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[Z06] 2001 vs 2002-2004

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Old Jan 8, 2013 | 10:42 PM
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Default 2001 vs 2002-2004

Feel free to point me in the direction of a prior forum post if it exists. I have researched all the differences and prefer the 405hp, maybe underestimated to be as much as 425? I am considering a particular 2001 which I have found a decent deal on within driving distance. Am I going to wish I had held out for a 2002-2004? For those of you who have driven/owned both, is there a distiguishable difference? It will be an occasional driver with a few HPDE's a year. Thanks for your advice.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 12:46 AM
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I've owned 2 02's and an 04. That being said I just purchased a 2001 and it feels the same. There is plenty of info if you search this subject. I'd say buy the 01 if you find a good deal or a really clean car, as I did.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 08:03 AM
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I've driven both and could not tell a SOP difference. No heads up in the '01 but not a big deal.

Where is the '01 you are looking at? I know of one in Wichita that is mint. Only reason I didn't buy it is not the color I was wanting.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rocknroller
I've driven both and could not tell a SOP difference. No heads up in the '01 but not a big deal.

Where is the '01 you are looking at? I know of one in Wichita that is mint. Only reason I didn't buy it is not the color I was wanting.
What was the color of the one in Wichita? I am looking for MY.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 01:16 PM
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If you plan to mod. Its a rather moot point.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 02:24 PM
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Default 04 v 02

Comparing the 01 to 02-04:
1. Heads up display is awesome but can be retrofitted.
2. Transmission forks upgraded: unless you plan on modding transmission would want to think about this. I will tell you that the stock transmission holds up to alot in the 02-04. I presently have 600whp and transmission is fine.
3. value: an 01 will never be worth as much to a buyer in the future no matter how close they are
4. From my personal experience, 01's were beat on pretty hard, meaning the owners pushed them hard. Just my experience though.


I owned an 02 before the present 04.
1. suspension-the shocks were changed in the 04 and I don't know about others but the difference is substantial when pushing hard. That said, you can always change the shocks to newer ones.


Bottom Line: I say get an 02-04 for value reasons and because the have a stronger transmission that wont need to be upgraded unless pushing serious power beyond 600whp or so.

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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by mooksz06
Comparing the 01 to 02-04:
1. Heads up display is awesome but can be retrofitted.
2. Transmission forks upgraded: unless you plan on modding transmission would want to think about this. I will tell you that the stock transmission holds up to alot in the 02-04. I presently have 600whp and transmission is fine.
3. value: an 01 will never be worth as much to a buyer in the future no matter how close they are
4. From my personal experience, 01's were beat on pretty hard, meaning the owners pushed them hard. Just my experience though.
It doesn't make any sense to extrapolate isolated personal experiences like this to the overall population at large. The rest of your points are valid, though.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by skyavonee
It doesn't make any sense to extrapolate isolated personal experiences like this to the overall population at large. The rest of your points are valid, though.

I wouldn't have other than the fact that the OP asked of our experience if we had driven both....and like I said this was my experience from driving dozens before buying the first and the second z06 I have owned.

Of course it may be different
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by mooksz06
I wouldn't have other than the fact that the OP asked of our experience if we had driven both....and like I said this was my experience from driving dozens before buying the first and the second z06 I have owned.

Of course it may be different
Thanks guys. I am considering a 40k mile 2001 that is a 2nd owner car. Current owner is in his 70's so I feel pretty good about the car being taken car of.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:05 AM
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The steal 3-4 shift fork did not come until 2003 I believe....

I just bought an 01 Z with some goodies for a good deal and I love it.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by PEETYZ
The steal 3-4 shift fork did not come until 2003 I believe....

I just bought an 01 Z with some goodies for a good deal and I love it.
Just curious...what is a good deal with how many miles? I can get this one for $19k which seems like too much to me. I am concerned that values on the C5's are going to drop as soon as the C7's hit the streets. By default the C6's will drop.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 11:52 AM
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Just bought my 01 TR last month. A friend of mine has an 03 which is BONE stock. I installed halltech CAI, and GHL catback, everything else is stock. From 40-130ish, the half a car difference, was due to my hefty friend being in the car with me. 260lbs removed from the pass. seat, and we were bumper to bumper. From a dig I beat him by a car, purely due to the fact his tires are bald, and I hooked fairly decently.

