I'm ready to buy! I'm so excited, only problem is which one? I'm a big toy guy looking for another toy and good investment and also fill a long over due dream, owning a vette! Want to drive the car not just store it, will not be a primary vehicle, nice weather only, as with all my other toys. I've been doing alot of reading and know that I want the Z06 motor, 6 speed 2001-2004. Can anybopdy give me some feedback on which year, what to look out for etc, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

There is no real difference in the 2002 through 2004 ZO6, all had 405 HP (the 2001 had 385). Realize you can only get that motor, and the other go-fast goodies on the car in that one body style, the true coupe (with a trunk, as compared to the t-top fastback coupe), sometimes called the FRC (fixed roof coupe). The body itself is about 115 lbs lighter than the other vette body styles and that was exlclusive to the ZO6. ZO6s only came with the 6-speed so you have no choice there, but its what you want.

I'd look for a 2002-2004, not caring about the year but going for the best price vs. condition. The only thing to really ask about is the single serious flaw on all C5s, has the owner done something about the steering lock re-call, either taken it to the dealer, or like me, put in ap ermanent bypass to disable it altogether.

 

I would agree with lee, anything between '02 and '04 is pretty much a good bet. I would personally stay away from the '01's just because of the few HP you lose. When I was looking for my car it was all about price vs. mileage and condition. It took me a few months to find the right one but it was well worth the wait. I purchased my car a few months ago, 1998 6 speed with only 22,225 miles on it. Good luck with your search and remember AutoTrader.com is your best friend. By the way what color are you looking for? I wanted Blue, but ended up buying Silver.

 

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. I'm looking for black exterior, black interior or blue exterior/black interior. Another question I have is, in a car that has been taken care of what kind of mileage can you expect to get out of the clutch before replacing?

 

About 70,000 miles if has not been driven hard. ZO6s have a pretty robust clutch.

 

One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten on buying any sort of used car is to get the best example you can afford. No matter what type of car, the extra money and aggravation of putting a ratty one into good condition always outweighs the cost of just buying a good one to begin with. Be patient, wait for the right one.
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AUTIV
Performance-car news, reviews, and history

 

I almost forgot...make sure you do a carfax on it before you buy.

 

Hi, I bought a 2001 Z06 last September. What a car! Put Corsa exhaust and the Haltec Tunnel Ram Air PaK cold air system on it with the mass air sensor. I'm up around 427hp now. This spring I'm going to get it dyno tuned. I drive my car everyday and love it to death! Hit a speed of 135 and got a little scared but had plenty of power left to go faster.. but hey, what for. I don't race the car! It's good to know though you have the power there if need be!! Any Z is the way to go... you may start off with a little more power in the 2002 and up but if you come buy a sweet deal (I got mine fore 29g's!) don't hesitate. You can always upgrade later!
Have fun
Don

 

What else have you done to you car DCD58? An '01 with a Corsa exhaust and Haltec would be running about 400-410Hp (flywheel equivalent) after a good tune. Did the Corsa exhaust include LT headers? You should get it tuned beause a serious mod can lean it out enough to cause excessive piston heating.

You're right about the '01 being a good bargain, though. The 20 HP difference from 01 to 02 is easy to buy back with mods and for someone that is going to do mods ianyway, it is irrelevant.