Reaper19

I currently own a 1981 C3 which I have worked on bringing it back up to original condition with engine rebuild, lots of new OEM parts, many improvements and upgrades and looking at either selling my C3 and/or adding a C5 Z06 or late model 2012/2013 C6 Grand Sport. We do several long trips a year with our local corvette club and trying to weigh fun factor to comfort.

I've read the C5 threads on possible issues, what to look out for and been searching as well as researching resulting in finding several nice options for a C5 Z06 2003/2004 models and one owner asking $21,000 for a nice 2004 Commemorative Edition with 7,000 miles.

Any advice in making a decision, personal experience and what you think about pricing would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike98SilVert

If that is a Commemorative Edition Z06 with 7,000 miles for $21,000 you should jump on that deal or give me the info on it.

grantv

I'm not a fan of the CE but (without further info; potential accident history for example), that seems like a great deal.

Z16Jim

I bought mine 4 years ago and love it. Mine had just over 8K on it at the time, now about 34K

Vetteman Jack

If that car is in excellent condition, that is a great price. IMO the CE Z06 is a real beauty.

I will say though that a 2012/2013 GS will most likely be a more comfortable car for longer trips and, just my opinion, is a very nice looking car since it has the C6 Z06 wide body on it.

Ron C!

Smoking deal on that car. I saw the ad for it, if I hadn't just dropped $15K on a new roof, it would already be in my garage.

S.C. vette

Check the VIN / CarFax to be sure there are no salvage titles and VIN to be sure it's a REAL Z06 - Z16 and not one somebody is trying to pass it off as a C.E. edition. There some unscrupulous types trying to pass-off their Z06 as the CE.

Ron C!

VIN is legit, #1337

S.C. vette

Do it... NOW

66dts-v

How many 10+ year old cars that have not seen 10k miles are in poor condition? Unless all they did was track the hell out of it, but even then less than 10k is not even broken in.

Just sayin.

I guess you could sit and smoke/eat/drink beer in it while parked outside for the last 10 years. Maybe end up with a worn seat and a few stains/burns.

Reaper19

Yep checked the VIN it is legit, no accidents, clean title. I talked to the guy finally after several calls and emails and was asking him for directions to come over and take it off his hands. Unfortunately he said he had a huge response to the ad and someone is sending him a deposit .

He has me on his list next to call if something falls through. Dang that was a smoking deal I was hoping to drive over and pick that baby up.

Thanks everyone for the information and advice, I'll keep searching, this one popped up out of no where and only on the market for a day.

ZAZZ

I was searching for months for a C5 preferably a FRC/ Z06. Prices seem to be all over the place. Most.. are way too high IMHO. Sorry but a 60-80k mile car, with 3 or 4 previous owners is NOT worth close to 20 grand. (standard C5s here, not Z06s) there is nothing special about them. they made hundreds of thousands of them. it’s affordable sports car.. I think these people are watching too much of the barrett jackson auctions it’s a used car. That’s it. period. Sorry, but that’s all they are going to be for a LOOONG time. Asking 20-30-40% over blue book.. just not going to happen. And It doesn’t, because most of these stay for sale for a very long time. I would see the same cars over and over for weeks. I don’t get it…

That being said, there are deals out there. I feel the TRUE market value for a clean Z06, well cared for and a clean Carfax, with under 50k miles, is in the $18-22k range…under 10k miles, add 10-15% to that. Also, don’t be afraid to make an offer. If you see a car that you really like for sale either private party or dealer for say $23-24k… and its been for sale for awhile, id go at least 10-20% under that price as a starting offer. Esp at a dealer. Dealers rarely will have a car on the lot for more than 45-60 days. After that it goes to auction…. Where it will most likely bring MUCH less…

Good luck!

Reaper19

Thanks ZAZZ,

You are correct, the dealers always have them listed at a higher price, sometimes, if newer within 5 years they throw a CPO on the car, but older models no. Private sellers know what they have in the car and what they want to try and get out of it but prices are all over the place except for that rare instance where they pop up like this one.

Unfortunately this turned out to be a timing thing. Found the car online last night while doing my nightly search for something that caught my eye, I was a nice guy and sent out an email at 9:30PM to the owner (thought I would not disturb him too late), called this morning first thing, NA, looked online, phone number no longer listed, called again left another message and then got a text message the car had a deposit sent on it with lots of interested buyers. Dang I was going to get directions and drive over to pick it up. Well next time I will call no matter what time if it looks to be a smokin deal. But unfortunately there are some bad cookies out there that try to list false Z06, CE etc. and I wanted to also do my homework looking up the VIN etc.

As always great advice and information on CF.

Bobd207s

FYI - I'm pretty sure this Ser# 1337 is within the range of 2004 Vettes that might have the leaking gas tank problem. There was a GM Service Bulletin that would get you a free repair of this problem - but that bulletin is no longer active. If your car has this problem it is a very expensive repair . A couple years ago I had this problem on my 04 Coupe - fortunately the repair was covered by the Service Bulletin and the cost would have been over $2k. Below is a link to the thread here on the forum that discusses this problem. I might ask the seller if this problem was ever fixed on the car. Hope this helps

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-smells.html

Doug Doty

One on ebay right now with 7200 miles just went past 27000, I bought one with 18000 miles Tuesday, a 1 owner perfect car. That $21k was the deal you missed !!! if there was no issues.

Reaper19

Very interesting, thank you for the advice. Something to look for when doing my searches and inspecting cars.

2TONE82

Z16 #165 here. Had the gas tank problem but easy fix under warranty. I understood the original GM fix had the dealer tearing out the rear of the car but the process was revised and only drivers side rear tire/tub removed.

As for reliability/problems - after 13 years and about 45K miles she's been worry free, bullet proof, point and shoot, hang on and look for that Z06 grin in the rear view mirror! The usual C5 stuff - column lock bypass, headlights, HVAC reading dim (on my list to repair soon...). The performance/sound is simply amazing, especially for a 13 year old car and I'm stock. I still love the color and stripes. Wish GM would've done the mod-red seats but that's another story.

I've done many road trips in #165; the longest was participating in the HM II, Bowling Green to Detroit for GMs 100th. Maybe I'm getting old-(er) but the car is not as much fun to drive in town other than club trips, etc. Don't think I could DD her anymore although I did for about a year back in 06.

Good luck on your '81 resto! I've had an 82 since 1996, added the Z16 back in 2006 and never looked back. Happy hunting! I think your price point is spot on - be ready to pounce though!

SG Lou

Here is part of that GM Service Bulletin. Unfortunately, with the 04 being 13 yrs old the service/fix does no apply.

#10150: Special Coverage Adjustment-Fuel Tank Quick Connector Leak - (Aug 13, 2010)


Subject: 10150 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Fuel Tank Quick Connector Leak
Special Coverage Adjustment
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

2004 Chevrolet Corvette Serial #45110258 thru 45125500

Reaper19

Sweet rides, great choices!

I hope to have similar in my garage someday, hopefully soon.

SG Lou

I miss my 80 Coupe