It feels like it's been an age since Chevrolet first released the Corvette Z06, and that's because it has been. The model was originally launched way back in 2002. Chevrolet was performing rather well on the market in those days, that is until the 2007-08 recession hit them. Following the downturn, the automaker was forced to recover over the course of a decade or so.
Corvette chief engineer Dave Hill was asked by Car and Driver back in 2002 why his company would sell 7,400 vehicles knowing they would be obsolete within 14 months, and his answer was that the Corvette 5.5's (its christened name by the publication back then) upgrades were not yet read and that the automotive manufacturer does not 'sell wine before its time' (interpret that any way you want).
Considering what the Z06 has to offer, the vehicle can be purchased at a fairly reasonable price these days, though, for reasons we'll get to later, it's best to check out the interior before buying one. According to Autoblog, the retail price for this model is around $50,400. That makes it quite a bit cheaper than many modern cars of a similar nature.
But the question remains as to what exactly you'd gain from buying one of these rides today. What is it about this 2000s beast that we love so much? Let's take a closer look.
The 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Came With Great Performance And Handling
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Motorweek referred to the Corvette as 'a high-performance sports car'. It's a vehicle that can be pushed to its limits pretty easily and remains fun to drive to this day. Overall, it's a pretty formidable sports car that rivals plenty of family sedans.
Many fans of Chevrolet vehicles would happily tell you that the Corvette's all-aluminum 5.7-liter pushrod V8, nicknamed the LS6, is serious performance hardware.
In 2002, Chevrolet decided to provide this model with a power boost of 20 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque. This increased peak output to a stunning 405 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This LS6 was paired with an M12 six-speed manual transmission. It remains the only transmission available, and for that reason, the Corvette has what could be considered a distinguished gearbox.
Suspension modifications to the Corvette in 2002 were more modest and consist of aluminum front stabilizer bar links as well as revised rear shock valving. The 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are forged; Chevrolet decided against casting tires at the time.
Thanks to the breathtaking increase in power, the Z06 can pretty much launch like an airplane. In fact, it takes a mere four seconds to hit 60 mph from a stand still. Throttle response is instantaneous, so much so that drivers must feather the throttle to prevent the rear wheels from spinning through the first three gears. Its maximum torque figure stands at only 4,800 rpm.
This model year of the Z06 also has fast, speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, a tight, short-long-arm double-wishbone with composite leaf springs, and a second-generation Active Handling system, with a Competitive mode that enables the driver to selectively disengage traction control. The Z06 is pretty agile too.
Bumpy roads are no problem for this Corvette as there is no loss of stability when braking from triple-digit speeds. As Motorweek said at the time, it was, and indeed still is, 'race-ready.'
Keep A Close Eye On The Interior Of Any Used '02 Corvette Z06
Road and Track warn its readers to check out the Corvette's interior before buying one as they claim that the early 2000s were not GM's (Chevrolet's parent company) best time for build quality. It's advised that potential buyers observe how well a Corvette has been cared for by checking out the seat bolsters for excessive wear; leather seats are prone to cracking. There is also a risk of there being faulty LED indicators in its HVAC gauges.
Another sticking point with the interior of used Z06s can be the lockout feature for its steering column. As a theft-deterrent, the Corvette locks down the steering if it finds something it believes is not the ignition key. But the problem is that it is far too sensitive and can lock people out of their car if the key is inserted incorrectly. What a pain! Many Corvette units were recalled for this issue alone. So, it's best to politely ask the owner if they've dealt with this annoyance first (and hope they are honest).
With that being said, it's not all about the interior. While it's certainly recommended that you check out the inside of the car first (no point in spending $50,000+ for a broken medal), it's got a lot to offer either way.
All in all, the Corvette is a performance beast, and if anyone fancies a blast from the past (pun intended) for a reasonable price, this Chevrolet model is, on the whole, certainly worth it.