FINALLYSATISFIED

So I'm looking to pull the trigger on a 2001-2004 Z06. I came across a few 2002-2003's I'm good condition. The only problem I'm not too sure what's a good price and what's just too high.

2002, in great condition. Red. $20,000? Mileage is roughly 60K+. Modifications just consist of intake, headers and cats. Stock exhaust.

2001, in decent with noticeable dings. Silver, $22,000. Minor scratches. Mileage is 30K+. Modifications are just intake. OEM wheels have curb rash on all 4 wheels. Seller has aftermarket wheels/tires on it.

2006, Base C6 with Z51 handling. Black. $22.5K. Mileage is 64K+. Aftermarket wheels OEM style 5 spoke chrome. Minor rock chips and scratches.

Overall I just don't know. I'm just trying to get the best overall deal. This will be my first Corvette. I expect to pay between $19,000-25,000 for a nice well taken care of C5 or C6. Ive read some previous threads about either getting a C5Z or C6 base so I wont even ask, haha.

What are yours thoughts? Go 2001 or 2002? What's the going rate for 2002's with 50K-60K miles?

Thanks in advance.

Breze84

your probably right on the money!!! No pun intended haha... C5Z all day over a LS2 C6, If it were a LS3 C6 then I would choose which one is cleaner and had better miles. Im a little more fond of the C5Z body style over a C6 coupe though... Just my .02....

C5Dobie

If you're going to get a C5 Z don't go for '01 its older has less HP and different wheels than the other 3 model years. I would go for 03 (because 50th anniversary) or '04 (because commemerative edition, plus carbon fiber hood & revised suspension etc)

I would not take a base LS2 C6 over a C5Z 02-04 all else being equal (mileage, appearance, options etc) I purchased my '03 C5Z w/ 12,980 miles in excellent condition bone stock for $24,500 FWIW

I do not lust for any other corvette except for maybe a classic or C4 or C6 ZR1, I prefer the C5Z to the C6Z, but I may like the C7Z best lets see when it comes out!

PeteZ06

'01 Z06 wheels are actually better quality from what I heard.. they were made in Italy.

C5Dobie

They're not better quality, they are forged vs. cast-spun & are actually a tad bit heavier than the 02-04 wheels by about 1.5 lbs a piece. The cast-spun technology was cutting edge at the time & basically made the wheel lighter but stronger w/o the forging process so they were also more readily available, the forged rims for the 01 model year resulted in supply constraints. The company you are speaking of is Speedline, and they're a good wheel manufacturer but nothing special. Pretty much anything the was changed/replaced as you progress through the Z06 model years was changed for the better and improved.

95rtturbo

I honestly think all of them are a bit overpriced IMO. The 02/06 seem to be the best of the 3 (depends on your preference of C5 or C6).

FINALLYSATISFIED

Thank you for the fast responses! So the '01 is out. And now I've narrowed it down to 02-04 C5Z.

Does a '02 C5Z with 50-60K miles at $20,000 seem like a decent price? I can't find any at all in good condition at the $21,000-22,000 price with low mileage. Seems every owner wants $23,500 or higher for 20,000-39,000 miles.

Car will not be my DD.

FINALLYSATISFIED

From the knowledge I've seen on the forum it seems like the 08+ C6 are favored if you were going to get a C6.

racebum

lot depends on the condition of the cars

50-60k miles of a 70yr old crusing vs 50-60k miles of a 25yr old who drag races every weekend are completely different.

the 02 or the 06 would be the cars i'd look at

i do like the modern style of the c6 a bit more but the c5z is a better drivers car. suspension is better, little faster, easier car to throw around

the early narrow body c6s were really oversteer happy. not sure if it was the added travel or what but they can be snappy

dozlert

Yes, would be my choice.

C5Dobie

I think if you wait and keep looking you'll find one 02-04 w/ lower miles for about the same price maybe 1-2 grand more.