As far as price, I have come to realize that everyone and there mom will tell you your paying too much for an 01. If your comfortable with the price, and like the car buy it! I purchased mine with 44k miles MR interior, all stock for 16,500. Which was a SCREAMIN deal
IMO. But I would have payed whatever for it if they wanted it.

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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeD.
Just bought my 01 TR last month. A friend of mine has an 03 which is BONE stock. I installed halltech CAI, and GHL catback, everything else is stock. From 40-130ish, the half a car difference, was due to my hefty friend being in the car with me. 260lbs removed from the pass. seat, and we were bumper to bumper. From a dig I beat him by a car, purely due to the fact his tires are bald, and I hooked fairly decently.

As far as price, I have come to realize that everyone and there mom will tell you your paying too much for an 01. If your comfortable with the price, and like the car buy it! I purchased mine with 44k miles MR interior, all stock for 16,500. Which was a SCREAMIN deal
IMO. But I would have payed whatever for it if they wanted it.

Thanks man. That is a great looking Z and you did get an awesome deal. I would give another grand above that for the car I am considering, but just can't justify $19k.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 09:35 PM
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2002 and 2003 had most of the valve spring issue. 01's are solid.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by SKMCOBRA
Thanks man. That is a great looking Z and you did get an awesome deal. I would give another grand above that for the car I am considering, but just can't justify $19k.
It's a Z06 with only 40k miles. If it's in good condition and has a documented service history, $19k seems like a great deal to me. What exactly are you hoping for? You can hold out for something better, but it may never come. Just my $.02.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by skyavonee
It's a Z06 with only 40k miles. If it's in good condition and has a documented service history, $19k seems like a great deal to me. What exactly are you hoping for? You can hold out for something better, but it may never come. Just my $.02.
I agree. If the seats, interior, exterior, and tires are decent, that is really a good deal for a Z06 with 40K.
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by mooksz06
Comparing the 01 to 02-04:
1. Heads up display is awesome but can be retrofitted.
2. Transmission forks upgraded: unless you plan on modding transmission would want to think about this. I will tell you that the stock transmission holds up to alot in the 02-04. I presently have 600whp and transmission is fine.
3. value: an 01 will never be worth as much to a buyer in the future no matter how close they are
4. From my personal experience, 01's were beat on pretty hard, meaning the owners pushed them hard. Just my experience though.


I owned an 02 before the present 04.
1. suspension-the shocks were changed in the 04 and I don't know about others but the difference is substantial when pushing hard. That said, you can always change the shocks to newer ones.


Bottom Line: I say get an 02-04 for value reasons and because the have a stronger transmission that wont need to be upgraded unless pushing serious power beyond 600whp or so.

I'd agree with all of this with the exception of #3 when it comes to a WHITE 01Z. They are probably the highest resale valued C5Z's on the market due to their rarity. They command money similar to an 03-04 or more! I believe there were only 303 made, and 147 w/ mod red interior, making them even more sought after.

Over all, if you could get an 02-04 it is the better car. The 01 had a piston ring sealing issue when seeing over 3200RPM for an extended period of time (I.e. track days). There was a campaign to take care of this, but it wasn't mandatory. It was only done if the owner complained of the issue. Just make sure to ask for the records and make sure the campaign has been done to the 01 if you buy one.
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by FruiTay
2002 and 2003 had most of the valve spring issue. 01's are solid.
think that was the other way around. valve float above 6500 rpms on the 01's

01's also had minor oiling issues and leaking diffs.

Last edited by AU N EGL; Jan 11, 2013 at 08:48 AM.
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by SKMCOBRA
Just curious...what is a good deal with how many miles? I can get this one for $19k which seems like too much to me. I am concerned that values on the C5's are going to drop as soon as the C7's hit the streets. By default the C6's will drop.
I paid 18K for my 01 with 60k miles with some goodies:

LT headers, B&B bullet Exhaust, HUD, LS7 Clutch, C6Z shocks, Double Din Nav/DVD system with Polk Pro audio speakers and Alpine Sub built in trunk all professionally installed (Sounds Amazing)







With My Dad's 98




Cell Phone pic...


Last edited by PEETYZ; Jan 11, 2013 at 11:41 AM.
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
01's also had minor oiling issues and leaking diffs.
My '04 had a leaking diff... the seal was replaced under warranty.
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