Which would you buy?

[MY03C5Z]

Originally Posted by Chemtrails99

Have an 02 ZO6.

First thing I learned with other cars: Never buy somebody else's hot rod. Even if the mods are done right, you can't tell what kind of abuse it may have suffered. A modded car is proof somebody wanted to push it harder.While a low mileage car may have issues from sitting, they are much easier to notice and fix.

Electronic parts for C5's early years are no longer available. I know 99 is one, but can't remember cutoff. I have an 02 because that for sure was ok and used stuff still available.

Also, my ZO6 has stock wheels and the factory tire sizes are a bitch to find. Makes them more expensive too. Front and back wheel sizes and tire sizes are different, so some folks replace with aftermarket in same size wheels so same size tires can be run of a size that is easier and cheaper to find.

The ZO6 has a nightmare, expensive issue for window leaking. The rainrails on the ZO6 are different than other models and a lot more expensive. I think each side's little plastuc rail is like 700 bucks. The design is STUPID and requires some work to remove and fix with new parts. The rubber door seal slips into the base, and water goes under the base(not just the rubber seal!) and most folks don't understand that.

I love mine, but have also never had more stupid, expensive things to repair on a used car I bought. It's dead in the front yard yet again because I was changing the water pump and cleaning the mounting threads with a threadchaser...that broke off in the block. I've never heard of a thread chaser breaking off in my life. A tap yes, but threadchaser?

Summary: low milage good, no mods at all, check for cracked broken rain rails over window (knock off a thousand at least to repair!), aftermarket wheels/ tires probably a good thing.

Good luck with yours. I miss mine, but can't finish repairs since getting this cancer diagnoses. Making me crazy tosee it waiting in the yard for some love. Oh, Yellow is the best color.

I’ve heard complaints of leaks but I have never had a single one in mine, 03 with 60k now. Although I don’t drive in rain very often, it has been in rainstorms and of course washing it. I’ve never noticed a drop in mine?

I love the stock wheels, still on mine. Yes tire choices are limited, but you don’t have to stick to the original obscure front size (265/40/17) just use a 255 or 275. Rears I currently have 285’s instead of the stock 295’s, or you can go 305.

All in all this is surprisingly one of the most reliable problem free cars I’ve ever owned, and I drive it hard at every chance I get. It’s still a FANTASTIC performance car for the money, really can’t be touched in the $20k price range.

[IB4TL]

Originally Posted by MY03C5Z

$10-15k price difference??? Post up examples of these listings. That’s a HUGE price spread for a c5z. I’d go with the stock low mile. Got mine with 36k on it, one owner older guy (60’s) no mods at all. That just how I wanted it.

Same!

I never buy cars w/ performance mods, just means it was beat on.
It's worth waiting & finding a garage queen from an older guy.

I'd never buy a car from me

[UniqueDoug]

Originally Posted by Chemtrails99

Have an 02 ZO6.

First thing I learned with other cars: Never buy somebody else's hot rod. Even if the mods are done right, you can't tell what kind of abuse it may have suffered. A modded car is proof somebody wanted to push it harder.While a low mileage car may have issues from sitting, they are much easier to notice and fix.

Electronic parts for C5's early years are no longer available. I know 99 is one, but can't remember cutoff. I have an 02 because that for sure was ok and used stuff still available.

Also, my ZO6 has stock wheels and the factory tire sizes are a bitch to find. Makes them more expensive too. Front and back wheel sizes and tire sizes are different, so some folks replace with aftermarket in same size wheels so same size tires can be run of a size that is easier and cheaper to find.

The ZO6 has a nightmare, expensive issue for window leaking. The rainrails on the ZO6 are different than other models and a lot more expensive. I think each side's little plastuc rail is like 700 bucks. The design is STUPID and requires some work to remove and fix with new parts. The rubber door seal slips into the base, and water goes under the base(not just the rubber seal!) and most folks don't understand that.

I love mine, but have also never had more stupid, expensive things to repair on a used car I bought. It's dead in the front yard yet again because I was changing the water pump and cleaning the mounting threads with a threadchaser...that broke off in the block. I've never heard of a thread chaser breaking off in my life. A tap yes, but threadchaser?

Summary: low milage good, no mods at all, check for cracked broken rain rails over window (knock off a thousand at least to repair!), aftermarket wheels/ tires probably a good thing.

Good luck with yours. I miss mine, but can't finish repairs since getting this cancer diagnoses. Making me crazy tosee it waiting in the yard for some love. Oh, Yellow is the best color.

Great summary. I just developed the window leak and I think it is the rail you are talking about, I can't even source one to buy and really don't want to fiddle with replacement so I went with another fix that has worked 90%. It is what it is, it's a near quarter century old GM product.

