Have done the research on differences between the CE and non-CE Z for 2004. On the fence on which one to get more serious about. I drive my cars so this isn't about museum pieces, but there is a lot written about the fact they probably made too many (relatively speaking) CE's. So therefore, the future appreciation is maybe not great vs. a non-CE of 2004. And that's part of the decision here.
The tweaks to the CE, while not major, might be enough to sway a person that way. But personally, just not crazy about the LeMans Blue color and the striping. Usually not hung up on color (vs. what the car has to offer) but the CE is pretty dramatic.
Been mainly focusing on the Yellow and when found, the black/red interior. Current IMSA scheme is an influence. Yes and personally low mileage, few owners, and good documentation and table stakes when I buy.

Yeah, none of us have the crystal ball, but future desirability is part of the decision. Comments?

 

I had a similar situation earlier this year when I bought my C5Z. I looked at an '04 Z16... immaculate, one-owner car... 23k miles on it. Loved the LeMans Blue paint & polished rims, but thought the stripes were a bit "over the top" for my taste. Nonetheless, I loved that car. Made him an offer, but 24 hours later, he called & said he'd sold it to someone else. I tried to come in too low. A few days later, I stumbled onto an ad (that just went up) for another '04 C5Z in Torch Red with only 8600 miles on it. As before, it was an immaculate, one-owner car. This time, I was determined not to lose out, so came right out with "all the money". No regrets. The color combinations all seem to be a matter of personal taste. It's all about finding the right buyer when you go to sell. Multiple owners on a low-mileage car wouldn't necessarily scare me... most likely means that it's gone from one collector to another & not often driven. I'd be more concerned with the availability of the maintenance history on the car. That was key when I went looking, tho it's no guarantee.


Some do not care for the Mod Red interior... I do... and it seems to work well with just about every exterior color.


The paint, stripes, & carbon fiber hood on the Z16 may very well hold a lot of value to a potential future buyer... or not... all depends on their priorities... and yours. A clean, well-maintained (and documented) C5Z should hold its value pretty well regardless of color combo.

 

these cars arent investments most times youll lose your ****.
Get what you like & drive it into the weeds there will always be another low miler waiting for ya. Youll make more putting it into real estate

if there had to be one id guess the Z16;seems that the money cars are usually super low miles so if you drive it dont sweat it

 

if you buy smart, you can do ok. I made nearly $10k profit when I sold my Cobra, after 8 years of ownership. Some buy to drive the wheels off of it... others buy to enjoy/preserve the car. No right or wrong... as long as you enjoy the experience, it's all good.

 

Good comments. Yeah I already did the real estate thing in SoCal for about 40 years. Who knows on investment. I didn't think much of the 72 Dino Ferrari I bought in 1981, the 92 NSX I bought in 96, or the 930 Turbo Porsche Slantnose I bought in 2007. Total expenditure> $100k. Those 3 today if I still had them>>> $530k. Ouch. But yeah, the driving experience is the #1 priority.

 

Investment likely CE, but depends on condition and mileage. I personally only buy what I like, so the CE is out of my equation.

 

As long as there are enough service records for scheduled maintenance, and the car doesn't have signs of abuse, # of owners means nothing. Pricey sports cars change hands often, especially during their depreciating years.

If anything, it's a benefit as with each new owner there's a renewed interest in maintaining the vehicle properly, as compared to a long-time owner who may get complacent.

 

Those are collector type cars ie "instant classics" have been forever. A C5 simply isnt;too common, too new. And American

Maybe if a guy waits til they have depreciated towards the bottom..but that whole process could take decades for a what if.
If Id kept all my 1st gen camaros parked them, just maintainted insured and registerd them Id still be upside down even if they brought 30-50k. Plus they would be aging to the point of needing a resto. Opinions may vary

Quit flipping cars in the 90s too much stuff was coming out that was better in every respect, lots still liked the old stuff but bought newer at the end of the day. Will the die hard still look at a Z06 sure

 

Exactly why I chose the Z16. Although it likely will not appreciate. This one will hold its value longer over the CE's.

 

 

You answered your own question. You said the LeMans Blue and stripes don't do it for you, so buy a color you like. Buying something you don't care for, just in case it may be worth a few bucks down the road doesn't make sense to me. I bought my Z16 because I love the color and the stripes. I paid a fair price for it and drive it whenever I want, it is for my enjoyment not financial gain.

 

Partially answered it, yes. But..I also commented on the improvement tweaks on the CE vs. non-CE which is attractive. So..color was only one of the criteria. Another piece to this> there are some very fair prices for the 50th Anniv C5Z (2003) with super low mileage. That's a consideration as well. Let be clear again as mentioned> I drive my cars. Drove my 2010 ZR-1 that I bought show condition with 5k miles on a 2200 mile road trip. Added "soul" to that car.

No rocket science here but FYI: https://www.google.com/amp/www.roada...-buyers-guide/

 

The Commemorative edition got embroidered head rests, polished wheels, carbon fiber hood and the paint/stripes. No differences mechanically.

 

thought my research talked about a different (better) shock as well.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong. The CE was available in the both coupe and vert. The Z16 (CE) package was limited to 2025 units in FRC only. WHich included the CF hood and absence of insulation, non power passenger seat. Also missing were the steering column extender, thinner glass, fog lights, power antenna and plush seats. This reduced the Z16 weight below the standard Z06.

 

All 2004 models had revised shock dampening in the rear. It was not specific to CE's.

 

No differences mechanically!? Imagine how much quicker with the CF hood!

 

Hmmm... watching.
Do not think the CE was available in a vert
Thinner glass, manual PS seat, no fog lights, power antenna were for all Z models.
Never heard of less insulation in the CE. Steering column extender, what is this? Plush seats?

 

Hoipefully by then you lose interest and sell it to me cheap

Youre one guy id buy a hi miler from talk about overmaintained.
The Ti exhaust and stock wheels will be big selling points

 

OK I havent been around a non ce Z enough to claim expert. Seems I have my Z06 mixed with Z16. So your saying the only real diff is a hood and stripes? Well if thats enough to keep the value stable over a Z06 thats good for 1700 owners in the US.

She just rolled over 50k, so theres no reason to worry about not being driven enough.
And she'll remain as stock as possible. The PO's have kept her in real good shape.
I am considering a big brake upgrade (C6 Z06) soon.
The stock binders are just not enough for playing in the hills here.
I'll let you know when she's ready for a new driver.



A bunch of us were in Reno this past weekend and let one of our own talk us into valet parking.
I just laughed when one buddy almost **** himself as his C7 rolled away.
They were all parked under the canopy in front at the Grand Sierra.
Didn't even smell like burned clutch!