[Z06] Pricing on 2003 Z06?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Pricing on 2003 Z06?
So, it's been a while. Looking for a cheap, trackable performance car to fill my performance appetite until the 981 Cayman comes down in price. Seriously considering getting another C5Z after selling my last one in 2006. Time flies.
Anyway, I found a nice 29K mile 2003 and am wondering what a fair price is. I'm thinking $22,000-$23,000? Thoughts?
I sold my 2002 in 2006 with 35k miles for $28,000. It's good to know these cars are even more of a bargain now, but in hindsight - quite the resale value holding.
Anyway, I found a nice 29K mile 2003 and am wondering what a fair price is. I'm thinking $22,000-$23,000? Thoughts?
I sold my 2002 in 2006 with 35k miles for $28,000. It's good to know these cars are even more of a bargain now, but in hindsight - quite the resale value holding.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
So, it's been a while. Looking for a cheap, trackable performance car to fill my performance appetite until the 981 Cayman comes down in price. Seriously considering getting another C5Z after selling my last one in 2006. Time flies.
Anyway, I found a nice 29K mile 2003 and am wondering what a fair price is. I'm thinking $22,000-$23,000? Thoughts?
I sold my 2002 in 2006 with 35k miles for $28,000. It's good to know these cars are even more of a bargain now, but in hindsight - quite the resale value holding.
Anyway, I found a nice 29K mile 2003 and am wondering what a fair price is. I'm thinking $22,000-$23,000? Thoughts?
I sold my 2002 in 2006 with 35k miles for $28,000. It's good to know these cars are even more of a bargain now, but in hindsight - quite the resale value holding.
i agree with your offer price provided the car is perfect. if the tires are over 3-4 years old i would argue closer to 22 as you'll probably want to replace them for grips sake
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Thanks, that makes sense.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Check out the valve spring sticky at the top of the page. Midyear in 03 production they seemed to have gone with better springs. Mine was an early 03 model so I changed mine out for LS2> springs soon after I got mine. Pretty cheap insurance imo. Also I bought mine as a 1 owner car (from a small dealer) and ran a gm service report on it. Car had a complete engine replacement done under warranty in 04 with just 5k on it. No reason given but I can only imagine why.... I assumed that was probably an older gm crate motor they used at that point and the springs on it appeared to be the older version. Plus after 10 years its not a bad idea anyway.
Last edited by MY03C5Z; Feb 26, 2014 at 02:47 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 579
Likes: 56
From: Placitas, New Mexico
I just purchased my 2003 Z06 for $19K. It has 64,323 miles on it and has a Vararam intake and LG longtube header system with high-flow cats. It's in great shape with only a few minor issues to address. I recently made an offer for a 2002 Z06 with 33K miles for $22,500....but the seller declined.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
So that seller went silent at some point, still looking.
I'm surprised about how unrealistic sellers are with these cars. They want $25k+, but I can't imagine ANY C5 Z06 being worth that, except for maybe a mint Z16.
I'm surprised about how unrealistic sellers are with these cars. They want $25k+, but I can't imagine ANY C5 Z06 being worth that, except for maybe a mint Z16.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
mint z16s with 5000-6000 miles often go for 30k
the only other c5z that i think are worth over 25k and under 30k are the ultra low mile 2004 cars. people pay this from time to time too
imo the best value cars have between 60 and 100k miles and are 1-2 owner, all stock, elderly owned commuters. sure the paint isn't perfect but they are well cared for, stuff works, no issues with many and they can be had in the mid to high teens
there are retired guys with deep pockets who pay for mint. for the rest of us 20-30-40 somethings who make 30-40-50-60k a year there's a LOT of appeal in paying nearly half as much for some rock chips, paint scuffs and a few parts that may fail here and there
Last edited by racebum; Mar 9, 2014 at 09:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
I paid $24,500 for a bone stock '03 Z that had 12,980 miles on it, pristine, only could find 1 rock chip, interior is mint etc.
