Bargain C5 Z06 Sold on Collecting Cars

[C5Steve]

Anyone on here pick this up? Seems like an absolute steal, especially with the modifications done to it but maybe the unoriginality of it put people off?

2001 Chevrolet Corvette (C5) Z06 - Manual

This C5-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a thrilling and rewarding modern classic American sports car, offered with an extensively well-documented history and enhanced with choice upgrades. Under the bonnet sits an upgraded 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8, developing up to 531bhp, and...

collectingcars.com

 

[Llewelyn]

I didn't buy it but watched the auction.... I think a lot of people on CC probably don't know much about Corvettes and wouldn't think much of it being a Z06. Also the colour isn't particularly amazing and the photos don't flatter it. Also it not being a convertible or "targa" makes it less appealing as a toy for a lot of people.

I suppose no one was really interested in it except for those actively looking for a nice C5. It looks a great car for the money for sure!

 

[Roscobbc]

Pity the seller if he was talked in to selling with a zero or low reserve!

 

[teamzr1]

Buyer beware
states multi times being a Z06 but also states engine is an LS1 and not correct LS6 so writer of ad not understanding Corvettes
Fact is it looks like a Billybob (FRC) which was before the Z06 and was designed for being lighter and more for racing

The fact claiming over 500 HP or over 150HP over stock I see this all the time in those who come to me for custom tuning is the
mods done do not match each other and the cars runs like crap on the street and becomes a money pit

Many owners like this when coming to me say their wife says either car goes or she does, or car cannot pass SMOG testing and
requires highest octane gas, but still has engine knock and misfires

The Cats used are not legal in the USA and the headers brand used is known for welds to crack over time
If the engine does not run correctly and needs custom tuning, first is whoever did the tuning, did they lock the PCM ?
So no one, not even the dealer could make tuning changes and if not locked and tune done was lousy,
that means the new tuner guy really needs to know how to correct bad tuning.

So do not buy this until going for a drive and be sure how well or poor this Z06 functions, idles well with and without the A/C on
and how engine functions on decel (lifting off gas pedal) and coming to a stop

Looking at engine photos, my 1999 C5 is much cleaner than this 2001 is, so last owner was not maintaining it well

 

[teamzr1]

Pity the seller if he was talked in to selling with a zero or low reserve!

I see this when the mods done are so bad that the owners are forced to sell the car to get rid of it,
or cannot pass Smog testing.
Also, a divorce, the wife grabs the cars and then dumps it with no clue on the real worth of the Corvette

Example a friend of mine had a 1992 ZR-1 Corvette, wife grabbed it in divorce, and she was so dumb not knowing what ZR-1 was
sold it for the price of a base C4 :-(

 

[C5Steve]

Buyer beware
states multi times being a Z06 but also states engine is an LS1 and not correct LS6 so writer of ad not understanding Corvettes
Fact is it looks like a Billybob (FRC) which was before the Z06 and was designed for being lighter and more for racing

The fact claiming over 500 HP or over 150HP over stock I see this all the time in those who come to me for custom tuning is the
mods done do not match each other and the cars runs like crap on the street and becomes a money pit

Many owners like this when coming to me say their wife says either car goes or she does, or car cannot pass SMOG testing and
requires highest octane gas, but still has engine knock and misfires

The Cats used are not legal in the USA and the headers brand used is known for welds to crack over time
If the engine does not run correctly and needs custom tuning, first is whoever did the tuning, did they lock the PCM ?
So no one, not even the dealer could make tuning changes and if not locked and tune done was lousy,
that means the new tuner guy really needs to know how to correct bad tuning.

So do not buy this until going for a drive and be sure how well or poor this Z06 functions, idles well with and without the A/C on
and how engine functions on decel (lifting off gas pedal) and coming to a stop

Looking at engine photos, my 1999 C5 is much cleaner than this 2001 is, so last owner was not maintaining it well

Yeah all good points which I'd picked up on, the photos do have a lot of receipts and Dyno graphs I believe but alot of the details of the install of the cam etc are all hand written. So very possibly an older owner who did the work themselves. I did see a few receipts in there for CCM (or rather Claremont) so I did wonder if it were club owned at some point.

Not sure I'd have been brave enough to bid without seeing it running as you say and yes, the lack of cats makes it a real problem to get MOTd here even with a friendly tester.

Still, condition looked good for a low mile ULEZ compliant car and the price still seems like a steal to me.

 

[Nassau65]

One of the main features of a corvette coupe has always been the option to remove the roof on nice days. The c3 had the T-Top, C4 and later the one piece Targa top. The Fixed roof coupe was very un appealing to many and hence limited its appeal to buyers

 

[C5Steve]

One of the main features of a corvette coupe has always been the option to remove the roof on nice days. The c3 had the T-Top, C4 and later the one piece Targa top. The Fixed roof coupe was very un appealing to many and hence limited its appeal to buyer

I don't think the Z06 is less desirable than a base C5 though? Certainly prices have never reflected that, here or in the US.

 

[Dorsetsteve]

Yeah all good points which I'd picked up on, the photos do have a lot of receipts and Dyno graphs I believe but alot of the details of the install of the cam etc are all hand written. So very possibly an older owner who did the work themselves. I did see a few receipts in there for CCM (or rather Claremont) so I did wonder if it were club owned at some point.

Not sure I'd have been brave enough to bid without seeing it running as you say and yes, the lack of cats makes it a real problem to get MOTd here even with a friendly tester.

Still, condition looked good for a low mile ULEZ compliant car and the price still seems like a steal to me.

I saw this car for sale a few months back and even though it’s a C6 I thought it looked a really good buy, the stack of paperwork and organisation of it was also encouraging. It was up for a few grand more. The add came down before I had too much chance to do anything more than seriously consider it.
I believe it has cats, they are just aftermarket sport cats. I’m not 100% but expect the MOT will go, “cat present, tick” “pass emissions test, tick”.