A dealer close to me has the exact car I was looking for when I bought mine. I wanted a Mag Red car with the tan interior, auto, Z51 suspension, performance axle ratio, and sport seats. I ended up getting a 2001 with those options except for the tan interior and Z51 package. Figures now that I've had mine for a while and it's paid off that this comes on the market:

2004 Coupe, Magnetic Red with Light Oak Interior, LS1/350HP, Auto Trans, Sport Seats, Head Up Display, Power Telescopic Steering Column, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Memory Package, Twilight Sentinel, Performance Axle Ratio, Z51 Performance Package, Magnesium Wheels, Transparent Roof Panel, Body Side Moldings, Only 16k Miles! $26,900.00

Don't get me wrong I love my current car but this is tempting due to the interior (mine is all black which I hate) and the Z51 package. The price they are asking is high but with my car as a trade and a little negotiation I may be able to walk out with the newer car for a small cash outlay.

Not sure I really want to do this as my car is paid for and I just had the thing tuned and it's running great. I figure I could do a few things to the interior and some suspension work for less money than it would cost to get the newer car. Thoughts ????

 

Get the car you really want. You'll never be happy until you do. That '04 you described sounds like a terrific car.

When I was 'Vette shopping, I had the fever so bad I bought the first one I looked at. It's been a good car, but I wish now I'd have continued to do more research and get EXACTLY the car I wanted.

 

Jim,

I was in a similar situation to yours when I bought my 2002 MY coupe in 2010. I was looking for a low-mileage MY with a black interior, but ended up buying an MY with gray interior in order to get what was otherwise an absolutely pristine car (it had only 2,800 miles when I bought it).

Fast forward to today: Over the past three-plus years I have changed the interior carpet and plastic bits for black ones, and then replaced stock interior bits with custom (baseball glove brown-colored) leather-wrapped seats, center console, bezel, etc. Today, I realize I would have done exactly the same thing had I originally bought an all-black interior. But in the meantime, I am comfortable with the knowledge of how my car has been taken care of (mechanically) and so wouldn't think of swaping my ride for any other C5.

You, too, can change out the interior features of your present C5 to give it the color combination you desire, and likely at much less cost than the beating you may have to take when trading your car (at wholesale) for the new one (at retail). Besides, doing your own interior would give you the oportunity to do things that would make the car yours - upgrading the stereo, adding much-needed vibration, temperature and sound deadening materials, etc - and concurrently let you learn much more about your car so you can fix future ailments yourself.

Do whatever you think you want/need to. But just know that you can change your current ride to be the ride you really want for (likely) less money, and with much more fun and satisfaction, than trading in your current ride for the new one.

Either way, I'm glad you want to stay in thet C5 family.

My $0.02 worth.

The Lizzard

 

Happiness is hard to find, and you have an upgrade down the street. (if a car is really that big of a deal to go through the trouble)

My only caution is that the interior bits available now from GM are black. I think I have heard of a few other colors in some trim pieces, but black is still dealer stocked, when available. Painting is an option, but I am glad I have a black interior, long term it will just be a little simpler.

 

Ohhhh the delima!

Keep us posted as to what you decide!

But $26,000 + is a little high!

Thanks,Matt

 

Well, based on your comment above, using HATE vs dislike or something similar, I would say it's time for a change. I have a Mag Red with a black interior and while I agree it's kinda bland, I'm not so sure I would be happy after a long period of time with a lighter color like an all tan. I have been contemplating making subtle changes like red stitched pieces here and there just to give it a little more interior color. I did add the Mag Red steering wheel decal and airbag letters, which IMAO, gave it some contrast.

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.

 

I would have to agree with The Lizzard but ultimatly the decission is yours.
Since your major complaints are black interior and lack of Z51, you can very easily change out part of the interior and add better suspention parts and come away cheaper than switching cars (read no monthly payments). Plus you'll have the added fulfilment of making it you own.

 

If you can get the car you really wanted for not much money, then go for it. Might as well be happy.

 

Well I have to look at this from a financial perspective too. NADA lists the value of the 04 at 25k, I wouldn't pay any more than that. That means I'd have to pay at least 6k plus to get the newer car. It's just not worth it to me. I have a perfectly good car that just needs a few minor mods to make it to my liking, and not 6k worth of mods.

 

Go for it!

 

Life as they say is short anyway so why shouldn't you have the car you wanted in the first place? I wanted red but ended up getting black because the deal was too good to pass up. However I'm still looking for that elusive red Vette out there someplace.

 

Good call

 

Changing one C5 for another similar one just does not make sense to me. The only way I would trade in my C5 would be for a pristine C5 Z06 or I would go for broke and get a C6 Z06. That's it!

Everything you mention that you don't like about yours is easily upgradeable.