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I'm looking at a possible car to buy - C5 Z06 2003 - with LG heads, cam, headers and so forth. Car is for sale at a dealer.

I asked if they had receipts for the mod work, and they don't - "lost when the car was detailed". They don't know the cam specs or even who did the work, other than it was done locally. I've not seen the car in person as it's 150 miles away.

Would you consider this vehicle or would you pass given no service or mod records are available. Price is right...but thinking it's too risky.

Also, secondary question - for an out of area vehicle, how do you handle the pre-purchase inspection?

Interested in your feedback!

Thanks!

Phanni

pass

billschroeder5842

This one sounds pretty risky to me. I like getting records and talking to the actual owner and not a commissioned sales rep.

They fact that the dealer has already lied to you about "losing records" during detailing (there is NO dealer in a for profit business that would "loose records" as those documents mean a higher price) would have me back WAAAY off.

Now, if you are still going for the car, call a local Corvette speciality mechanics with a solid reputation (The guys on CF can point you in the right direction) who can do an inspection. Expect to pay $200 but it will be well worth it especially if you play to fly in and drive home.

'Shifter

Is the price significantly lower for that reason?

soundscribe

Asking price for a red, 2003, Z06 with 39K miles is $19995. Seems a "good" price?

They were asking 23K for it, but it didn't sell and recently lowered the price 3K.

And yes, the "losing records" is BS. What detailer would throw out repair records?

Probably asking for trouble and headache.

billschroeder5842

There is a bunch of Z06 cars out there around your price point.

My advice... don't turn buying an old Corvette into a "see how low I can go on price" game. PLease focus on records, condition and the owner interaction. You may save a grand or two but one bad repair will eat that "savings" and more.

Buy the best you can afford. If it were me, I'd buy a stock (yes stock) vehicle and then mod according to your taste. You will be able to manage any of your changes against a stock OEM baseline.

MSUGTO

I'd agree, pass on the car. There are plenty of clean C5 Z06's out there without any stories.

soundscribe

Thanks for the feedback!

I appreciate it.

Probably will pass on this one.

'Shifter

Offer $12k, who knows?

zeevette

I don't agree. You're only 150 miles away, and a nice, low mi. car with the LG package is really well priced @<$20k. I think it may be worth your time to go look and drive it. LG used AFR heads in their signature package, and they're stamped on the front of both heads with AFR logo. This will at least tell you the PO used quality parts. Call LG and talk to Lou if you can, and he could tell you which cam was used in their package. I think it was the G53X, but the customer could probably pick a different cam. If your motor has a nice lope, it's probably the 3X. Also look for a FAST (Wilson) intake manifold, which many owners added to the package. These are very expensive and quality mods, IMO.

'Shifter

Kind of what I was thinking...it seems like whoever did the mods went in for higher-end stuff....maybe it's a steal...

Route99

Ask the dealer to contact the individual who traded or sold the Z06 to them and have them contact you. I've done that before and usually been successful. You may get to talk to who ever modded the car and find that they actually have records and can tell you about the car. I'd also try to find out why they got rid of the car. Did they trade for a newer Vette or ??
Don't know where you're located but you might try posting in the Regional Discussion section near you to see if you can find someone that can look at the car with you. Also, if there are any Corvette clubs in the area where the dealership is, contact them and see if anyone knows anything about the car.
Sounds like it could be worth some effort to learn more about it.
Good luck.

FYRARMS

I am on my second modified C5Z, but both were purchased from private owners who knew exactly what mods were performed. I just wouldn't trust buying a modified car from a dealer, especially if there were no records available.

friou

Don't walk, run away! Risky, risky, risky! Maybe it'll work out, possibly not. Another issue is if you decide to sell this car later a lot of buyers, me included, I learned early on the hard way, won't go near a modded car with no documentation. Find a nice clean and well maintained stocker, I can just about guarantee that you will be glad you did and if you decide to sell a well maintained stocker is far easier to liquidate. Good luck to you!

DDaaryl

So a well designed performance car was traded in after a possible amateur mechanic tried to make it go faster. What could go wrong?

Walk away, no run away or buy it really cheap and pour money back in it . What could go wrong?

msandym

Uh oh

Vetteman Jack

If you are truly interested in this car, then it could be worth a shot in seeing if the dealer will set you up with the prior owner. Based on what info you can obtain from him, then you can decide if it is worth further consideration. Who knows, that car may have been worked on by LG themselves.

But generally I would advise against buying a modded car that has no documentation readily available. Buying a stock car and then modding it to your taste is usually a better way to go.

ArmchairArchitect

Even if the car is perfect, I can see it being a problem down the line with troubleshooting issues and not knowing what exactly has been done to the car, cam specs, tuning, etc.

Mr. Peabody

Buying a used corvette for the lowest price may not be the best value proposition. A lot will depend on your risk tolerance and your own mechanical abilities.

lewislgZ06