Vette Noob, need some advice
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4
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From: Ypsilanti township mi
Vette Noob, need some advice
HEllo, Im a noob here and to Corvettes. To be honest Im a Ford man at heart and have never owned a GM product. To make the long story short the Chevy dealer near work has 2 Vettes on the used car lot, both 6 speed. THe first is a 2003 Convertible in blue with black interior and top w/33000 miles for $35000. The second is a red 2001 Z06 car with 22000 miles for $31000. Which is the better deal? And what is each really worth?
Also, what are common problems with both of these years? Common quirks? Anything to know or look out for? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Also, what are common problems with both of these years? Common quirks? Anything to know or look out for? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi lightngsvt -
They both seem to have a little wiggle room built in - and a dealer will have to get a bit more than a private seller as you probably know.
Good starting points for negotiation IMO.
Now all you have to know is do you want a top that retracts?
good luck.
Oh, and member since Oct 2002, two posts....you are a professional lurker!
Welcome!
best regards -
mqqn
They both seem to have a little wiggle room built in - and a dealer will have to get a bit more than a private seller as you probably know.
Good starting points for negotiation IMO.
Now all you have to know is do you want a top that retracts?
good luck.
Oh, and member since Oct 2002, two posts....you are a professional lurker!
Welcome! best regards -
mqqn
Supporting Tuner
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I'm no help with your questions but here's a Corvette Forum welcome 
EG
EG
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by lightngsvt
HEllo, Im a noob here and to Corvettes. To be honest Im a Ford man at heart and have never owned a GM product. To make the long story short the Chevy dealer near work has 2 Vettes on the used car lot, both 6 speed. THe first is a 2003 Convertible in blue with black interior and top w/33000 miles for $35000. The second is a red 2001 Z06 car with 22000 miles for $31000. Which is the better deal? And what is each really worth?
Also, what are common problems with both of these years? Common quirks? Anything to know or look out for? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Also, what are common problems with both of these years? Common quirks? Anything to know or look out for? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
IMO, get the 2001 because:
1. it's red.
2. it's faster.
3. it has fewer miles.
Although, I would try to talk the price down on alittle. Good luck
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Garland TX
If you are a performance fiend, that wants to do any kind of weekend racing, the Z06 is the better choice. Otherwise it comes down to whether you like convertbles or not. 3rd option, wait for a coupe so you take the hard roof out. Don't think you will be disappointed with any route you choose. Go with your gut. Or. as I advise friends picking motorcycles, "buy the one you want to look at from the restaurant window while you take your lunch break during a good long ride, and be able to think,'yeah that's mine'."
Welcome!
Welcome!
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: West Palm Beach FL
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Zilla
Here is a word of advise stay away from Englandgreen. 
I would go with the newer vette
I would go with the newer vette
AND 
(in that order)...
...StuzVette is for sale 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Go with the Vert but I'm biased 
My 02 has had the leak from the rear diff and a battery failure, Both problems are regularly reported here.
Either choice you wont regret it.
My 02 has had the leak from the rear diff and a battery failure, Both problems are regularly reported here.
Either choice you wont regret it.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Ypsilanti township mi
Thanks for the nice welcome. Id did the old search on KBB and Edmunds. It seems the vert is right in the ballpark, while they say the Z06 is worth closer to $28-29000. What is the HP rating on the 03 vert, I know the Z06 is 405? What kind of warranty do these cars carry? Is maintenance difficult to do your self (compared to other cars), or are parts "expensive" relatively speaking? At this point in these cars lives, asumming low mileage added and excellent maintenance what kind of depreciation are they likely to take in 1 - 2 years (about the time I get "bored" and start looking at cars again)? Thanks again for all the help! Im going to go over at lunch time and check the cars out a bit closer.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
Z06 for sure Unless you absolutely want to drive with the top off.
If you can get the Z06 for $28-29K, I say go for it, provided it is clean and was well cared for, that would be an excellent price. If you drive it, you'll buy it I had my vette checked out by the mechanic that works on my other family cars (he owns a vette as well). If you have, or know, a mechanic that you trust I would have him go over whichever one you prefer. It's worth it.
