Z0SIS

One word answers are ok! '01 Black/Black with 17k, no mods, original paint, car is in great condition, $22,900 - what all do you think??

EPMM 03 C5

i bought a 02 Z06 with 17,000 miles last march for 25,000. it's a great deal if the car fax is clean!

MYDreamZ

I agree. If you can get it lower that would be even better but I think that's a deal you could feel good about.

Z0SIS

Thank you both...one more twist to this as I am cross shopping one other vehicle: there's an '03 black/black with 54k miles which has Borla exhaust and MGW shifter for the same price and in equally good condition. Obviously two years newer, with HUD and a couple of good mods. Now which would you go for?

MYDreamZ

I don't know about where you're at but here in Missouri the 03 would be $20k or less, especially going into winter. I paid $18,500 for my 03 with 59k miles two months ago. It has Borla long tubes and full exhaust as well as a shifter. Mods don't usually add value when you're talking buying/selling but it does cut down on future expenses.

Z0SIS

Yeah the '03 seems a bit steep @$23k. It also has 4 owners whereas the '01 has has only 2. The '01 seems like a better deal but no HUD, 385 vs 405, no short shifter or exhaust (these last 2 are over $1000). I'm honestly a bit torn right now.

sfsvettes

FWIW, I have an 04 & an 01
I enjoy driving both cars and drive the 01 more often than the 04
Go with the lower miles !

Brian Roberts

Low miles wins. I just got an 02 with 39k miles for $19k in Washington State.

All stock. Quite mint, except for cracks along the roof trim. (I hear this is quite common?)

No accidents, and I'm the fourth owner.

Z0SIS

Agree on lower miles...but even without the HUD, 405 hp and short shifter and Borla exhaust that would come on the '03 I'm looking at??

ArmchairArchitect

Don't forget the 01 Zs are less desirable than 02-04, mainly due to the power difference.

From what I've seen, it's usually around a $2k difference.

Z0SIS

I always thought the general price difference was too much between those model years. I mean 20 hp? You're barely going to feel that.

Z0SIS

So which would you go for then?

'01 Bone stock 2 owner 18k miles for $23
'03 shifter, Borla, 4 owner 54k for $23?

Thx...

WA 2 FST

Have you driven both of them? I am an original owner of an '02... but I won't let that make me partial in this case, when buying a used one. I'm guessing the '01 is in much nicer cosmetic shape. Power-wise, a few minor mods and you're making up the advertised 20hp difference. Really... it is not a big deal.

I'd drive them, and if the '01 is a nicer car, then I would buy that one...given the price is the same.

Z0SIS

The rub is that they are both out of state. I've received, without issue, HD videos of each and they honestly both look great. I know enough about the C5's (I had a C5 Z and now have a C6 GS) to look for some red flags, so I'm comfortable not driving them before buying.

In my mind, the MGW flat stick and Borla's represent $1500 of value to me as those are two mods I would have done immediately, of course having to come out of pocket for them. But on the flip side the dealer is asking too much for that '03, so maybe it evens out??

WA 2 FST

That's great you're comfortable with purchasing, relatively sight-unseen. I'm the same way... just a month ago bought a C6ZR1 without ever seeing the car in person. It was represented very well, documented very well... sounds like you're getting the same feeling about these two cars.

Since you would do those two mods anyway, the '03 looks more attractive, certainly. And who is to say a 54k mile car isn't as nice inside and out as a 17k mile car... if they are next to each other and you can't tell. My '02 has 26k miles and people think, except that is is 2 gens old, it is next to new.

Sounds like you have two good options...and maybe that is making it harder than if you just had one. And I don't know if the '03 is priced too high, either. $23k for that car is a lot of car for what you're paying.

Sorry... I'm not much help.

grantv

It's not always about capability, it's as much about knowing. It will drive the first year price down (never mind first year prices are generally lower anyway).

Shakeydeal

If the 03 checks out, that's the one I would buy. The difference in the mileage is a moot point to me.


Shakey

Z0SIS

Getting some good mixed reactions and advice, and it's much appreciated. Some say lower mileage, some say newer and forget about the miles on the car. My old C5Z had 52k when I bought it and it was great. This car will see maybe 5k a year max (my daily is a '12 Tacoma).

Do the '03's have any issues with the valve springs? Or only the '02's?

grantv

Sorry about the truck, I DD a minivan in the winter; almost as bad.
All things being equal a newer more loaded car (HUD for example even though many including myself don't use it) will resale higher.
Lower miles is also obviously an important role. Only you can pick where the trade-off is.
02 and 03 are most common years with valve spring issues.

Z0SIS

I actually love my Tacoma, and love it so much that my C6 GS doesn't get driven as much as I thought it would, so its for sale. The C5 is half the cost and I won't feel AS guilty about not driving it all week.

Really, the '03's have valve spring issues too? Is that something I need to immediately budget if I buy the'03??