[CorvetteChuck]

Hello, I have been following your group and am very impressed with the prof. way everything is handled. With that being said, I would like some feed back on pros/cons either 03/04 or 05/06. I am a current Corvette owner and am ready to purchase a SSR. I am not afraid of the 03/04 or being a Corvette person should I look more toward the Vette power 05/06 ? Your help and input will be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Chuck Naples, FL.

 

[EX SSR SS 20]

Well good luck with your search - you will get a lot of feed back.

I originally wanted a 05/06 because of the bigger engine, but I also wanted Purple so I lucked out and got a signature series Purple 03 from a collector. I now realize I have no need for a larger engine or speeding tickets - I've had mine up to 105 mph once with no problems.

If you ask me, there are currently some really good deals on SSR's for sale on this forum, and I would assume most of the people on this forum take great pride and care in their vehicles.

 

[Stlhotrod]

I have an 04 and did not know of the differences when I purchased mine. After owning it and finding out on here what they were I would go with an 05/06 if I were doing it all over again. I have changed several of the differences on my 04 to upgrade it to the 05 specs like the hood struts, the door panels, wiper arms. The engine difference I can't comment on because I have not driven an 05 to know, but I do know if or when the time comes I will be replacing my 5.3 with a 6.0

 

[nj6969]

CorvetteChuck, Having both, We can tell the difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0. Just your choice.

Welcome from Forney Texas!!! you have found the BEST FORUM ever! BUT-----Consider going to "Tools" in the red banner, click on "User CP" go to "Your Profile" then click "Edit Your Details". Then, whenever you "post" it will show in the left column under your name, like the rest of us, and we will know where you are and what you drive. Then if you have a problem, someone close by might be able to help out.

Nick & Kathy

 

[artsmart]

03/04 or 05/06??? Depends on what you want it for. I bought my 04 after the 05 came out and while price was a factor, I could get the 04 cheaper than sticker, I really just wanted a cruiser not a speed demon. My daily drive between home and work is/was on old Route 66, 2 lanes with minimal passing, and speed limit of 55, I've never needed the extra power of the larger engine. That said, if someone were to hand me a :blue:/:black: or :black:/:blue: I'd take it :wink2:

 

[voodoophantom]

Welcome...

 

[Cash]

I probably am not qualified to address this as I have never driven or even ridden in a MY2003/04 SSR with the 5.3
Over the years, I see a huge amount of Fanatics that are very happy with the 5.3
The 5.3L is a 327 powering a 5000-pound truck, so it basically is a really nice cruiser - some think the exhaust sounds better than the 6L (364 ci)

The 6L is going to give you much more jump, so it really depends on what you want - there is no bad decision here
I opted for the 6L 6sp manual, but if you are cruising the A&W the 03/04 is just fine
Every one of them can collect speeding tickets!
The 5.3 is less likely to violate noise bylaws

Footnote to this: I would be fine with an 03/04 with a 6sp had it been available - I am a manual transmission person
Not so much the power, rowing the gears is what I want

 

[tennesseecozydog]

Chuck in all honesty, I really don't know what to tell you. If you're an avid "Street Dragger" you'll want an 05 or an 06 with a Clutch and a Stick. If you're just a fun lovin' "Street Dragger" an 05 or an 06 with "PowerGlide will do just fine. Now keep in mind neither one of these is gonna' leave Dick Levi's (Levi Ray and Shoup Nitro Funny Car owner) "She's Real Fine my 409" 63 Chevy 150 Plain Jane sittin' at the traffic light (which Dick loves to get out and Street drag in Springfield, Illinois) If I had it to do over I would choose a late vin # 2004 low mileage Ultra Violet, Redline Red, Slingshot Yellow or Ricochet Silver. I have or we have an 05 Redline Red ... cause that's what my first wife wanted (Red, Chrome Rims, Runnin' Boards, "PowerGlide" and Carpeted Cargo Area) !!! Maybe that's the reason we are still together. :laugh: Just paid $3.05.9 for Shell Premium with V Power and it is my understanding the 03 and 04's run on Regular gas. Now I don't know if there is any difference in the Insurance premium for an 03, 04 than the 05 and 06's. The 03's and 04's seem to be a little less price wise than the 5 and 6's with the LS2 motor. Just keep in mind it's your money, so you make the call Chuck tennesseecozydog :ssr

 

[tennesseecozydog]

Chuck, be sure and let us know when you "take the plunge" and we'll rip off your "Rookie Stripe" 10 uh C cozydog :ssr

 

[rogerdoger]

Chrome.. color.. and that extra 100 horsepower are the three hardest things to change...my 2 cents

 

[Danno]

2005 / 2006

 

[04 PurpleHaze]

I bought an 04 because I liked the color UV, it only had 28,000 miles and the price was right. . Thought about an 05-06 with a stick but couldn't bring myself to spend $5000-$7000 more for one, remember they all look the same and no one will know the difference except some Fanatics. I have no problem jumping her up to 90-95 when I need to so not having the 6.0 doesn't matter to me.
Just ran from Tn down to SC today avg. 20.4 miles to the gal cruising between 70-78 mph. on regular gas, something I don't think you will do with the 6.0. Getting her tuned at Daytona to pick up a few more horses and maybe better mileage,. The decision is one you will have to make every year has it's own bugs that need to be worked out, but you should have no problem either way with getting help here as these guys on here probably know more about the SSR then the guys that developed them and built them. Find the one you like and make it your own you just can not replace the feeling when your cruising down the road with the top up or down.

