Which would you buy?

[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.

[snide]

I would prefer an '03 or '04 over earlier years. And I would prefer less mods.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by snide

I would prefer an '03 or '04 over earlier years. And I would prefer less mods.

I agree, FWIW I had a 98 Vert 6spd from new till I got rid of it to get a 05.

Remember the life of a lot of the electronic things is finite. Possibly getting some parts might be interesting!

[Don Rickles]

They stopped making Vettes after '67.

[DJ_Critterus]

Save yourself the headache and don't get the modded vette. You don't know exactly what was done, if it was done right, etc... I mean, that leaves you lots of questions like 1) are the exhaust holes drilled properly? 2) We're proper stumps used when getting the car off the ground? 3) Are the right spacers and studs installed on the rear end of the car? You know...stuff like that.

[MTPZ06]

Low mileage.

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by snide

I would prefer an '03 or '04 over earlier years. And I would prefer less mods.

[UniqueDoug]

I follow the market daily and that low mileage '03 should be in the low $30's, if you're implying you can get the 72k one for $15,000 it's (almost) a no brainer (and possibly sketchy).

That being said, I would avoid cammed or boosted Zs, and one where major mods were just done.

[Don Rickles]

How much you selling it for?

[Yadkin]

Depends on the mods. If they make sense and were done right, then buy that one.

[Torqaholic]

Hard to say without knowing what the mods on the other car are, some can improve the reliability. Not much maintenance required on the motor.

Transmission/clutch is the weak link. Mine is bullet proof now but it was costly. Not much more than oil changes for the last fifteen years (did one yesterday in fact). I've slowed down quite a bit due to old age but the car is still strong if and when I need it to be. Walked a hopped up Mustang last Summer during a highway speed rolling start after allowing him to get a car length ahead just to be sure he could hold his lane. Felt good mang

[Unsuspicious]

Low miles meaning long periods of sitting and minimal maintenance vs a car that was actually used so problems would be apparent hmm

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Save yourself the headache and don't get the modded vette. You don't know exactly what was done, if it was done right, etc... I mean, that leaves you lots of questions like 1) are the exhaust holes drilled properly? 2) We're proper stumps used when getting the car off the ground? 3) Are the right spacers and studs installed on the rear end of the car? You know...stuff like that.

You remember my stumps!

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Save yourself the headache and don't get the modded vette. You don't know exactly what was done, if it was done right, etc... I mean, that leaves you lots of questions like 1) are the exhaust holes drilled properly? 2) We're proper stumps used when getting the car off the ground? 3) Are the right spacers and studs installed on the rear end of the car? You know...stuff like that.

You'll never be the cool kid on the block if your car isn't "widetracked".

[The_Dude]

I thought the question would be "Russian or Asian?"

[IB4TL]

'03 w/ low mileage.

[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.

[Onebadcad]

Go with the cheaper one, as you will always need Mod Money.

Miles on an LSx motor never bothers me provided the owner did the regular maintenance, and the engine bay is clean.

Of course if local you get it to a tech who gets it up in the air, and also checks all fluids.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by snide

And I would prefer less mods.

I won't buy a car with mods - chances are the previous owner ****ed something up while installing them.

[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.