So I hope to buy my car today, but we will see. In the mean time, I've been looking at quite a few nice rides. A 2002 Z06 with 13,705 miles was just listed the other day for a pretty good price and it was only a few miles from work, so I went to look at it.

Same story I've heard a million times (old retired guy, drove it on sunny Sundays to church), only I see it in this car. It was pristine, they said they hadn't touched it since he traded it on his new Lexus.

Here's the issue. If I was an old retired guy looking for a car to drive in the VFW parade, this might be the car for me. Unfortunately I am looking for a Z06 because I want to drive a race car to work to liven up my commute.

Yes, this car is flawless inside and out. Problem is IT'S THE SAME CAR IT WAS 12 YEARS AGO. I mean, the exact SAME CAR minus the gas in the tank and the oil the dealership just changed.

Original tires, brake fluid, hoses, belt, I can only guess the transmission and rear end have never been changed. The tires still had about 80% tread! Granted, if I was looking to drive it in a parade or to the local Corvette Club meet, 12 year old ultra performance tires might do just fine. But I'm looking for a driver.

The dealership said "It only has 13k miles" but the hoses have been on the car since it was built. It might be time to change them, regardless of miles. I know there is a thread on here about old brake fluid, too.







So for a car they want $30k for, you would need about $2000 or more in tires/fluids/belt/hoses just to make it road worthy. Unless you plan to drive it home at 45mph to park it in the heated garage surrounded by trophies, pictures, and memorabilia waiting 4 months until the temp is above 65 outside.

/coolstorybro

<edit> When I drove it off the lot, the front suspension squeaked real bad. I took it for a test drive up Skyline rd (for those who know Portland) and the sales guy was white knuckled the whole time. I've hit that road a million times in everything from my Yamaha R1 to my C4 and know it very well. That car was BEGGING to be driven, you could feel it want to charge the 25mph corner at 55+ just rolling with ease.

When we got back it was quiet and tight. I had knocked the dust off that bitch proper. It's a shame to see a Z06 like that, but I know there are better cars in worse conditions (not being driven).

 

There are way better deals out there. I've seen some Z06's with low miles for under 20K. But any car with these few miles will need some things changed such as belts and hoses. I personally believe they would make a great car for the right price. But be prepared to spend a few bucks changing some things out.

 

The car needs to be what you want, the price is completely up to you. Dealers always ask for more than they should so its your call. I have an issue with spending that much on anything over 10 years old but thats just me.

Starting with a bone stock car is great since it will become yours if you choose to mod it. Just because it has orig things doesn't mean you need to change them out. If the tires have no cracks, dry rot etc dont change them, the hoses are fine if the same exist on condition. The car was garaged at least while he owned it so it was not always in the elements.

Changing out the fluids is a preference choice, I personally would but you can make that part of what ever deal you make, Brake, Tranny res, Rear end, Power steering, Coolant.

Dealers want to sell but act like they paid way more than what they do, especially on a trade in. they prob gave him 20-22.5k for the trade. My other side works at a dealer and i see it all the time.

good luck with any purchase you do, dont be in a rush and be willing to walk away, with a statement of "when you serious call me otherwise by the end of the week Ill be driving one". Offer what you want to pay and changed the fluids yourself or at a trusted shop.

 

There is an '01 with 30k miles that has 1 week old tires/belt/hoses listed for $19k, I am going to look at it today (its a 3 hour drive, not right down the street). I wouldn't pay more than $22k for that one, but it's listed at $30k.

I don't think the Z will work since I do need a little more room and I will miss the glass top too much. But it is a hell of a car and I know a coupe with a few tweaks will be damn close to the same fun factor.

I wouldn't say all low mile cars are the same, though. I know people who stick to schedule maintenance no matter how heated their garage is. But when the obvious things haven't been done, how often was the oil changed? 4 times in 12 years? If so, was it every 3 years, or did they put 12k miles the first year and never touched it?

 

I do all my own work and mods. I want to find something as stock as possible because I want to mess it up myself.

But the department of transportation recommends changing tires after 10 years regardless of miles due to age alone. Hoses are no different.

Do you think it makes a difference in the hose having coolant sit in it for 12 years, or have a million gallons flushed trough it over the same time frame? While sitting has no friction and no hot/cool/hot changes, it's still a hose full of fluid for a very long time and will degrade.

