Snaps

Back story: I sold my daily driving C5 Z06 over 2 years ago to save up for a C6. I ended up hating not having a Vette and wanted something different so I picked up a C4 Zr1. Well that didnt scratch my new car itch so after having it for a year I sold that also and decided to save again for the right C6. Im at a very good place where I can buy a car and pay all my bills without reverting to Ramen every meal. But I'm very torn on what to purchase. Who doesn't love a good Z06? Or the idea of a GS feels much better for daily driving in Florida with the top off! I could always boost it and make more power than a Z06 l but have the same money into a lower milage newer car. Budget being 30-40k. But here is where my story gets tricky, i have stumbled upon a 2009 Zr1 with 9k on the clock for 52,000. Ill have to pull all my money, sell off my ls1 Rx7 and boosted miata to afford. In the end I wont drive it but on weekends and obviously wont do too much work to it because the car payment would suck. I dont know which to choose in order to maximize driving fun. Like I said the GS could be driven every single day without me caring. And a Z06 is awesome but in the end the GS could be faster and cheaper. But a Zr1 is the dream! But than in my spare time what would I wrench on, aside from sitting in s lawn chair staring at my car in the garage. Ideas?

EVRose

Why couldn't you drive a ZR1 "every single day"?

BWF07

If you are thinking of a Z06 as a daily driver, or a GS and adding the supercharger or turbo, what is the difference.

Vet With A Vette

My boss daily drove his ZR1. I drove it once and it rides as nice or maybe even better than my base so I don't see why you couldn't daily one.

However, I would never get rid of an LS swapped rx7... that is one badass ride!

Boosted GS sounds like the more appealing option out of your choices.

BigMonkey73

Weird place you're in.

You could get your dream car, but once you have it you don't want to drive it every day. Why?

I'd daily drive a ZR1 without hesitation if I could afford one.

J3TVETTE

Get the GS and don't worry about it. Top down fun is great, no need to worry about head work and it won't lose its value as fast as a ZR1 once you put some mileage on it. If I could daily drive a ZR1 I would too, just can't afford it.

extrapilot

and if you want the extra power, easy mods can be added.

CadVette

Stay out of debt as much as possible and buy what you can afford. A base C6 with a Z51 package will be similiar in power and handling to your old C5 Z06 for example. If you want a better Vette than that sell your other cars to get what you want out of a Corvette. Most everyone on here would want a ZR1, but at 52,000 that's still a chunk of change for an 8 year old car with no garantee the values won't drop further like your old C4 ZR1.

LMB-Z

I would hate to be in your position, that would be a difficult decision to make. I think I would drive the ZR1, Z06, and GS, then make a decision which one I like the best. It also might make a difference on color and options for each car. Good luck.

Snaps

I could totally daily the Zr1 however 40 miles both ways would add up to alot of highway rock chips! I can comfortably afford the Zr1 but would no longer have a car to take apart and just tool with. I think at 51k a Zr1 will not plummet much more in value. A boosted GS with all the 600hp mods would add 12k to the already 34k car. A heads and cam Z06 same year and milage would be around 40k. So whats a 5-10k difference for a Zr1 is what im thinking now. All very good input thanks everyone.

1rusty1

I've mulled over something similar in that I have a few motorcycles and my C6 and I have modified all of them. I enjoy doing the work but thought I might sell them all and move to a C7 Z06 or Viper.

In the end, I decided to keep what I had since they are all new or like new.

I would keep your other toys and buy a Grand Sport or Z06. I doubt I would SC the GS though. Unless you track, they both have plenty of power for around town.

(on a side note: I don't see too many who have a targa top remove them very often. I think the novelty wears off so a Z06 could be the way to go)

Snaps

Good points but this is one of those Lamborghini posters on the walls kind of car for me.

On that side not the targa was always off on my C4s! And those are a pain to remove.

1rusty1

Well there you go! Enjoy that ZR1. Gotta follow your gut

extrapilot

Cars of this nature and used daily, are terrible investments, but only the pleasurable cost of life, so if your comfortable with the higher cost, life is grand..
I would love a ZR-1, but I would not drive it every day, probably keep it until I die, maybe....

4SUMERZ

^^ Why are they terrible investments. How many cars of this young age (7-8) are going to be collectible in our lifetime. I don't see any c6 ZR1's (except for the #001) bought at BJ auction that will ever be worth over what they sold for for a long time.
Even now, a $100,000 ZR1 when new, is now available for half that.
Chances are, that they will depreciate less than most cars as years go by, so as an investment, they are pretty good right now.

Why even buy something that you park in a garage, unless your a car collector, or a car show fanatic.

I know when I die, I won't have to say on my death bed... Gee, I wish I would of driven it less.

To the OP, buy what you feel is in your best interest, and within your budget, and use it as you see fit.

There are a variety of folks on this forum that seldom drive their C6, and those that DD them. There is no right or wrong, but the owner has to satisfy his own itch as he/she sees fit.

Good Luck in your decision

TexasMadMan

You stated, "I'll have to pull all of my money".
I never like to buy anything that I have to pull all my money for. Maybe it's just me.

Snaps

It would basically be all my "play" money. Savings account would still be healthy otherwise my wife would kill me! New thoughts are if i have the GS for 2 years and put work into it I might be able to see 30k out of 45k id have in. Or the Zr1 Id be in for 50k and in two years maybe get 45k out? The thought of leaving a GS stock is un-American! I already got the 400hp Rx7! 400hp is slow now! Thanks guys everyone is helping. Would post in the Zr1 section but those guys would only ask why bother owing anything ever but a Zr1!

jrose7004

Personally for a daily driver I'd go GS.

hillwilliam

I have a low mileage GS that would make you a great daily driver. pm sent

Don-Vette

Buy a base C6 with Z51,keep everything you have and enjoy it.