2003 Corvette questions
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
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2003 Corvette questions
Apologies in advance if this is the wrong spot for this post.... I'm new to the forums.
After sharing a car with my dad for 3 years I have decided to buy my own car. I will be using this as my daily driver to commute to college. I have a part time job that pays me about 11k a year. In two years I will hopefully have graduated and be a police officer.
After some research I have fallen in love with the C5 and the C6 Corvettes.
I am deciding between two cars right now.
C6- 2007 Corvette with 39k miles and only one owner. The car comes with an extended warranty. The dealership is asking for 27k
C5- 2003 Corvette with 95k miles and two other owners. Car does not have a warranty. The dealership is asking for 10k and won't let me test drive it.
So on to my questions;
1. Are there any common problems I should look out for?
2. If I use one of these as a daily how much should I expect to pay to maintain it?
3. If you were in my shoes, which would you go with?
I am leaning towards the C6 because its only had one owner, low miles, and has a warranty.
Thank you so much to everybody who chimes in on this and gives me any type of advice!
After sharing a car with my dad for 3 years I have decided to buy my own car. I will be using this as my daily driver to commute to college. I have a part time job that pays me about 11k a year. In two years I will hopefully have graduated and be a police officer.
After some research I have fallen in love with the C5 and the C6 Corvettes.
I am deciding between two cars right now.
C6- 2007 Corvette with 39k miles and only one owner. The car comes with an extended warranty. The dealership is asking for 27k
C5- 2003 Corvette with 95k miles and two other owners. Car does not have a warranty. The dealership is asking for 10k and won't let me test drive it.
So on to my questions;
1. Are there any common problems I should look out for?
2. If I use one of these as a daily how much should I expect to pay to maintain it?
3. If you were in my shoes, which would you go with?
I am leaning towards the C6 because its only had one owner, low miles, and has a warranty.
Thank you so much to everybody who chimes in on this and gives me any type of advice!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Definitely the wrong section, it will get moved...
There are plenty of cars out there, so you do not have to narrow it down to 2 cars (one of which you can't even test drive!?, will they take you out for a drive??).
Your price spread is... odd. $10K - $27K? Do you have cash to buy either? If not, at $11K/year I'd go for the C5!
My 04Z is my DD apart from winter, so far I've had to replace the belts, one pulley... that's it.
There are plenty of cars out there, so you do not have to narrow it down to 2 cars (one of which you can't even test drive!?, will they take you out for a drive??).
Your price spread is... odd. $10K - $27K? Do you have cash to buy either? If not, at $11K/year I'd go for the C5!
My 04Z is my DD apart from winter, so far I've had to replace the belts, one pulley... that's it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 15
From: Southeast Tennessee
WOW! you can't test drive a $10k car. Reminds me of the time I went to the dealership and as usual the price wasn't on the window. So the vulture walks up and i ask what the price was and his reply was ........... (what can you afford) no joke he asked three times!
Both are really reliable cars if you keep them stock but as any car it will require maintenance at some point. I would stay away from the c5. Not all c5's just that one. Got to be some reason they won't allow a test drive. If they are manual transmission that can be quite expensive when it's time for a clutch. You never know how the previous owner treated their clutch. I've seen one at 180k it was weak but still working and one wasted at 34k. All in the driver.
My opinion is the c6 is the way to go mainly because of the mileage. Recently I've been seeing lower mileage c5's (45-50ķ) priced around 12-14k. That's saving you 10k for other things. Something to think about.
Don't forget to factor in the insurance
Both are really reliable cars if you keep them stock but as any car it will require maintenance at some point. I would stay away from the c5. Not all c5's just that one. Got to be some reason they won't allow a test drive. If they are manual transmission that can be quite expensive when it's time for a clutch. You never know how the previous owner treated their clutch. I've seen one at 180k it was weak but still working and one wasted at 34k. All in the driver.
My opinion is the c6 is the way to go mainly because of the mileage. Recently I've been seeing lower mileage c5's (45-50ķ) priced around 12-14k. That's saving you 10k for other things. Something to think about.
