[Z06] Z06 Purchase Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 70
Z06 Purchase Advice Needed
Hello,
I am looking at an 03 Zo6 in great condition. The car has about 18K miles on it. I had the car service inspected as I am serious about buying the car. Everything came back in excellent condition except the oil pan gasket has a leak. Of course, this is an inexpensive part, however probably a lot of money to fix due to labor. I wasn't able to call any local shops/dealers, but my research is telling me 1K.
I will find out tomorrow how bad the leak is, but I think it is minimal. Regardless, it is still something that will need to be fixed.
I would do it myself, however I don't have a lift and am literally moving into a new house at the moment (garage full of stuff).
What do you think I should do with this issue if the tech. tells me tomorrow it is a small leak and no immideate worry?
What do you think is a fair way of handeling this with the seller who was firm on his price of $24,850?
Other options: I pay, split price, etc.?
Any other advise on how to handle the situation is welcome!
Thanks in advance.
I am looking at an 03 Zo6 in great condition. The car has about 18K miles on it. I had the car service inspected as I am serious about buying the car. Everything came back in excellent condition except the oil pan gasket has a leak. Of course, this is an inexpensive part, however probably a lot of money to fix due to labor. I wasn't able to call any local shops/dealers, but my research is telling me 1K.
I will find out tomorrow how bad the leak is, but I think it is minimal. Regardless, it is still something that will need to be fixed.
I would do it myself, however I don't have a lift and am literally moving into a new house at the moment (garage full of stuff).
What do you think I should do with this issue if the tech. tells me tomorrow it is a small leak and no immideate worry?
What do you think is a fair way of handeling this with the seller who was firm on his price of $24,850?
Other options: I pay, split price, etc.?
Any other advise on how to handle the situation is welcome!
Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
Hello,
I am looking at an 03 Zo6 in great condition. The car has about 18K miles on it. I had the car service inspected as I am serious about buying the car. Everything came back in excellent condition except the oil pan gasket has a leak. Of course, this is an inexpensive part, however probably a lot of money to fix due to labor. I wasn't able to call any local shops/dealers, but my research is telling me 1K.
I will find out tomorrow how bad the leak is, but I think it is minimal. Regardless, it is still something that will need to be fixed.
I would do it myself, however I don't have a lift and am literally moving into a new house at the moment (garage full of stuff).
What do you think I should do with this issue if the tech. tells me tomorrow it is a small leak and no immideate worry?
What do you think is a fair way of handeling this with the seller who was firm on his price of $24,850?
Other options: I pay, split price, etc.?
Any other advise on how to handle the situation is welcome!
Thanks in advance.
I am looking at an 03 Zo6 in great condition. The car has about 18K miles on it. I had the car service inspected as I am serious about buying the car. Everything came back in excellent condition except the oil pan gasket has a leak. Of course, this is an inexpensive part, however probably a lot of money to fix due to labor. I wasn't able to call any local shops/dealers, but my research is telling me 1K.
I will find out tomorrow how bad the leak is, but I think it is minimal. Regardless, it is still something that will need to be fixed.
I would do it myself, however I don't have a lift and am literally moving into a new house at the moment (garage full of stuff).
What do you think I should do with this issue if the tech. tells me tomorrow it is a small leak and no immideate worry?
What do you think is a fair way of handeling this with the seller who was firm on his price of $24,850?
Other options: I pay, split price, etc.?
Any other advise on how to handle the situation is welcome!
Thanks in advance.
If it's the right color combination that appeals to you. Then thats one hell of a deal! The Oilpan gasket would not scare me. Why it's leaking would be more of a concern. It's possible lack of driving and sitting caused it to be brittle.
Good Luck with whatever you decide
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 70
Yes, it is a good deal and the car is in excellent shape. Extremely well cared for. Bone stock to the paper filter. It has been driven about 8K since 2008 and 10K from 2003-2008. Two previous owners, both Corvette nuts in their 50's. The good price is why I have a question about how best to deal with any cost related to fixing it.
Curious as to why a leak @ 18k?
If it's the right color combination that appeals to you. Then thats one hell of a deal! The Oilpan gasket would not scare me. Why it's leaking would be more of a concern. It's possible lack of driving and sitting caused it to be brittle.
Good Luck with whatever you decide
If it's the right color combination that appeals to you. Then thats one hell of a deal! The Oilpan gasket would not scare me. Why it's leaking would be more of a concern. It's possible lack of driving and sitting caused it to be brittle.
Good Luck with whatever you decide
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
That's the important part...buying a corvette that has been owned by TRUE corvette enthusists! Nothing is more important.
