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[Z06] Save or enjoy?

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Old Sep 8, 2025 | 06:43 PM
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Hi everyone.

Getting closer to retirement and collecting a few more chevys.

I buy my cars to drive and enjoy.

Have a couple camaro ragtops and just picked up a 2001 Z06 with 3,000 miles. It’s mint. All original.

My dilemma. I don’t think it’s that crazy rare or special to not drive. Am I nuts?

I also want some exhaust I can enjoy and hear but then it’s not original. I put axle back on my camaros. Easy. Sound mint. But I did have to cut the exhaust. Hmmmm. Want to keep it simple and low cost. Go cat back so I could always put original back on?

Last edited by Tannero; Sep 8, 2025 at 08:51 PM.
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Old Sep 8, 2025 | 08:08 PM
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Such a low mile car is worth something, although the 2001 Z06 is the least desirable as it is the 385 HP version, 2002-2004 having the 405 HP engine.
If you want one to mod and rip around in, sell the low mile car for a bundle and buy something with the miles on it already, then go nuts on it.
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Old Sep 8, 2025 | 08:10 PM
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I’ve said it many times.

Not driving your car is like saving your wife for another man. Life is way to short not to go have fun.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 12:40 AM
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Were it me I would enjoy it but not to excess. I'd have fun with it and drive it when I felt like but just as a toy.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 12:47 AM
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Also, you can easily remove the factory axle-back exhaust and swap in something with more punch, it's a bolt-in swap, no cutting needed.
Just remember the factory Z06 axle-back exhaust is something special, it is made of titanium, not just stainless steel like base C5's.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 04:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Ltngdrvr
Such a low mile car is worth something, although the 2001 Z06 is the least desirable as it is the 385 HP version, 2002-2004 having the 405 HP engine.
If you want one to mod and rip around in, sell the low mile car for a bundle and buy something with the miles on it already, then go nuts on it.
Since the 385hp version was 1 year only, it’s more rare. Corvette nerds love to say they have something rare. Also no HUD.
I’m going to make an “only 385hp” badge for all of us horsepower deficient 2001 owners.
A low mile 2001 is a conundrum IMO. Its only value is in the fact that it has low miles. But what’s the point of that? It’s never going to double or triple in value. There’s just too many C5s out there. Keep the miles off it so your kids can sell it when you’re dead? Give this poor Corvette the life it deserves. Make it a track car and only put miles on it with the tires squealing and the engine running at WOT.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Ltngdrvr
Also, you can easily remove the factory axle-back exhaust and swap in something with more punch, it's a bolt-in swap, no cutting needed.
Just remember the factory Z06 axle-back exhaust is something special, it is made of titanium, not just stainless steel like base C5's.
Yep. Read about the titanium so it is special and $$$. Will look into axle back to avoid cutting. Txs for the advice.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 07:08 AM
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Thanks for the reply and thoughts. Leaning somewhat this way. Just enjoy the car. Life is too short. It’s not a ZR1 or anything close.
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Old Sep 9, 2025 | 07:46 AM
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If you paid more to buy a low mile car you will **** away what you paid extra for it. Now if you paid a fair price then you are ok.

As for mods. A stock Z06 will all day be worth more. But a cat back will be a simple bolt on and keep the original exhaust.

Driving it is best as the cars deteriorate sitting. Also did you buy it to drive or wipe with a diaper for someone after your dead to enjoy?
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Old Sep 11, 2025 | 09:57 PM
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Drive the car and get some enjoyment from it. Not going to be a collector car anytime soon.
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Old Sep 11, 2025 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Mc556
I’ve said it many times.

Not driving your car is like saving your wife for another man. Life is way to short not to go have fun.

My solution is to have more wives!! err I mean more cars.

lol

when you have 7 cars on the property it's easy to have fun but spread the miles around.
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Old Sep 12, 2025 | 06:24 AM
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Drive it every day.
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