The running joke now is what will break when we take our next beach run, second to last trip was headlight motor started grinding and became lazy, but still works! lol

Get well.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by UniqueDoug

Great summary. I just developed the window leak and I think it is the rail you are talking about, I can't even source one to buy and really don't want to fiddle with replacement so I went with another fix that has worked 90%. It is what it is, it's a near quarter century old GM product.

The running joke now is what will break when we take our next beach run, second to last trip was headlight motor started grinding and became lazy, but still works! lol

That paint looks impressive for 25 years old.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by UniqueDoug

Great summary. I just developed the window leak and I think it is the rail you are talking about, I can't even source one to buy and really don't want to fiddle with replacement so I went with another fix that has worked 90%. It is what it is, it's a near quarter century old GM product.

The running joke now is what will break when we take our next beach run, second to last trip was headlight motor started grinding and became lazy, but still works! lol

Get well.

What was the fix, that thick black strip along the top of the door and the a-pillar?

BTW, somebody dropped a big brown deuce close to your car. Be careful where you step.

[PLRX]

The best you can buy is a C5Z06 LS6.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

They stopped making Vettes after '67.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Save yourself the headache and don't get the modded vette.

point.

One persons mods is another persons disappointment; even of if the modes were done correctly.

[zeek]

Ok...I see that I left out some basics. Both are 2003 Z06. The low miles has had 4 previous owners and is for sale by a dealer asking 35k. Only has 32+k miles.

The other is also a 2003 with 72k+ on it. Private owner who has owned it for over 2 years and purchased from the original owner. Going for around 25k. I mis-spoke when I said mods. These are the "upgrades":
-new Clutch and fluid 2021.
- new ABS module May 2023.
- oil changes every 2k or less miles, always synthetic
- short shifter
- K&N cold air intake.

The thing that scares me about such low miles on the one, is I believe that a car that sits stagnant, especially one with a lot of electronics, is bad for the car. Plus having 4 owners and sold by a dealer, not a Chevy or major dealer, just some collector car dealer..

[LATB]

You want the 25K car. Buy it.

[LATB]

Btw
What are the colors?

[UniqueDoug]

The one with 32K is over priced by about 3 to 4 grand, which is understandable being that the dealer has to make some profit.

In that scenario I would get the private seller down to about 23 and you got yourself a good deal. I'm still kicking myself, I had a chance to buy this 2002 with 9000 miles on it for $26,500 right towards the end of 2019. But I just wasn't in the mood for an old GM product, really not now either, and I always would've been compelled to flip it for profit.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by LATB

Btw
What are the colors?

The higher miles one is the proper color RED for a Corvette. The other is that Nassau blue which I dont dislike, but not my favorite. I believe a Vette should be either Red or Black....

Another plus for the higher miles one is that it is a lot closer to me too.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by zeek

Im still on the hunt for a nice C5 Z06. I have a question for all you Corvette experts. I mean, you must be experts since you belong to a CORVETTE forum right

Which would you purchase....a 2003, or any year for that matter, very low miles (32k) car that has had only basic maintenance done. (oil changes etc) Or...a higher miles (72k) that has had major maintenance items already done, new clutch and several performance mods.

Also consider that there is between a $10k to $15k price difference between the two.

Im leaning towards saving the cash and getting the higher miles with all the new goodies.

Didn't you just get something a few months back?

[zeek]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

Didn't you just get something a few months back?

Come on bud....this is the Zeekster....that thing is long gone....

PS...that was the C7 Vert...

[MTPZ06]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

Those cars were like $60k when new.
These guys must be on drugs to think a 20 year old Chevy from the era that bankrupted GM is worth $35k lol

Not even....closer to $50K.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by zeek

The higher miles one is the proper color RED for a Corvette. The other is that Nassau blue which I dont dislike, but not my favorite. I believe a Vette should be either Red or Black....

Another plus for the higher miles one is that it is a lot closer to me too.

Yes that car looks good in red.
I don’t like blue cars or trucks.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

Those cars were like $60k when new.
These guys must be on drugs to think a 20 year old Chevy from the era that bankrupted GM is worth $35k lol

That may be true for the hatchback C5 values and maybe the convertibles also, but the Z06 is holding its value pretty well.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

That might be so but for $35k you can put a nice down payment on a C8 that’s superior in every way

May be true...but if I cant buy for cash, I dont buy... Besides, its only a weekend toy and Im not gonna spend 100k for a toy.

[snide]

Originally Posted by zeek

May be true...but if I cant buy for cash, I dont buy... Besides, its only a weekend toy and Im not gonna spend 100k for a toy.

And you'll sell it in a month or two anyway.