Which viper is the better deal?

KDR83

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I am looking at a few cars, 2008 LS3 Corvette is getting picked up today (if the buyer can get on his standby flight). Trying to decide which one of these two cars is a better deal, both has its ups and downs.

One is a 2006 red Coupe, has a couple mods, catback exhaust, high flow cats, minor appearance mods, looks to be in perfect condition...under 15k miles, trying to get him down to 46,500-47,000
The other is a 2003 silver Convertible, has catback exhaust, paxton supercharger, new tires...also under 15k mile, trying to get the guy down to $40,000

I would need to transport both cars as neither is close to Florida and they are literally within 200 miles odometer wise of each other, which one would you guys go for? I like the fact that the silver one is supercharged and a convertible would get used a lot in Miami however I love the way the coupe looks and the fact that its 3 years newer.

Thanks,
Krystian
 

TonyCool

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Let me get this straight you are willing to offer 40,000 for a base c5? That car is seriously overpriced. if you want to go with a corvette a c6 Z06 would be a much better option at that price point.

Having said that this scenario is a no brainer go viper and you will be getting so much more. I'd wait and get a vert though as it seems to be what you want. And remember there is no replacement for displacement.
 

bmw2nv2000

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I dont think he is talking about a 2003 vette. I would choose the coupe because I like that look best and would pay more for the coupe anyday.
 

mgeorge

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I think he's selling his 2008 vette, and the new owner is picking it up today if he makes his flight.

My opinion if everything was done right on the 2003, I'd go that route, I think that is a great price with the Paxton. And it's silver, so I'm a little biased...

End of the day that's a fantastic choice to have to make. Congrats.
 

v10enomous

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Nice Coupes under $50k are tough to come by. Both cars seem priced right so I'd say it comes down to whether or not you really want a convertible. For me it would be the coupe... but that's just me.
 

Flexx91

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The biggest decision, as someone has already mentioned, is whether to buy the coupe or the convertible. There were also a few subtle changes from the 2003 to 2006 (2005 and up has knock sensors, different oil temp gauge, different radio unit, etc.). Also, keep in mind that some of the '03s up to the build date of 01/31/04 on the '04s had the crank bolt torque issue. Make sure if you purchase the 2003 that this issue has been addressed or plan to address it yourself once you purchase the vehicle.
 

swexlin

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I would be VERY careful of the Paxton car. I had a HORRIBLE experience with Paxton on a different vehicle once, and will NEVER do businees with them again. In fact, I would celebrate if they went out of business. Now, that being said, many here have had positive experiences with their Paxton car, just have to make sure it is installed an tuned properly.

As for the crank bolt, I was under the impression that it was only 04 model years that had this issue. I have an early-build (May 03) car, which had all the recalls done that I know of. Make sure you get the VIN run by a dealer you trust.
 
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KDR83

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lol yes the 03 is also a viper, I guess it really does come down to coupe or convertible, I am still in negotiates on both cars and which one I will get the best deal on. If I lived anywhere else but South Beach, I would definitely go for the coupe however the weather down here is beautiful right now so some top down driving may be nice. I have a targa on the C6 and had one on the Supra and it was nice every once in a while.
 
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KDR83

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He just landed in Ft. Lauderdale so he can drive the car today but he won't be leaving with it until the bank opens up tomorrow morning.

Trust me, you guys will know as soon as I get it. My Bday is also on the 24th so this will be quite the gift to myself :)
 

rosco

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i paid 45k for a 2006 convertable 2 years ago. high 40s for a pretty much stock coupe is about 5k too much imo. if it had stripes, was a special edition car like a copperhead MAYBE 50k. base plain jane coupe 45k for one in outstanding condition.

40k for a supercharged 2003 is the way to go. superchargers add a good 5 to 8k to the value. you will be able to drive that car for 2 to 3 years and sell it for what you paid for it. however, 40k for a supercharged gen3 reeks of desperation. get a car fax and pay a professional inspection company a couple hundred bucks to look at it first.
 

