[Z06] Am I crazy for wanting to do this?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
Am I crazy for wanting to do this?
Hello everyone. This is my first posting here. I think I've decided that I want to get a 2002-2004 Z06 for my next vehicle. This will be my first Corvette. I'll probably start seriously looking for one sometime this summer, and I'll probably search nation wide to find the one that suits me.
Do you think I would be crazy to drive the car back home, even if it is purchased on the other side of the country? I will definetely be purchasing it to be a driver, and I can't think of any better way to enjoy it than a cross-country road trip. But having never owned a Corvette I'm not sure if I'm insane for considering this or not. If you are not overly concerned with mileage on your Z06 would you consider doing the same?
Also, can anyone recommends tips for purchasing a vehicle from far away like that? I'm just now starting to read up on all the different things I need to keep an eye out for in general when buying a used Z06. But how do you go about doing this from far away? I don't think I'd be too concerned if it was a forum member selling. But how about from a posting at some other website that has used automobiles? Have there been occasions where forum members have been willing to check out the vehicle if it is in their local area?
Do you think I would be crazy to drive the car back home, even if it is purchased on the other side of the country? I will definetely be purchasing it to be a driver, and I can't think of any better way to enjoy it than a cross-country road trip. But having never owned a Corvette I'm not sure if I'm insane for considering this or not. If you are not overly concerned with mileage on your Z06 would you consider doing the same?
Also, can anyone recommends tips for purchasing a vehicle from far away like that? I'm just now starting to read up on all the different things I need to keep an eye out for in general when buying a used Z06. But how do you go about doing this from far away? I don't think I'd be too concerned if it was a forum member selling. But how about from a posting at some other website that has used automobiles? Have there been occasions where forum members have been willing to check out the vehicle if it is in their local area?
Last edited by efranzen; Feb 11, 2008 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Add signature
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 217
From: Arizona AZ
Well welcome to the forum. You have a lot of questions in your opening post and I'll tackle one of them.
Should you drive it? Since it's not going into a time capsule and it's going to be driven frequently, then mileage is not your issue so drive it. I drove my 03 covertible from Idaho to Arizona through some of the most scenic sites we have in the US. I had one trailered from Alabama to Arizona because I wanted to keep the miles down on it. I never really got to enjoy that car much. All I can say is make sure you have the fix a flat case that comes in the back of the Z since it won't normally have runflat tires, and make sure you have a cell phone and triple A towing service in case you do end up with a flat and need to be towed to your local tire store. That happened to me in my ZO6. The tire had a catastophic blowout so don't think it can't happen. I say drive it home, plan your route to enjoy the sites. Have your kit, your cell, your AAA and enjoy the sights and sounds of your C5 and most of all, wait until you see the gas mielage these things get. Remarkable. By the way, if you buy one that's in Hawaii, you may want to think twice about driving it to the east coast. That road between Hawaii and the US can be a bit wet so make sure you have scuba gear.
Should you drive it? Since it's not going into a time capsule and it's going to be driven frequently, then mileage is not your issue so drive it. I drove my 03 covertible from Idaho to Arizona through some of the most scenic sites we have in the US. I had one trailered from Alabama to Arizona because I wanted to keep the miles down on it. I never really got to enjoy that car much. All I can say is make sure you have the fix a flat case that comes in the back of the Z since it won't normally have runflat tires, and make sure you have a cell phone and triple A towing service in case you do end up with a flat and need to be towed to your local tire store. That happened to me in my ZO6. The tire had a catastophic blowout so don't think it can't happen. I say drive it home, plan your route to enjoy the sites. Have your kit, your cell, your AAA and enjoy the sights and sounds of your C5 and most of all, wait until you see the gas mielage these things get. Remarkable. By the way, if you buy one that's in Hawaii, you may want to think twice about driving it to the east coast. That road between Hawaii and the US can be a bit wet so make sure you have scuba gear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
Don't be afraid to drive it. As far as buying a used car long distance, I would post in the events/regional forum (for the area your potential Vette is located) and ask if any forum members would be willing to go inspect and photo the Vette for you. I have done it several times for forum members when they were interested in a Vette in my area.
Good luck on your purchase !
Good luck on your purchase !
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Katy Texas
i put over 20k a year on mine, just drive it.... the only investment this car has in the next 40 years is enjoyment... i cant enjoy something i cant drive
btw... all corvettes are red... keep that in mind
btw... all corvettes are red... keep that in mind
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
Thanks for the tip about the events/regional forum The Wanderer. That's sort of along the lines of what I was wondering. I'll keep that in mind once I actually start searching for a vehicle.
Thanks everyone else for your comments about saying to go for it. I honestly almost want to buy a Z06 that is on the other side of the country just so I have an excuse for the road trip
Thanks everyone else for your comments about saying to go for it. I honestly almost want to buy a Z06 that is on the other side of the country just so I have an excuse for the road trip
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
You can easily find the right Z for you anywhere and then drive it home. That would be a great trip!
Just research the car thoroughly and see if you can get someone to eyeball it for you first....then if it checks out..you can move forward.
Just research the car thoroughly and see if you can get someone to eyeball it for you first....then if it checks out..you can move forward.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
I live in Okla. and bought mine in Fla. My wife and I flew down and drove it home. Took our time and had the time of our lives.Go for it,you won't regret it.Make sure you check it out really good[photos,inspection from forum member in the area,maint. check through G.M. etc. Good luck and welcome!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 1
From: Greenville SC
I bought my '02 Z in Memphis, and drove it to Miami, FL.
I was not worried about the mileage because the car had 2965 miles when I bought it so it was all the way up to a whopping 4000 when I got home
I had to add quite a lot of air to the tires and about 1/2 quart of oil before leaving. Remember about 1/3 or the roads in the US are under construction so...I taped the front of the car with the wide 3M blue masking tape (the same area covered by a bra, plus behind the wheels). This saved me multiple rock chips (the tape had many scars when I got home).
The one thing that could have bit me in the azz that I didn't check was that the car had factory locking lugs installed but no key anywhere in the car!!! (its supposed to be in a small compartment in the trunk) but the owner had lost it. I found out a couple months later while working on the car in my garage. Dodged the bullet on that one...
MD
I was not worried about the mileage because the car had 2965 miles when I bought it so it was all the way up to a whopping 4000 when I got home
I had to add quite a lot of air to the tires and about 1/2 quart of oil before leaving. Remember about 1/3 or the roads in the US are under construction so...I taped the front of the car with the wide 3M blue masking tape (the same area covered by a bra, plus behind the wheels). This saved me multiple rock chips (the tape had many scars when I got home).
The one thing that could have bit me in the azz that I didn't check was that the car had factory locking lugs installed but no key anywhere in the car!!! (its supposed to be in a small compartment in the trunk) but the owner had lost it. I found out a couple months later while working on the car in my garage. Dodged the bullet on that one...
MD
Last edited by Z06-Nomad; Feb 11, 2008 at 08:52 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Welcome to the forum! I just purchased my first 07' Z06 and I love it. I agree with everyone "just drive it!" I live in Arkansas and purchased mine in Jacksonville FL. from a Porsche dealer. I had a car fax and hundreds of pics to view before I made the plunge. I didn't drive it home because of schedule conflicts. However, when I recieved it via courier I burned several tanks of fuel in two days. Whats most impresive to me is the MPG and the amount of horse power thats available. To my surprise the car is very comfortable on long distance travel. Again Welcome, please post some pics when you receive it!