Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

[Z06] Looking at 2003 Z's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 03:15 PM
  #21  
Astrodokk's Avatar
Astrodokk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
Default

JayhawkCPA, I offered him 15K and he balked! He said he wouldn't take less than 17,500 but if I was reeeeeeaaaaly interested...and then he didn't say anything, waiting on me. I didn't say anything either.
He would probably take 17K. He already dropped the price to 18K after I test drove it. I'm 6'1" and I fit in there pretty comfortably.
I wouldn't race anymore like I used to with my C2. I dragged it, autocrossed it, and did Thunderhill in Sacramento with it.
With a C5, I'm planning on driving it almost every day in a very spirited way!
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 03:33 PM
  #22  
analyte's Avatar
analyte
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 33
Default

Originally Posted by JayhawkCPA
If you are looking for a track toy it may be a decent option, I would have it inspected by a Corvette shop first. s others said $19K is way high for what you described. I'd offer him $12K.

O and Z06 isnt great for tall guys, I'm 6'5" and I don't really fit, the base coupe with a glass roof is the most room.
I'm 6'5" and fit fine. The FRC had the most room for me.... weird....
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 03:36 PM
  #23  
JayhawkCPA's Avatar
JayhawkCPA
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 459
Likes: 138
From: Dallas TX
Default

Originally Posted by Astrodokk
JayhawkCPA, I offered him 15K and he balked! He said he wouldn't take less than 17,500 but if I was reeeeeeaaaaly interested...and then he didn't say anything, waiting on me. I didn't say anything either.
He would probably take 17K. He already dropped the price to 18K after I test drove it. I'm 6'1" and I fit in there pretty comfortably.
I wouldn't race anymore like I used to with my C2. I dragged it, autocrossed it, and did Thunderhill in Sacramento with it.
With a C5, I'm planning on driving it almost every day in a very spirited way!
sounds like he was trying to get some of his mod money back at that price... good luck with your search, you can find a nice one for $19K
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 04:05 PM
  #24  
Astrodokk's Avatar
Astrodokk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
Default

Although I'm partial to 2002-2004 Z's, I found a 2001 online that looks real nice at $13,500 (180k miles). KBB says average price is around 10K in excellent condition. The seller says it pops out of reverse. I looked this issue up in the forum and it's not a good sign.
There's one in San Fran that looks good but it has butterfly doors (Lambo doors). I don't like that mod in a Vette, but to each their own.
I'll still be looking.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 07:57 PM
  #25  
roadbike56's Avatar
roadbike56
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,058
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Default

Astrodokk, I have just one comment. Anytime you're looking at a C5 (or C6) and you smell gas, have the gas tank checked out before you buy. Both of these models have had a few issues with leaking gas tanks and they can cost $2K to $3K to replace. Checking a gas tank out for leakage is easy. If you find the C5 you want, just offer the owner that you'll fill it up on your dime. If they balk, that's bad. They know about a potential problem. If you fill it up, (but do not top it off) and you smell gas within 5 miles after filling up the tank, be sure to put it on a lift looking for a leaking gas tank. A leaking gas tank is not a common problem, but it does happen and it's pricey to fix.
Good luck with your search. Hope you find your Z06.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 08:27 PM
  #26  
Astrodokk's Avatar
Astrodokk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
Default

Thanks roadbike56. I've been perusing the sticky's about this. Youtube has a fix if it's just the filler tube. Also, gas smell could be injectors leaking. But then again, some cars tuned for racing with cat deletes can smell too. Nonetheless, if I do smell that, I won't buy it because that shows that the seller probably didn't keep up with maintenance et cetera.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 10:01 PM
  #27  
slothman's Avatar
slothman
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
Default

Originally Posted by Astrodokk
Although I'm partial to 2002-2004 Z's, I found a 2001 online that looks real nice at $13,500 (180k miles). KBB says average price is around 10K in excellent condition. The seller says it pops out of reverse. I looked this issue up in the forum and it's not a good sign.
There's one in San Fran that looks good but it has butterfly doors (Lambo doors). I don't like that mod in a Vette, but to each their own.
I'll still be looking.
you need to get kbb out of your head. right now it is a sellers market, most cars/trucks/boats/bikes are 20% over value, all thanks to COVID.

That being said, my 01 is one of the cleanest around, and doesn't have valve spring issues like the 02+ =)
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 10:03 PM
  #28  
slothman's Avatar
slothman
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 140
From: AZ
Default

Originally Posted by M.Y.02Z06
Just as a reference point, I recently (9 months ago) bought a 2002 Z06 with 56k miles, bone stock, and a known ownership history (3 owners, last two in Cali) for $17,250. It had a clean body, perfect interior, original wheels, brand new tires, new battery and recent service. I replaced the yellow / original valve springs with GM blue ones, replaced the oil pressure sensor and intake manifold gaskets, and did some body detailing.

Be patient and find the right car. I looked at Z06s for about one year before deciding to buy the car that I did.
9 months ago, things were CHEAP. Since COVID, things have jumped about 10 to 20%.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 10:05 PM
  #29  
FAUEE's Avatar
FAUEE
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,388
Likes: 6,531
From: Melbourne, FL
Default

That's like an 17 to 18k car. If you're someone who is a stickler for a stock car with cats and all that, it's clearly not the car for you. But to me, none of those mods are really a bad thing.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 10:23 PM
  #30  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,414
Likes: 24,800
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I think you made a good decision. There are plenty of nice cars out there - having patience and doing some research should get you a really nice one at a price you want to pay.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2020 | 10:37 PM
  #31  
Purple92's Avatar
Purple92
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Default

Fall - Winter is the time to be a Vette Buyer. In a lot of the country - Vettes don't venture out in Dec / Jan / Feb / Mar

Take Your Time - The car you're looking for WILL show up.

IMHO - I tend to shy away from stuff with significant mods. You never know if the mods were done right...
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2020 | 12:35 AM
  #32  
Astrodokk's Avatar
Astrodokk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
Default

Yep I was told about seasonal sales as well. May behoove me to wait...I'm in no hurry. But I'll still keep KBB in my head nonetheless thank you. I only use it as a ballpark, in the neighborhood type of figure anyway. The sticky's even suggest that KBB may be on the high side lol. Probably not anymore from what you guys are telling me. Doesn't matter. There will be a day...
BTW, my brother, who is also a member of the forum, is waiting on the right C7 Grand $port (automatic due to injury). It's fun going back and forth to the different forums and reading up on all the new $tuff.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2020 | 09:27 PM
  #33  
MetalMan2's Avatar
MetalMan2
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 1,392
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Astrodokk
The seller says it pops out of reverse. I looked this issue up in the forum and it's not a good sign.
It only gets worse. Ask me how I know... well, I'll tell you. On mine, reverse was pretty hard to grab. It would rarely go in nicely (if it went in at all), would pop out maybe 1/3 times, and grind another 1/3 times. I rebuilt the trans a couple months back and replaced ALL reverse-related components, as well as did some modifying to the reverse fork to help slow/prevent the issue from ever happening again. If you have a good chunk of spare time you can read all about it: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...verse-1st.html

You can actually replace the reverse components without removing the transmission, but it still requires dropping the rear end and differential.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:12 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE