The wheels are not better! The ones on the 02 and later are about 4 ouces lighter, which is about 1.5 pounds of weight reduction per car. However, they are cast for 02 and later as opposed to forged for 01. Forged products are significantly stronger than cast products.
Only the front brake pads were changed not anything else in the braking system.
There is 20 crank horse power difference between the 01 and later years. Most of the horse power difference (about 15hp) is from a much larger hole in the air filter box, deletion of pre-cats and little better flow in the main cat and cat back system. If you are going to do the normal bolt-on mods to your car, the 01 will be less than 5 horse power difference than the later years. If you are going to do a head & cam, then there is no difference.
You are right, you can find very good deals on 01s, from stock to modded with the full list of bolt-ons for a very good value. Some will still have extended warranty as well.
I am selling mine with all of the "right" bolt-ons for $29,500. With a good tune, the rwhp delta delta over stock is about 60 rwhp & rwt.
Good luck!
Don
Resist said:
http://www.c5registry.com/2k2z06/index.htm
2002-2004's also have better brakes, wheels and a HUD.