Hey guys, I'm not yet an owner but I plan on being one soon. I currently own a 2004 Pontiac GTO and I am looking into trading it in for a 2003 z06. Anything I should know about these cars before I buy? I know the GTO had a lot of rear end problems, I'm wondering about stuff like that. Anyway I'm looking forward to being a member!

 

There are a few common problems with the C5 platform - rocking seats, rear differential seal leaking, headlight gears going out, etc. I've got a few Word files, including a Corvette Buyer's Checklist, that may help you out. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.

 

Just stay on this forum and read and learn. Then make an imformed choice.

 

 

Come to tha light!!!

 

Yep, when you buy a c5 zo6, put in a CLB within the 1st week. Please read this thread--this Z was purchased on 5-21-10 and on 5-23-10, the column locked!:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...post1574162885
Order this now: even before you actually buy the z!!
http://www.corvettesofhouston.com/pr...products_id=54

Go on a good test drive and make sure the car easily shifts into all gears including reverse. If first sometimes sticks, that is normal per the owner's manual. Just keep the clutch in and go to 2nd and back into first--or go to -N-, release clutch, then press clutch pedal and go back into first. Check that there is no moldy smell from the AC, check underneath for front end damage and out back for any fluid leaks. Look for uneven wear on front tires (camber wear on the inside edges), bald rear tires and bad rotors/pads--look for scored rotors etc and factor those into your price. On test drive, listen for air leaks from the window/door areas (radio and AC off and windows up in 5th or 6th gear 65mph cruise) and for any moisture in the rear cubbies. Look for non-oem wheels or wheel sizes etc. Look at oil pressure and coolant temp. gauges after your drive. After your drive, pop the hood and look for any unusual smells or leaks from battery, coolant overflow tank, burning clutch smell between battery and the fuel-rail cover etc. Visually inspect the drive belt before you drive and after you drive as you will see more sections of the belt than just one "fixed" observation. Make sure you use all the electronics--seats, windows, locks, radio etc. Make sure AC is cool and has proper LED display strength (not a dim display) and that it does not cycle on and off too much. Look for leaks from the diff. area and oil pan. Look for uneven body panels, paint overspray/blending etc. If it is hard to get your fingers under the trunk lid after you pop it, you can twist the rubber gromet under there a bit to give more clearance and or close the driver door to force it up with air pressure. There is also a popup spring you can buy to help with that. Check the service records over--you can have a chevy dealer pull them up, get a carfax and if possible get a professional pre-purchase inspection.


Get a shorty antenna as the stock one is on the lame side and if you're at stock side, lower that thing a bit, do mobil 1 religiously and check level often for oil usage. Top it off b/t oilchanges as you don't want to blow a motor or anything like that. I'm speaking of normal usage, there are some oil consumption issues and that is a different animal and not so common as the normal oil usage wrt to hard/spirited driving.

good luck and don't street race or get into accident as everyone including those G8s and GTOs want a piece of you if you know what I mean

Other than a crank shaft position sensor going bad, covered by warranty--my Z has been problem free..it's fun and so fast!

 

Holy Crap! i know the GTO forums are supposed to be good, but WOW! no one has taken the time to write anything like that in that forum haha thank you i found that INCREDIBLY usefull and will be using all of it when i test drive it. i already saw the car but the dealer was closed. there car has been in the same spot for a few days, and there where no leaks or rust under the car. the front bumper had no dings in the paint, and from what i could see the pedals where not worn, meaning to me that it was mostly highway driven or only taken on short trips and garage kept. the tires where a little worn, but evenly across the whole tire and about the same on the front and back. the rims where OEM and the rotors looked ok with no scores, but i guess the test drive will show the real damage i cant see. and even on my GTO i do oil changes sooner than suggested, and i only use either mobile 1 or royal purple. and speaking of oil... i guess what im using now would be ok for this motor? or is there anything better? im not affraid to spend a little extra keep the car running in tip top shape. i heard the tires are supposed to be 10.5 rear and 9.5 front wide, but they measured 11.5 rear and 10.5 front. is this right or could the wheels have been altered? and as i said thank you so much for all the help. and i checked out insurance prices, its 20 dollars more a month than what i pay for my GTO. not bad for a 20 year old eh? haha and i do plan on taking this car to the track, should i be afraid of anything breaking? i know it goes for any car that it can, but my GTO terrifies me, my first hard launch blew out both halfshafts and blew my pinion gear at the same time. and the antenna... wow. haha i honestly never noticed it untill i looked at it, and it really looks bad. i will definately get a shorty. thanks again guys. im getting closer to the light! lol

