L98Terror

I'm in the market and am wondering if it's worth the extra money to get a 04 over an 02

Thanks,

Ken

TAC

Some of the changes I can remember:

-New shocks. Supposed to improve handling on the track. Some people that installed them to older models liked the difference, some said they can't feel any difference.

-New fuel system. Can't remember any benefits but I can tell you the new setup makes dropping the tanks to install a roll bar a biatch. I know someone that put one on both styles and hated the newer system.

-Headliner in '04 has a "bumpout" on the top. Makes headroom a little more difficult with a helmet on.

-Black plastic "*****" added to area beside the headrest on the roof to stop your head from wedging in there, I suppose.

Can't think of any others right now. HTH.

Brian Laser S4

Shocks and the fuel system are the 2 majors. 04 shocks are said to be 20% stiffer. An 02 would be cheaper and you can always swap in the 04 shocks if you want it stiffer. I like the way my 01 rides.

Brian

LTC Z06

Read the FAQ sticky and all questions will be answered. Worth the extra money? Not as far as improvements go, maybe for lower mileage or if warranty still intact.

silverbullet2005

The 04 Z06 comes better tuned out of the gm assembly line.They have a better leaner fuel curve,then the 01-03 z06.You could see up to 4-10 horsepower difference at the back tires.

silverbullet2005

I also believe that the 2004 z06 tranny comes with Bronze shift forks as a upgrade from the 01-03z06.People have experience alot problems with bent forks on 01-03z06.

Charles7Mitchell

I was wondering when someone was going to mention differences in horsepower. It's my understanding that a possible difference of 4 - 10 hp applies to the 03 and the 04 models, but that there were significant differences between the 03/04 and the two models that came before. This has been thoroughly discussed before, but perhaps someone with the technical knowledge will confirm and explain. It's my understanding that majors gains existed between the 02 and 01, ditto between the 03 and 02, but that there were lesser differences between the 04 and the 03.

Charles7Mitchell

P.S. There is no questions that differences exist, and that the rule of thumb is buy the newest car that you can afford, but whether the dollar differences are worth it is a personal decision. The market has brought the price of the 04 down and surprised a lot of people. Good luck.

acrace

L98 Terror:

Knowing that you like to autocross/track a car, there are some differences in the suspension that may or may not be important (depending what you're going to mod). As I understand it, halfway through the '03 model year the front control arm bushings were redesigned so that they don't pound out. The '02 and '03 suspensions were identical. Besides the shock valving, the '04 has softer rear sway bar bushings and stiffer upper (?) control arm bushings.

rbartick

There were no major power gains from 02-04. All 02-04 cars dyno about the same (355-360 RWHP).

Charles7Mitchell

There were not major increases in horsepower, but there were increases from year to year. Agreed that from 385 hp to 405 hp is not major, but add to this the numerous refinements from year to year and equal drivers will produce noticeable differences in performance. People certainly are paying significant differences in the prices, even for two cars with the same mileage. In the hands of an experienced driver you will see differences even between the C6 at 400 hp and the Z 06 at 405 hp. The refinements and minor increases in hp add up quickly. To say these cars are all similar is accurate, IMO, but not about the same.

rbartick

There were no HP changes from 02-04. They all dyno about 355-360 RWHP SAE corrected on a Dynojet.

An 04 is worth more than an 02-03 because of its age and warranty coverage.

Charles7Mitchell

You're talking about what is written on paper and on paper 405 equals 405. I'm talking about what happens on the street. Even the 2003 Z easily out performs the 2002 in the hands of equal drivers and it's not because it is one year younger. There's a lot more to these cars than just their age, but all are fantastic cars.

rbartick

Absolutely not. Not on the street, not on the track, and not on the dyno.

LTC Z06

3 Z06ZR1

bring your 2003, my 2002 is all stock, well see
crock statement

3 Z06ZR1

Gonzo

When I bought my o4 the only difference I knew of was the suspension being retuned. It did get the car under 8 minutes at Nurginburg (sp?) after some experimenting.

Is that a real life difference, to a performance driver yes, to most of us no. I don't no anything about the fuel system, and every thing else is rumor. When I had an LT4 (96 CE) alot of people said the same thing, GM underrated it at 330 hp becasue the new c5 had 350 and it didn't help marketing the C5. I had my 96 LT4 on the dyno several times I don't think it was true, just wishful thinking, as is most likely the case with the 04 having slightly more hp than the 03. Most likely not true IMHO.

The only reasons I wanted an 04 was 1. it was the first new car I ever bought, and I wanted that security, I have bought other peoples problems many times. 2. It was the last Zo6, C5 that is. 3. It was newer and had the warranty.

Newer is not necessarly better, but most likely most daily driven cars an 03 would be in better condition and have less miles than an 02 and so on. I would take a mint 02 with low miles over a daily driven 03 or 04 with 50k. Looking at wear will answer these questions, I'm sure my 04 has less wear than some o5's.

Bottom line each C5 Z has to be looked at individually IMHO. No changes, with the exception of the oil burning issue which scarred me off the 01, would aboslutly make me choose one over another.

Electron Blue might me choose the 02, oh the Z16 (which I know some hate so save the flames) was also the kicker for me I like the stripes

J Z06

Ken

You too eh? I am searching for a Z as well. After having one 'vette for so long, it's only right to get another. Good luck finding one.

Charles7Mitchell

We should forget about the improved exhaust system and the other refinements to lighten the weight. Those of us who purchased a 2003 or 2004 when they could have gotten a car just as good for a lot less were dumb, right? The 2002 Z was rated at 0 - 60 in 4.0 sec and 0 - 100 in 9.5 sec. Check the numbers on the 2004 and you'll see differences that are not major, but are noticeable in the hands of an experienced driver. There's more to these cars than how old they are.