Hello all,

New to the forum and have a 50th anniversary convertible that was my fathers. Car is an auto and only has 7100 miles.

What is everyone's thoughts on keeping the miles low vs enjoying it. Not that I would use it as a daily driver, but would like to take some road trips while still being mileage conscience.
Also, what are you thoughts on modification vs the car value? Not talking any permanent type mods, but ones that can be reversed easily and keeping the original part (like exhaust). It will need tires as the mfg date are over 10 years I believe as I think my father had them swapped once and went with the Eagle F1's. They seems to be getting a hard compound though and probably would be a good thing to change them. The original Eagles are getting hard to come by it seems lately so how do different tires affect value to a true collector if we part with it down the road?
The asking prices on these models seem to be all over the map depending on mileage and condition so it is hard to get an idea of a good value.

 

You only live once. Drive it and take good care of it. No reason to not drive it IMO...

 

I would do what you want to do, the convertibles are not as rare as the coupes, although both are VERY nice cars. Sound like you have a low mile beauty but it still needs to be driven

 

Just put on a good set of run flats and drive it. Why have it if you don’t drive it? Keep it in your garage when not in use and the convertible top will last almost forever. Use it and not abuse it. Good luck with your C5.

 

I agree - it will be a while before they become collectibles, if they ever do - a lot of the 50th AES were made. Put some good tires on the car, drive it, and enjoy the smile it will bring to your face.

 

Agreed with the above. I don't think the 50th will be much of a collector ever. Plus, is that really something you want to do? Be a baby sitter for a car (no offense if there are people that like to collect cars)? If you are a collector, I suspect there are better deals for collecting, and I would sell the car to buy the collector you want. Otherwise, just drive the stuffing out if it. I suspect you will create more good memories driving it than letting it sit.

 

Drive it.

 

Drive it... yes. Baby it... yes. Mine isn't my daily driver, but I do try to find an excuse to take it out now and again. Already up to 24k miles on mine. Just have fun, whatever that looks like. I also enjoy updating and modernizing mine a bit (led lighting, new tail lights and turn signal housing, etc). Everything I've done has kept with the beautiful original design choices of the development team, just a bit more modern now. And go with Michelin Pilot Sport AS ZP tires.

 

Drive it and enjoy it. Many tires available for it that won’t break the bank. Go with regular tires, better ride. It’s a car use it as such. 😀👍

 

I agree with driving it vs letting it sit. Yes, the more you drive it the more it will depreciate, but I would not forego the fun just so it is worth a little more years down the road.

 

I was in the same boat as the OP. My 2000 FRC has 6,900 miles on it. Now that I'm done replacing most of the rubber components (rear sway bar bushings, rear sway bar links, tires (went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S), and brake caliper dust seals) and fluids- I'm ready to drive it and enjoy it! I also had a Xpel film put on the nose, full hood, front quarters, rockers, rear quarters, and mirrors to keep the paint rock chip free.

 

Welcome to the forum! If you're really concerned about re-sale value, I would go ahead and sell it now. They're never going to be worth all that much. Any minor appreciation that may occur would not be worth keeping it in your garage. With that said, I agree with everyone else, the very best thing you could do is to drive it, and enjoy it. You will get MUCH more enjoyment value out of it. I personally recommend Michelin Pilot Super sport summer tires (for the record, new tires is good for sale value). You'll want to change all of the fluids, and put a bottle of Techron in your fuel tank. The problem with letting the car sit as your father did, is that all the rubber parts start to deteriorate. You'll likely want to replace all of your hoses, and check your seals if you're going to drive it. As far as mods, do what you like. If there are any particular mods you're interested in, there are lots of people here who can advise you about them. You mentioned aftermarket exhaust. I would recommend finding your local Corvette club or go to some local shows to hear different exhaust options in person. Once you find one that you like, go for it. I wish you the very best of luck with the car. the 50th AE verts are beautiful cars. I hope you enjoy many many miles of smiles in it.
Don't forget to SAVE THE WAVE!!

 

Drive it. A 50th AE with 7100 miles isn't going to sell for much more than if it has 37,100 miles on it. You've got a bunch of free miles coming, enjoy it.

