mcm95403

Hi Guys,
I've been waiting on my workers comp case to settle so that I can buy a Corvette. Looks like that will happen in the next month or two. I really prefer the C4 and I'm amazed at the prices for ZR-1's - 20 grand and less. I've even seen some very nice looking ones for around 10K.

My question is, should I consider one as being suitable as a daily driver (compared to say an LT-1 or LT-4)? By that I mean are there any unusual problems that have been discovered with the LT-5 as they've aged like head gasket issues, etc.?

I've always been impressed with the ZR-1, and I like the RPM range better than on the LT-1. I average 12-15K miles a year right now - mostly commuting, trips to the gorcery store, and then going to see my mom which is about a 180 mile round trip.

Thanks in advance for your input everyone!
Marc

illenema

I have had 2 zr-1's. They rev better but lack in low end torque.
I have sold them off. Next stop c4-383 with a supercharger.
Cars are getting faster-I had to beat the hell out of the old girl to stay ahead.

zr1fred

They are getting a little old to be daily drivers. I guess it depends upon if you do your own work or go to a mechanic.

Rkreigh

no real downside, and the lt5 is very reliable

engine parts are harder to find, but rarely are there lt5 issues

I've been driving my zr-1s for years, haven't let me down yet

ZR-71

I don't really see any real problem with using one as a DD. Like most any other car, the main thing that will happen is it will be worth much less than you paid for it after several years. And even when and if it quits running, there'll be parts you can sell to the rest of us

bdw18_123

Yes, but you won't care because you'll get "Perma-grin" syndrome which will more than make up for that!

MR.LT1

IMO If I were to purchase a ZR-1 as much as I would love having it as a daily driver and knowing the LT5 is pretty reliable I would not do it...No matter how you look at it its a 15 year old car (thats if you purchase a 95) and as everyone here who has or has owned a C4 you have to deal with the typical C4 problems that occur and unless I am retired I do not want to worry if my car is going to leave me stranded somewhere on my way to work......I look at a ZR-1 as a work of art that I will abuse on the weekends and I will be constantly thinking of ways to modify it...nothing like having that special weekend car that gets your adrenaline flowing....

Goldcylon

Mines a daily driver. I have been driving it for 4 years

VetteMed

My '91 Z was used as a daily driver for years, by the previous owner - that's why it's got 180+K miles on it. I don't see a reason not to use one as a daily driver, provided that you practice good preventative maintenance -- replace parts when they are marginal, rather than waiting for failures.

LT5corsa

Can a ZR-1 be used as a daily driver? Absolutely....

See below all the ZR-1's above 100,000 miles and still going strong!

Below the list, see the Endurance Run Record set by Tommy Morrison. (car isn't a total stock LT5, but shows how well the car performs long term)



Ken Koester 101,500 1991 Black/Gray No As of 10/22/02
Kimberly Lazarski 176,000 1991 Black/Black No As of 4/7/05
Tyler Townsley 180,000 1990 White/Red No As of 10/22/02. 110,000 on a LPE 368 rebuild
Curtis Ward 105,000 1991 Black/Black No Has since been totalled.
Lon Helton 116,600 1991 Black/Black Yes As of 10/23/02
Ron Bidwell 131,000 1990 Red/Red No As of 10/23/02
Mark Horner 101,000 1991 Polo Green/Black No As of 10/23/02
Chris Herrage 145,560 1990 Red/Red No As of 10/23/02. Currently in rebuild to a 368
Gordon Walsdorf 124,500 1991 Dk Red Met/Black No As of 10/23/02
Breck Alberts 154,000 1991 Turquoise/Black Yes As of 10/26/02
Fred Mains 113,000 1992 Red/Red No As of 10/31/02
Rusty Scheuer 135,000 1990 Red/Black No As of 8/1/06
Steve Ahlgrim 212,000 1991 Steel Blue Met/Blue Yes As of 9/1/09
J Lee 125,584 1990 White/Gray No As of 11/22/02
Michael A Divicino 120,000 1992 Dk Red/Black No As of 11/22/02
Jason Nicastro 100,450 1991 Red/Black No As of 11/25/02
Brian Smith 111,000 1991 Red/Red No As of 1/8/03 (Canadian export)
Bill Morris, Jr. 100,700 1990 Black/Gray No As of 1/23/03
Richard Till 105,255 1990 Red/Red No As of 1/16/09
Wayne Spencer 200,721 1990 Black/Black Yes As of 4/15/03
Bill Fedorko 110,000 1990 Black/Gray No As of 1/27/04
Fred Mains 107,500 1991 Steel Blue/Black No As of 6/18/04
Mark Valinsky 112,368 1991 Polo Green/Beige Yes As of 8/9/04
Ron Kalthoff 142,350 1990 Black/Black
No As of 8/2/05
Steve Jasik 100,000 1993 Ruby/Ruby
Yes As of 4/11/06
Jim Kolson 225,043 1991 Red/Black
No As of 1/16/07
Fred Mains 106,500 1993 Quasar Blue/Gray No
As of 3/14/08
Al Hemstreet 112,000 1991 Red/Red
No As of 3/20/08
Brad Taylor 161,238 1990 Black/Red
No As of 1/11/09
Bill Strowbridge 156,000 1990 Custom
No As of 1/11/09
Jim Voter 100,000 1993 Quasar Blue/Black No
As of 5/20/09
Byong Yun 105,000 1994 Black/Black
No As of 6/9/09
Jim Voter 102,540 1994 Yellow/Gray
No As of 3/31/10