 

Just be sure to checkout the stickies at the top regarding common C5 problems. Also take those with a grain of salt. ALL C5s are used so if you buy from a pretty knowledgeable person, they more than likely fixed everything for you anyway. I would NOT buy from a dealership but, that is just me. I would buy from a forum member or one of the forum vendors that not just sells but also services Corvettes. Like Corvettes of Dallas etc.

There's TOO many threads on oil battles so my best advise to you is that you are NOT using a bad oil by using M1 or RP. I've been using RP in my LS1 for months and M1 before that no issues. However, there is a vendor here that can get you on the Amsoil preferred customer program and get you that oil shipped for cheaper than what you would buy RP for at the autozone etc.

Good luck

-Alex

 

Take a look at this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html

A few things it doesn't mention is that these are ridiculously fast. When you compare it to your GTO's acceleration, I promise you're going to have the biggest grin on your face.

They get you a LOT more attention. Expect girls to be coming up to you and asking about your car. This is a constant annoyance. LOL

If you're in your 20's, everyone will think you're driving your dad's car. When you're asked about that (and you will be asked about that), be sure you're sarcastic in your response. It helps with the stories later down the road.

Another common annoying problem with these cars is that everyone's going to ask to drive it. It's very simple to say "No" without explanation. Explaining only complicates the situation.

One of the pro's to owning a Vette is that you'll get LOTS less hassle from the cops over owning your GTO. Cops generally think you're in your 40's or 50's when you drive one. So it's a bonus if you're in your 60's.

If you do the work on your car yourself (oil changes, small installs, etc) you'll need either lifting pucks, race ramps, or you'll need to build yourself some sort of ramp to get the car up. It's not easy getting the car up in the air. I use some wood ramps I made and a creeper.

If there's a stock air box, change it to anything aftermarket.

 

 

just drove the z06...
i dont know what to say...
a car has literally made me speechless haha
i am set on a z06 now. thank you guys for your input. i would like to find a member selling one. anyone know of anyone good?

 

Here is a good placeto start: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-c...s-for-sale-52/

 

Remember, 2 things make the z kind of "dorky"..one I told you about--the "RC-Car" long azz antenna...get a shorty antenna (several nice ones are available and if you live near a major metro area-you won't lose anything other than jazz and ranchero-latino stations for the most part..lol)

The other is riding at stock height--they fixed this on the stock c6z as the stock c6z ride height is good. The c5 stock riding height is a 4x4. You can lower it on stock bolts and it still rides great and looks badazz. Anyway, keep us posted and you're welcome on the feedback. Mobil 1 synthetic is your friend and show restraint--we want a long time corvette buddy here not a statistic

 

The other thing I'd suggest is learn how to check the DIC codes. The Vette has an onboard diagnostics system which flags up any problems. If you check for current codes you'll know in advance if the car has any problems that need fixing before you buy it.

http://www.97vette.com/howto/codes/index.html

Best of luck with the search

 

Yeah, they do that LOL. Try the C5 For Sale Section here. Best thing about C5s nowadays is that they are EXTREMELY common. So finding one won't be a problem at all.

Do yourself a favor and if you have any particulars, hold out for the one you want. I've seen too many threads about people settling on items that are a big deal, such as color, interior color, transmission (not in your case going with a ZO6) etc and those are major cost changes. So just make sure when you are ready to buy, you buy the exact color, mileage etc that you want. Good luck

-Alex