Sorry if this is the wrong place to be asking this question, can’t seem to find the correct place if there is one.
I’m looking to sell my current car, get a reliable daily, and buy my first corvette (hopefully C6) when the time is right. Is there anything that I should watch out for? Would a Z be an overall better decision compared to a GS?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Question are you trying to get a Z06 for a daily driver? Due the the high up keep I would say no on that.
First time getting a corvette try a base model or one with a lot of options.
I had a C5 convertible I drove everyday to work and everywhere. It was just normal maintenence items, oil ,tires etc. I had one time the shift connection broke and left me at a gas station.
I am afraid a "new corvette" drive will get the most powerful model and injure himself or others. We have been seeing that with the C8s

 

Try to get the newest C6 that has the features you want that you can afford. Unless it's a really good deal, stay away from the 2005 and the 2006 models. They had a few problems with the top coming loose from the car.

I had 3 different 2005s and 2006s, but no problem with the 3 of them.

The manual tranny 2005s had to be shut down with the tranny in reverse.

 

I’d like to have it for a weekend/meet car. I’m fairly accustomed to cars that go sideways easy and I’m not a total meathead lmao. I suppose I could wait for a ZO6, especially now knowing that they have high upkeep, and get myself used to the platform with a GS. What is it about Z’s that are more needy?

 

If possible, drive both cars to decide if you want the extra power & a manual transmission, both cars are wide bodies so minimal differences there

 

So it sounds to me like your shopping for wide bodys if your looking at GS and Z's, that being said skip the base model because you'll never be happy if you had your mind set on a wide body car and you'll likely spend more money later to either make it a wide body or end up trading it in on one.

The GS will give you the LS3 (hand built/forged crank/dry sump if you get a manual). Reliability is probably the highest on the LS3, and with GS it gives you the added coolers and what not over the base car.

The z06 gives you more horsepower in a much lighter package (z06s actually have a different frame than a GS and typically weight around 3100lbs) The z06 is way more raw and viseral, the LS7 makes torque in places the LS3 won't, and out of the box is going to feel way faster.

The problem with the LS7 is the head issues... many folks on here for whatever reason downplay it but the truth of the matter is if you buy a Z you should get the heads fixed rather you believe they were all effected or not. GM never officially owned up to this problem but the valve guide issue is catastrophic when it happens. When an LS7 drops a valve they will destroy themselves. So you have to ask yourself is it better to spend 3-5 grand out of the gate and fix the heads, or spend 15-25 grand later to replace an entire LS7... I'd rather have the insurance in my opinion.

Another pro with the LS7 is the simplicity and power you can make with bolt ons/ cam... lots of guys making 650 plus n/a with great street manners... The flip side of that coin, the LS3 responds very well to boost and can do so in a reliable manner.

I would say look at your overall goals, is it going to be an overall street car/weekend toy, do you plan to track it at some point, do you want to go fast in a straight line or on a road course, or do you just want a fun car to cruise around in. Both are awesome choices just make sure you do your research. The GS is pretty much good to go out of the box, the Z06 is a set of heads away from being just as reliable. Best of luck either way.

 

buy the newest, lowest mileage corvette you can afford to pay cash for. Whatever you get will have upkeep costs. You don't want it to become a burden. Once that 'budget' is determined people here can help you narrow down your options. A lot of people disagree but just my .02

 

What I would suggest is to determine exactly what you want in terms of coupe/convertible, auto/manual, trim level, packages, mileage, model, color, usage, mods/no mods, # of owners, and most importantly budget. Then look for that specific car and don't settle. Your budget will be the driving factor on what year model(s) to search for. You will hear a lot of noise on LS2 or LS3, they are both great motors with the LS3 getting the edge due to upgrades and a little more power. Important to some and not to others, myself included.

Here was my punch list as an example - Convertible, manual, 3LT, Z51, under 25K miles, one owner, no accidents, no mods, red or yellow, cashmere interior, year range 2006-2010, budet was 30K. It took me many months but found that car in a 2006 Montery Red. This is just a yoy for me and is only driven top down on nice days.

Good luck in your search.

 

Best advice I can give:

1. Settle on your wants Vs needs and be realistic.
I’ll be the first one to tell you anything past a base is pointless for a cruiser. You will not likely even see 7/10 what a widebody car can do (safely on the streets)
If you actually plan to track it, this is a different convo.

2. Do your research on pricing and trends and common problems.
Just be an informed buyer.

3. Make sure your property is Corvette ready. Ask me how I had to build a cold patch ramp to even get my Vette up my driveway the first time.

4. Don’t be scared to get something with some miles. Low miles does not mean better/less headaches.

5. While this can be a daily for those that dare, I do not suggest it. People can argue with my opinion all they want, but they are the first to complain when they get road rash or if they need to buy tires yearly.

6. Don’t make your decision based on emotion and sleep on the deal a bit and think it through thoroughly. These are beautiful cars and even the bad ones look great. Just take your time and try to make a wise/informed decision
While these are amazing cars and everyone should get to experience one at some point in life, they are not for everyone.
People do not always know what they are getting into with full fledged sports cars until they spent a lot of money and lived with it for a bit

 

My first is my higher mileage (86k and counting) base 08 Z51. It's a 3LT with memory package and NPP. I have all-seasons on it and it is my daily. It's not perfect, and I don't expect perfection from an 80k+ mile car. That said, it is mechanically sound and drives great if a bit rough (it's lowered and the bolts are kinda frozen - working on that). The car was built to be driven, so I drive it. I also shopped for about 8 months before pulling the trigger and got a decent deal even with these elevated prices (that are slowly coming down for most C6s).

 

The previous posts offer great advice so I’ll try to summarize my priorities as a first time Corvette buyer in Aug. 21.

C6, 08-13, Base (1LT if possible), manual, no accidents, low miles, colors (some flexibility), great condition (mechanically & visually), under $40k.

After about a month I found my car, Crystal Red. It has been great. I have it as a fun car and it is, but I occasionally drive it to work, weather cooperating.

Research all you can and identify must haves, don’t cares, and hell nos. Think about these things with consideration on what/how you want to enjoy it - track, cruising, car shows, etc. Then keep your eyes open. My Corvette showed up on Thursday and I drove it home Saturday afternoon. I found exactly what I was looking for.

Best of luck on finding YOUR Corvette.

 

From my understanding the frame still stays intact but the panels would become separated. The frame would remain on the car.

 

Opinions are like navels.....everyone has one. It comes down to what you are willing to spend (or what you can afford). I had to buy a salvage title car and rebuild it to get what I wanted as I'm retired and on a fixed income. I wouldn't trade my S/C'd, LS7 short block, ported and polished heads, Belanger Custom Tri-Y headers and exhaust, manual trans, short throw shifter and the list goes on, for any other car. It's amazingly fast, and very reliable. I know what has been done to rebuild the car was done right as I'm the one that did ALL the rebuilding of the car, and it was done right!. It's a show winner (multiple awards), not thinking that makes any difference, but it is possible if you have the skills. AND I have so much less......I mean SO MUCH LESS in the car, money wise, and have much more car in the long run. So you be the judge on what you choose to do. Whatever you decide, have fun, and enjoy life with your Corvette, and don't let it sit in the garage as a trophy to just look at, so you can keep from putting miles on it. Why do you want the car? IMHO, it's about the driving experience!

 

.x2

 

Go all out, get urself a ZR1 🏁