
06-05-2015, 04:14 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
I do like the 03 color combination, but also it's not a "tough looking" combination therefore letting down the typical spirit of the machine.
yes I don't have the second 05 price but I'm hearing it around 24k, the 03 is 23 and 05 with 77k is 22k
that's why I'm not considering the money part, just the vehicle. Now the info about the lack of interest in the color combination is interesting input.
yes I don't have the second 05 price but I'm hearing it around 24k, the 03 is 23 and 05 with 77k is 22k
that's why I'm not considering the money part, just the vehicle. Now the info about the lack of interest in the color combination is interesting input.
I'm ambivalent about it.
As I said to you before, it sounds like the C5 offers a pretty good deal for you if color and horsepower are not considerations for you.
06-05-2015, 04:16 PM
#17
Racer
I'm not sure why you are even questioning... go with the C6 with 50k miles. A couple years newer and only a few more miles.
Make sure you take a look at the harmonic balancer and check for any leaks from the oil pan- these were known issues that I have (knock on wood) not had with my 2005.
Good luck, whatever you choose you will have a Corvette!! Its all good!!
Make sure you take a look at the harmonic balancer and check for any leaks from the oil pan- these were known issues that I have (knock on wood) not had with my 2005.
Good luck, whatever you choose you will have a Corvette!! Its all good!!
06-05-2015, 04:16 PM
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
I'm not really skewed to a particular generation of Corvette and get the impression that the OP likes the C5 as he was more descriptive of the 2003 than he was of the two 2005s.
Unless horsepower is more important to him, I think the aesthetic aspects between the C5 and the C6 are all negligible.
50 more horsepower isn't nothing to sneeze at
Just as rule of thumb, I stay away from the first year of any Corvette generation. Too many bugs usually and the 2005 had many bugs.
Unless horsepower is more important to him, I think the aesthetic aspects between the C5 and the C6 are all negligible.
50 more horsepower isn't nothing to sneeze at
Just as rule of thumb, I stay away from the first year of any Corvette generation. Too many bugs usually and the 2005 had many bugs.
I understand. On the power, I'm still trying to figure this out - without using "the car sucks" as a reason.
I got on both the 03 and 05 (77k) and the 03 hit a speed 8mph higher than the 05 in the same distance. Both had kick you back in the seat pickup, but the 03 moved a lot faster. The handling was more race car in the 03 than the 05 - not being a deep dive expert in these I'm curious as to why.
06-05-2015, 04:19 PM
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
I'm not sure why you are even questioning... go with the C6 with 50k miles. A couple years newer and only a few more miles.
Make sure you take a look at the harmonic balancer and check for any leaks from the oil pan- these were known issues that I have (knock on wood) not had with my 2005.
Good luck, whatever you choose you will have a Corvette!! Its all good!!
Make sure you take a look at the harmonic balancer and check for any leaks from the oil pan- these were known issues that I have (knock on wood) not had with my 2005.
Good luck, whatever you choose you will have a Corvette!! Its all good!!
NEWS UPDATE - the C6 with 50k just dropped out. Guy made the mistake of sending me the "right" wrong pictures - it's beat. the Drivers seat is considerably whomped on aside from a few other things I picked up on when I zoomed the pics.
I guess the shopping continues based on what I'm reading here....
06-05-2015, 04:27 PM
#20
Racer
I understand. On the power, I'm still trying to figure this out - without using "the car sucks" as a reason.
I got on both the 03 and 05 (77k) and the 03 hit a speed 8mph higher than the 05 in the same distance. Both had kick you back in the seat pickup, but the 03 moved a lot faster. The handling was more race car in the 03 than the 05 - not being a deep dive expert in these I'm curious as to why.
I got on both the 03 and 05 (77k) and the 03 hit a speed 8mph higher than the 05 in the same distance. Both had kick you back in the seat pickup, but the 03 moved a lot faster. The handling was more race car in the 03 than the 05 - not being a deep dive expert in these I'm curious as to why.