Which would you buy?

[UniqueDoug]

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

They topped out around 52,000, I think my brand new torch red 2003 stickered for 51 and change, paid 49K. For what it's worth that would equate to $86,000 in today's money.

So yeah, for a price nearly 1/3 in today's dollars, that is a bargain.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by UniqueDoug

They topped out around 52,000, I think my brand new torch red 2003 stickered for 51 and change, paid 49K. For what it's worth that would equate to $86,000 in today's money.

So yeah, for a price nearly 1/3 in today's dollars, that is a bargain.

That’s some used car salesman talk right there.

[snide]

Originally Posted by LATB

That’s some used car salesman talk right there.

*bullshit

[LisaJohn]

Get the red one. Torch red.

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by zeek

The other is that Nassau blue which I dont dislike, but not my favorite.

Nassau blue was only available 1997-2000. Unless custom painted, a 2003 Z06 would be Electron blue.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

Get the red one. Torch red.

[04 commemorative]

I'm partial to 04's ....(Commemorative)

with low miles.....has not been a vette since that I would want.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by zeek

... 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.

...

Not bad. I also run the K&N cold air intake. New clutch is only good for a year if you drive it like you stole it. My third replacement was a C6 clutch since it's rated for about 100 extra HP than my motor puts out. This has held up very good. As for clutch fluid, replace every other week if you want it to look fresh I suppose. They say fresh helps prevent sticky throw-out bearing syndrome but I've noticed no problem in that regard. Clutch will feel smoother with fresh fluid but operates no different in my experience. These days I just change it along with the oil.

Short shifter may mean even more attention has been paid to the transmission? Shift forks were supposedly fixed in mine by the previous owner under warranty. First thing that broke after I got it was a big flat washer that sits between the transaxle and the tranny. Allows the rear tires to rotate at different speeds while turning corners. Very thin piece of steel that didn't last long. A broken one makes a clicking noise in the rear end while driving. Replaced that part with a thicker washer of similar diameter, great fix.

That's pretty much it for the transmission mods that I know of. Other than the carbon fiber drive shaft but who knows if they even still make those? I might have bought the last one

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by 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..

In that case go with the higher mileage one.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Nassau blue was only available 1997-2000. Unless custom painted, a 2003 Z06 would be Electron blue.

Yeah...thats what I meant...electron blue...WGAF what the official name is...it's blue....

[zeek]

Well a third option has come into play.....another "blue" one with only 55k miles but has a couple perfomance mods:

Updated GM Valve springsGM Valve Cover GasketsTexas Speed Long TubesCorsa X PipeCorsa Xtreme Axle BackARP 12pt Header BoltsNGK Spark PlugsMSD Spark Plug WiresSpark Plug Wire Heat SleevesGM OEM Header GasketsAFE Cold Air IntakeC6 ShifterMGW Shift Knob....

This one has had a "tune" done to it so chk eng light does not come on due to cats being removed.

Has BIN price of 27k.

My last C5 had the cats removed and it sounded badASS!!

[MTPZ06]

Originally Posted by zeek

Well a third option has come into play.....another "blue" one with only 55k miles but has a couple perfomance mods:

Updated GM Valve springsGM Valve Cover GasketsTexas Speed Long TubesCorsa X PipeCorsa Xtreme Axle BackARP 12pt Header BoltsNGK Spark PlugsMSD Spark Plug WiresSpark Plug Wire Heat SleevesGM OEM Header GasketsAFE Cold Air IntakeC6 ShifterMGW Shift Knob....

This on has had a "tune" done to it so chk eng light does not come on due to cats being removed.

Has BIN price of 27k.

My last C5 had the cats removed and it sounded badASS!!

That one sounds like a problem that the owner is looking to get out of. I'd pass.

[Chemtrails99]

Originally Posted by MY03C5Z

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.

I envy you. I got mine because reviews said they were reliable and at the time my wife hated Miatas. I could never get clear picture of what other tires would fit, so it's good to know it's not as much an issue as I had. Think the last set of tires cost me around 3k for just the tires. That's far worse than the huge mud tires on my truck!