The 03 is rated at 350HP at the crank, and yes the Z is 405. The base warranty is 3 year/36K miles. The Z would be out of the factory warranty. If you get the VIN #'s and post them here, someone will get you the history, and you may find out that either, or both, have an extended warranty. Mine was pre-owned, and did, and I found out about it here .
They are fairly easy to work on for basic maintenance, and mods. There is a ton of technology, and electronics, that can be expensive to be replaced/repaired (we all deal with the "Corvette Tax").
I can't help with the depreciation since I didn't buy mine as an investment, so I don't pay much attention to that.
Good Luck
Welcome to the forum. Join the best group of people you'll find anywhere
Unless you absolutely want to drive with the top off. If you can get the Z06 for $28-29K, I say go for it, provided it is clean and was well cared for, that would be an excellent price. If you drive it, you'll buy it
I had my vette checked out by the mechanic that works on my other family cars (he owns a vette as well). If you have, or know, a mechanic that you trust I would have him go over whichever one you prefer. It's worth it.The 03 is rated at 350HP at the crank, and yes the Z is 405. The base warranty is 3 year/36K miles. The Z would be out of the factory warranty. If you get the VIN #'s and post them here, someone will get you the history, and you may find out that either, or both, have an extended warranty. Mine was pre-owned, and did, and I found out about it here
.They are fairly easy to work on for basic maintenance, and mods. There is a ton of technology, and electronics, that can be expensive to be replaced/repaired (we all deal with the "Corvette Tax").
I can't help with the depreciation since I didn't buy mine as an investment, so I don't pay much attention to that.
Good Luck
Welcome to the forum. Join the best group of people you'll find anywhere
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Vette offers three very good choices... IMO the vert is the prettiest with thetop down (mine usually is). Z06 is just killer to drive fast. I'd say go with the newer car if other factors are a toss up.
Safety Car
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Memphis Milner
I "buy the one you want to look at from the restaurant window while you take your lunch break during a good long ride, and be able to think,'yeah that's mine'."
Welcome!
Welcome!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
It is as easy as one said do you want the top to come off or not?
My decision also came down to that and I wanted a summer car where the roof came off. Of course now I am adding tons of mods to the car to make it as fast as the Z06 so I can have my cake and eat it to.
You will be happy with either choice I am sure.
My decision also came down to that and I wanted a summer car where the roof came off. Of course now I am adding tons of mods to the car to make it as fast as the Z06 so I can have my cake and eat it to.
You will be happy with either choice I am sure.
Just kidding welcome to the world of C5 once you go 
its for life.
Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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On the more negative side, if you are someone who prefers extended warranties, the Z06 won't qualify for GMPP anymore and Warranty Direct (maybe others too?) will not cover Z06s. Some '01s (mostly 6 speeds) also had ring problems. On a better note, I think any newer Vette will be fun.
Team Owner
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by lightngsvt
What is the HP rating on the 03 vert, I know the Z06 is 405? What kind of warranty do these cars carry?
Race Director
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by Zilla
The HP of the 03 is 350 HP and the 01 Z06 is 385HP not 405HP, in 2002 they went to 405HP. The warranty is probably over for the Z06 and the 03 still may have a year left on it, unless they both have the extended warranties
yea that in my book would be an influence, 30 more HP with non-removable top the 01Z is not worth it to me,,however 55 more HP vs non-removable top..then I would choose the 02 Z06..still I think 28k or 29k for the 01Z is a fair price based on the little info we have so far.Good luck and welcome to Vettland
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 109
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From: Walnut Creek CA
If you want to take the top off, get the convertable or wait to find a coupe.
If you want performance, get the Z. (but I would wait for an '02 Z06...the '01 is rated at 385hp, which jumped to 405 in '02).
good luck!
If you want performance, get the Z. (but I would wait for an '02 Z06...the '01 is rated at 385hp, which jumped to 405 in '02).
good luck!