[Z06] 1st Corvette
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
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1st Corvette
Always dreamed of owning a Corvette, and the day finally arrived. I came across a 2002 Z06 that was taken on trade for a 6 figure import. It was a local single owner car. Getting behind the wheel to test drive, the odometer read 3,233 miles (later confirmed through carfax). Paint is flawless - looks like it just came off the showroom floor.
I'm taking the car to a GM dealership to have the car checked front to back. As this car has barely been on the road, are there any special concerns that I should be aware of? Some cars require regular use to perform - Lotus being one. Again, any concerns that I should be aware of?
In advance, thanks for any replies.
I'm taking the car to a GM dealership to have the car checked front to back. As this car has barely been on the road, are there any special concerns that I should be aware of? Some cars require regular use to perform - Lotus being one. Again, any concerns that I should be aware of?
In advance, thanks for any replies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
Always dreamed of owning a Corvette, and the day finally arrived. I came across a 2002 Z06 that was taken on trade for a 6 figure import. It was a local single owner car. Getting behind the wheel to test drive, the odometer read 3,233 miles (later confirmed through carfax). Paint is flawless - looks like it just came off the showroom floor.
I'm taking the car to a GM dealership to have the car checked front to back. As this car has barely been on the road, are there any special concerns that I should be aware of? Some cars require regular use to perform - Lotus being one. Again, any concerns that I should be aware of?
In advance, thanks for any replies.
I'm taking the car to a GM dealership to have the car checked front to back. As this car has barely been on the road, are there any special concerns that I should be aware of? Some cars require regular use to perform - Lotus being one. Again, any concerns that I should be aware of?
In advance, thanks for any replies.
Only issues you should have, is tires, hoses, lines, and change fluids. It is barely broken in, but time could cause some things to rot. Other than that, you basically have a brand new 02 Z06!
May want to check seals and gaskets. I am assuming it was garage kept, so probably not a lot of things to go bad. Even if the tires look great, I would consider swapping them due to age, certainly not mileage.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Jul 29, 2013 at 02:03 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
if you're going to start driving it all the age related items should be changed. coolant hoses, fuel filter, tires, fluids etc
price is the other thing. 25k would be a screaming deal, 30k would be full retail
if you're in there anywhere it would be pretty fair
the one weird thing about the z06 is that there are no good tire choices for it. in stock sizes you literally have the ps2 at 1500 a set of the re760 at 800 a set
ps2 is the natural choice for a 3 season tire but they are expensive. if you want to use good street rubber like the pss you will need 19/18 inch wheels
price is the other thing. 25k would be a screaming deal, 30k would be full retail
if you're in there anywhere it would be pretty fair
the one weird thing about the z06 is that there are no good tire choices for it. in stock sizes you literally have the ps2 at 1500 a set of the re760 at 800 a set
ps2 is the natural choice for a 3 season tire but they are expensive. if you want to use good street rubber like the pss you will need 19/18 inch wheels
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 21
From: Sunniest city on Earth
if you're going to start driving it all the age related items should be changed. coolant hoses, fuel filter, tires, fluids etc
price is the other thing. 25k would be a screaming deal, 30k would be full retail
if you're in there anywhere it would be pretty fair
the one weird thing about the z06 is that there are no good tire choices for it. in stock sizes you literally have the ps2 at 1500 a set of the re760 at 800 a set
ps2 is the natural choice for a 3 season tire but they are expensive. if you want to use good street rubber like the pss you will need 19/18 inch wheels
price is the other thing. 25k would be a screaming deal, 30k would be full retail
if you're in there anywhere it would be pretty fair
the one weird thing about the z06 is that there are no good tire choices for it. in stock sizes you literally have the ps2 at 1500 a set of the re760 at 800 a set
ps2 is the natural choice for a 3 season tire but they are expensive. if you want to use good street rubber like the pss you will need 19/18 inch wheels
I'm shopping for one too and I've budgeted for tires or wheels and tires on almost every single one I've checked out. Nice find
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
If it was garage kept the hoses, etc should be fine ... they all are on my '02 Zee. Tranny and diff fluids are probably still fine to with so low mileage, but it wouldn't hurt to change them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Z06s didn't come with run flats. I'm still on the original tire at 23K, and they are a little hard compared to new but they work fine as long as you're not going crazy driving the car. I'm aware they might not grip like when they were newer, and I drive accordingly. They should be finally worn out this summer.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
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From: Sunniest city on Earth
Z06s didn't come with run flats. I'm still on the original tire at 23K, and they are a little hard compared to new but they work fine as long as you're not going crazy driving the car. I'm aware they might not grip like when they were newer, and I drive accordingly. They should be finally worn out this summer.
These tires have been sitting for 12 years, I wouldn't drive them any further than my house and a tire shop for mounting. If this were my car, I'd probably have a set of rolling stock (18/19 or 19/19 with Super Sports) shipped to my door and install them ASAP.
At best, your original tires are ten years old. It really is time for a new set, regardless of wear.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: oregon
oil is a maybe but additives break down over time, as cheap as a flush with something good like redline would be it's another easy deal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
In theory yes ... but how many C5 owners here have replaced all their coolant hoses, etc on their 2004 or older C5? How many that haven't have had a hose blow out on them? Probably a few, but not a giant risk IMO.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
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From: oregon
big big bet they are on old cases/tires
buy yourself a set of ps2's and drive with much less risk for the next few years. it really won't be that long before the tire is unavailable. michelin has already said it will be discontinued
i switched all my hoses on the 02, but, i'm big on preventative maintenance. worst one is that damn lower rad hose. hard to get at the clamps
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I was thinking of a set of Potenza RE760 Sport instead ... about 1/2 the price of the PS2s.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Always in my lane.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: oregon
the 760 is just really average. i don't hate it by any means but i'm moving to the michelin pss next spring since these 760s will be 4yrs old and due to be change because of age. tires start losing traction pretty substantially after year 2 in their life.
if you have a stock car you'll be able to hook first gear on a warm day on good asphalt as long as you don't just drop the clutch and punch it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
With such a great find and super low mileage, don't skimp on the tires.
I strongly suggest you get Michelin Pilot Super Sports for all around super Z06 driving.
If you cheap out, then you are going to get noise, wheel hop, and a lot of spin when shifting aggressively through the gears. Ask me how I know?
I had Pirelli PZeros and the damn thing would spin while shifting at 3500 RPMs from 1st to second and second to third. Wheel hop as well. I could not keep up with my buds 01 Z06 because of it.
Went Michelins and all of these symptoms disappeared. Car handles like it was meant to and no wheel hop or spin shifting at 4500 RPMs. Go cheap and you will be back to the tire store. No problems passing friends Z06 either.
I strongly suggest you get Michelin Pilot Super Sports for all around super Z06 driving.
If you cheap out, then you are going to get noise, wheel hop, and a lot of spin when shifting aggressively through the gears. Ask me how I know?
I had Pirelli PZeros and the damn thing would spin while shifting at 3500 RPMs from 1st to second and second to third. Wheel hop as well. I could not keep up with my buds 01 Z06 because of it.
Went Michelins and all of these symptoms disappeared. Car handles like it was meant to and no wheel hop or spin shifting at 4500 RPMs. Go cheap and you will be back to the tire store. No problems passing friends Z06 either.