 

[TheXCepsion]

Good luck in finding Your R. I am fairly new too Ownership of one of these awesome trucks myself. 04 Smokin Asphalt, Auto Trans. I can tell You, the 5.3 L is more than enough powered too move this thing. I guess I am partial to it cause it is able too get good mileage with Regular Gas, No knocks or pings. Color options are there for your Pleasure, choose which makes You happy, You can't go wrong and Won't stop smiling.

Welcome too the Family, early! Just know you will get one ...Good Luck

 

[Krazy Ed]

Welcome from Canada! :cheers

Good luck on your Quest for an SSR

Think you should test drive one with the 5.3 & one with the 6.0, then when you decide on that, pick your colour and options you want (chromes, carpet bed, running boards, gauges and how many miles are on it) then you can start looking for your own and don't be afraid of the distance you might have to go cause the drive home will be a memory you will never forget!!!

:black:
urple:
Krazy Ed

 

[TXNSSR]

Get what you want and don’t look back

I’ll keep this simple...

Buy what you want. Don’t settle for something that isn’t “just right” for you. Pay what you think is right for what you want. We’ll all have opinions that really don’t matter. They are all good looking trucks.

There are many considerations. Make your choice and don’t look back. There is always one cheaper, or with less miles or with something. Buy what you want.

For the record:
I own a silver 06 auto with chrome. Others will kid me and say it is primer. I love the color and don’t care. She’s a bit “stone bruised” from the previous owner and locale. I’ll fix that in due time, but she shines up pretty regardless. I’m a “rower” by heart and have a silver 6 speed Z06 and I had the choice of a 6spd, but wouldn’t trade the auto. Elsie is my first ever auto. I love that my wife will jump in and drive without hesitation. She’ll put the top down, throtttle down and thunder away. She’ll talk about the rear end squirming as she pulls away from the line and I smile.

The choice is yours. Buy what you want and be happy.

- Robert
:silver:

P.S. @xoxoxoBruce We both packed everything for the Houston Tech Day weekend in one medium duffel bag with room to spare.:wink2: I had more tools, chairs and cleaning supplies than anything else.

 

[Big Jon]

:blur:I had an 05 but wouldn't hesitate if I came across a nice 04. When I had my :blur: I also had a Magnum R/T w/ 5.7 HEMI, 55 Ford F-100 with a 429 and a PT GT turbo with a few performance mods The Ford was definitely the slowest but I couldn't say where the other 3 ranked. The SSR matched my buddies 68 SS 396 4 speed in a radar run, good enough for me.

 

[wizzr]

In my humble opinion...

05 / 06 advantages:
1) Bragging rights... "yes sir, it's got a 6.0 LS2 engine"
2) yup, almost 400 hp stock.
3) A 6-speed transmission option if you're so inclined.
4) a few more electronic bells & whistles.
5) a little more interior space with updated door panels.

03 / 04 advantages
1) Price. You can easily save $4-5K or more on purchase price.
2) fewer electronic gremlins.
3) regular gas (stock engine, without a hot tune)
4) 5.3 performance. Well, maybe not in stock form, but for less than $1500, you can easily make the truck "get with the program" in short order.

Just for the record, I have an '04 and I am very happy with it. I've had many fast cars in the past. Some were quicker than my SSR but few were as fun.

Would I be happy with an '05 or '06? Sure. But I wouldn't pay extra to be in the 6.0 club.

Bottom line... you really can't make a bad decision here.

 

[Joshvette]

It's the age old question....

I originally was going to get an 05 but after all was said and done the 03 is perfect for me and I like to mod it and try to make it faster on a budget, that's the fun part.

Both 03-04 and 05-06 will do 70mph with no problems.


Josh

 

[CorvetteChuck]

Thank you to all !!!!

I really appreciate all the responses. Very helpful to further my search for my SSR. There are a few for sale here in FL. and also looking around the GA. area. I will keep all informed of my finding. Regards, Chuck

 

[04 PurpleHaze]

Look into DragonU2 post on his UV for sale that trucks has been well maintained has all the bells and whistles done to it and at the price he has it listed for I doubt you will find a better one around. All that and you get to join the UV club a very limited group.