[Z06] Help! Question about possible purchase
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Help! Question about possible purchase
Hello - I just put a deposit down on an 02 Z06 from a dealership. The car has 6000 miles and carfax is clean. Its a 1 owner vehicle...
I haven't looked at many Vettes and was hoping to find out whether something I noticed was normal. The upper edge of the doors where they meet the front fender (ie. right by the windshield). Should the panel fitment be identical on both sides of the vehicle? On this car, the driver's side door seems to stick up slightly higher than on the passenger side (relative to the fender). One side sticks up maybe 1/4" whereas the other side seems perfectly even with the Fender edge. Both doors open and close normally. I did not notice any obvious bodywork (ie. overspray, color issues, etc.).
Any help would be appreciated... I just don't know these cars well enough to know how good the panel fitment is from the factory. Oh! Also, can anyone recommend a Corvette specialist in the Hartford/Danbury CT area. The dealer is in the western suburbs of Hartford and I plan have the car looked over by a 3rd party.
thanks!!! Zach
I haven't looked at many Vettes and was hoping to find out whether something I noticed was normal. The upper edge of the doors where they meet the front fender (ie. right by the windshield). Should the panel fitment be identical on both sides of the vehicle? On this car, the driver's side door seems to stick up slightly higher than on the passenger side (relative to the fender). One side sticks up maybe 1/4" whereas the other side seems perfectly even with the Fender edge. Both doors open and close normally. I did not notice any obvious bodywork (ie. overspray, color issues, etc.).
Any help would be appreciated... I just don't know these cars well enough to know how good the panel fitment is from the factory. Oh! Also, can anyone recommend a Corvette specialist in the Hartford/Danbury CT area. The dealer is in the western suburbs of Hartford and I plan have the car looked over by a 3rd party.
thanks!!! Zach
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
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From: NH
Originally Posted by stook1
Hello - I just put a deposit down on an 02 Z06 from a dealership. The car has 6000 miles and carfax is clean. Its a 1 owner vehicle...
I haven't looked at many Vettes and was hoping to find out whether something I noticed was normal. The upper edge of the doors where they meet the front fender (ie. right by the windshield). Should the panel fitment be identical on both sides of the vehicle? On this car, the driver's side door seems to stick up slightly higher than on the passenger side (relative to the fender). One side sticks up maybe 1/4" whereas the other side seems perfectly even with the Fender edge. Both doors open and close normally. I did not notice any obvious bodywork (ie. overspray, color issues, etc.).
Any help would be appreciated... I just don't know these cars well enough to know how good the panel fitment is from the factory. Oh! Also, can anyone recommend a Corvette specialist in the Hartford/Danbury CT area. The dealer is in the western suburbs of Hartford and I plan have the car looked over by a 3rd party.
thanks!!! Zach
I haven't looked at many Vettes and was hoping to find out whether something I noticed was normal. The upper edge of the doors where they meet the front fender (ie. right by the windshield). Should the panel fitment be identical on both sides of the vehicle? On this car, the driver's side door seems to stick up slightly higher than on the passenger side (relative to the fender). One side sticks up maybe 1/4" whereas the other side seems perfectly even with the Fender edge. Both doors open and close normally. I did not notice any obvious bodywork (ie. overspray, color issues, etc.).
Any help would be appreciated... I just don't know these cars well enough to know how good the panel fitment is from the factory. Oh! Also, can anyone recommend a Corvette specialist in the Hartford/Danbury CT area. The dealer is in the western suburbs of Hartford and I plan have the car looked over by a 3rd party.
thanks!!! Zach
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,525
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From: Philadelphia PA
Did you check the lower portion of the door to see if that gap was off as well? I mean there are some imperfections on these cars...no car can be made perfect, after all...they are made by machines which are programmed and calibrated by humans.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
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From: Nesconset (LI) NY
My 04 Z which I bought as new had a minor misalignment with the front driver side fender with door (towards the bottom). On first oil change, I mentioned to dealer and they adjusted it for me. I suspect panels shift somewhat with body flex during normal driving and/or from being lifted during service. This is definitely a car to own/enjoy for its pure performance and handling characteristics for an everyday reliable driver. I learned to overlook minor flaws that shouldnt exist on a 50k car, by knowing that to get comparable performance on a stock car would cost at least 40k more anywhere else. Otherwise I probably would drive myself insane ... lol
Best of luck and enjoy if you chosse to make this purchase.
Best of luck and enjoy if you chosse to make this purchase.
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My prior experience is mostly with Japanese cars which I guess have better tolerances for these sorts of things. If its off from the Factory, I really dont care, just trying to cover all bases on possible collision damage. thx! Zach
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Some things I checked for on the 01 I just picked up. 1) make sure you look at the car up on a lift. 2) Notice how the car has been lifted in the past. (these cars need to be lifted in a certain way, as not to cause lower body damage) If you can't get car on a lift do what I did buy a long mirror and slide it around under the car. This works very well. Check for any missing fasteners, or signs of a repaint. Take your time check everything. When I was after my 01 I was very picky about overall condition and service records. Another thing to look at is the bars in the very front. (due to these cars being so low, there is no way to have ones that are perfect). However if they are very bad it may suggest that perhaps the past owner, was not as careful as he should of been. Go through all the codes. Check wear on the tires, as they are not a cheap date to replace. Also check for pits on rims (as most i looked at had some pitting due to gm's poor coating. Above all be very picky and remember it's your money that your putting down. Take your time. Best of luck Sixty4.
