00 or 03???? Thoughts or comments?
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
00 or 03???? Thoughts or comments?
I'm looking at a couple coupes now.
00 mileage in the low teens only mods are exhaust and air intake, asking $23ish. 6 spd with plenty of options. 3 owners, last owner has had it 8 years.
Second is a one owner bone stock 03, mileage in the mid twenties, asking $25. Being the original owner car has window sticker, all the goodies and an auto.
Both are very clean and appear to be very well take care of. If I had to choose one over the other I would almost have to flip a coin they are that close.
Any reason to lean one way over the other?
Thanks!
00 mileage in the low teens only mods are exhaust and air intake, asking $23ish. 6 spd with plenty of options. 3 owners, last owner has had it 8 years.
Second is a one owner bone stock 03, mileage in the mid twenties, asking $25. Being the original owner car has window sticker, all the goodies and an auto.
Both are very clean and appear to be very well take care of. If I had to choose one over the other I would almost have to flip a coin they are that close.
Any reason to lean one way over the other?
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
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From: Kannapolis NC
For that difference in price, I'd take the 03 every time. For one thing, improvements (including slight hp gain), the tire pressure sensors and remotes are the newer less expensive type. Parts are still more available and repairable. With the 03 automatic, you have no issues to worry about with the column lock (it has no column lock). And it's three years newer, so less age on the weatherstrips, hoses, belts, etc. I'd pay 2k for a three year newer car every time, IF I LIKED THE CAR and it suited what I was looking for. If you prefer the 6 speed, disregard all this and get exactly what you want.
Thread Starter
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I know someone will post the year-by-year improvements but here's my $ .02
The mileages and prices are so close together that it's kind of a coin toss for sure.
However, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What is my REAL preference for the transmission?
I'm a manual guy and lovin' it but there are some advantages to an auto.....for others, not me.
Which color of which car suits you best?
Then the other consideration leans to the newer car.
In 2001, GM bumped the stock horsepower from 345 to 350
I believe there were other significant changes too so I would go for the '03 if tranny is not a consideration.
Of course, the conditions and options of the interiors would make a difference and what works and what doesn't. Look for "leaky butt" syndrome on both as well.
Tough choice. I would prefer an '03 with the manual.
The mileages and prices are so close together that it's kind of a coin toss for sure.
However, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What is my REAL preference for the transmission?
I'm a manual guy and lovin' it but there are some advantages to an auto.....for others, not me.
Which color of which car suits you best?
Then the other consideration leans to the newer car.
In 2001, GM bumped the stock horsepower from 345 to 350
I believe there were other significant changes too so I would go for the '03 if tranny is not a consideration.
Of course, the conditions and options of the interiors would make a difference and what works and what doesn't. Look for "leaky butt" syndrome on both as well.
Tough choice. I would prefer an '03 with the manual.
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Thread Starter
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
She made the comment "I can learn to drive a stick", I told her I didn't know we were buying a Corolla as well!
OK, several comments have been made about both being pricey.
NADA shows the 00 @ $19,750 and the 03 @ $23,475.
Would those be more realistic? Or still on the high side?
OK, several comments have been made about both being pricey.
NADA shows the 00 @ $19,750 and the 03 @ $23,475.
Would those be more realistic? Or still on the high side?
Last edited by Jeff T.; Mar 28, 2013 at 11:23 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I have a 00 and love it. The one you are looking at seems overpriced vs the 03. Also, one of the computers is getting difficult to get for the 00. You need to decide what options you want. The auto would be a deal breaker to me, but if you would be happy with either transmission, go for the 03. Good luck and let us know what you do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
She made the comment "I can learn to drive a stick", I told her I didn't know we were buying a Corolla as well!
OK, several comments have been made about both being pricey.
NADA shows the 00 @ $19,750 and the 03 @ $23,475.
Would those be more realistic? Or still on the high side?
OK, several comments have been made about both being pricey.
NADA shows the 00 @ $19,750 and the 03 @ $23,475.
Would those be more realistic? Or still on the high side?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
To much money for both cars...
If you get the 00, you need to have it compression tested. They
still had bad rings in 00...
Peace
Chip
If you get the 00, you need to have it compression tested. They
still had bad rings in 00...
Peace
Chip
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Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
This is exactly why I ended up going with my '00. I had the search set up to filter out auto transmissions. Between the two cars the OP is looking at, while going with an '03 would eliminate a few issues the earlier models had the fact that it's an auto would kill it as an option for me. I only wish my car had mileage in the teens.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 72
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From: Camano Island WA
I know someone will post the year-by-year improvements but here's my $ .02
The mileages and prices are so close together that it's kind of a coin toss for sure.
However, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What is my REAL preference for the transmission?
I'm a manual guy and lovin' it but there are some advantages to an auto.....for others, not me.
Which color of which car suits you best?
Then the other consideration leans to the newer car.
In 2001, GM bumped the stock horsepower from 345 to 350
I believe there were other significant changes too so I would go for the '03 if tranny is not a consideration.
Of course, the conditions and options of the interiors would make a difference and what works and what doesn't. Look for "leaky butt" syndrome on both as well.
Tough choice. I would prefer an '03 with the manual.
The mileages and prices are so close together that it's kind of a coin toss for sure.
However, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What is my REAL preference for the transmission?
I'm a manual guy and lovin' it but there are some advantages to an auto.....for others, not me.
Which color of which car suits you best?
Then the other consideration leans to the newer car.
In 2001, GM bumped the stock horsepower from 345 to 350
I believe there were other significant changes too so I would go for the '03 if tranny is not a consideration.
Of course, the conditions and options of the interiors would make a difference and what works and what doesn't. Look for "leaky butt" syndrome on both as well.
Tough choice. I would prefer an '03 with the manual.
I would buy what you like best, color, trans., etc... but if it were me I would go for the 03. The big diffrence is that the 03 is newer so they put the LS6 intake on the LS1 in 2001. This is one of the bigger reasons it has 5hp more. Either of them have the Z51? That would also be a consideration as well. Good luck with what ever you choose, they are great cars!