 

Don't worry about the wave or saving it, forget that! ... You can't and won't wave at fellow Corvette guys if you're not out and about in the Corvette ..... if the vette is parked in your garage it won't get any of that nasty road grime and bug **** on it... nor will those run-flat tyres have the miles put on em and heavens, ware out!..... therfore the next guy that gets the car will be just tickled pink, or torch red with Joy!.... Isn't that why we own em anyway? for the next guy?.... We thinks not! Drive it... more the miles.. more the smiles...👍🙂

 

Welcome to 50AE club...........These are great looking cars and a joy to drive. So don't let them set. Why/ you ask. Well there are sensors and electronic parts built in, they will become corroded to humidity . Getting your car out and driving it will reduce some repair costs.
On my car, I chose to take off the Run Flats. They became noisy and bumpy. I researched around and found that there are some non-run flats that would be good for me. I chose General G-Max. Now that being said.....while you changing the tires, install a new set of TPMS. I failed to do that, thinking that the old would work, WRONG! I'm now in the process of having my tire guys break down the new tires and install a new set of sensors.
"Happy Motoring and See The USA". For those who are old enough to remember this saying

 

Thank you all for the input, appreciate all of the replies so far! Had my mechanic (luckily my best friend) look everything over when we did the oil change in October. He was the one that pointed out the age of the tires and they have become noisy and bumpy so that will be the first thing to change. Also, we are going to do a fluids swap as well since he didint like the look of the brake fluid. When we do the fluids will see about new hoses, belts, fuel filter and look everything over again. Ran some Amsoil or Lucas in the tank to help the current fuel as it had almost a full tank.

Have looked at run flats and non-run flats. Only thing of concern would be a road trip without a spare and possibly being stranded. Considered looking into some type of spare option similar to a very small factory type option to strap in for long trips (like Route 66), but not finding much out there.

Going to start with the above before thinking of any modifications. Exhaust would be nice at some point and have been a big fan of Magnaflow on other vehicles, but have heard a few with Corsa Sport exhausts that sound nice as well.

Just wish it was a 6 spd car! But beggers cant be choosers especially since he won it at a church raffle.

 

I'm in the same situation as the OP. Bought a 50th AE last fall, 84,xxx on the odometer. The car was my brother in laws, he had babied it and we got a good deal!
So... is a 50th AE collectable? Would it hold a premium over other C5's, short of maybe a Z06? Unfortunately NO!
Let me explain. These will be generally round numbers and not exact but close enough. All 2003 were 50th Anniversary cars but only a portion of the years production were AE's. There were 15 thousand AE cars produced, divided almost 50/50 between coupes and convertibles, so 7500 each.
So looking at those numbers, you can say "I have a 1 of 7500"...that is still a large number that won't make the car 'worth' more.
Trying to break that 7500 down even more doesn't help. All AE's came as a standard package that included options that were available on earlier models, ie: HUD. There were some options that started with the AE's that continued on with the later cars, ie: the F55 handling.
So far the only thing I have found that might be an option to be able to change at the time of purchasing new was the G90 (or G92, I forget off of the top of my head) performance axel ratio from the standard 2.43 to 3.15 for cars with an automatic transmission. I can't confirm this to be an option or standard with the AE package.
One other thing is a manual or automatic transmission. I have found some conflicting numbers as to total production numbers on how many cars had either transmission, but most sites I have researched seem to show an even split between the two across both coupes and convertibles. On this I could be wrong!
At best with a manual, convertible you might break down to a '1 of 3,250'. This is a far cry from anything you could call 'rare'!
There are a couple of caveats to owning an AE. The one year only paint and interior colors. Trying to find something to match the paint color if you need something for the outside of the car, as in does the state you live in requires you to have a front license plate? There is a factory plate surround for the front and you can get a black one and paint it. Hopefully it matches! Want to make changes in the interior? Like put in a double din stereo, change seats to something more supporting, different steering wheel to add steering wheel controls for the stereo. You can get all of the parts but then you will need to dye, paint, have custom covers made...ect, if you want to keep the colors matching the original.
So, with all of that stated, you'll never see any AE cross the block at Barrett Jackson that brings a 'six figure number'! No matter how nice it is, how low miles it might have, ect. Just to many made! Now you might get a bump in value if you find someone who just has to have an AE, for whatever reason, that might get you a couple of thousand over a non AE. Remember this also, "Nothing is worth anything until someone is willing to give you something for it"!
As for doing modifications, sky's the limit! Change the exhaust? I think the cars need to sound like a Corvette and not a Cadillac. Want to add more power? The old saying of "Speed costs money, how fast can you afford to go"? You won't be killing your value unless you go off the deep end. It might be harder to find someone who wants a supercharged, cam and headed, nitrous car, but there are people out there that do! Just plan on NOT getting the money back that you send on modification.
I say do the normal maintenance on it to start with, belt, hoses, fluids, especially tires if they are old whether they are worn or not, and DRIVE IT to start with. Enjoy the car as it is then start in to modify it to make it 'yours'!!!

 

I know I said this previously, but lemme put your mind at ease.. Plain and simple, put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP runflat tires on the ride and drive off happy.

 

screw the runcraps go with a non runflat and drive it like you stole it