[Z06] Thoughts before purchasing 03 Z
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
And also if driven properly and maintained 100k on a z isnt crazy by any means. And you dont need to replace the clutch either just because it has 100k. But with those miles id pay 13/14k max. For 18k you can get a low mileage 03z if u look hard enough and make a move quick when one comes available
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 472
Likes: 83
From: Lafayette LA
For people thinking that 18K is too much for a 100K mileage car, I'd advise you to go do a search for all the Z06s under $22K and let me know how many you find priced at NADA/KBB values. I looked for 5 months for mine, and tried to get dealers to come down to a "reasonable" price at least CLOSE to nada/kbb. Know how many did? ZERO.
Ended up going with something with less miles for a couple of grand more. I WANTED a 100K car because I wanted something cheap that would need a little bit of TLC. Not a single dealer priced their cars at this value. When I got tired of dealing with emails and phone calls with these people I decided to make a 6 hour trek to Dallas and Houston to talk to them face to face with my own financing... Basically walking in there with cash saying "Here I am, I'm willing to buy this thing right now if you put it at a reasonable price close to what NADA puts it." Hell, even 1-2K over NADA/KBBs EXCELLENT value.
Not a single place cared.
You know which Zs sell for 15K? Ones with salvaged titles... That's which ones.
Ended up going with something with less miles for a couple of grand more. I WANTED a 100K car because I wanted something cheap that would need a little bit of TLC. Not a single dealer priced their cars at this value. When I got tired of dealing with emails and phone calls with these people I decided to make a 6 hour trek to Dallas and Houston to talk to them face to face with my own financing... Basically walking in there with cash saying "Here I am, I'm willing to buy this thing right now if you put it at a reasonable price close to what NADA puts it." Hell, even 1-2K over NADA/KBBs EXCELLENT value.
Not a single place cared.
You know which Zs sell for 15K? Ones with salvaged titles... That's which ones.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 8
From: Doylestown Pa
I was in your shoes 6 years ago. I bought an 03z, daily drove it for 2 years. Thrashed on it everyday for 2 years. Like the other guy said its a chevy pushrod v8 they love a good driving. I since put a blower on it and twin disc clutch, retired it as my daily. Still have it to this day. i wouldn't be afraid of a high mileage Z, test drive, listen to the motor, make sure the obvious is ok and you should be good. good luck with your decision, its a super run car, make that mini look like a shopping cart.
cheers!
cheers!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 124
For people thinking that 18K is too much for a 100K mileage car, I'd advise you to go do a search for all the Z06s under $22K and let me know how many you find priced at NADA/KBB values. I looked for 5 months for mine, and tried to get dealers to come down to a "reasonable" price at least CLOSE to nada/kbb. Know how many did? ZERO.
Ended up going with something with less miles for a couple of grand more. I WANTED a 100K car because I wanted something cheap that would need a little bit of TLC. Not a single dealer priced their cars at this value. When I got tired of dealing with emails and phone calls with these people I decided to make a 6 hour trek to Dallas and Houston to talk to them face to face with my own financing... Basically walking in there with cash saying "Here I am, I'm willing to buy this thing right now if you put it at a reasonable price close to what NADA puts it." Hell, even 1-2K over NADA/KBBs EXCELLENT value.
Not a single place cared.
You know which Zs sell for 15K? Ones with salvaged titles... That's which ones.
Ended up going with something with less miles for a couple of grand more. I WANTED a 100K car because I wanted something cheap that would need a little bit of TLC. Not a single dealer priced their cars at this value. When I got tired of dealing with emails and phone calls with these people I decided to make a 6 hour trek to Dallas and Houston to talk to them face to face with my own financing... Basically walking in there with cash saying "Here I am, I'm willing to buy this thing right now if you put it at a reasonable price close to what NADA puts it." Hell, even 1-2K over NADA/KBBs EXCELLENT value.
Not a single place cared.
You know which Zs sell for 15K? Ones with salvaged titles... That's which ones.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Low miles are anything less than 9K miles per year and extremely low miles is anything below 6K miles per year. Doesn't matter whether it is a Corvette or not. The lower the miles the more careful you have to be because cars need to be driven to stay in good condition. Would you pay $60+K for an 03 with 1000 miles? Basically a 13 year old new car without a warranty.
Bill
Bill
an 86 vette with 270k miles on it could be considered low mileage by that standard.