CCB25340

Hello,

I was hoping that some of you who are undoubtedly much more familiar with C6's could shed some light on a couple of options that I'm considering.

Looking for a clean used C6 as an occasional summer car. I've been keeping an eye on pricing for quite a while and I have found a couple that fall into the range that I'm looking to spend and actually appear to be clean, (26k or under). This will be a 4th car for us so it will not be a daily driver and with the MN winters it will be garaged for 5-6 months every year. Not looking to track it, just something fun every once in awhile.

I know that the rule of thumb is usually buy the newest year you can find and while I could afford much more, this amount is very safe for us. I have 2 C6's that I'm currently considering and while my gut is telling to me to with the 2006, your opinions would be appreciated.

Both are victory red with black interior, both are coupes.

First

2006 3LT with Z51
23K miles
Extremely clean (private party so my mechanic verified condition)
$24.5k

Second

2008 Base
41k miles
Clean (not as clean as the 2006) Dealer verified condition
$25.5k


Thanks much,

CCB25340

Kvothe

Personally I'd say the 06 but I like the options of the 3LT.

Drive both and decide for yourself if those options are something you want or the extra 30hp.

Of course the other option is to look for an LS3 car with 3LT.

Icecap

I think the lower mileage car with the loaded 3LT package is a no brainer. I have the 3LT and Z51 package and wouldn't give it up for a newer model with fewer features. Our Vette is also primarily a fun summer car. At the end of September it gets put away for the year and the insurance reverts to a storage policy until spring.

extrapilot

Assuming that the 2008 is a 1LT, I would miss the extra options that my car has just for the newer model year. What roof does the 2006 have?

sfrank2886

Hold out and find you an 08 ls3 with 3lT.

CCB25340

Thank you for your replies, this is very helpful. I have driven them both and they seem to both be mechanically sound. I didn't notice much of a difference in the power, although I'm no the guy who is going to scream through the gears. I do think the 08 shifted a little smoother, but again nothing that would I think would make a big difference for me and I felt the suspension in the 2006 felt a little more consistent.

Thanks a million!
CCB

CCB25340

The 2006 has the glass top as well as the 2008.

extrapilot

I like the glass roof, that's a plus in my book..

groran

The 2008 has more than a more powerful engine, like 36 more. Resale would be higher. I have the Z51 package and run flat tires. I wish I didn't have the z51 pack so it would ride smoother, as I won't be tracking it or pushing it to the limit in curves. Also this :2008 Corvette Specs

New for 2008
•All-new LS3 6.2L V-8 engine for Coupe and Convertible: ◦430 hp (321 kW)*
◦424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)*
◦436 hp / 428 lb.-ft. (325 kW / 580 Nm)* with new, optional dual-mode exhaust system
◦High-flow cylinder heads
◦Enhanced valvetrain
◦High-flow intake manifold
◦Larger-bore block with structural enhancements

•Improved manual transmission shift effort
•Quicker shift times on paddle-shift six-speed automatic
•2.73 performance axle ratio available with six-speed paddle shift; included with Z51 package
•Improved steering feel
•Standard split-spoke cast aluminum wheel design for Coupe and Convertible (Competition Gray finish optional)
•Available polished forged aluminum wheel design
•New Keyless Access remote key fob with integrated key
•Interior trim enhancements for all models, including wrapped center trim plate with Cyber pattern and new, brushed aluminum accents
•Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package available for all models in exclusive, new Linen and Sienna colors
•New sill plates
•iPod/MP3 jack included on all sound systems except navigation
•OnStar and XM Satellite Radio standard on all models
•Auto-dimming mirrors with compass standard on all models
•Two new premium exterior colors: Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat

4SUMERZ

I happen to have a 2006, 3LT Z51 optioned coupe with transparent top.
It also has the Nav radio, which is nice, although many on this forum do not like the factory Nav. I personally have learned to use it effectively and the HUD integration is the reason that I have stuck with the Nav unit.

Do not, I repeat, do not sacrifice a fully optioned C6 for a 1LT.
Granted, you may never use all of the features, but you will have them if needed. trust me, you will use them all from time to time.