Sounds like the way you defend the car "your mind is already made up"!
Have a great trip back home!
Sounds like the way you defend the car "your mind is already made up"!
Have a great trip back home!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
I got my MY '04 last year, bone stock with over $1K in Clear Bra, had 17k miles, paid $24.5. Drove it the 1200 miles home...after a week or two I noticed some oil drips...investigated and found the Oil Filter was loose. LOL!. Tightened and no more leak. Made sure replacement was tight enough also.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Santa Ynez Ca.
The cost of the oil pan gasket replacement is about $260 which is what the local dealer charged me last month to replace mine. As it turned out it was not what was leaking, I have a small fracture in my oil pan which the tech missed. Make sure you evaluate the leak before you do any repair.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
If you have to have the car then be prepared to eat the cost. If you could walk away from it without second guessing yourself forever then ask the seller to drop the price.
For what it's worth I don't think its that killer of a deal that you shouldn't consider walking away. If it were in the lower 20s maybe. Not saying the car is over priced, just not an unheard of deal.
GLWP. You'll love it.
For what it's worth I don't think its that killer of a deal that you shouldn't consider walking away. If it were in the lower 20s maybe. Not saying the car is over priced, just not an unheard of deal.
GLWP. You'll love it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 4
From: Asheville NC
for sure on the valve spring replacement. I'm worried about my 02 Z06 as well @52000 miles.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 18
From: Columbus MS
Valve springs would be a good idea also but I'm on my second 02 Z first with 87K miles on stock springs no problems and I ran the crap outta that car. This car with 63K miles but I care about this one more so they will be getting replaced.
Also I wouldnt worry to much about the leak, sounds like a clean car try to get him down atleast 1k.
Also I wouldnt worry to much about the leak, sounds like a clean car try to get him down atleast 1k.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 70
If you have to have the car then be prepared to eat the cost. If you could walk away from it without second guessing yourself forever then ask the seller to drop the price.
For what it's worth I don't think its that killer of a deal that you shouldn't consider walking away. If it were in the lower 20s maybe. Not saying the car is over priced, just not an unheard of deal.
GLWP. You'll love it.
For what it's worth I don't think its that killer of a deal that you shouldn't consider walking away. If it were in the lower 20s maybe. Not saying the car is over priced, just not an unheard of deal.
GLWP. You'll love it.
Thanks all for the advice.
I can certainly walk away. I would just rather work it out with the seller in a manner that is fair to both parties. He has been a nice person to deal with and I would think I have been as well. I told him I would buy it assuming all comes back well from the inspection. Although this is a minor thing, the cost is not.
I talked to the tech. today and he said it was both the lower and upper gaskets. I asked if he was sure it was the gaskets and he said yes. I find it strange that both are leaking, especially after researching this topic as much as I have.
It will be 850 - 1K to fix depending on where I take it. It just stinks that such a minor things cost so much to fix and I am not in the circumstances to dive in and do it myself.
I will keep you posted. I certainly appreciate the feedback.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: bay area CA
The price of just under $25k for a 18k mile car isn't particularly a great deal, but it's about what they're going for. I've seen a few sell for $23k with 22-28k miles. With that fix being needed, I'd loosen him up on the price a bit.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Sounds to me like a good price on a nice low mile car. I picked up my 02 last fall with 18k miles on it for the same money. I am very happy with the car. Don't let the oil pan gasket be the deal breaker if that is the car that you want. Good luck and bring some pics!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Good luck with your purchase
I bought my MY 03-Z06 with 24,040 miles in 2006 for 36 K and sold it last year with 25,890 miles for 29 K. It was pristine and it hurt to see the depreciation on a wonderful car.
I wait for the 03-Z06 prices to bottom out and I'll have another
I bought my MY 03-Z06 with 24,040 miles in 2006 for 36 K and sold it last year with 25,890 miles for 29 K. It was pristine and it hurt to see the depreciation on a wonderful car.
I wait for the 03-Z06 prices to bottom out and I'll have another
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 6
From: Corvette Owner since 1971 - 2004 Z06 Florida
That really doesn't sound like a bad price at all. It's pretty much in the ballpark for the going rate on one with that mileage. If the valve spring issue has you uptight, look at a 2001 or 2004 Z06. My research showed they don't seem to have the valve spring problems that the '02 and '03 had and made me refine my search to an 04, however changing the springs is not that expensive of a deal, even at the dealer. Perhaps some expert here can tell you if they were manufactured differently in 2004 or if it's just an anomally.