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I am looking at getting back into a C5. I am looking at a 04 Z06 with 81K miles. What is too many miles on these. They are asking $21k. Thanks in advance for your expert opinions.
That price seems high to me. I paid $23k for an '03 with 13k a month ago.
Mileage wise, to me it depends on what your plans are for the car and what the maintenance history looks like. If it'll be a weekend cruiser or track car build, I'd be less concerned that if I'd be daily driving it. If there's a good paper trail of maintenance being done, I might consider a higher mileage car. But if there's no records, personally, I'd be a bit hesitant.
That price is high, but the mileage is fine. Properly maintained, these cars can run forever. You just have to look closer to see what KIND of 81,000 miles those were.
I had a friend whose 02Z was his daily driver, but it was heavily autocrossed and ran several HPDE's every year for the first 10 years of its life. Being a GM engineer, they borrowed his car at 216,000 miles to inspect the engine. They were amazed at how little wear the engine had for the mileage., put it back together and thanked the owner. Today, that is an autocross/HPDE car with close to 270000 miles and still going strong.
I am looking at getting back into a C5. I am looking at a 04 Z06 with 81K miles. What is too many miles on these. They are asking $21k. Thanks in advance for your expert opinions.
I too think (hope?) these cars will run forever or at least for the duration of my time on this earth. Maintenance is key though. As someone mentioned above, I'd like to know if the car was tracked or DD but more important I'd want to see the maintenance records. I've had my Z16 since 2005 and have 15 years worth of oil/filter change, fluid change, battery, tires, etc. records.
Thanks everyone. This would be a weekend cruiser not a daily. I am up in North Dakota so our driving seasons are short. I was deciding between this Z and a base 05 C6. I am leaning to the Z. The owner is in his 60’s and is the 2nd owner. I’m looking at it tomorrow pending a snowstorm.
Thanks everyone. This would be a weekend cruiser not a daily. I am up in North Dakota so our driving seasons are short. I was deciding between this Z and a base 05 C6. I am leaning to the Z. The owner is in his 60’s and is the 2nd owner. I’m looking at it tomorrow pending a snowstorm.
IMHO these are two very different cars. The Z will have a very raw feel to her (which I love), the C6 will be more refined and even though a base, will have more creature comforts than the Z. If possible, recommend you drive both. Bet you come away with that Z06 grin!
IMHO these are two very different cars. The Z will have a very raw feel to her (which I love), the C6 will be more refined and even though a base, will have more creature comforts than the Z. If possible, recommend you drive both. Bet you come away with that Z06 grin!
I couldn't agree more. A "raw feel" is a very good way to describe the Z compared to a base C5, and that's what I like about it. That, and they aren't as common.
Last edited by slapshot12; Oct 21, 2020 at 07:41 AM.
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Originally Posted by Gordy M
I had a friend whose 02Z was his daily driver, but it was heavily autocrossed and ran several HPDE's every year for the first 10 years of its life. Being a GM engineer, they borrowed his car at 216,000 miles to inspect the engine. They were amazed at how little wear the engine had for the mileage., put it back together and thanked the owner. Today, that is an autocross/HPDE car with close to 270000 miles and still going strong.
I would love to know what oil(s) this guy is using (viscosities and brands), both on the street and at the track, and his oil change interval. And any other longevity/durability tips he has for these engines. Mind asking him?
I know these things last forever on their own, but that is impressive for a car driven that hard/abused on a regular basis over a long period of time/miles.
As to the OP's question, 81k miles is nothing for these cars.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Oct 21, 2020 at 02:41 PM.
I know geography can make a difference, but my best friend decided he needed a C5 after driving mine, Here in AZ we found him a silver C5Z with about 60K miles on it. Super clean. Picked it up for about 16,500. That was just a few months ago.
Being an engineer working at the Tech Center he changed his oil every 3-4000 miles and used Mobil 1, and everything else by the book. Also he only used premium Mobil gas. In the winter he would put on Blizzak snows and drive to work, when the snow was over 6 inches (quit often occurance) he just rented a room at the hotel across the street and had to walk to work once or twice.
IMO... it all depends on condition and how those miles were created.
Something else I put stock in is what kinds of roads it saw. Roads in the north are rough and beat cars w/jolts. Those expansion joints and broken pavement shake the whole car. Not just suspension bits.