RC000E

It's a hard call...and truly a matter of choice/preference. At the end of the day you're comparing owning a top of the line Corvette versus a base car. There is some "prestige" I guess you could say, to owning the Z...imo.

End of the day I like all Corvettes...I personally was faced with the same choice though and went Z06 without thinking much about it.

TurboTnZ06

Don't rule out an '01. It's ad river's race between a 01 and 02-04. 20hp isn't much. I'd look for an '01 with the right mods - new clutch, RPM trans update, shifter etc, over any stock 02-04.

Breze84

01-04 is basically the same car. 01 "Claims" 385, 02-04 "Claims"405... You got a 20hp difference there. Now on to the differences. They have different cams, 01 Z06 cam went on to later become the factory cam in the LS2. 02-04 cam is ever so slightly larger in the lift. Performance gains there are probably no more then 5 hp if that. The largest hp difference were contributed to air and exhaust flow! the 01 Z06 had a factory intake air box that actually strangled air going into the intake. This was discovered and changed on the 02-04 Z06 by adding a larger opening in the box. Also the 01 Z06 has 4 cats, the 02-04 has 2... As most people end up modding their Z06's, A 01 z06 mod for mod vs 02-04 Z06 is the same exact, Identical car. Hp and looks. Minus the HUD. Which I don't care for anyways... Also the 01 Z06 Alcoa rims are better then the Speedlines. Alcoas have a sleeker spoke and are stronger. Speedlines are probably .02lbs lighter... Just educating you buddy


FYI my old 2001 Z06 put down 367/364 stock and ran a 12.012...

C5Dobie

I'm aware of the differences, superbly aware of the differences in the wheels actually- I worked for a certain AL manufacturer & the cast spun technology is a better/cheaper way to achieve certain strength levels while maintaining low weight- it actually simulates the effects of a wrought alloy, but that's not important. Alcoa is an overpriced manufacturer & the forging process caused supply constraints for gm, and that's why they went with cast spun wheels from speedline.

Bottom line is the 01 models had a good amount of differences to the 02-04 models, some of which you pointed out. Ideally the 04 is the one to get- the suspension along w/ the slightly more aggressive cam from 02 onward plus everything else and it being the final C5 model year would make it most desirable. I personally have an 03, just trying to give the OP advice before he drops $20,000+ on a car all else being equal he should get the "best" one.

racebum

totally agree on the 04

everything from bushings to seals to electronics are newer just because of the date of production

you can really see the age of a c5 if you look at a 1997 next to a 2004 in person. those 8 years show

Breze84

And Ideally this would be ok if the car was staying bone stock... 99% of the time every time its not the case lol... How many Z06's have you owned? I have owned several all different years and I can tell you 99% of the people who own these cars would never notice the difference. These are all things that usually get replaced with better stuff anyways. In the end as I said before, Same ****...

Breze84

You are correct when comparing 97-2000 to a 2004. Nothing changed on the Z06 from 2002 - 2004 besides shocks, I leave the 01 out of this because of the minor other stuff I mentioned above!. That's it, Shocks you can purchase for 350 bucks new...

racebum

nothing but the age

since rubber, seals and many other things deteriorate day by day

the features weren't the point of my post, it's how important sheer age is, not the standard 97-00 and 01+ feature talk

age is every bit as important or more so than mileage and it gets overlooked constantly

2003Evo

At the end of the day do the math and buy a car that sticks to you. A Z06 with the usual bolt ons (LT headers, cold air intake, axle back, short throw..) would be my first choice over a bone stock one..unless you want to start from zero and do your own upgrades, which at the end the path will lead you to the same upgrades. These bolt ons alone will cost you 3-4K alone..so think about that.
So price being the same and one car having slightly higher mileage but having the main upgrades done to it vs. a lower mileage bone stock one.....Ill take the one with the mods, saving me purchasing money and installation headaches down the road...just my .02 Cents