Should I try to buy this 3700 mile ‘03 AE?

[Cool 50th AE]

Looking for any input if you see anything wrong or misleading in this BAT listing.
I seriously want to try to buy this but nervous about getting ripped off.

Normally I would never buy a car sight unseen but this looks like what I’ve been trying to find.

Do you see anything not right with it?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-chevrolet-corvette-convertible-37/

[Unsuspicious]

It's an illinois car, it has bsm, it's automatic, and it's only been driven 102 miles in the last 16 years

[Millenium Vette]

Everything looks new and in order. It's a buy.:seasix:

[Onebadcad]

I would try to get someone you trust look at it AND drive it.
Helluva deal if honest ad.

[Bill]

I would try to get someone you trust look at it AND drive it.
Helluva deal if honest ad.

This. It sure looks right, but I'd want to see it in person, or have a trusted friend look it over for an objective opinion.

[Louie Detroit]

I’m guessing it needs a new set of skins all round.

[Cool 50th AE]

This. It sure looks right, but I'd want to see it in person, or have a trusted friend look it over for an objective opinion.

That worries me, not being able to see it in person.

But it looks like it was a collection of cars stored in a warehouse and then the owner died.

[Cool 50th AE]

Comments from seller:

MTXaudio (The Seller) This author's likes: 22
@Glenn930 That is a great question, to help you and anyone else, we have many vehicles. The founder of our company recently passed away, these vehicles were something he enjoyed, and he collected. Many of these he would only drive, and they were always ready for him at any time he would show up. They were started and maintained even if not driven in case the owner wanted to take them out on a whim. This is one of them and was stored in a climate controlled building with very limited access to who can get in this building. I hope this helps answer some questions.

[Louie Detroit]

Hey wait, don’t you already have one of these?

[Steve_R]

Comments from seller:

MTXaudio (The Seller) This author's likes: 22
@Glenn930 That is a great question, to help you and anyone else, we have many vehicles. The founder of our company recently passed away, these vehicles were something he enjoyed, and he collected. Many of these he would only drive, and they were always ready for him at any time he would show up. They were started and maintained even if not driven in case the owner wanted to take them out on a whim. This is one of them and was stored in a climate controlled building with very limited access to who can get in this building. I hope this helps answer some questions.


So buy it. Might need new tires, but not much else if that’s true.

[Swany00]

current bid of $21k? Fk that

[Cool 50th AE]

current bid of $21k? Fk that

Much higher mileage AE’s sell for close to 30K

[Bruze]

Hey wait, don’t you already have one of these?

That's what I was wondering with the whole "Kewl Fiddy" thing.

Maybe this one is an imposter? https://i.imgur.com/jkx6Zdo.gif


94501

[Cool 50th AE]

I bought a new ‘03AE in 2003 and traded it 2 years later for an ‘05.

You guys are thinking of 03 A/E that posts in the bar thread over there.

[Bruze]

I bought a new ‘03AE in 2003 and traded it 2 years later for an ‘05.

You guys are thinking of 03 A/E that posts in the bar thread over there.

Arts & Entertainment? :confused:

[snide]

Arts & Entertainment? :confused:

His posts are often artfully entertaining. :yesnod:

[Jughead]

Looks & sounds good to me.

[LATB]

If you are looking for a specific vehicle and a specific color, you will always overpay.

[slewfoot]

I’m guessing it needs a new set of skins all round.



You should consider that. Tires may look good but they could be as old as the car. My wife's 2015 Sonata only has 15k miles on it. Garage kept. Tires "look" fine but I replaced them recently simply due to age

[Bruze]

I bought a new ‘03AE in 2003 and traded it 2 years later for an ‘05.

You guys are thinking of 03 A/E that posts in the bar thread over there.

Well that really clears things up.
94518

Arts & Entertainment? :confused:

His posts are often artfully entertaining. :yesnod:

Troof! :hurray:

[lrobe22]

A c5 that isn't used is a c5 that will leave you stranded. If you want this to actually drive it, expect all of the electrical gremlins, rubber degradation, etc.

[sublime1996525]

$21k seems like way too much for a C5 auto vert. Too much for me, anyway.

[Big bob]

I love that color. :seasix:

[jw38]

Deduct $5k for the torn seat.

