Katie22

Hi there all. I used to own a 93 Ruby red and loved the car except for getting in and out of it.

I have since decided to buy a newer vet. I wanted to run this by you to see if I am crazy or reasonable.

I test drove a immaculate 2003 50 aniv convertible vet with the 50th package and every option even the cd changer. It has 21400 miles.

The only flaws I found is probably a bad tire pressure sensor (sending a code) and a warped rotor that pulsed mildly on braking.

The problem I faced was when i opened the hood the car had all this accessory crap on the engine. Chrome and crap like that. The guy at the dealer didn't point out one thing that cought my eye. It had headers on it. I asked the guy what has been done to the car. He didn't know and strangely there was all the original documentation except anything about what has been done to the car.

I still took it for a ride and I have to say it was the scariest power monster car I ever drove. My dads 98 vet is nothing like this thing. I cringe at the idea of what it would be like without the traction control.
I have owned a v-rod harley, and other fast vehicles but nothing like this thing.

The biggest issue I had was with the convertible top up the borla exaust at times would make a bad noise in the cab and your ears would hurt.

I took the car back and told the guy I wanted a car to drive as a normal car and since there was no paperwork to explain what was done to this thing I cant see buying it.

Otherwise I would have brought it on the spot.

Am I making sense... Or is adding headers and whatever else common and secondly I would want quieter exhaust..........

Oh and the price was around 26500 dollars which was high but as I said the car was about as close to showroom new as one can get.

RoninC5

I have run into the same issues.. Dealers mostly as they get cars from auction and do not know anything about them. The one you looked at sounds like a science experiment and would worry me too. Now maybe a really good DIY type-maybe not. I (being new to this addiction) am still finding stuff on my car that was not stock. A Vette expert would of noticed right away but I'm still coming up to speed. If it does not feel right- walk. There seems to be plenty to choose from. I bet there are 10 within 20 miles of me (C5). I have the Borla and love it. With the top off even more. However there is a drone at certain rpms, but nothing close to pain- just annoying till you shift, slow down or speed up.... (or crank the radio) lol

SaxyVette

I would have passed myself, an engine modded car is a crapshoot at best. Too bad they messed up such a beautiful ride. Good luck on your search.

chasboy

You did the right thing. I looked at a car with similar issues and that cured me of the "maybe mild mods are ok" syndrome. Get a bone stock car, you'll be much happier and the price of that car was too high.

RoninC5

I agree and that's all I look at now. However it amazes me how many 25-30K+ turbo, blower, etc etc cars are out there. One guy here has a price of 28,8K with a salvage title! But no worries as "it was done right" lol

http://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/5541544819.html

dbgoodwin

I get the feeling that some of the chrome under the hood may be a polished blower. The car should be very similar to a 98, and no bolt on vert can be considered a power monster by today's standards...

Katie22

Thank you all. I am not a crazy driver. I just want a reasonably comfy car that gets good gas mileage and. Looks nice. I really liked the car but damm the drone from the muffler sounded good for a minute and then I wanted quiet.

With all that said it was scarry fast.......

RoninC5

The newer Borlas are better in that regard but there are threads with much cheaper options. Find a great well taken care of stock C5 and then do what you feel needs done- CAI, cat-back, etc.

SaxyVette

My '99 came with stock exhaust, I have a stock motor, the car sounds good, and is fast enough to scare the pants off anybody. Nice and quiet at road or hwy speeds. I have the econo base rear end 2:73 gears, she's not a guzzler, mileage is excellent.

Pounder

There are a lot more choices out there take your time, do you have someone to take it to have one checked out ?? Good Luck and there is always someone here to help you !!!!!

friou

Hello! Read the stickies at the top of this page. Insist on an accident free, maintenance documented car. I don't care how beautiful the car looks, get it thoroughly checked by a shop or tech (not theirs!) who is intimately familiar with C5's. Shiny paint and such can hide an abundance of problems to the untrained eye. Be very wary of modications, they can be enticing but can be a bear trap in disguise. I personally NEVER buy a modified car, period. Get a good clean stock car that has been loved and well maintained and then make it your own. Its much safer and will greatly enhance the probability of having a great C5 experience. Members of this forum will gladly answer any question you can possibly think of. Ask and check first before buying. There are a lot of very nice C5's out there but you have to take your time looking. Be very fussy and demanding, make the car prove itself to you. Good luck and best wishes!

Forcedvert

If this car had a 315 or 342 rear and your dads is a 273 rear that will feel pretty different (in a good way), the headers would work with a factory Ti exhaust and quiet it down quite a bit. Price may be negotiable if they have no idea of the mods. Doesn't seem like a too heavily modded abused car would have that low of miles but who knows.

JR-01

Find a low mileage 50th Anniversary car that is in factory mint condition. They are out there.

sirdano

Wow that exhaust cost how much?

$5000 Corsa exhaust system (2014)

RoninC5

I did not catch that. gold anniversary platinum edition... ?

Fed Up

Hello and welcome! Stick with a machine that appears as stock as possible; run from the one your were looking at. If you're willing to spend C6 money on a C5, your options will be excellent. Do a national search on auto websites, and also look at large chain dealers who will move a car across the country for you at no or minimal charge. Good luck!

chasboy

I was going to say the same thing! Maybe with iridium tips and unobtanium bolts?

chasboy

I mentioned the following in another thread. DO NOT trust photos! Especially taken by dealers! They don't even have to alter them to make the car look better than it does in person, the camera does it for them. I was going to travel 3+ hours cash in hand to buy a car that my inspection services pix showed lots of peeling paint and cracked seats that was not visible in the dealer pix.

Vetteman Jack

Hard to say whether you made a mistake or not. The headers are a pretty popular mod and not one that is really a concern to most. The exhaust most likely has a terrible drone to it - can be cured by another system (stock or a different aftermarket one). And all the chrome could just be dress-up items, but without pics it would be just a guess.

A 2003 is not really all that much faster than a '98 unless it has been modified quite a bit. If so, then I would have second thoughts.

I would say the price is perhaps a bit high, but it is a low mileage AE vert.

bikeriderga

If you can find out who did the mods, might not be a bad deal.
I have no problem buying a modded car if you know who did it and can be assured it was done right.

25K is a little too high for an 03 fiftieth anniversary ride, even with 21k miles. However if it has headers and a recently installed blower (done right), it may be priced about right. Just need to find out who did the work. However, it is probably not for you, based upon what you have stated. I personally love a power monster!