Should I buy?
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 78
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Should I buy?
Hello,
new member/ 1st post.
came upon a 2001 c5Z with 45,000 miles owned by an 82 year old man. Asking $16,800. I would like to Autocross the car.
forst thoughts on the deal? And second what should I do to it to freshen it up and prepare it for Autocross?
new member/ 1st post.
came upon a 2001 c5Z with 45,000 miles owned by an 82 year old man. Asking $16,800. I would like to Autocross the car.
forst thoughts on the deal? And second what should I do to it to freshen it up and prepare it for Autocross?
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Welcome to the forum! You need to give WAY more details on the car, the condition, the type of auto crossing, your goals, your budget....etc. This is the right place to get your answers, but you need to help by being more specific. Pictures help. any Z06 is a good idea.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2019
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Fair enough,
2001 Z06 completely stock car. 45,500 miles. Bridgestone 295’s on the stock rims.
im new to a performance car of this caliber, would like to Autocross at the local club level. The driver will likely need the most mods at least for the first year.
i was thinking Delrin bushings, Mgw shifter, intake, away bars?
Just trying to to get the car to be compliant without spending a crazy amount on the suspension.
likely will need brakes and tires in the spring.
hope this helps.
2001 Z06 completely stock car. 45,500 miles. Bridgestone 295’s on the stock rims.
im new to a performance car of this caliber, would like to Autocross at the local club level. The driver will likely need the most mods at least for the first year.
i was thinking Delrin bushings, Mgw shifter, intake, away bars?
Just trying to to get the car to be compliant without spending a crazy amount on the suspension.
likely will need brakes and tires in the spring.
hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,796
Likes: 2,256
From: Brighton MI
Hard to say without pics, but sounds like a good price. You have the right approach it sounds like...I would change out all fluids and start autocrossing. If you are a beginner, the car already has more capability than you. As you get better, you will start finding the areas that need help the most...good luck! 
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1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
the price I can't say, but for Auto X I would leave it stock for A street much more competitive !!!!! shocks, sway bar and tires make it a force !!!!! I know because we have that setup in ours and it competes with our Cam S C 6Z !!!! I do hate that we have to content with the stock shifter ( hate it) there is a Vendor here that rebuilds the stock lower box (which is everything) ????
Last edited by Pounder; Aug 31, 2019 at 11:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 78
Likes: 10
the price I can't say, but for Auto X I would leave it stock for A street much more competitive !!!!! shocks, sway bar and tires make it a force !!!!! I know because we have that setup in ours and it competes with our Cam S C 6Z !!!! I do hate that we have to content with the stock shifter ( hate it) there is a Vendor here that rebuilds the stock lower box (which is everything) ????
cant you put an MGW shifter in and still run that class?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
As a beginner in Autocross I would recommend a Miata MX5 before a C5. I've seem them outperform Corvettes on several occasions without modifications. You would likely need to invest a bunch of money in a C5 just to keep up with them.
Last edited by DDaaryl; Aug 31, 2019 at 11:42 AM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
A Z06 will have plenty of power- more than enough for the track. Serious, if you put any money into engine before your suspension, brakes and tires, you are wasting,
My suggestion is to spend money on sticky tires, big *** brakes then shocks/suspension and in that order. One you have "mastered" that combination then you need to consider more power. Your best time will be made or broken in your ability smoothly and quickly navigate corner and not in straight line acceleration.
My suggestion is to spend money on sticky tires, big *** brakes then shocks/suspension and in that order. One you have "mastered" that combination then you need to consider more power. Your best time will be made or broken in your ability smoothly and quickly navigate corner and not in straight line acceleration.
Last edited by billschroeder5842; Aug 31, 2019 at 11:42 AM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
as mentioned better brake pads also !!!
Last edited by Pounder; Aug 31, 2019 at 11:45 AM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would suggest that you start out with doing a detailed inspection of the car to make sure that nothing will (or should!) fail in daily driving or at autocross events. Change all of the fluids: oil, coolant, gear oils, and brake fluid and clutch fluid. Inspect all of the bushings to make sure they will hold up for awhile. Replace as necessary.
If you don't have a lot of experience with autocross, consider running the car for your first year without doing any serious mods. Seat time is invaluable to learn both driving techniques and getting used to the car. Then for the next year, you will have a much better understanding of what is needed to make you and the car go quicker. Over this Winter, keep a close watch on upcoming rules changes in the sanctioning bodies; what components that are legal now may not be come next Spring.
Also get a good helmet. And get seat time!!
If you don't have a lot of experience with autocross, consider running the car for your first year without doing any serious mods. Seat time is invaluable to learn both driving techniques and getting used to the car. Then for the next year, you will have a much better understanding of what is needed to make you and the car go quicker. Over this Winter, keep a close watch on upcoming rules changes in the sanctioning bodies; what components that are legal now may not be come next Spring.
Also get a good helmet. And get seat time!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
Sounds like a good deal. Have a reserve fund to repair stuff as needed. I bought a 45k mile coupe and the harmonic balancer and shocks both needed attention within the first year of my driving it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I'll second the post by c4cruiser above. God himself could tell me all was good and perfect but I would still have it checked out, one end to another, by a good shop/tech who knows these cars and I'm not talking about the local gas station/oil change facility. Maintenance records, accident history. Do your homework. Don't take any sellers word on anything. Verify it! If all is well it would seem like a good price. Good luck!