Right now I am on the fence because there is a very nice '99 with everything I want (minus the '99) for very cheap. I am a little worried about the whole ABS issue on the older cars, but it has no codes currently. The '01 coupe I was supposed to buy today sold last night.

<edit> I got my C4 when I walked away after 4 days. They called and said "Are you still interested" and took my offer. I'm a cheap bastard, but I am willing to give good money for a quality product.

When you consider a Z06 was $55k new in '02, one with 13k miles for even $25k is a hell of a deal knowing I can put 150k hard *** miles on that car with ease. Hard pressed to find another care that can do that, I know, I looked.

 

You said you saw a 2002 Z06 listed for a "pretty good price" . There is nothing wrong with buying a low mileage car like this and having to go through it to replace fluids and belts etc. if the price was right.
The problem with this car is the " pretty good price" is neither pretty or good. You need to be in this car for much less to compensate for the maintenance that it needs then all would be good.

 

All I'd have to do is look at Toque's or tbrent's car and I know what my answer would be. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you can't beat the looks of a C5 Z06.

 

Once you replace all the rubber (~2000 seems about right), you are still effectively getting a brand new Z06 for way less than half sticker.

Some people would complain if they got hung with a new rope

Just change the fluids, replace the tires with real ones, replace the sway bar bushings, and drive.

 

I bought my '97 with 65k and almost new rfts. After almost a thousand miles I had my indy shop flush all the fluids but oil. Of course I have he usual tpms issues/codes but I got into it for $16k and change.

 

Personally, I prefer to buy Corvettes that are untouched. Don't like to redo someone else's mods. A lot of people are not corvette mechanics and it takes work and talent to mod a Corvette. Think of them as a blank canvass, you can be creative.

Of course it is your decision to make.

 

Have you seen a Carfax for the Z. It can answer a lot of the questions you have about it. I bought my car under similar circumstances as you face with this Z. The Carfax showed my car had regular service at the dealership where it was bought. It even showed fluid changes and miles on the car when it was done. As for the price, don't get too caught up in the asking price. I bought mine for $8k less than the sticker they had on the window........and it still wasn't a bargain but it was what I wanted.

 

We cant have it both ways.

If you want low miles, the series is out of production for eight years. Very few people keep a car, don't drive it, but get to all the maintenance items and change stuff just due to time with no wear.

Cant speak to the price, don't know what they are going for but if it were me . . .
I wouldn't think twice about buying a very solid low mileage C5 and having to replace all the frangeables. Its all easy to do and if I was looking forward to driving it (as you are) I'd want to anyway. Hell, I would scrub those tires pretty well before I replaced them....just saying

Belts, hoses and fluids (that look fine) can be changed little by little, over time. They're going to be fine to use...really (brakes/tires=safety items, gotta be good...the other stuff....not so much) as long as it gets done in the first year.

Good luck

 

maybe the dealer can be talked into some compensation on the price due to the safety issues with the car.

the tires are a safety issue I am sure.

 

Truly you are looking at a gift horse and complaining about it. Are you looking to increase your thread count? Next thread will be all C5's are high mileage. You knew that you were looking at a low mileage Corvette. Give them a pass and look for the modded high mileage ones only. IMHO

 

Hell I can't sell my 98 for 11k.....LOL

 

way overpriced. that's a 23-25k car, not 30

as for your concerns. well, a lot of c5s will all have the same issues. most of the cars i looked at did not have the hoses replaced, did not have new radiators, some had regular fluid changes, but really, the average owner just doesn't think ahead

personally i think the best deals in c5s are the mid to higher mileage z06s that you can buy in the teens. many have had parts replaced, they are driven regularly and you can get in them easier. the only real minus is the paint is never as nice

 

I picked up an 02 Z06 in June with only 6, 000 miles on it and have had zero issues. Im not worried about it at all! My DD 02 grand prix still has the original hoses and stuff like that on it and they all still feel normal after all these years and 170, 000 miles. As long they dont feel real soft or hard just drive the thing! The tires are the only thing I would be worried about if you were planning on doing a track day ot something. Around town im sure the origanals will be fine for a short time before replacing them.

 

That car is way overpriced even with the low miles and great condition. Make an offer to them for less (of course taking into consideration things you might have to do maintenance wise) and see what they say.

 

Well, it's not a Z, but it's close. 72k miles, fresh rubber, runs like a dream and at half the price

 

six months ago I bought a good running 1997 for 11k so hang in there...............and run ads