The Z51 does offer a bit of a stiffer ride, but on a highway, you won't notice that much. I have 87K miles on my coupe, mostly used for seasonal road trips. In that time, the only real issue was a water pump seal leak at 30K miles. I'm on my 4th set of tires, albeit, I dumped the original GY F1 Supercars when they got to 1/2 thread and dangerous to drive on any wet pavement. Not a good feeling 1000 miles from home and in a rain storm.
I'll be replacing the shocks during the winter hibernation period.
I've replaced the Sway bar end links at 50K miles, and a window regulator (frayed cable) at approx 60K miles.

If you can find a bit higher mileage 2008 3LT, then that would be the way to go. As mentioned in an earlier post, the 2008 has some improvements over the 2006, especially to the interior radio surround console. No more tombstone, and leather sides.
The LS2, as well as the LS3 are bullet proof, so either engine will do you well for many happy miles without issues.
There is at times a popular misconception that putting mileage on a Corvette is a bad thing...I say, if you want to fully enjoy it, drive it.

I acknowledge that every owner buys a Corvette for various reasons, one being to only drive on a Sunday, or for car shows only.
I just hope not many think that by keeping low miles on a C6 will keep the balue up. That will never happen. Oh sure, one may get a bit more money, but not enough to warrant not driving it.
I can't imagine too many C6's becoming collector items in my lifetime.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

buckmeister2

Just a small point..."Dealer verified condition". There is no such thing. "Verified" is a close synonym for "guaranteed". The dealer can only give you his opinion. I just don't want you to be under the impression that the dealer knows more about the car than anyone else. They don't!

Hope you pick a winner.

CCB25340

Thanks to all for you responses, this is helping clarify my decision. I'm not expecting either of these two choices to hold their value, I'm pretty realistic about that, I'm buying it for fun plain and simple. I'm guessing that either choice will not see more than 2-3k miles per year so I'm leaning towards lower mileage car. Also, I know that the 06 belonged to a member of a local corvette club and I'm pretty certain it was well taken care of and maintained. I know nothing about the 08 except that it's a 1 owner car. Both have clean titles and car fax reports.

Adam Cifonelli

Thats what I did. I didnt wanna settle for the LS2. Nothing wrong with the LS2 but I wanted the extra HP.

J3TVETTE

I owned a 1LT 2010, 3 LT 2008, and a 1LT 2008 in that order. I will give you my fair assessment.

1. 3LT vs 1LT: The benefits of the 3LT Package was the Nav Radio (If equipped), heated seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheel for advertising purposes. Living in FL I never once used the heated seats. My friends car once caught on fire from him using them in his Ford Explorer which was a story in itself. The telescoping steering wheel I set once when I bought the car and never touched that feature again. The NAV radio was honestly as close to a waste as possible in this car. Maybe 10 years ago it was something good to have but nowadays it is 100% useless. The nav does not let you change the address while in motion. The display is subpar and the unit tends to get very noisy with age. I disliked the fact that it used a separate DVD for navigation instead of a hard drive built into the unit. The only feature I miss from the 3LT in a 1LT car is the heads up display. It was honestly just a cool feature to have and to check out once in a while. But then again, I easily live without it.

2. The LS3 vs LS2 debate. Both are great engines. I have spent a lot of times in friends Corvettes (a few LS2's) and cruising around there isn't much difference. The car's are very light so a 30hp difference is no very noticeable at this level. The LS3 is more desired so reselling it will be easier. Remember the LS2 was only 05-07 while the LS3 lived from 08-13.

3. The steering feel is a little different in 08+ as well as the shifting. I believe they moved from a T56 to a TR6060 in that year. Coming from a world of Mustangs I found the 08+ manual transmission absolutely amazing. Combined with an MGW shifter and you will be in for a treat!

4. Glass roof vs Solid roof: I choose the solid roof every single time. When it is sunny and the car is left in the sun it is absolutely killer. The solid roof seems to not let the inside get as hot.

5. Z51 vs Non Z51: I choose the Z51 package. The suspension is firmer and feels like a Corvette should. It is slightly lower as well. The base is way too soft and needs some aftermarket work at least in my opinion. The Z51 package car just feels more planted.

Choose whichever car is right for you. Between the two mentioned choices, I would purchase the 2008.

v26278

Between those two, if the '08 has the NPP exhaust option that would be the clincher, otherwise I 'd take the '06. But really, sounds like you'll be happy with either.

1rusty1

Lower mileage and higher options all the way. The LS2 has more hp than was published. If the difference was 100 or 200 hp then that would be different.