Don't forget to factor in the insurance
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice guys!
The C5 is a manual and that dealership is kinda sketchy so I think I'm gonna look around for an automatic C6 with lower miles. How bad are Vettes in the winter? I live near Chicago so winter is pretty rough. I might end up buying a super cheap winter beater and enjoying the Vette in the summertime. I was reading a forum on here that mentioned looking for scrape marks under front and rear bumpers, anything else I should look for to see how it was treated?
The C5 is a manual and that dealership is kinda sketchy so I think I'm gonna look around for an automatic C6 with lower miles. How bad are Vettes in the winter? I live near Chicago so winter is pretty rough. I might end up buying a super cheap winter beater and enjoying the Vette in the summertime. I was reading a forum on here that mentioned looking for scrape marks under front and rear bumpers, anything else I should look for to see how it was treated?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
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From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
If the C5 has been well cared for, 95k miles is not too excessive. However, the fact the dealership will not allow you to test drive it is a little suspect. Have they told you why you can't drive it? Unless there is some compelling reason why you cannot drive the C5, the unwillingness of the dealership to let me drive it would probably scare me away from that car.
The $17k difference between the two cars is a significant amount of money but there may be some value for you in a car 4 years newer with almost 60k less miles and a warranty.
Insurance would be higher on the C6 than on the C5.
Not sure where you're located, but as grantv points out there should be several other Corvettes for sale within a reasonable distance from you.
You really should have an opportunity to drive both the C5 and C6 series of Vettes to see which generation feels "right" to you.
Don't jump in too quickly - you may end up disappointed with your purchase.
Best wishes with your search.
The $17k difference between the two cars is a significant amount of money but there may be some value for you in a car 4 years newer with almost 60k less miles and a warranty.
Insurance would be higher on the C6 than on the C5.
Not sure where you're located, but as grantv points out there should be several other Corvettes for sale within a reasonable distance from you.
You really should have an opportunity to drive both the C5 and C6 series of Vettes to see which generation feels "right" to you.
Don't jump in too quickly - you may end up disappointed with your purchase.
Best wishes with your search.
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Moving this to C5 General.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Blessed are the cracked. For they are the ones who let in the light.
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
If you cannot take it for a test drive and mechanic of choice..walk away..and quickly. 
C5 is a wonderful platform to start with.
Work your OT and buy upper cost later...
It's just a car..and you're just beginning to run on your own...
Best time to learn to live within your current means.
Gods Strength and safety be with you as a Leo.
C5 is a wonderful platform to start with.
Work your OT and buy upper cost later...
It's just a car..and you're just beginning to run on your own...
Best time to learn to live within your current means.
Gods Strength and safety be with you as a Leo.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 394
Likes: 27
Walk before you can run. A C6 (or any $27K car) is too much money based on your current income.
Last edited by FirstC4; Dec 30, 2017 at 08:39 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Personally, I'd lean toward an '03 over a C6 in your situation BUT as others have said, WHY can't you test drive it?!? VERY fishy. RUN and keep looking, an '03 or '04 C5 shouldn't be tough to find.
In the meantime, here's some reading for you on C5's
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ion-files.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html
In the meantime, here's some reading for you on C5's
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ion-files.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html
Last edited by calvins; Dec 30, 2017 at 09:11 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 30
Not the answer you want to hear, but you should not buy any car you cannot pay fully in cash. I suggest getting a beater until you’re out of college. Start looking for a vette after you’ve landed a full time job and have saved up the cash.
My $0.02.
My $0.02.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 667
Likes: 162
From: Jennings LA
Sounds like a good price on the C5. Got my 03 for 13,500 with 109,325. It was the colors I wanted and in great shape. But, of course did have a few issues that I was able to correct. Only thing about it is that car has seriously took time away from my two bikes and truck. Those 3 together has a total mileage of about 8K miles and the Vette is at 7500 miles this year since 29 March.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You should also consider the cost of insurance. There are a lot of factors that determine what sort of premium you will pay. Age is certainly one especially when you are driving a high performance sports car. Same with driving record, your ZIP code, marital status and even your credit score.
