After ten years of not owning a corvette, I am now going to buy a 2003 convertible. I will hopefully buy one in the next month. I will be attending the Bloomington Gold show this weekend to look at possiblitys. Does anyone out there have some thoughts /advice/ arnings , etc. to help in my quest.

 

I am sure you will see PLENTY of Corvettes at the Bloomington Gold show. So all you need to do is go and have fun staring at all the Corvettes. I would take a digital camera for the obvious reasons, but also take more pictures of the Verts that stand out to you so you can look back to them to see what you really like....

Good Luck!!!

 

As long as it hasn't been abused you really can't go wrong with any 2003 My only advice would be to get it as fully loaded as possible

 

Bought my 03 vert about yr ago, after searching for about 4 months. Check out forum used car section, Autotrader (where I found mine) etc, to get a feel for the $$. You should get a nice one for $25K with 30-40K miles or $30K for one under 10K miles.

I paid $30K for 30K miles, but was 15 months ago

 

 

I've had my 2003 50th AE for three years now and it has been perfect. the best corvette I've owned.

 

Thanks for the information. One thing I am having a problem with, maybe someone can help. I want to buy a 2003 Anniversary Red Convertible. My research shows that it shouls come with Shale interior and Top. Most of the ones i have seen advertised have a tan top. Is my research bad or are the cars i am seeing not really cars with the Anniversary package? And if they are missing the package is the color really Anniversary red??

 

All 50th Anniversary Editions are Anniversary Red with shale top and interior, including the dash and entire door panels. (Actually they're two-tone shale and neutral, but not black). Shale tops are tan in color. You can buy a 50th anniversary car in other colors, but not the Anniversary Edition. They also came with shale colored wheels. I have chrome Z06 style wheels on mine pictured below.

 

And here's the interior of the Anniversary Edition

 

I still think the shale top looks tan. Thanks for the pictures. The one of the interior seems to be missing floormats?

 

Floor mats are there -- under protective plastic. Also, check www.nadaguides.com for your area's retail and wholesale average values for the 2003 you seek. That gives you another bit of information, and can be used as a bargaining chip. Good luck in your hunt!

 

I found my 2003 50th Aniversity Vert last year in Vegas with 8400 miles on it...............you will not ever regret purchasing this car and if you get the Aniversity Edition you will get all the option anyway..............

 

I have an 03 coupe and its been a great car - no problems. Had it for over three years now and added 30,000 miles to the clock.

03 was the 50th anniversary year and all 03s have the corvette C5 hood and rear deck emblem with "50th anniversary" on them but only cars that have the 50th Anniversary option package are true 50th anniversary editions - they will have the large 50th anniversary emblem (you can see it clearly on the great photo of 65GGvert's car) on the front fenders and its embroidered on the seat head rests. The color scheme is also distinctive and there will be a lot of other goodies.

I have seen some 03s where people have bought and slapped on the fender emblem but those are fakes. I think the color scheme may have been available as an option that year without the full package and if someone added an emblem it would be hard to tell the difference at a glance. The 50th anniversary option package was pricey in 03 and if you don't check close you could be looking at a conterfiet.

Check the VIN to make sure you are getting the real deal if thats what your looking for. The color is "Anniversary Red" but only those cars that have the option package are the special edition models.

 

Same here. Zero problems. 30k miles.

 

Thanks again for everyones great help. I can't wait to get my next corvette.

 

I have 50th AE since 2003 brand new from the Cormier Chevrolet in CA ....
Love this car, no issue, just oil change and wax every month.
I hope you could find one soon.

 

[QUOTE

"I think the color scheme may have been available as an option that year without the full package: "

Hi, the above is not correct. The Anniversary Red with Shale Int, and Shale top was only on the AE packaged car. The 1SC package included all the options except 3 that were available that year, the 3 exceptions that you could optionally order in addition to the 1SC package were, 12 Disc Changer, Performance Axle, and ,6 Speed Manual Trans.. SEE BELOW for the entire package
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Package--1SC
50th Anniversary Edition Package, which includes these options as standard equipment:
(effective 4/2003)
Original Msrp (not counting dealer markup)-$5,000
Discounted Package Price--$3,700
50th Anniversary Red metallic paint
Shale two-tone leather trim
50th Anniversary aluminum wheels
50th Anniversary trim & badges
Shale convertible top (convertible only)5.7L LS1 350HP V8 engine
Electronic four speed automatic transmission
Heads-up display
Electrochromatic inside & left side mirrors
Power telescoping steering column
Memory package
Twilight sentinel
Custom adjustable sport bucket seats
Power passenger seat
Dual zone electronic air conditioning
Front fog lamps
Rear luggage shade & parcel net (coupe only
Magnetic selective ride control
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The above was the package, all other 2003 vettes were considered 50th Anniversary Cars, but not the 50thAE package that was marketed to be distinctive for the 50th anniversary of the Corvette. All 2003 vettes had the 50th Anniversary logo on them and are not fakes, just not the 50th AE Package..
Good Luck and Good Hunting

EDIT-Yes the Shale Top does have a Tan appearance, and there was a Tan top available on the NON 50th AE cars. If you see them side by side you can see the difference, the Tan is a bit darker. The Shale Top was only on the 50thAE Package car

 

Good info, but I have to correct you on one point 65ggvert, the 50th AE wheels are painted in what is called ' Champagne' finish. I had my front wheel repaired and the paint was special mix as was mentioned to me by the wheel rebuilder.

 

That's true on the wheels they are champaign.

I would consider the shale color more of a creme color then a tan. The oak top and interior is tan. In pantone color I'd say it resembles a warm grey.

Either way AE editions are awesome in my opinion.

 

Thanks again for even more details. I was at Bloomington Gold this weeken and was disapointed there was only one 2003 AE for sale at the show. I was hoping to test drive both an Auto and a manual so my wife can decide which one she is most comfortable with. But no such luck. One more question, i have seen a few 2003 AE cars with heated seats but i did not think that was an option??