I posted this in the C6 forum, but I thought it might be good to post it here in the C5 forum as well, since it involves a C5.

I'm just about to make a buying decision. This will be my first Corvette, so I want to get the right one. Here's my dilemma... I'm considering two cars. The first one is at Corvette Palac in Austin. It's an 03 Anniversary Red manual coupe. I've been in love with the look of this car since I first saw it. They made about 4,000 of them. It does have the Selective Ride Control.

The second contender is an 06 Sunset Orange, which I fell in love with when I saw the color the first time. It's being sold by Auto Showcase in Chicago. They only made about 900 in that color that year, so I guess that's a point for rarity and might impact the resell value. Who knows?

The 03 has 9,500 on the clock. The 06 has 18K.
The 03 is going for $34,500. The 06 is $38,000.
Either way I'm going to have to make a trip or pay for shipping, so that's a wash.

My question is: For $3,500 difference, would I be better off buying a newer car, with more horsepower, in a less common color? (The 06 does have the Homelink, which I kinda like.) (But I love the wheels on the Anniversary edition.)

In either case, I'm going to have to marry one of them soon and quit looking around.

I would appreciate your views, comments, opinions, best guesses, or condolences. Tell me what you think.

Thanks.

Michael

 

I'd go for the C6. It's objectively a better car.

Now excuse me as I go slip into my Flame Suit.

 

You do have a tough decision. My thought is the 03 price might be a tad too high. Can you get them to shave a couple of $K off the price? Can't comment on the 06 price (don't know). I would suspect you are a lot closer to Chicago than Austin. That might come into play, I don't know.

Have you considered flipping a coin?

 

Id go for the coin toss!!

Thats a tough call, Id try and get the price of the C5 down some, even then its a tough call!!
Is the C6 a manual?

 

I bought my 04 Comm 2 years ago for $34,000 with only 6,000 miles on it. I would not be so concerned about resale as they seem to depreciate proportionatly with condition and milage like most cars. I would buy the one you like the best. I almost bought an 05 before I found my 04 but was worried as to first year jitters with all the new electrical stuff in 05. That being said you should be able to talk on the price of the 03 as it seems a bit dear!

 

I always wanted an 03 AE, so I when I saw one with low miles, I jumped on it. I like the C6, but the C5 look still jumps on me better plus it's the rare AE color that I like and this car is fully loaded! Either way, it's a vette. Keep us up to date.

 

You definitely have a choice to make. I would say that the 03' is over priced a bit, but that would be normal for Corvette Palace. I live here in Austin and have looked at a few cars there over the past couple years and they always seem to be high. If you could work them down it may be worth it. As you probably know the 03' AE has just about all options ever offered for a C5 and you've got the suspension and the AE working in your favor. The 06' sounds like it's a base model coupe and you didn't mention whether it's a manual or automatic. You can just about figure that if you're only a few thousand dollars apart between years that the C6 at the lower price will probably depreciate more. I personally have a thing for C5's and would be inclined to go for the 03' that's hard loaded before I would buy the 06' that sounds like it has nothing going for it more than the color. JMO! If you decide to go with the 03' and I can help you out in any way, drop me a PM. I live about 5 minutes from Corvette Palace and actually pass right by it on the way to work every day. Good Luck on what ever you decide.

 

Personally - I think the '03 car is overpriced by about $8K. As far as rarity because of the color - Anniversary Red was the most popular color in 2003 for the Corvette with over 11K cars made in the color.

Neither car is what I would consider ultra low mileage that would justify the high end prices.

Color - well, personally I don't think color on a mass produced car makes it more valuable....it's only valuable to the potential buyer that is interested in the color. As an example - you like both colors, and I don't care for either one.

Wheels and Homelink on the visor - both things can be easily changed, I hope that there is more about one car or the other that is more compelling - like LS1 in the C5 or LS2 in the C6. If you love the '03 that much - add Homelink to the visor and it sounds like the car would be perfect. But I wouldn't pay $34K on a 9K mile '03 coupe.

 

I had only a little luck negotiating with them. The would not really go below NADA retail value, but came down to there very quickly. It looks like they're already pretty close on the AE. Offer them $32k and see what happens.

 

My only comment is on that C5. Don't buy it, it's way too high.
If you are set on an 03 AE, look for a while and you will find one closer to home and cheaper, much cheaper.
I have an 04 CE vert which I love, but people with CE's and AE's get carried away with their supposed added worth.
They are worth more because they are fully optioned and have a few minor exclusive touches, but you have to be reasonable.
Good luck.

 

The 03 AE C5 is way over priced and the 06 C6 is just a tad. I say go for the C6 newer and more power

 

Buy the C6!

 

Your replies are very helpful. I agree the 03 seems a little high priced. I think I would be happy with either one, but I don't want to spend more than I need to.

I appreciate your help and advice.

I'll keep you informed on what I decide.

Michael

 

the C6 is a better deal. I am just not a fan of the styling of them

 

Go with the C6. Not only is it a better deal, it’s a better car……many improvements and more refined. Some will say the C5 is better looking and I’ll agree, but looks are only one aspect of a car. Go with the C6!!

 

No doubt about it, for that difference in price, go for the C6.

 

Ok I'll help......get the C6.

Rick

 

C6 and there should be remaining "factory" warranty on it too.

 

I purchased my car from Corvette Palace in Austin. They were willing to work with me on the price somewhat.. I would purchase another car from them.

That said.. seems that from the two you mentioned personally, I would get the C6. 18K miles is NOTHING on these cars and overall, you will be getting the "new and improved" version most likely with a better warrenty then you will get with the C5.

 

Given your 2 options - C6 is by far the better deal

If you want the C5 then I would say they need to come down on price quite a bit.

Colors can make a difference in price if the #'s are really low which in your example they are not.