That part of the country can see some pretty nasty weather just as it is now. With the right tires, a Corvette may be able to handle some driving conditions, but I would suggest avoiding any areas with heavy snowfall. Like the C4, the C5 is a "bottom breather". Incoming air for the engine and the cooling system comes up from the bottom of the car at the front end. The car has air dams that direct the flow of air upwards. If the passage gets clogged with snow (think of the air dams as tiny snow plows
), the radiator won't cool the engine and air into the engine will be reduced causing driveabilty problems.
I would suggest that you find a good dependable car that won't cost a lot of money and one that will handle the nasty winters. There are lots of small sedans that will work until you graduate and get a full-time job. Then you can start your Corvette search!
That part of the country can see some pretty nasty weather just as it is now. With the right tires, a Corvette may be able to handle some driving conditions, but I would suggest avoiding any areas with heavy snowfall. Like the C4, the C5 is a "bottom breather". Incoming air for the engine and the cooling system comes up from the bottom of the car at the front end. The car has air dams that direct the flow of air upwards. If the passage gets clogged with snow (think of the air dams as tiny snow plows
), the radiator won't cool the engine and air into the engine will be reduced causing driveabilty problems.I would suggest that you find a good dependable car that won't cost a lot of money and one that will handle the nasty winters. There are lots of small sedans that will work until you graduate and get a full-time job. Then you can start your Corvette search!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
with C4Crusier. If you are only making $11K a year and your in Chicago, insurance is going to kill you. You can, but I would HIGHLY recommend not to, drive a Corvette in the winter. My Vette's air dam is 1" above the road so it would literally become a snow plow when it snows in Chicago. So your idea of having a winter beater is valid but then again, more insurance and the costs of another car with a $11K annual income. I don't see it.
Therefore,
with Cherry3m too.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
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Thank you c4cruiser on the lesson about the air dams! I didn't know that.
Thanks calvin for those links! I'm gonna check them out
Premiums for me are around $220 a month.
Has anybody here bought a warranty from a third party? If so, who was it and how was your experience with them?
Thanks calvin for those links! I'm gonna check them out
Premiums for me are around $220 a month.
Has anybody here bought a warranty from a third party? If so, who was it and how was your experience with them?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 427
From: Dunedin Florida
Thank you c4cruiser on the lesson about the air dams! I didn't know that.
Thanks calvin for those links! I'm gonna check them out
Premiums for me are around $220 a month.
Has anybody here bought a warranty from a third party? If so, who was it and how was your experience with them?
Thanks calvin for those links! I'm gonna check them out
Premiums for me are around $220 a month.
Has anybody here bought a warranty from a third party? If so, who was it and how was your experience with them?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I can only give a story. I met a guy here in Tampa who owns a third party car warranty company. He lives in a 10,000+ square foot home valued at over 10 million dollars. He made his money selling warranties. That tells me there isnt much payout. Is that from cars being well made or is it from the companies not paying for break downs? I cant say.
Thanks for the info! I'm gonna stay away from third party warranties if I can help it
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
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Since I am living with my dad until I graduate I do not have to pay for any type of rent. After I graduate I'll have a decent paying job. (fingers crossed). If I am making $900 a month and $600 is going to car payments/insurance, that leaves me with an extra $300 a month. My one concern is if I would be able to afford maintenance/repairs on the Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
its good to have dreams of corvettes......it keeps you motivated.
once you have the cash in hand make your move. there is a reason why the average age of corvette owners is OLD.
I would not spend 2/3 of my income on a car. the cars will always be there waiting for you when your pockets are a little deeper.
good luck
once you have the cash in hand make your move. there is a reason why the average age of corvette owners is OLD.
I would not spend 2/3 of my income on a car. the cars will always be there waiting for you when your pockets are a little deeper.
good luck