Need help on options

[VTHokieVette]

I am almost ready to order my first Corvette, but I need some advice on options. I am set on body style, color and transmission - 2003 Coupe with Medium Spiral Gray and 6-speed. Other than that, I just have a lot of questions right now, so here goes:

1) PEG 1 - Does everyone like HUD or is it distracting? Are other features worth it if not going to use HUD?

2) Z51 vs Magnetic Selective Ride Control vs Stock - I'm leaning towards stock, but any opinions on this?

3) Stock roof panel vs. glass roof panel - are there any pros/cons?

4) Black vs light gray interior - I have seen black, but there are no gray with light gray in my area. Anybody have gray with light gray & like or dislike the look?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Well, first, suspension choice should be based on your particular driving style. I like the Z51, because I am an aggressive driver. Those whom like the softer ride, and do NOT get aggressive when driving, the stock FE1 will do fine.
The F55 Magnetic Rheological Damping system is absolutely the finest suspension out there on c5, IMO. The reason I say this, is that control is at its absolute best. You can cruise in total isolation from the road, or when you get aggressive in the corners, it just glues the car to the road. The only thing I suggest for those whom drive hard, is to add FE4 or ZO6 sway bars on the F55 cars. I have done a number of these, and the results are outstanding.
As for the tops, that is a personal preference.
The interior, I am attaching a few pics of the gray interior for you to check out.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[c4c5specialist]

Heres another interior.
c4c5

 

[c4c5specialist]

And the last.
c4c5

 

[IH2LOSE]

I have a 2002 convert with an automatic.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE CAR .I have the hud and after a long drive in the car and I get behind the wheel of another car I feel unsafe driving the other car because I have to look down (take my eyes off the road) to how fast I am going.I think in the future all cars will be equipt with hud. Good luck on your purchase and boy what a car the vette is the best car I have ever owned.

 

[mapman]

If you can, review the videotape that comes with a new Corvette. It may help answer some of your questions. Everything depends on how YOU intend to use the car.

For example, the HUD is great for performance driving as you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. The video shows how to vary HUD information content for your driving situation. In the video they show reducing HUD info to MPH only for city driving.

The magnetic ride option gets rave reviews from most sources, see if the dealer has one (or a Cadillac dealer) you can try.

That said, I have a 2003 convertible with standard suspension and without HUD, and I am very pleased with the car.

 

[VTHokieVette]

Thanks for the help everybody.

 

[blocker44]

Most everyone loves the HUD. I would recommend the F55 or Z51 suspension. The grey interior is a very good choice.

 

[Ctfoodguy2000]

I have an '02 Coupe.

1) HUD - I absolutely think it is great. It takes a few miles to get used to it, however it lets you stay focused on the road. You can change what is displayed depending on circumstances; ie.. in town perhaps only speedo vs hiway having speedo & oil pressure or temp, etc..

2) I opted for the performance handling package; Z51. I love the feel. As C4C5 has stated, I have heard that the Mag ride control is fabulous; never driven one with it.

3) Roof panels - I opted for both, body color and transparent. I have only used the transparent or none! The body color is collecting dust. The body color is lined and it is probably useful in hot weather.

4) My colors are Torch Red exterior w Black interior. I struggled choosing my colors, can't / will not help here!

Good luck!

 

[DkBG]

I too love the HUD . As for the top , if your real tall in the saddle the glass top gives you a little more headroom .

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

My Options

I took delivery of my car from dealer stock so I didn't get to pick options. However, it is quite well optioned. Only missing the glass top and body side moulding.

The body colored top, to me, kind of acts lke an extended sun shade in the car. The front is quite forward of where your head is, and since my interior is black, it makes for driving in bright conditions a bit easier.

I have the F45 selective ride control. I still haven't decided if I like it or not. However, you can tell a difference in the settings on a bumpy road. I usually leave mine in the sport setting unless the road gets really bumpy.

As for the HUD. I absolutely love it. It seems to be everyone's favorite option on my car. They all ask to see it. That could have something to do with me being in the USAF and the whole plane thing. I usually display MPH and oil pressure. The tach is pretty unreadable to me. I usually just listen to the engine sound for shifting.

 

[Kemosabe]

Okay, new member and had to post my views here. Just took delivery on my first Corvette; 2003 Anniversary Edition Coupe, 6 speed, dual tops, body side moldings, 12 disc changer. GREAT CAR!!!

IMO:

Go for the F55 Magnetic Rheological Damping system. It is unbelivable how it handles and hugs the curves. I have not driven on without the F55 so am not familiar with the difference.
Ask your dealer to test drive one with and one without. You're about to lay out some serious cash here so they should be obliging.

Before I drove the car off the dealers lot I put the transparent top on. Gives a real open air feel to it. Living in the desert is the reason I went with the dual tops..... Solid top during the blistering summers, transparent top when the temperatures are less than 100 degrees and topless all other times.

The HUD is fantastic!!! Yes, it took a few miles to get use to it and now is the only "instrumentation" I use.

 

[rlb]

I own a 2003 Coupe with the F55 and HUD options. While I can't make any comparisons to other suspension options, I can tell you that the Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension is simply tremendous on "real world" roads. I drive my Covrette on cold and dry days throughout the winter and cannot recall our roads in worse condition, due to extreme cold and heavy snow. The frost heaves, stress cracks and potholes are horrible, but the F55 suspension handles them well. And, I've driven the car in temperatures between 60 F and -15 F and the F55 works equally well at both extremes. If you don't plan to race at the track, get the F55.

As for the HUD, it comes with the 1SB equipment group which includes the telescoping steering wheel, memory package, electrochromatic mirrors and twilight sentinel. These are excellent options and I wouldn't order a Corvette without them.

 

[nucferr]

I have a 2003 Z06 so I cannot comment on your suspension options. I have black interior and, if I had an option I would have gotten the silver as the black shows EVERY piece of lint/dust. I do like the HUD and am glad it was standard.

As far as the roof panels, I had owned a 1989 coupe that had come with BOTH the smoked and solid. I liked the smoked and never used the solid.

Ever considered the Z06? I have never liked a car as much as this one. ZERO buyers remorse!

 

[DRTH VTR]

GLASS (PLASTIC) ROOF PANEL

I have only the 'glass' panel for my '97. I have to put one of the aftermarket screens on it during the summer. The car and interior are black and I have to shelter me and the interior from the sun or we BAKE. The clear panel is nice in the winter, though.