Good morning gentlemen,

Over a weekend I checked two 2002 Z06.
1. 25, 000 miles just like left the factory, no modifications, 3 owners for $23,000

2. 36,000, garage queen, very clean, borla exhaust, dressing to the engine compartment, tinted windows and a lot of documentation, 6 owners $26,000.

I just got little confused because the one with 11,000 miles less is $3,000 less also.
I don’t plan to take it to the shows, I will not track it I will keep her for years and I want to drive it.

What confuses me is that the second one (beautiful garage queen) will be soon 40,000 miles and 50,000 in probably next 2-3 years while the first one will still be much lower mileage original car.
I don’t think $3,000 makes a difference as 10,000 miles speaks to me more.
I know that 10,000 miles is not much but …..????
Please help because I have to make decision today or tomorrow. Otherwise one of the cars might be gone.
So price wise is $3000 less for less miles car but the car will need some love or $3000 more for better documented car with 10,000 miles more.

My wife also car enthusiast) told that I can wait until spring time and buy 2008 Z51 or newer. It will be more civilized and newer car with less problems and parts will be easer to get in years because the GM after bankruptcy doesn’t have to produce so much parts for C5.
I could’n sleep last night.😜
Once again please help me make a decision and of course I know C5Z06 is a completely different animal then C6 Z51.

CLEAN CARFAX FOR BOTH CARS.
Thank you

 

First off-cool wife for weighing in on topic and throwing out that idea.

Color preference? Body style preference between C5/6?

If you are looking for something to tweak on and make your own, I would take the blank canvas for $11K less, assuming it checks all or most of the boxes you desire.

In your reference to knowing the number of previous owners, is it safe to assume you have Carfax in hand on each? Have you visually inspected and driven each?

 

The 25,000 mile car is a slightly better deal, but I'd personally go with the car I liked better as the gap isn't that great after factoring in the tint and exhaust upgrade. Do you like the extra noise from the aftermarket exhaust? If not, then that's of no value and the lower mileage car is even a more attractive deal. If it's really that close for you, pick your favorite and see if you can get them to take a reasonable price. If not, go to the 2nd car and see if they will deal.

I prefer the C5 over the C6 and I've owned both.

 

Get the one you like the most, want the most. We're talking not a huge amount of money, not a huge number of miles; won't make much difference either way. Get the one you want!

 

The second car with 35,000 miles looks better but is $3000 more expensive and has 10,000 miles more.
Is corsa extreme exhaust and blink in engine compartment worth it ? It’s also better documented car.

I can do detailing by my self and for rest of the $3,000 I can change all the belt, hoses and oils.
I’m still confused
So, first car or the second ??? I like both of them

 

Don't forget tires, hoses, belts, the mods you'll do, and resale value. Factor those into your decision.
Personally.. is one has spent any appreciable time outside to me is a turnoff as weathering / humidity has an effect too.

 

Another question.
If I decide to keep this car for another 10 or 20 years what will be considered better for collectors:
1. Original car with 10,000 miles less
2. Very well documented car with modified exhaust and motor chrome and res covers ???
Thank you

 

#1 but there will not be much difference as even the second one can quickly/easily be brought back to stock form. Even the mileage difference is pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things- these cars can easily go to 300,000 miles on original drivetrain.

 

The bling does not add much if any value imho. Nor does the exhaust imho, the C5Z came stock with a very nice titanium exhaust which many owners were in a big rush to get rid of.

Honestly, all else being equal, I'd get the cheaper car, spend a few $$ on new shocks, the Ti exhaust bypass mod, & whatever else tickles your fancy, drive & be happy.

When you re-sell it won't make a lot of difference either. It'll be a matter of condition & miles on the car.

 

As many have said, the one that YOU like better is the one to buy. Personally, I would take the higher mileage, slightly more expensive car. These cars were made to be driven, and C5s with very low miles have problems if you suddenly start driving them. You will need to swap out just about everything rubber, plus all the fluids. These cars easily run well for 300K+ miles if they are properly cared for. How well a C5 has been cared for is much more important than the overall mileage. As far as mods go, they really don't add anything to the value of a car unless they are mods that you would want anyway. Engine bling costs a fair amount of money, but it seems like you don't care about that. Do you like the sound of the aftermarket exhaust? If so, that's something to consider. I honestly think that you will have fewer problems with the higher mileage car. It's been better cared for, and has better documentation. Since you asked about collector value, neither will be a good collector car. These cars are made to be driven, and if you drive them as you should, they'll both be worth about the same when you sell them. I also prefer the C5 over the C6 in general. However, if you're talking about a ZR1 that changes things. I would take a C6 ZR1 over a C5 Z06. Hope this helps.

 

I'd go with #1, stock. For $23k, that's a decent buy in today's market. I don't put any value in the add ons for #2.

 

Ooooopssss.
I just called the owner of the car for $23,000 and 25,000 miles and wanted to come over after work to buy it.
HE JUST SOLD IT TODAY IN THE MORNING.
He said that someone called him last night and showed up in the morning with money.
I’m sooooo mad and disappointed that I just don’t want any of them anymore!!!!
I checked the KBB and it shows $26,200 for the car in excellent condition.
At this point I don’t think I’m just getting any good deal. It looks just like a purchase.
I love cars and had many of them but 90% I just feel ripped off when I buy them or sell them.
I just realized that $23,000 was a great deal.
I wish good luck to someone who bought it.🥲

 

Sorry
it is a hot market...
But it sounds like the other is a good deal as well. Good luck! don't worry about the one that got away, it happens

 

The amount of multiple owners on the remaining car scares me. If the price was much lower, like mid-teens, I’d still be concerned. Winter is the best time to buy a car, look hard in November through March. Keep a running list/chart of each car you inquire about, mileage, equipment, color, price, distance from home, condition and contact information. This list will really help you when choosing the best deal. Corvettes tend to be an ‘emotional’ purchase for many people. The list will help you to keep the ‘emotion’ out of your purchase and may prevent you from getting ripped off.

 

26k isnt a "deal"...its Ok. Get the car that speaks to you.
Dont worry about the future nobody knows..may not be able to drive gas cars 20 yrs from now
Besides todays youth could care less about cars...they dont wanna drive work leave Moms house nothing so wheres "the next guy".

 

Moot questions at this point as member has another thread where the lower mileage car has already been sold. If you want to follow his saga, tune into that other thread.