Awemazing

Hey vetters. I'm a young guy (18, almost done with freshman year of college) looking for my first vette, and I have my eyes set on a ZR-1. I want this to be my second car to drive on the weekends or after school or work. My budget is a little low at 12,000 max, but I have faith that there is a ZR-1 out there that is right for me.

I don't really care all that much about the color, I like red and blue but no color really bothers me. I would prefer lowish miles (obviously), but I know that it becomes difficult in my budget. Most important is a well loved and maintained car. I plan on loving this car for as long as I have it, so I want to buy one that was treated with care.

I know this is a pretty steep request, but if there's anywhere to find advice and help, it's here.

Thanks for the help guys!

Aaron

Edit: I am located in Los Angeles.

Mortsciguy

Welcome, Aaron. Just how married are you to a ZR-1 as your target? For a first Corvette, and your stated budget, you are likely to have to settle for a higher mileage car than a regular C4. With higher mileage, comes more maintenance effort/expense. Unless you are very good at wrench turning and diagnostics, it might be more of a project than you imagine. I have done a lot of my own work on two C4's, but parts cost what they cost, even when you provide the labor yourself.
I would suggest you find someone with a base 93-96 who will let you do a little test driving and see what you think. They are pretty darn quick, will get you arrested in every State, and can get you in trouble if you disrespect the torque/horsepower provided by an LT-1 V-8! I believe you will find a number of very nice lower mileage Vettes within your stated budget, if you open your mind to those options. Good luck in your quest!
Kelly

Awemazing

Thanks for your advice Kelly, I really appreciate the response. Tell me if I'm thinking about this wrong or if I'm being deluded, but I am looking for a car that I can drive on the weekends and not to use as a daily car. I would be willing to spend a couple thousand more for a vette that has a lower mileage. I don't want to put too many miles on it, and I would hope that the value of the car would appreciate over time. I think that the ZR-1 fits this mold more than a base c4. Now I completely understand that my first corvette should be a base model cheap car so I can get used to driving one and gain a deeper appreciation, but at this point, I don't want to spend a big chunk of my money on a car that won't appreciate in value, and that I won't use as a daily driver. I really love the legend that is the ZR-1 and it seems that it really is a different vehicle than the base c4.

Aaron

WVZR-1

You might mention your location and you might want to shop over here also:

http://www.zr1.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/

I see nothing "flawed" in your thinking and with your age you "may" see appreciation in value. Time is certainly on your side.

Wander over there and introduce yourself.

Here on the CF - post your WTB here in the ZR-1 sub-forum. It is acceptable and frequently "cars for sale" are added there also.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...discussion-50/

Where are you located?

FASTAZU

Good luck in your hunt, your looking at the right time as many very nice ZR-1's are for sale right now at some fantastic prices.

Awemazing

Thanks for the tips, I'm located in Los Angeles.

WVZR-1

Kali SMOG - that can be a tough one on a ZR-1 (actually on everything older I suppose) so might it require some thought? Maybe - shop one that has maybe recently done Kali SMOG.

Does Kali SMOG need to be done on every change of ownership or does it stay with the VIN? How often does it need done?

See the ZR-1 "sub forum" for SMOG & CA tests. Don't let it change your mind BUT it could change maybe the thoughts regarding the buy.

Awemazing

Oh wow that thought didn't even cross my mind. It seems that most people have lots of issues with aftermarket chips and mods, but with a bone stock Z, it's a bit easier to pass. Cali laws are really irritating, but it seems possible with a stock car, which is what I'm really looking for.

Thanks for the heads up, it never would occurred to me until I had to transfer the title.

pologreen1

Stick to your price, you are at a fair range. If someone wants to sell they will meet your range. Do lots of reading here and ask questions. Go to the zr1 section and learn.

Awemazing

Alright I have a few questions!

1. What are maintenance costs like compared to a modern car? How available are parts and which parts tend to go bad?

2. What are the common problems associated with the c4 vettes? Which ones are easily fixable and which ones should I worry about?

pologreen1

WELL, again ask in the zr1 section, but a zr1 is c4 with all of the problems but has a special motor and doors, rockers, rear end piece on it. Maybe the windshield too I can't remember.

any old c4 might need: suspension bushings, ball joints, wheel bearings, u-joints, some '90+ have airbag lights on, heater cores develop leaks, radios / cd players fail, weather stripping dries out or cracks, heat/air controls can fail, dash bulbs or led screens fail, vats system issues, etc ,etc.


This sounds like a lot but it depends on how the car was maintained and that is literally nitpicking any and most of the common problems
that have been known to occur.

I think zr1 are prone to the same stuff obviously but really the injectors seem to be the only issue if it's kept stock, but I'll bet a shop charge a BUNCH to work on the motor. (bring on the nay sayers)

FASTAZU

Its still just mechanics, with the right manuals unless your going to rebuild a motor (need a few special tools) nothing hard about it.

