I found a 2002 Z06 locally for sale by original owner. The car currently has 4000 miles. He has only changed the oil once at 2000 miles. Should I be concerned about this? Google has mixed information on oil life and how it can affect the motor after long age.

The car itself was still turned on at least once a month and brought up to operating temperatures, and drove around the block and occasional car shows.

 

My concern with that would be that "brought up to operating temperatures" usually means, to most people, coolant temperature reached 190ish. If the oil was never brought to 190-200 degrees then every time the motor was run, there was moisture that was added to that oil and never had a chance to boil off.

I'd want to get more clarification on what the seller's definition of "operating temperatures" really is. And, for extra insurance, you could potentially offer the seller an oil change at your cost and then send in a sample of the old oil for analysis to see what the condition insider the motor might be.

 

What does the oil on the dipstick look like? If it looks like chocolate milk, it has a lot of moisture in it. How about the underside of the oil fill cap?

If the car checks out, an oil change is in the immediate future.

 

Let me get this straight, the oil has 2,000 miles and something like 9 years on it?

 

Like mentioned, the oil needs to be above 180° for 10 min to burn off any moisture in the oil. Regardless of miles it is recommended to change oil at least once per year due to the moisture and combustion contaminates that collect in the oil. Once the oil is exposed to these elements it begins to break down. If you are driving a short distance home I wouldn't be too concerned, but change all the fluids right away, if you buy it. Certainly not a deal breaker in my opinion.

 

Just pull the dipstick, and check the color of the oil. As mentioned, if it's milky, or jet black, thats not good. Then start it, and run the engine for 10 minutes or so. Shut it down, wait 10-15 minutes, and pull the dipstick again, this time check for the proper oil level, AND the oil color/smell. If it still looks the same as before, don't buy it. Also, something I always do is wipe some oil on my index finger and thumb, then smell it. If it smells more like gasoline than motor oil, not good either. In the real world, I think you'll be fine. But I can't say that's the case 100% when I'm not there in person. Best of luck to you......

 

Buddy had a tahoe sitting for 8yrs not as long as yours but close. Mine you same gas same oil. Had over 200k on it. Well the first couple years he would turn it on and let run for half hr or so every few months and maybe once in the winter. He didn't drive it on street no plates no registration so he just backed it up and forward about 10 ft. He stopped doing this because he figues why and just let it rot don't ask my. 5yrs went by and a friends dads kid needed a junker for has new license driver 16 yr so u know he has to get that first accident out of the. So anyway ways. He put new battery in and tried to star it and we smell gas. Looked around gas line rusted through so fix that part of the gas line. Tried to start again no luck. Remember same oil same gas we didn't even check anything.. Just changed battery. Got it started with started and ran prefect. He let run i while so time to do his thing back it up and bring it forward. On the way forward had no brake line rodded away. Fix that. Dad came to pick it up we just charged him for the parts since it was for his kid. He didn't care about anything and anything mechacaily. Just that it starts and runs. He left in a hurry because he traveled over a hundred mile. Year later kid still has the truck and wait for it yes same oil. Don't even know if its low. We didn't care as long as his kid was happy. But seen you have 9 yrs on that oil i would change it right away.

Yes yes being sarcastic.

Forgot we didn't check antifreeze since it sat in -20 in chicago that it was good because the engine did not leak any antifreeze.

 

IMO... cold start and listen for tapping that doesn't go away. If it sounds normal... bring it home and change the oil immediately. Then again after 1000 miles or so and you should be good to go.
Now with only 4k miles... you'll want to do the belts, flush all fluids, and maybe change the coolant hoses. Oh and tires for sure.