aklim

You can want all you want to but I had to get hoses for power steering from 2 vendors. One of whom wasn't able to deliver for an unspecified time because they need to have their vendors make a run. Do you have any vend who carry ABS sensors just I case I can't get them out intact or do I need to make do with some crap electronic stuff someone ripped out of a junk car? I just got the last condenser this company made and I don't know how good they are. Four Seasons, Spectra and Murray do not have any and don't know when they will have. EBay doesn't have any new ones. Just a salvage one or two for my 96 conversion. I think you need to change it to "people who are willing to settle for a bunch of uncertainty can make it work"

FresnoVette

If you knew what you were talking about....

bb62

While I don't buy into how the "Retired Mechanic" states his positions, your statement is rather stupid considering he was talking about the subjective view of styling and where he clearly stated it was his OPINION. Objective positions that are wrong can be quarreled with, but not subjective opinions - however meaningless.

aklim

Hard to say since beauty is in the eye of the beholder

ZR-71

Yes we do and there is a wealth of info and help from other owners, both here and on the ZR1net

aklim

Regardless of that, it means more scrounging and less ability to just go down to the store and buy what you need.

bb62

You can't go down to the local store to find parts for big block C2s either - and yet they are among the most sought after Corvettes built. Comparing the C6 to the ZR-1 is a question of what you wish to buy. Do you want a run of the mill C6 that has value now but will fade in time, or the Corvette that most experts believe was the second most significant Corvette ever built (after the 63 SWC)? Do you want an historically significant Corvette (the ZR-1) or just another later model Corvette? Unless you have the dedication to keep up a ZR-1, it is probably best you purchase the C6.

Tom400CFI

Hose & Rubber is my go-to for that; they'd make me the thing on the spot, for about $12 bux. Any good hydraulic/hose house would. Easy. I'm not going to solve all of your problems for you, but if I can keep this thing running....




107 years old. Can you get parts for it? I'll say it again; The guys who want to make it work, make it work....there are plenty of Happy ZR-1 owners who are proof of that.

aklim

Exactly. For my part, I'm NOT married to any one particular model. I'm just after a good time with the car that isn't a PITA to maintain.

bb62

In the 9 years that I have owned my 1995 ZR-1, I have purchased 2 batteries, bought new tires once, changed the oil each year, and flushed the anti-freeze once - That's it. I would not call that a PITA to maintain. But you are right, if you feel more comfortable with a base C6 - it's the right decision - for you. You know your capabilities and interests better than anyone - so good luck with your decision.

aklim

I was about an hour away from home when it had the issue. I had to pay for storage at the mechanic shop while sourcing the hoses or drive it home with no fluid. Sorry but it is aggravating to have a mechanic wanting to be done with it and not being able to tell him when the hoses would be coming, if at all. At least 2 months for that ordeal to hear that "we don't have this anymore. Find the remainder from someone else". Thankfully he gave me a deal on the storage.

If I was masochistic enough to do that, I'd be in sales. Same thing. You get the door slammed in your face and go back for more. It does get old having to chase down a bunch of people and waiting for eBay to have what you want. Me, I'd rather drive the thing.

aklim

If all I had to do was that, I'd be ok. Having to undo the PO's unique modifications was fine. I knew what I was getting into. I just don't have the patience to dig and dig while my car sits and can't be used.

Since I have about 20K in the car and am NOT expecting to see it back, well, I have to run it till the motor is shot, have a friend help me with parting it out so I have used it to the end and still get a few bucks back. Even if I had the money to change cars every year, I'd still feel really uncomfortable doing that. I still have the remnants of a tool set I bought back in 91. Chinese made crap but I haven't used them enough to break them so they stay till they are broke. I figure by the time it breaks, I'd have my full use of it and it don't owe me anything after I make a few bucks parting it and scrapping the rest.

1993C4LT1

I'm a ZR-1 guy. I like C6s as well. But I don't know, I'd still get a LT5. Just listen to them

Tom400CFI

Then do PM...not repair.

ccmano

You can just do what I did. Get both....
They are apples and oranges really. Both great cars. My 08 Z51 LS3 is amazingly smooth and powerful, 400hp to the rear wheels with only minor mods. It's comfortable for a long drive, even the wife likes it.

The Z is just simply "Special". It's more raw, less sophisticated. The look is unique but subtle with the big rear end. The engine is like nothing else. Beautiful to look at, rare and just keeps reving with linear power straight to redline. It sounds like nothing else. When you park it and raise the hood people stop and stare.

Parts availability is no different than with a C1, C2 ,C3 or C4. You generally can't go to AutoZone for anything but sparkplugs and oil filters. Once your familiar with the ZR-1 community parts are for the most part available. The area where the Z is a challenge comes if you can't do your own wrenching. I do my own and enjoy that part of the car a lot. If you can't or won't wrench there are probably only about 4-5 shops in the entire country that know what their doing on an LT5 engine. (The rest is a just a C4) I do find that the ZR-1 community is more than exceptionally helpful in providing technical assisance to those that need it. You simply don't get any "attitude" (if you know what I mean) in the ZR-1 community, everyone is helpful. I can't say that for any other group that I have been part of.

So there it is, my .02 cents
H

aklim

Why do you think it pissed me off? That was done very early in this decade when I think we had the motor lifted to do the oil pan and mounts, IIRC. When I get a job done, be it done myself or hired out, I always check for the "while I am there" stuff whether it needs it or not. Easy to reach stuff like plugs, cap and rotor, I just toss annually. Hard to reach hoses, every 10 years whether it needs it or not or if I have to be there already.

I just picked up an MB part today. Here is how that conversation went the other day. Starts with "I need" and ends with "I'll order it but it will take 1 week at most. I have 480K on my 99 E300 Turbodiesel. Very seldom do I step out of the dealership except for oil except by choice. Everything can be had there. There are also other sources that are cheaper if you wish. Only turn signal cover for a 99 W140 that I needed to get from eBay and there were several vendors. 04 W220? See above.

Tom400CFI

O.K. Man.

Your posts sound a lot like my posts did, back when I was on the C6 forums. I think you have the wrong car, for you. JMO...

aklim

Correct. The right car will be the latest version of whatever with the most gizmos UNTIL the new King comes along.

JrRifleCoach

And most haven't been thrashed. My next dream car.

Cliff Harris

It's OK to have both a C4 and a C6. I have both and like both for different reasons. I drive the C4 every day and use the C6 for comfortable long distance cruising (I just drove 400 miles in it today). I'm 6'2" and get cramped in the C4. The C6 is much better for that.

I had a C5 for 10 over years. NOTHING ever broke on that car. I just changed the oil and drove it. A guy I know hated the C5 "big butt". I told him that he doesn't have to look at it while he's driving it. He's had his C5 for about 10 years now.