[Z06] Should I ever buy a Z06?
09-03-2015, 08:40 AM
#81
Melting Slicks
My best advice is to trust your gut. You don’t come across as excited about this car. If the car doesn’t feel right, look right, and doesn’t put a huge grin on your face, the car isn’t for you. I looked at 30 – 40 Vettes before finding “the one.” Even though it had 167k miles, it out classed all the others.
Mine has paint abrasion behind the wheels and the front has wear from road debris but no signs of contact with another car or large object. Seats and buttons are not worn out, all buttons and features work. The engine bay was spotless and no signs of leaks underneath the car other than the staining at the rear axles.
To your questions:
1) Z06 exhaust is louder than others. It is titanium for weight savings and I believe the tips are also titanium. They will not shine like chrome.
2) The transmission does whine. I’ve never recorded mine in the position you did to be able to tell you it sounds the same or not. If I think of it, I’ll do so and respond. Shifting looked normal in the video so it could but you or the shifter may not be properly aligned. (easy DIY to “fix”) It will not shift like the Asian cars. Also, the Z06 is geared differently than a base C5.
3) The foam partition is there to deaden the sounds coming from the trunk. It is aftermarket and will not be in all Z06 cars.
4) The ABS concerns me and should be addressed with your mechanic and negotiated in the price if you decide to buy.
5) The Z06 has a firm suspension. The thud is likely normal.
6) The HUD is adjustable. The controls are to the left of the steering wheel. Likely just need to reposition for you. There are also buttons to choose what you want displayed.
Me personally, I don’t like the ABS issue, the impact mark not being addressed, worn buttons, the dirty engine, and the comment about the maintenance being “costly.” Unless he is referring to synthetic oil prices compared to regular, the maintenance is pretty much the same as any vehicle. It isn’t an exotic car. You can go to the local parts store and buy many of the wear items like brake pads, belts, hoses, etc. Where do you live? Sounds like he was speaking French in the video. Maybe that is a factor into his comment.
Mine has paint abrasion behind the wheels and the front has wear from road debris but no signs of contact with another car or large object. Seats and buttons are not worn out, all buttons and features work. The engine bay was spotless and no signs of leaks underneath the car other than the staining at the rear axles.
To your questions:
1) Z06 exhaust is louder than others. It is titanium for weight savings and I believe the tips are also titanium. They will not shine like chrome.
2) The transmission does whine. I’ve never recorded mine in the position you did to be able to tell you it sounds the same or not. If I think of it, I’ll do so and respond. Shifting looked normal in the video so it could but you or the shifter may not be properly aligned. (easy DIY to “fix”) It will not shift like the Asian cars. Also, the Z06 is geared differently than a base C5.
3) The foam partition is there to deaden the sounds coming from the trunk. It is aftermarket and will not be in all Z06 cars.
4) The ABS concerns me and should be addressed with your mechanic and negotiated in the price if you decide to buy.
5) The Z06 has a firm suspension. The thud is likely normal.
6) The HUD is adjustable. The controls are to the left of the steering wheel. Likely just need to reposition for you. There are also buttons to choose what you want displayed.
Me personally, I don’t like the ABS issue, the impact mark not being addressed, worn buttons, the dirty engine, and the comment about the maintenance being “costly.” Unless he is referring to synthetic oil prices compared to regular, the maintenance is pretty much the same as any vehicle. It isn’t an exotic car. You can go to the local parts store and buy many of the wear items like brake pads, belts, hoses, etc. Where do you live? Sounds like he was speaking French in the video. Maybe that is a factor into his comment.
Last edited by 3sACROWD; 09-03-2015 at 08:51 AM.
09-03-2015, 09:12 AM
#83
Burning Brakes
You will probably have to get an after market axle back,as the titanium is very hard to find someone to weld. The z06 I don't think has sound deadening material, and also the windows are thinner for weigh savings.. Compared to a regular c5, it is probably louder driving around. I know in my c5 I put the sound dreading material under the carpet, and it helped out a lot..
