I need advise.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 133
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From: kennsaw ga
I need advise.
My husband has an 03 vette with appox. 400 miles on it We went to a corvette show at Days Chevrolet and it seemed that all the Corvettes had custom exhaust system. One of the guys at the show told us that we should start with new headers, have an x pipe and use Corsa pro tips. I was thinking of buying him this for his birthday or Christmas, but needed help. Will it in any way depreciate the car? How much does a system of this kind run and where would I purchase it? Please keep in mind that I am a wife of a Corvette owner and about all I know about Corvettes is that they are pretty. Please help me out guys. Need specifics. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
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From: Jacksonville Florida
With only 400 miles on your car - I'd suggest that you certainly should listen to a number of exhaust systems before deciding which one is best for you.
You will have all sorts of recommendations based on what people have on their cars or what they like. But it's your car so only put on it that which pleases you (and hubby) as the owners.
Catback exhaust systems (from the catalytic converters back to the tips) can run anywhere from $300 used to $1200 and up. You might want to get several of the aftermarket catalogs and look through them for the different types of modifications (mods) you can do to your car. Joining a Corvette Club can also be helpful as is participating in this forum.
Anyway, congrats on your new car and welcome to Corvette Forum.
You will have all sorts of recommendations based on what people have on their cars or what they like. But it's your car so only put on it that which pleases you (and hubby) as the owners.
Catback exhaust systems (from the catalytic converters back to the tips) can run anywhere from $300 used to $1200 and up. You might want to get several of the aftermarket catalogs and look through them for the different types of modifications (mods) you can do to your car. Joining a Corvette Club can also be helpful as is participating in this forum.
Anyway, congrats on your new car and welcome to Corvette Forum.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by bgm116
My husband has an 03 vette with appox. 400 miles on it We went to a corvette show at Days Chevrolet and it seemed that all the Corvettes had custom exhaust system. One of the guys at the show told us that we should start with new headers, have an x pipe and use Corsa pro tips. I was thinking of buying him this for his birthday or Christmas, but needed help. Will it in any way depreciate the car? How much does a system of this kind run and where would I purchase it? Please keep in mind that I am a wife of a Corvette owner and about all I know about Corvettes is that they are pretty. Please help me out guys. Need specifics.
A corsa cat back system is around 1000 dollars with a choice of diffeent tips
headers are around 1200 dollars
an X pipe is around 300 dollars..
So with what ever your budget is, get him a gift certificate towards these items..
the cat back system by itself would be a good start...
the X pipe would be the next thing..
then if the budget could take it, the headers..
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
The other thing to remember is the car may not necessarily depreciate, but if you sell it, you won't get anywhere near what you pay for your mods. I like the Gift Cert Idea ... you know ... my birthday's next month <hint, hint> Go to www.corsaperf.com for some ideas, but I will tell you, the test sounds are nothing like real life.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by bgm116
My husband has an 03 vette with appox. 400 miles on it We went to a corvette show at Days Chevrolet and it seemed that all the Corvettes had custom exhaust system. One of the guys at the show told us that we should start with new headers, have an x pipe and use Corsa pro tips. I was thinking of buying him this for his birthday or Christmas, but needed help. Will it in any way depreciate the car? How much does a system of this kind run and where would I purchase it? Please keep in mind that I am a wife of a Corvette owner and about all I know about Corvettes is that they are pretty. Please help me out guys. Need specifics.
JCR_Indy
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
Rather than you buying him something he may not like but would not let you know... I suggest you offer to get him an exhaust sytem of his choice.. a gift certificate from one of the Corvette forum Vendors..
A corsa cat back system is around 1000 dollars with a choice of diffeent tips
headers are around 1200 dollars
an X pipe is around 300 dollars..
So with what ever your budget is, get him a gift certificate towards these items..
the cat back system by itself would be a good start...
the X pipe would be the next thing..
then if the budget could take it, the headers..
A corsa cat back system is around 1000 dollars with a choice of diffeent tips
headers are around 1200 dollars
an X pipe is around 300 dollars..
So with what ever your budget is, get him a gift certificate towards these items..
the cat back system by itself would be a good start...
the X pipe would be the next thing..
then if the budget could take it, the headers..
I couldn't agree more. An exhaust system purchase is usually very subjective. What I like, for example, you (or more importantly in this case, he) may not like at all. By attending as many Vette functions as you can, you might be able to get a pretty good idea what your hubby likes, etc.As far as "depreciating" the car goes, I think Evil's suggestion of Corsa exhaust products is a particularly good one, since Corsa "cat-back" systems are being sold through GM dealership parts departments. That says a lot about GM's opinion of the quality of the product. This doesn't mean that you want to plunk down your cash at a dealership necessarily, because Corsa offers their products through several of the forum vendors here, usually for a good deal less than the dealership can offer. I got mine through L.A.P.D. and was very pleased with the price and the service. HTH
Robert
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 516
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From: Fullerton California
Originally Posted by bgm116
My husband has an 03 vette with appox. 400 miles on it We went to a corvette show at Days Chevrolet and it seemed that all the Corvettes had custom exhaust system. One of the guys at the show told us that we should start with new headers, have an x pipe and use Corsa pro tips. I was thinking of buying him this for his birthday or Christmas, but needed help. Will it in any way depreciate the car? How much does a system of this kind run and where would I purchase it? Please keep in mind that I am a wife of a Corvette owner and about all I know about Corvettes is that they are pretty. Please help me out guys. Need specifics.
wish you were my wife...
i am very happy for your hubby!!!do you have a sister who'd do such nice thing for her hubby?
i desperately want what you are about to buy your husband!
wish you the best luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 1
From: Sarver Pennsylvania
Dear Dr. Cajun,
I have a wife that doesn't know what to buy me for my birthday / Christmas / anniversary / Father's Day. Could you please include your advise to her in your next column?
I like the way you think!!!
P.S. Have you ever been on Oprah?
I have a wife that doesn't know what to buy me for my birthday / Christmas / anniversary / Father's Day. Could you please include your advise to her in your next column?
I like the way you think!!!
P.S. Have you ever been on Oprah?
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From: Charlotte NC
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Lots of good advice in this thread. I can only add that when your husband listens to the various exhausts that he do it from inside the car with the windows up & down & at cruising & WOT. I like the exhaust note of GHLs with a Magnaflow X Pipe. But that doesn't mean too much. Good Luck! 
Good Luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
I agree with Evil-Twin. Heres something else that might help, order a
product catalog (its free) from Mid Americia Corvette. They carry most if
not all major after market exhaust systems. Heres their link, it takes you
straight to the free catalog page;
http://www.madirect.com/madvet/madcatreq/madcatreq.asp
You might cut out the pages that have exhausts system and give those to
him as a "choose the one you want" type gift. Just and idea.
product catalog (its free) from Mid Americia Corvette. They carry most if
not all major after market exhaust systems. Heres their link, it takes you
straight to the free catalog page;
http://www.madirect.com/madvet/madcatreq/madcatreq.asp
You might cut out the pages that have exhausts system and give those to
him as a "choose the one you want" type gift. Just and idea.