I was wondering if anybody had any advice or words of wisdom regarding purchasing a C4 ZR-1. Has anybody purchased a car sight unseen using a third party inspector? Any particular problems or issues to look out for? Will be my first vette purchase (hopefully of many) and I want to do it right. Thanks in advance!

 

I purchased 2 ZR-1s sight unseen, and also a base C4 sight unseen. The only one I had inspected was the base C4, I think I used "carchex", they sent 30-40 pictures and gave a reasonably good return on investment (I think it was around $125, a few years ago). There's plenty of threads on what to look for when buying a C4, so I won't duplicate that here, but I think you need to have a tolerance for risk by buying sight unseen, as it's easy to get burned. My philosophy is that the car should still be worth the purchase price even if a major drivetrain component fails -- in other words, if I'm buying sight unseen, the price should be $2000-3000 less than what I can buy locally.

 

Buy from a "known" ZR-1 Net Registry member, or a ZR-1 Forum member.
Most of the cars are known to many of us, and most members are more inclined to tell you the actual condition and what's been fixed.
It is after all a used car, so unforseen things can happen, but I think you will find most owners of these cars will go out of their way telling you what's right and what's not.
It won't cost you any more, and might even be less than buying one from an inexperienced(ZR-1) dealer or heaven forbid from the bay.
Put an ad here, saying your actual price restrictions and your preferences, and see what pops up.
Even low mileage is no guarantee of problem free. Better to deal with one who knows these cars, and likely has a spreadsheet or list of every oil change and replaced part. Mileage on an LT-5 should be your last concern.
Buy condition and history, not mileage or the lack of it, and you will likely end up with a far better car.
Many of us have "seen" the cars of most here. So between the owner and the other owners you will know what you are getting without seeing it in person.
Good luck, and ask for help!
LOTS of good ones for sale! ( and priced really right)

Marty
1FUNZR1

 

Thanks for the response. I am currently investigating a car on the zr1 net registry. The seller has been very informative, but the car is in LA and I am in IL. Just afraid of spending that much money and getting burned.

 

Then buy a plane ticket and go see for yourself. Small price to pay for peace of mind.

 

Illinois is a ZR-1 haven of MANY Z's.... The group is called FBI (fast boyz of illinois).

Look at the forum http://www.zr1.net/forum/ check the regional areas for get togethers (contact Paul Workman)



David

 

Any fool that abuses their car can sign up to a free forum.

 

Then THAT fool would not be known then, would he?
Or, if indeed a fool, would be known by one of us as such.

Marty
1FUNZR1

 

any fool that parts out a perfectly good car can also

 

 

They could be here abusing their car for years unbeknownst.

Just like that one owner title means nothing to me, could be one bad owner. At least a 4 owner has a decent chance at several good owners.

Also Mechanic owned is a red flag as they spend all day fixing other peoples cars and many times don't feel like messing with theirs.

 

if they're selling their car on the zr1net, there's a good chance that there are other members that know the car, the owner and how the car was treated. of course you didn't bother hanging around long enough to figure that out

 

You come over here and see how perfectly good it is, I'm the one living with it. Don't let the shiny fool you.

A fool throws good money at bad. Better to cut your losses and come out ahead. besides where were you when it would start and was for sale?

 

Awesome are we gonna rehash it here too?

My point is sight unseen on a Forum is no better than anywhere else when it comes down to it. My car came off the forum too, now what?

 

Did you look to see if the owner before you had a history of unresolved issues?
My guess is no, you did not.
Did you ask anyone about the car?
Did you ask for PM's from anyone who knew the car?
Are you not the one who balked at spending $45.00 to join the Net Registry? THE place where you would have found a wealth of knowledge.
The same one who put L98 parts on an LT-5? Just becuase they look the same does not convince me.
I would not blame the car or the forum.
A little effort might have prevented or resolved any issue you might have been having.
It's not rocket science, they are just cars and motors.
Some effort, and the results might change.
Isolate; diagnose; eliminate; fix; ENJOY!
Using the Forum or the Registry with some thought and effort would certainly be better than buying blind.
If a known member gave me an assessment of a car, I would not need to go see it.
Do some work upfront, and you stand a good chance of knowing what you are getting.
And if you didn't, just focus on each problem one at a time, and ask for help. One by one, they will all be resolved.
No magic, just effort.
The result is a fine running ZR-1, which is just breathtaking when right!
Sorry to hear your experience with such a fine, fine car was so disapointing.
Better luck in the future will be yours with some planning and effort.

Marty
1FUNZR1

 

There is truth to this- Mine cost me an extra $5k that I didn't plan to spend and I'm a DIY'er.

 

Not that I'm gonna go over everything here, or even read it, but the "L98 Parts" (plural), you must be talking about the Map sensor (singular)which solved the problem I was trying to repair. It's night time code says map sensor, I had one sitting around anyone would try it. It's not like each gm model is 100% exclusive they share alot of parts.

Option one spend thousands to make to it right, and come out behind.

Option two part out and make thousands, and move on.

I'll take option two anyday.

 

What he said.

 

No different that buying any other 90s sports car.....don't live in fear or you will never live....if you want a Z, get it....there is alway a way too deal with issues...and issues are only what you make of them.

Good Luck....

My family is originally from Springfield

 

Get one that has been Top Flighted recently by a NCRS chapter or regional meet.