[Onebadcad]

This is a C5 I would consider:

https://www.raceart.eu/media/2020-04/1-20200324---Corvette-C5R---Gerlach-Delissen-Photography-23--Aangepast---Aangepast-.jpg

[Unsuspicious]

This is a C5 I would consider:

https://www.raceart.eu/media/2020-04/1-20200324---Corvette-C5R---Gerlach-Delissen-Photography-23--Aangepast---Aangepast-.jpg

No BSM :seasix:

[Taurus]

Last one I looked at before I bought my 2004 in 2022 was really nice with 20K miles for about the same price here in SLC. Wouldn't be afraid of of the price.

[Swany00]

$21k seems like way too much for a C5 auto vert. Too much for me, anyway.

cereal man, I'll blow my money on other stupid things than a C5

[Anjdog2003]

Looking for any input if you see anything wrong or misleading in this BAT listing.
I seriously want to try to buy this but nervous about getting ripped off.

Normally I would never buy a car sight unseen but this looks like what I’ve been trying to find.

Do you see anything not right with it?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-chevrolet-corvette-convertible-37/





Flush all the fluids and change most gaskets, get new tires and a bunch of miscellaneous crap done because it hasn't been driven. Add another 3-5k to the price. Nah...

[ColeTrickle]

Bid it up

[Onebadcad]

It's an illinois car, it has bsm, it's automatic, and it's only been driven 102 miles in the last 16 years

Based on that, this car CANNOT be purchased unseen, it must driven for 20+ miles to confirm the engine has no issues.
Pop the hood and make sure some critter did not call it home for the past few years.

[lrobe22]

In a similar previous owner scenario, I had recently went look at a 911, around a 2015 Carrera S. The selling Toyota Dealer gloated proudly how it was owned by a very wealthy guy who had something like 50 cars, loved to buy and sell frequently. Even from 10ft it was clear that Mr. Wealthy put ZERO effort into maintaining or caring for the car. If all held true, it looked to me like the guy just randomly bought and sold stuff while performing zero maintenance. The car needed several repairs to be returned to even "Good" condition.

[Onebadcad]

My '15 C7Z was purchased by me in 2017, one owner, 1,700 miles, I did not view it, I shipped it from Charlotte.
Great buy for me, but after 10K miles it had rocker issues and a stuck valve, pretty certain these problems started at the factory, and became worse as I drove it.
The rods and pistons exceeded weight variances, IMO the engine was shit from day one.

Lesson learned, I will never buy without driving, doubt I would have caught it, but at least I could blame myself.

[Cool 50th AE]

Darn, now I'm not sure what to do.

[Bruze]

Darn, now I'm not sure what to do.

How far away is it from you?

[Cool 50th AE]

How far away is it from you?

About 900 miles.
Too far.

[Unsuspicious]

Lotta snow round these parts, you probably won't get to test drive anyway

[Onebadcad]

About 900 miles.
Too far.

Not sure if your math is the same as me, but:

1) Covered delivery estimate $1.50/mile, may be less with non top-tier carriers
2) Plane tickets plus hotel for a night, plus fuel for ride home

Could you do Plan #2 for less than $1,300??

[Cool 50th AE]

Not sure if your math is the same as me, but:

1) Covered delivery estimate $1.50/mile, may be less with non top-tier carriers
2) Plane tickets plus hotel for a night, plus fuel for ride home

Could you do Plan #2 for less than $1,300??

It ends tomorrow so no go.
Just read BAT charges a 5% buyers premium.

[lrobe22]

That's a lot of money for a 4L60e car that's been sitting.

[MY03C5Z]

That's a lot of money for a 4L60e car that's been sitting.


That would be the hardest part for me with that car. With all the modern 6/8/10 speed autos these days it would be hard to go back to an old 4L60. If it were an M6 I’d be way more into this car. To each their own though.

[Anjdog2003]

Darn, now I'm not sure what to do.




It's not like they made a limited amount of corvettes the last 20 years.

[RonC5]

What I see:

1. the front bumper looks pretty rough for the miles
2. still has factory tires on it, 03 date codes on the ones I can read, needs new one yesterday
3. Battery cables/connections don't look stock. Doesn't look either of my C5s (01 and 04)

Probably okay for the current price, but I would see where it is with a few minutes left.

[lrobe22]

The curbed wheels and wheel weights on the outside are a nice touch.

[lrobe22]

What I see:

1. the front bumper looks pretty rough for the miles
2. still has factory tires on it, 03 date codes on the ones I can read, needs new one yesterday
3. Battery cables/connections don't look stock. Doesn't look either of my C5s (01 and 04)

Probably okay for the current price, but I would see where it is with a few minutes left.