World Record Previously Held for 50 Years!
NEW INTERNATIONAL RECORDS

100 Miles @ 175.600 MPH

500 Miles @ 175.503 MPH

1000 Miles @ 174.428 MPH

5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH

5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH

12 Hours Endurance @ 175.523 MPH

24 Hours Endurance @ 175.885 MPH for 4,221.256 Miles



WORLD RECORDS - IRRESPECTIVE of CATEGORY or CLASS



5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH

5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH

4,221.256 Miles @ 175.885 MPH

phrogs

Ive had a ZR-1 as a daily driver since 2001. enough said

bldavis11

I agree. It would be no less reliable than any other C4. The engine/drive train isn't going to be the part that fails you.

mcm95403

Well, this has been very encouraging guys, thanks for all the info!

I expect to meet with my attorney on Friday so hopefully we'll have an idea of how soon we'll be able to get things settled.

Now if I can just find a nice Quasar Blue one like the 92 listed here (http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_sale.htm) when I have cash in hand.....

Rob 93ZR-1

Just so you know, C4 vettes are very comfy once you are in it. Climbing in and out of mine for errands when I take it out gets old pretty quick. I use mine for road trips and a weekend car just cause my bad knees and tired back hate the repatition (sp?) of climbing out of it.

cv67

Sold that car a year and a half ago it has over 160k on it now. Is a guys one and only car DD it everywhere no issues and still gets it

Rkreigh

that is a great list! to add a side note, a buddy of mine has a pair of ZR-1s, and uses one as the DD. it dyno'd stronger at 125k miles by a few HP than it did at 80 and still runs great on the leak down tests which is even better than a compression test at indicating overall engine health

the LT5 is an anvil.

alot of folks get "put off" by the plenum pulls and "perceived" complexity

a average honda civic is more complicated from the engine stand point than the LT5

it's a very simple and durable DOHC daily driver, absolutely

when you can get a nice "high mile car" as a driver, and put another 100k or so on top of it, you'll get your moneys worth

is the c4 comfortable, well that depends. the early seats are not for me as I'm bit too big, and yes, getting in and out of the car takes some technique and tougher than a c5/c6 for sure

the durability of the ZR-1 drivetrain is quite good, and once you get beyond the "urban myths", working on the LT5 isn't that bad, and something you typically won't have to do much of

I think the ZR-1 will do just fine, just not so good in snow!!! (ask me how I know)

mcm95403

I do my own work (except things like alignments due to lack of tools), and I'm pretty sure any C4 (even with the Z51 suspension) would be more comfortable than my little go-cart MR2 that I currently have. Ride comfort for my wife is one of the main reasons I'm getting rid of the MR2. I want to go with a C4 because I've always liked the body style, I still want to drive a sports car and I REALLY want something with some hairy ***** - which the MR2 doesn't have.

Thanks for all the info guys, great to know that the LT-5 is so rugged and long lasting!

glass slipper

The LT5 in the record setting ZR-1 was a crate engine that was totally stock.

glass slipper

That's why I can drive my ZR-1 at only 25 MPH in 6th gear...anything below 500 RPM and it just sucks.

Seriously, if your two ZR-1s lacked low end torque, there was something wrong with them. The LT5 has a tremendous amount of torque down low and has one of the most flexible RPM range/power band of any engine.

illenema

You must be correct.