[Z06] How do you decide?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 663
Likes: 172
From: Oklahoma
How do you decide?
I am trying to decide between a 2003 and 2004 Z 06 corvette. Same exterior color and interior , have the same options and both are under 5,000 miles. Price difference is about $2500 between the two. I have enjoyed the search but now am stressing over the decision. I am at the point that I either need therapy or some friendly advise. Would prefer the advise please.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
You buy the newest Corvette you can afford. Each year was an improvement. But in this case I would go with the 2003 since in 2004 GM didn't include the video. The only major difference is the improved shocks, which you would never know the difference for street use. But you could add later.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Centennial CO
Originally Posted by MiamiCowboy
I am trying to decide between a 2003 and 2004 Z 06 corvette. Same exterior color and interior , have the same options and both are under 5,000 miles. Price difference is about $2500 between the two. I have enjoyed the search but now am stressing over the decision. I am at the point that I either need therapy or some friendly advise. Would prefer the advise please.
In your case in which a new one is not available I would have to give weight to the seller I could trust the most. I kept my last vette ten years so I would get an extended warranty. Perhaps the 2003 seller has the best background and the money saved can go to the warranty.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Originally Posted by Charles7Mitchell
Too often these cars are raced and abused. I purchased a new one because it is difficult to trust people sometimes. I have never seen a for sale ad in which someone stated that they raced their cars. All were treated like babies.
In your case in which a new one is not available I would have to give weight to the seller I could trust the most. I kept my last vette ten years so I would get an extended warranty. Perhaps the 2003 seller has the best background and the money saved can go to the warranty.
Good luck.
In your case in which a new one is not available I would have to give weight to the seller I could trust the most. I kept my last vette ten years so I would get an extended warranty. Perhaps the 2003 seller has the best background and the money saved can go to the warranty.
Good luck.
Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
Originally Posted by CPT Z06
Racing does not equal abuse! Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
I agree 100%. I'm actually more scared of buying a used car that has never seen redline (read: the grandma-mobile that's never been over 2k RPMs.) Carbon buildup, dirty injectors, and there's no telling what will happen the first time it breaks that threshold!! I always look for cars that have been maintained well, preferably one that has had it's legs stretched here and there. I "race" mine once in a while, but it's not like I'm driving the **** outta it every day. People that know me know how I maintain my "raced" cars and I usually end up selling to friends and family every time I trade (too bad they won't be getting the vette!) 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Originally Posted by CPT Z06
Racing does not equal abuse! Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Corvette owners are a different breed on top of that. We are all picky about our Vettes.
I'd go with the 04. Its the last year of the C5's, has all of the improvements. Only big negative I can think of is the 04's don't have the aux power harness for making it easier to hardwire a radar detector. It can still be done, just takes more work than just splicing two wires. Good luck with your decision. Either one you will love. After all, it is a Z06.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Centennial CO
Originally Posted by CPT Z06
Racing does not equal abuse! Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Most racers take exceptional car of their cars and inspect, replenish, and replace parts and fluid often. For a given mileage you just would assume accelerated wear, not that big of a deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Happy I found this thread! I'm in the market for a Z06 as well and have the same question. I followed another thread that suggests the 04's are slightly faster. still the 03 is the 50th anniversary car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,626
Likes: 1
From: Fremont California
Originally Posted by QuikZilver
Corvette owners are a different breed on top of that. We are all picky about our Vettes.
I'd go with the 04. Its the last year of the C5's, has all of the improvements. Only big negative I can think of is the 04's don't have the aux power harness for making it easier to hardwire a radar detector. It can still be done, just takes more work than just splicing two wires. Good luck with your decision. Either one you will love. After all, it is a Z06.
The hard wire was a bitch cause I was looking for the pig tale