Parts you will find are not that hard to find. A few may be a bit pricey but can be found. Just a few links!! you will find many more as your research continues.

http://www.jerrysgaskets.com/

http://www.zr1specialist.com/

GRipp 73

Aaron, the only flaw I see in this is that you are looking at the car as an investment that you want to see some sort of return on when / if the time comes to sell it. That is a lofty goal and not always one that someone looking at a vehicle they are going to drive as. Unless it is a one of a kind museum piece, I don't think cars should be seen as investments except in smiles per mile. A lot of people consider this a hobby. We spend money on our hobbies because it is fun for us and something that we want to do.

However, I think at your price point, you can't go wrong unless the car is or will be trashed and abused. I have a feeling the ZR-1's at that price point are near the bottom and will start going up, but that could be years before that happens.

Big thing, take your time and do your research.

If this one was closer to me, I would seriously take a look.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ack-black.html

Awemazing

I mean, I see it as something that may or may not increase in value over a long period of time. I hope to buy one, love it, drive it sparingly, and maybe in 30 or 40 years, it'll be worth something. I think that there is much more potential for a ZR-1 to be worth something in the far future than a base model C4, because of the limited volume of the C4 Zs. I could definitely be wrong, but I find it hard to believe that a C4 ZR-1 could depreciate much lower than my current budget. Even if it does, I will still have a car that will be a thrill to drive, and will hopefully put a huge smile on my face whenever I drive it. In the long run, I think that I would definitely get $12,000 worth of joy out of owning and driving a ZR-1.

I really appreciate all the advice and help from you awesome people on the forum.

pologreen1

They have been lower. You are 18? 7 years ago you were 11 and I almost bought one from a guy on this forum with nicked paint, chipped windshield, 100,000 miles for $5,000.

The economy

cv67

Every change of ownership and ea 2 yrs. If its failed before it will be called into a test only place. If the seller "had it smogged" maybe it passed legit maybe not

What you want is out there be patient. If your heart is set on the Z wait.Keep an eye on the forums

Once in awhile youll spot a deal on CL but lots of guys flipping ragged out junk too be careful

DinoBob

I echo the sentiments of those who encourage patience. This can happen at your budget.

93Polo

I've been tempted to buy that car but I have a C5Z project burning through cash. I don't know Demps personally but he has been a regular in the ZR-1 world for several years. I'd take that car over a less known craigslist, ebay, etc purchase.

jbonez89

For 12k it is very unlikely to find a nice lower mileage ZR1. If you want to buy a nice Z you'd realistically have to spend around 20k for lower mileage cars. When i was your age i wanted a ZR1 so badly but couldnt afford it so bought an admiral blue lt1. I loved that color. I finally bought my zr1 last year, Red on Red with 27k miles, i wish it was admiral blue but to get a Z in admiral blue literally cost you another 10k. There is a beautiful white LT1 for sale with 400rwhp that fits your budget. As far as investment, i bought the car bc i always loved the ZR1, but i don't expect it to make money on it although I can't see ZR1's ever dropping lower than they are now. It would be nice if i could sell it for a million dollars in 20 years but i doubt it. If i were you I would either look at base C4s like that really clean white one that is just as fast as a Z or save more money until you can buy a clean ZR1 that only needs mechanical work. You may get lucky and find a 1990 with around 50k miles that runs bad for 12k and it most likely only needs injectors. All ZR1s need new injectors as they corrode due to their design not made to handle the ethanol in gas today. You most likey just have to find an owner who doesn't know what's wrong with the car and doesn't want to fix it, they're put there, that's how I got mine. It ran like **** and just needed injectors. But while i pulled the plenum I spent over 1G to do a full tune up: injectors, coil packs, wire, spark plugs, plus i ported the plenum & injector housing for more HP.

Awemazing

Sorry for not replying in a couple of weeks, I have been insanely busy with work and school. I ended up buying Depmps's ZR-1! It is one of the cleanest cars that I have ever seen. Runs beautifully, and there were only a few small things that he never bothered to fix, like the speaker amps. I pressed the hazard switch in the day after I bought it, and it got stuck in, so the steering wheel had to be removed and the metal bracket inside the column replaced. Other than that, the car is absolutely perfect. The seats are insanely nice for 95k miles, all the plastic is solid and intact. No shakes and rattles when driving, nothing sounds loose. Somehow, it passed smog in CA with no problem at all. Some of the tests even came back way below the average. I was able to convince the guy to test it and if it passed, I payed, and if it didn't, I wouldn't pay. I don't know if that was what made it pass , but regardless, I'm registered . I am infatuated with the car, and I don't want to take my eyes off of it even for a second.

I do have a question about the front licence plate. No one ever put one on, and now I have to because of driving in CA. What is the most seamless way to put it on the nose. Should I drill holes in the plastic, or just use a self tapping screw and call it a day? I would like input about this, as I am sure that some of you guys have come across this issue.

Thanks a bunch for everyone's help in researching and finding a car!