The windows have always leaked, wasn't aware f it early on because I was in California and it rarely rained. Florida is another animal completly. The water literally pours in. Seems to be around windshield, rainrails and side window gaskets. I blobbed silicone all over the rails hoping to stop/ slow it and nothing changed. Just realized that somebody should scan the damn rails and sell the info to 3D print them to people. Maybe even improve the damn things.

My issues started with the steering ram brackets breaking. No new part available, so paid 3k for a used one. Another grand to install and it's ZO6 only. Then the electical started acting up. Window leak ran under dash to steering position sensor, f'ed it up and I had to replace it. Later the safety start switch on the brake pedal died for the same reason.

Then the clutch slave cylinder died, and I no longer had a lace to work on it. Between parts and install went another 4500 bucks. Countless other minor issues like LED readout on heater panel died, seatbelts wore out (still less than 100k on car), tranny/ rear end leaky seals, water pump died (twice GM parts), driver seat base died, and probably a half a dozen other things. The car runs 2 or 3 months, and then sits 6 months trying to get parts/ time/ effort to fix. Sitting now as I can't work on it to remove a broken threadchaser to finish a waterpump install. Pint is f'ed from sitting in sun and have hood/ trunk deck to replace and paints to d other issues...but sickness says "NO" until ???.

I really want it running to justify all the expense and grief....wife hates it and wants it gone. Thinks we should sell it and use money towards new ND Miata.

[Unsuspicious]

Buy them all, list them all for profit, and keep whichever one doesn't sell.

[sublime1996525]

Originally Posted by zeek

Well a third option has come into play.....another "blue" one with only 55k miles but has a couple perfomance mods:

Updated GM Valve springsGM Valve Cover GasketsTexas Speed Long TubesCorsa X PipeCorsa Xtreme Axle BackARP 12pt Header BoltsNGK Spark PlugsMSD Spark Plug WiresSpark Plug Wire Heat SleevesGM OEM Header GasketsAFE Cold Air IntakeC6 ShifterMGW Shift Knob....

This on has had a "tune" done to it so chk eng light does not come on due to cats being removed.

Has BIN price of 27k.

My last C5 had the cats removed and it sounded badASS!!

Get this one for $25k. Has the upgraded valve springs which were an issue and full exhaust. Also the shitty shifter has been replaced.

[Onebadcad]

Listing on CF, runway car, much MUCH faster than a C5Z, doubles as a coffin:

TWIN TURBO 1998 Corvette
1998 Corvette with 71000 miles
422 ci 6.0 block solid rotor cam set up for twin turbo
TTI twin turbo kit with upgrades
Full Roll cage
This setup is been together 8 years The transmission was redone with all hardened parts and the heads were rebuilt 300 miles ago.. it has QA1 8 way adjustable shocks
CCW Wheels 12" Wide 315/35/R17 Mickey Thompson on the back.
Runs on pump gas
This has been a very reliable fun car for me.$28000 or best

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

Listing on CF, runway car, much MUCH faster than a C5Z, doubles as a coffin:

TWIN TURBO 1998 Corvette
1998 Corvette with 71000 miles
422 ci 6.0 block solid rotor cam set up for twin turbo
TTI twin turbo kit with upgrades
Full Roll cage
This setup is been together 8 years The transmission was redone with all hardened parts and the heads were rebuilt 300 miles ago.. it has QA1 8 way adjustable shocks
CCW Wheels 12" Wide 315/35/R17 Mickey Thompson on the back.
Runs on pump gas
This has been a very reliable fun car for me.$28000 or best

How do you get a set of golf clubs in that trunk?

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

How do you get a set of golf clubs in that trunk?

Not so easy with that cage.
In a cageless one, no full-size staff bag allowed, and pull all the woods out before loading, and then lay them across, either diagonally, or parallel along the tail lights.

I can get two staff bags in my C7Z, no problem,,, depends on how much you want to play golf while owning a Vette.

Actually called mid-staff bag:

[snide]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

In that case go with the higher mileage one.

Originally Posted by zeek

Yeah...thats what I meant...electron blue...WGAF what the official name is...it's blue....

I love the Electron Blue, and was considering trading in my triple-black '01 vert for an Electron Blue, just for the color.

Of the two choices you posted, I would go with the higher mileage car.

[snide]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

How do you get a set of golf clubs in that trunk?

Carefully.