TonyCool

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I am looking at a few cars, 2008 LS3 Corvette is getting picked up today (if the buyer can get on his standby flight). Trying to decide which one of these two cars is a better deal, both has its ups and downs.

One is a 2006 red Coupe, has a couple mods, catback exhaust, high flow cats, minor appearance mods, looks to be in perfect condition...under 15k miles, trying to get him down to 46,500-47,000
The other is a 2003 silver Convertible, has catback exhaust, paxton supercharger, new tires...also under 15k mile, trying to get the guy down to $40,000

I would need to transport both cars as neither is close to Florida and they are literally within 200 miles odometer wise of each other, which one would you guys go for? I like the fact that the silver one is supercharged and a convertible would get used a lot in Miami however I love the way the coupe looks and the fact that its 3 years newer.

Thanks,
Krystian

Let me get this straight you are willing to offer 40,000 for a base c5? That car is seriously overpriced. if you want to go with a corvette a c6 Z06 would be a much better option at that price point.

Having said that this scenario is a no brainer go viper and you will be getting so much more. I'd wait and get a vert though as it seems to be what you want. And remember there is no replacement for displacement.

lol yes the 03 is also a viper, I guess it really does come down to coupe or convertible, I am still in negotiates on both cars and which one I will get the best deal on. If I lived anywhere else but South Beach, I would definitely go for the coupe however the weather down here is beautiful right now so some top down driving may be nice. I have a targa on the C6 and had one on the Supra and it was nice every once in a while.

UPS sorry I somehow managed to read your post incorrectly :rolleyes:. In my defense I was going out of a 9:30 meeting and I didn't get much sleep yesterday :dunno:. Getting back on subject. I like verts better but in this scenario I'd have to go with the coupe. Do you have a preference in color? I mean red and silver make completely different statements.
 

Twister

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Stock 2003s are selling at 38-43k depending on milagae and location. If you can get a clean 03 for 40k with a paxton and just 15k miles then Id be all over that. The convertable option in florida is a nice option to have
 

gb66gth

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If you plan to take it to the track, go coupe.
Around town in Florida, vert.
 

Alabaster Mamba

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As others have said, if tracking the car, go coupe, everyday driving, hmmm, coupe or vert. I actually think you will like the coupe more. You will have more trunk storage room with the coupe and the lines just look incredible on the coupe. I have a vert and am looking to get a coupe asap. In the end, go sit in one and then you will have a bigger problem. And that problem is finding a dentist who can get that grin off of your face!!:drive::2tu:
 

rosco

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yep, but very few answered as to which is the better deal
 

ninjakris

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Before I purchased my car a couple months ago, I did a lot of research on pricing. If you can get a coupe with <20,000 miles for under 50K, its a fair deal. Clean 03 verts with the same mileage are around 39-44K. To find either one at those prices with no stories is even harder. Make sure to get it checked out and I highly reccomend seeing it in person if at all possible. ALso, if you find the perfect car for you, don't loose it for a couple thousand. It took me about 3 months of looking to find a 03 w/12K miles for 39,900. Good luck.
 

Chemeng

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Just bought a 2006 first edition coupe for $50K. CARFAX was clean and mileage was below 20K. Most coupes go for around $50K, might talk them down a couple thousand. Buy the one you want. I've driven in Miami, convertibles are everywhere since you drive them year around. Nothing better than a drive down to Key West with the top down.
 

2easy

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A great start into the viper world would be to buy both. Cool day, take the coupe....sunny day, vert all the way. :D I dont know about the others, but I would be a bit jelous if you did. On a serious note, I have the 03 vert and love it. I went with it over a coupe because it offers one more option that the coupe cant. Rollin with the top down is where its at IMO. Think about what you would enjoy the most and go from there. The money should come as a second consideration. Good luck!!
 

Ghoust

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assuming the paxton vert is healthy, go for that one! You will be in the territory that the new cars ar power wise so you won't feel so bad when they can pull on you on the freeway!
 
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KDR83

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The price difference between the two is at $7,500....so basically I would pay $7,500 for coupe and 3 years newer but lose MGW interior pieces and paxton supercharger, paxton also has new tires... hmm tough choice
 

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