Bought a C5 Z06
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 243
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From: Houston, TX
Bought a C5 Z06
I've always wanted a C5 Z06. Preferably red with the "mod red" interior. Well, this weekend, I finally bought one. Had to fly out to Phoenix to buy it and then had a 1200 mile drive home, but it was worth it.
2004 Z06, red/mod red (black & red interior), 15000 miles, one owner. Basically a brand new car; even has the original tires on it (which need to be replaced!). Absolutely bone stock. I paid a little premium for it, but it was worth it to me to get an unmolested and low mileage car.
It's very red, very loud, somewhat crude, and totally badass. Steering feel, as expected, isn't great, but once speeds go up, it tightens up nicely. Engine is amazing. Interior quality sucks, but in a way, I like it; the money was spent where you can't see it, kind of like my Evo. (which I did keep, btw)
I know the C6, and especially C6 Z06, is a much "better" car in all respects, but I don't care. I like the styling of the C5 Z06 fixed-roof coupe more than the C6, and I like the much more "raw" feel. In other words, I could have bought a C6, but I didn't want one.
I didn't buy it to be a track car, but once I get some new tires and change the fluids, I may not be able to resist a few hot laps.
Pictures here: http://www.vetteculture.net/inventor...rolet-Corvette
(Fun place to buy a Z06, by the way. If you're in the market for one, especially at C6 Z06, I highly recommend checking these guys out.)
2004 Z06, red/mod red (black & red interior), 15000 miles, one owner. Basically a brand new car; even has the original tires on it (which need to be replaced!). Absolutely bone stock. I paid a little premium for it, but it was worth it to me to get an unmolested and low mileage car.
It's very red, very loud, somewhat crude, and totally badass. Steering feel, as expected, isn't great, but once speeds go up, it tightens up nicely. Engine is amazing. Interior quality sucks, but in a way, I like it; the money was spent where you can't see it, kind of like my Evo. (which I did keep, btw)
I know the C6, and especially C6 Z06, is a much "better" car in all respects, but I don't care. I like the styling of the C5 Z06 fixed-roof coupe more than the C6, and I like the much more "raw" feel. In other words, I could have bought a C6, but I didn't want one.
I didn't buy it to be a track car, but once I get some new tires and change the fluids, I may not be able to resist a few hot laps.
Pictures here: http://www.vetteculture.net/inventor...rolet-Corvette
(Fun place to buy a Z06, by the way. If you're in the market for one, especially at C6 Z06, I highly recommend checking these guys out.)
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 928
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From: las vegas, nv.
Congrats! I used to own an '02 Z06; it was a great car.
Couple of common issues you're bound to run into are: oil pressure sensor giving up the ghost. I was driving along one day and the needle pegged all the way to the right, scared the hell out of me until I read on the forums that it's very very common. You'll have to remove the intake manifold to access it too, so if it happens I'd just upgrade while you're in there.
Soft clutch feel. Once your leg strengthens up enough to get used to that clutch feel, it will start to feel kind of soft. Change out the brake fluid with a good bleed, then when it starts to darken up whatsoever (a lot of us made it a habit to check the fluid every time we filled up with gas), use a turkey baster to drain the reservoir and top off with fresh fluid. Sounds crazy, but search the Z06 forums, it's a tried and true method. Keeps the clutch feeling great.
If you lower it on the stock bolts, don't go beyond 1 inch. Anything more starts throwing off the geometry and handling gets twitchy.
Have fun with it! I know I had a blast with mine.
Couple of common issues you're bound to run into are: oil pressure sensor giving up the ghost. I was driving along one day and the needle pegged all the way to the right, scared the hell out of me until I read on the forums that it's very very common. You'll have to remove the intake manifold to access it too, so if it happens I'd just upgrade while you're in there.
Soft clutch feel. Once your leg strengthens up enough to get used to that clutch feel, it will start to feel kind of soft. Change out the brake fluid with a good bleed, then when it starts to darken up whatsoever (a lot of us made it a habit to check the fluid every time we filled up with gas), use a turkey baster to drain the reservoir and top off with fresh fluid. Sounds crazy, but search the Z06 forums, it's a tried and true method. Keeps the clutch feeling great.
If you lower it on the stock bolts, don't go beyond 1 inch. Anything more starts throwing off the geometry and handling gets twitchy.
Have fun with it! I know I had a blast with mine.
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 928
Likes: 1
From: las vegas, nv.
Oh, another thing. My gas gauge was notoriously unreliable after half a tank. I would start the car up and it would say 1/4 or above; then I'd drive 3 or 4 miles and my gas light would come on and the needle would be below the red. Complete pain in the ass. It almost stranded me twice. Just something to look out for!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 1
From: La Habra
My '03 was still my favorite car. I never had gas gauge or clutch issues (even after competing in the West Coast Corvette Challenge drags and a season of auto-x). OTOH I had two passenger window motors replaced under warranty.
If you ever go for exhaust cut-outs be very careful about directing the heat (that's how I eventually snapped my rear transverse spring) though I can recommend QTP's QTEC electric valves for mild-to-wild on demand.
If Houston is like So Cal, if you lower it be prepared to scrape... everywhere. I added aluminum rocker rails and 'frame saver' wheels in front. Eventually I decided to raise it back up a bit.
If you ever go for exhaust cut-outs be very careful about directing the heat (that's how I eventually snapped my rear transverse spring) though I can recommend QTP's QTEC electric valves for mild-to-wild on demand.
If Houston is like So Cal, if you lower it be prepared to scrape... everywhere. I added aluminum rocker rails and 'frame saver' wheels in front. Eventually I decided to raise it back up a bit.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Awesome man, i still have a model of that very car on my dresser, the c5 was my highschool dream car. Congrats man on the purchase! Oh, read into the ignition lock issues. Dont know if they ever came out with a final fix that fixed the problem completely.
