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Hi guys,
Im curious about if the 02-04 years of ZO6 had any known problems to watch out for when you buy one and also what the long term reliability would be like. Im also wondering if its possible to work on this car at home with regular tools at all or if it is dealership only due to it being so new. Im used to older vehicles mid 80s to mid 90s so im comparing this car to them.
Depends what you are trying to do. It takes the normal assortment of metric tools to do mechanical work on the car. However, despite the fact the car can display the failure codes that occur you still need a scan tool that can access more than engine codes which means the cost of the tool goes up rapidly. It also helps to have a set of factory service manuals beside you. The manuals consist of 3 volumes and have a total of about 1400 pages. Most of those pages are descriptions of how things work and how to diagnose the many codes that can be displayed on the Driver Information Center.
In general the long term reliability of C5s has been proven and the 01-04 Z06s are just C5s when all is said and done.
My Z now has over 47k miles and has been extremely reliable with minimal maintenance, mainly just oil changes. It has only been to the dealer for one warranty repair, the rear axle leak, which has been common on Z's. Other than that, I do all work myself at home, maintenance and all mods, too. It really helps to have the shop manuals, otherwise nothing unusual in tools required, though I also have my own Tech 2. Get some torque wrenches, definetely needed.
My Z now has over 47k miles and has been extremely reliable with minimal maintenance, mainly just oil changes. It has only been to the dealer for one warranty repair, the rear axle leak, which has been common on Z's. Other than that, I do all work myself at home, maintenance and all mods, too. It really helps to have the shop manuals, otherwise nothing unusual in tools required, though I also have my own Tech 2. Get some torque wrenches, definetely needed.
I was looking for a long time to buy a ZR-1 corvette but after nearly 4 months of search and years of knowledge im starting to come to the conclusion that the ZO6 might be the more suitable vehicle for me. I dont know very much about the history of these cars and their background like I do about the ZR-1 but from what I see so far its seems very hard to beat from every aspect.
A) too many people starring at intersections
B) accelerates past the speed limit at a mind blowing rate
C) when revving, has been known to frighten small children
If you buy on e of these C5 Z06's, make sure you buy an extended warranty. They usually run about $1,500 for a 3YR/36,000 mile policy.
Speaking form experience, mine paid for itself on the first trip to the Dealer. I had the EBCM(elect. brake control module) that handles the Active handling/Traction control/Anti-lock brakes go out. That part alone costs $1,200. This all happened, a month after buying the car with 7,041 miles on the odo. **** happens. I also had the Column Lock relay go out on me, causing another trip to the dealer. Covered under warranty. Nice.
Despite these two minor annoyances, the C5 Z06 is still the best bang-for-the-buck sports car out there.
If you can work on '80's and '90's cars, you can work on the Z06. No need to ever go to the dealership. It's just a car, and mechanically, it's pretty simple. Just because it's badazz doesn't mean it's impossible to work on. Have no fear. Buy it!!!
The 01's had less power and were known for oil consumption (into 02 if i rememeber also?)
The 02/03's had valve spring issues, and shift forks were weak. If you can find a 04 and haggle the price, Go for. I did and I LOVE mine even though:
Originally Posted by VicCaerter
there are a few problems with the Z06:
A) too many people starring at intersections
B) accelerates past the speed limit at a mind blowing rate
C) when revving, has been known to frighten small children, animals, and the elderly
D) Known to shread a set of tires on command