You get what you pay for, do I think I overpaid for it? Maybe $1000 but I got it from a corvette dealer not private party. Since the one you're looking at has 2.5X the miles (not that its a big deal) I think you should be able to get it for exactly what you're thinking of offering.
Alot of people think it is crazy to pay more for low mileage, but whether you want to recognize it or not, the fact is there's a BIG difference between a 60-100,000 mile car and a sub 30,000 mile car, and it is more aesthetic usually than anything, but there's definitely a difference. I couldn't find any cars that were as clean as mine with mileage 50k+ Personally if I'm going to be spending close to $20k +/- I want as close to a "clean slate" stock vehicle that I can get.
You get what you pay for, do I think I overpaid for it? Maybe $1000 but I got it from a corvette dealer not private party. Since the one you're looking at has 2.5X the miles (not that its a big deal) I think you should be able to get it for exactly what you're thinking of offering.
Alot of people think it is crazy to pay more for low mileage, but whether you want to recognize it or not, the fact is there's a BIG difference between a 60-100,000 mile car and a sub 30,000 mile car, and it is more aesthetic usually than anything, but there's definitely a difference. I couldn't find any cars that were as clean as mine with mileage 50k+ Personally if I'm going to be spending close to $20k +/- I want as close to a "clean slate" stock vehicle that I can get.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 42
my 03z has 9500 miles on it. I had a 02 with 50k on it and yes there is a difference. the 02 didn't bother me at all but the 03 feels like a brand new car, smells like a brand new car and drives like a brand new car. There isn't any shortage of low mile Zs so its not like they are rare.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
I think a lot of people are realizing just how good these cars are. You hear of a lot of people deciding between a c5z and an early C6 and picking the c5z. Or selling a c6 for one. Ive wanted one of these cars since they first came out in 2000. It was out of my price range for a long time, once they got to $25k and less I finally got one. There are guys paying high $20's and low $30's for very low mile cars. There are still quite a few out there with extremely low mile mint condition cars. From time to time people post here that they got one with just a few thousand miles on it. I can appreciate paying more for a perfect car with those kind of miles. Mine was a one owner with 36k when I got it 2 years ago, guy was asking $24.5 and I paid $23. Car was in really nice shape and close to stock, it wasnt perfect though.
Last edited by MY03C5Z; Mar 10, 2014 at 02:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
I think a lot of people are realizing just how good these cars are. You hear of a lot of people deciding between a c5z and an early C6 and picking the c5z. Or selling a c6 for one. Ive wanted one of these cars since they first came out in 2000. It was out of my price range for a long time, once they got to $25k and less I finally got one. There are guys paying high $20's and low $30's for very low mile cars. There are still quite a few out there with extremely low mile mint condition cars. From time to time people post here that they got one with just a few thousand miles on it. I can appreciate paying more for a perfect car with those kind of miles. Mine was a one owner with 36k when I got it 2 years ago, guy was asking $24.5 and I paid $23. Car was in really nice shape and close to stock, it wasnt perfect though.
i like the modern c6 look very slightly more but everything else about the c5z is better. it's cheaper than a nice c6, handles MUCH better than a base car, feels more rigid and is a bit lighter.
the longer i own this car the more i like it and the more i think i'm going to run it to 150k miles and just enjoy the hell out of it before i sell it. the c6, even the c6 grand sport just isn't all that much of a change/upgrade for all that money
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 615
From: Springfield TN
I think a good, low mileage 04 can be in the low 30K range. I do not think that unreasonable. I'd want that for mine that has about 11,200 miles on it. Having owned an 03, good as it is, I do think it is worth a bit less. I think the 04 drives better with its suspension upgrades and has other meaningful upgrades (like the valve springs and fuel system) that have been discussed quite a bit.
Also, I remember driving a friend's 6 month old C6Z51 coupe and being disappointed in how soft it felt compared to my then-current 04 Z, my first 04.
Also, I remember driving a friend's 6 month old C6Z51 coupe and being disappointed in how soft it felt compared to my then-current 04 Z, my first 04.
Last edited by quick04Z06; Mar 10, 2014 at 09:51 PM.