Looks like it has some autozone-diy wiring to the positive terminal too, the yellow splice.

[ColeTrickle]

Anniversary red with the shale interior , bid it up

[Cool 50th AE]

Looks like it has some autozone-diy wiring to the positive terminal too, the yellow splice.

Yea, that doesn't look right.

Looks like someone maybe rigged up a homemade alarm?
This little light on the console next to shifter boot I think is not factory.

[roadpilot]

If you are not buying in person always pay someone who knows cars
to inspect your would be purchase. Never buy sight unseen.
Good luck

[SurfnSun]

Yea, that doesn't look right.

Looks like someone maybe rigged up a homemade alarm?
This little light on the console next to shifter boot I think is not factory.

That alone would disqualify it for me. The sitting and auto also very high on the list.

If you want a collector version of a car, get an unmodified one.

[IrishSpuds]

Too many wrinkles identified and the fact its not road tested for a while, along with the fact it is not a screaming good deal like $12k - Hard pass. As A-Dog said, its not like they are rare.

[Cool 50th AE]

Too many wrinkles identified and the fact its not road tested for a while, along with the fact it is not a screaming good deal like $12k - Hard pass. As A-Dog said, its not like they are rare.

Yea, I’m out on this.
I really liked the 50th AE I had and wish I never traded it.
Only the Anniversary red C5’s are true 50th and they hold a premium price over regular 2003 C5’s.

I’ll find something closer to see 1st hand.

[snide]

It ends tomorrow so no go.
Just read BAT charges a 5% buyers premium.

That's cheap. :yesnod:

[Mike Mercury]

Best C5 ever made:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-general/1802820-in-one-day-wifey-sheds-30-years-lotsa-pics.html

[ColeTrickle]

Yea, that doesn't look right.

Looks like someone maybe rigged up a homemade alarm?
This little light on the console next to shifter boot I think is not factory.

Professionally install alarm, That car was stolen for $29500!

[Cool 50th AE]

Professionally install alarm, That car was stolen for $29500!

Plus 5%.
I'll keep looking.

[Bruze]

Plus 5%.
I'll keep looking.

Better find one soon, or you'll have to change your screen name. https://i.imgur.com/jkx6Zdo.gif

[Cool 50th AE]

Better find one soon, or you'll have to change your screen name. https://i.imgur.com/jkx6Zdo.gif

I could be:

Kewl 03 Kenne Bell Durango
Kewl 05 parked all original Lightning.
Kewl Pro Street S10 PU parked for 26 years.
Kewl Benz SL550 never driven
Or what the women say to me – “What are you retarded or something”

[Bruze]

I could be:

Kewl 03 Kenne Bell Durango
Kewl 05 parked all original Lightning.
Kewl Pro Street S10 PU parked for 26 years.
Kewl Benz SL550 never driven
Or what the women say to me – “What are you retarded or something”


Do those cheap whores tell you that before you pay them? :confused:

[Rikki Z-06]

https://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/vehicle/kcm/996/2003-chevrolet-corvette

[Anjdog2003]

https://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/vehicle/kcm/996/2003-chevrolet-corvette




Too much money. You can get C-6's with less mileage and more HP. Less cheap plastic and a better fit. Anniversary Vettes are a dime a dozen.

[ColeTrickle]

Too much money. You can get C-6's with less mileage and more HP. Less cheap plastic and a better fit. Anniversary Vettes are a dime a dozen.

Not less than 3700 miles for that price. The mileage is where all the value was on that car

[Cool 50th AE]

I’ll go back to looking for a clean newer Chrysler TC or an Omni GLHS.

[Mike Mercury]

Too much money. You can get C-6's with less mileage and more HP. Less cheap plastic and a better fit. Anniversary Vettes are a dime a dozen.


not Anniversary Editions. All 2003 Corvettes were "anniversary" cars. But the "Edition" was an additional trim package. The 2003 AE Vert was the highest MSRP C5 made. Second highest C5 MSRP was the 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition.

Granted... the low mileage was the main factor for the higher asking price.

[Anjdog2003]

Not less than 3700 miles for that price. The mileage is where all the value was on that car



And add another 4-6k on the car unless it needs tires to.

[Rikki Z-06]

I’ll go back to looking for a clean newer Chrysler TC or an Omni GLHS.

https://barnfinds.com/35k-miles-1991-chrysler-tc-maserati/