09-03-2015, 09:26 AM
#84
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The ABS can be fairly expensive to fix if there is a problem there. How much I really don’t know. I never heard that whining sound from my trans in my 02Z so that kind of worries me. I think of it was my money i would wait for another one to come by. But that’s just me. But i don’t know what your budget is. GTO's have the T56 too so there is really no difference in feel between the GTO and C5Z. Not to say you don’t want a corvette but almost sounds like you would be happier with a GTO just because it has the power and better ride and more luxury interior that you like. Maybe start looking for a GTO more so than a C5Z. Either way you can’t go wrong.
Last edited by zdeckich; 09-03-2015 at 09:37 AM.
09-03-2015, 09:39 AM
#85
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Maybe check this out?? No pics but could be nice.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...7888/overview/
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...7888/overview/
09-03-2015, 11:28 AM
#87
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I did see that one, I know of the dealer too though they're not a favorite of mine. Unfortunately it's an auto, their actual site lists that it is (which is usually my luck when I looked at GTOs). I had another thought, what about looking at another similar Z06 that has lower miles to see how it compares? Something like this?
http://www.shelbyvillechryslerproduc...8d541feeaf.htm
The only thing I don't like is looking at a car with the intent I will definitely not buy it, dealers love to high pressure people into feeling obligated to buy their cars which I'm not a fan of. But, truly if I liked a Z06 then that one would probably be perfect. If I truly don't, then I won't like that one either - right? That one is out of my price range for now, and I'm still mulling over if I am willing to pay as much consider the car's age. It's much more acceptable to me to be around $15k for an '03 than $24k, especially knowing that there are other really nice used cars for that. I know it's not the same, and I probably wouldn't go buy them but knowing I could buy a 2010 or even newer for that kind of money certainly does at least weigh on my mind. I've seen 2010 Camaro SSes for $22-24k, never drove one though. But then again I kind of like the top dog feeling of having a Z06, whereas the Camaro SS is just the beginning being they have the ZL1 and Z/28.
http://www.shelbyvillechryslerproduc...8d541feeaf.htm
The only thing I don't like is looking at a car with the intent I will definitely not buy it, dealers love to high pressure people into feeling obligated to buy their cars which I'm not a fan of. But, truly if I liked a Z06 then that one would probably be perfect. If I truly don't, then I won't like that one either - right? That one is out of my price range for now, and I'm still mulling over if I am willing to pay as much consider the car's age. It's much more acceptable to me to be around $15k for an '03 than $24k, especially knowing that there are other really nice used cars for that. I know it's not the same, and I probably wouldn't go buy them but knowing I could buy a 2010 or even newer for that kind of money certainly does at least weigh on my mind. I've seen 2010 Camaro SSes for $22-24k, never drove one though. But then again I kind of like the top dog feeling of having a Z06, whereas the Camaro SS is just the beginning being they have the ZL1 and Z/28.
09-03-2015, 02:17 PM
#89
Lots quieter than a Z, and smoother riding.
You forgot to add "lots less fun".....
You forgot to add "lots less fun".....
09-03-2015, 03:18 PM
#90
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Ok say the car is $15k and it could cost $1200 to fix. Then you need rear tires. That’s about another $500. Then maybe have it details or have a professional to do a machine polish to remove most of the swirls and make the paint look better. Another $500. That’s $2200. Now you are $$17,200 into the car. That will still have a few scratches. Would you be happy with the car? I would wait to find one with maybe lower mileage and better shape all around, cosmetically and drivability, For the $17-18k price point if you can fit that into your budget. Now at $20-22k for a low mileage really clean C5Z is a good buy and i don’t seem them losing a ton of money in the next few years. I paid $19,500 for my 02 Z with 64k miles on it. It now has 74k and actually NADA values it at $21k.
Last edited by zdeckich; 09-03-2015 at 03:22 PM.
09-03-2015, 03:26 PM
#91
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Is that rear fender cracked? I would have to repaint it because that would bug the hell out of me. That might be a $3-500 respray. Looks like the scratches in the back bumper on the edge looks like to be spider webbing cracks in the paint. That will not buff out. But the light scuff marks would.
09-03-2015, 05:59 PM
#94
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From the pictures posted it sure looks like the paint on the rear bumper cover is cracked and if so will NOT buff or sand out. Are there 2 spots on the quarter panel that looks to be chipped as well?
