icebergc90

Im looking at trading in my E63 for an 08 Z06. The car has higher mileage (79k) and some mods. Ive read some horror stories of bad valves and heads. It is at a dealership, and they do not have a full list of modifications. From what I can see it has Fast intake, kooks long tube headers, and a big cam. The car is a 1 owner, and seems to be in great shape.
What kind of concerns should I have about purchasing this car? I will take it to a dealer to be inspected, but its unlikely they will know much about the modifications.
can anyone give me some ideas of what else to look for, or any issues I should be aware of on this car?

any input is greatly appreciated.

here is a link to the car
http://www.westonautogallery.com/sho...-corvette-z06/

REDZED2

Since this is your first post on The Forum and no one is answering.... my .02 cents bud? Stay far far away from that Z06... big cam, who knows who did all the work and that mileage and you don't know if the guides were done.... Carfax and on and on and on..... there are lots of others if you are patient to shop around. I'm sure that car was beat on good. Well if you are on a budget try to find one unmodded or a bit older... nothing wrong with a clean 06-07 from the right owner if properly maintained.

1Sikstik

white z06's did not exist until 2010, so its either wrapped or been repainted

edit - i think there was a special edition in 07

Titan C6Z

The Z seems clean looks wise based off of the pics. Carfax shows it's from Las Vegas, had 1 accident on the left side and tracks usage/miles over the years. It doesn't have stock exhaust. Maybe Billy Boats? Halltech cai?

Mileage is high, but the price reflects that. No way to tell if the heads have been "fixed" until it's opened up. The upgraded parts are good quality, just depends if you actually like them.

A few things to look/prepare for:
Tires ($1k-2.5k before other charges)
Heads ($2k-3k+ installed)
Brakes ($250 pads - $8k carbon brakes kit?)

Drive it and make sure the clutch and transmission is ok. It's getting up there in mileage so the suspension might need some attention too. I just bought DRM shocks for under $500.

You can easily spend $5k just off of those 3 things. But then again there's more than $5k in upgraded parts too.

There's another thread going on right now just like yours, but has more traffic so follow that one too. Some people that look at Z06's also consider the Grand Sport.

Make sure to do a lot of research and explore all options. Good luck with your search.

capevettes

I would spend a little more and get a much lower mileage, stock Z06. It's a real roll of the dice when you buy a higher mileage Z with those kinds of mods that was likely driven hard. Buy stock and do the mods you want and you will know what you have.

njk4o5

you can get ones with half the mileage for that price. keep looking.

lebvette

Buying something that used is a crap shoot, but it could be a good buy. Mine has a cam and all the goodies and it's not abused at all. The younger the previous owner was the more possibilities of being run hard. I haven't got into the back 4 barrel of mine in 6 months.
If heads were done, maybe there's some evidence on the top in, such as valve springs. Most that go that route also do the heads.
Like some have mentioned.....don't get in a hurry, and good luck with your hunt.

REDZED2

The pics are photo shopped. Yes the car is Silver. Looks white... pics look to be artificially altered for aesthetic viewing pleasure.

ATC399

keep looking there are thousands of garage queens out there, unless this one fits your all your needs. If I was to purchase a used sports car it would be stock...jmho

XLR8-R

I understand you can't always judge from pictures, but as clean as that car looks and being a one owner, it doesn't seem like a bad deal to me. I have yet to see an 08 with 35k miles for ~32k. I would just ask the seller to contact previous owner and see when and what all was done to it(particularly if exhaust valves were replaced). If they are not willing there might be a reason to worry. I don't know how many miles are on your E63, but nothing is cheap to repair on those... Also, just because a car is modded doesn't make it a bad car.

Vito.A

Great price. The mileage does not bother me, but like the others I would want to know the history and who did the performance modifications. Titan makes a good point on cost of tires, heads and brakes.
We need to know exactly what "big cam" is installed. Everyone's idea of a big cam is different.
Would this be your only car, or a weekend car?

Ice95z

Nothing wrong with buying a modified Z06. 79k is hardly a high mileage car. If it has a cam, and lasted 79k without a valve guide issue, chances are your not going to have one. "Most" of the issues showed up early mileage. I suggest researching the mods a bit from the previous owner if the dealer still has his info. Even a carfax might help.

And for all those who think buying a low mileage bone stock perfect Z06 is a better.... I bought mine bone stock, 1 older adult owner, 40k miles, every single service record and onstar update documented, pristine condition. 2 weeks later lifter collapsed and wiped out a cam lobe. It happens.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have considered modified Z's with proper documentation. Would have saved me time and money.

REDZED2

Always nice to play with the house's money... Most logical people that make car payments and without much info on a high mileage sports car that has been internally modded by joe blow would have the common sense to move on elsewhere.. but that's just me.

dart.deanda

If the heads were done, they would probably have replaced the crappy GM torque to yield (grey) bolts with ARPs (black). 5 head bolts are exposed at the bottom (furthest outside) portion of the head -- look between the header runners. If you see black ARP head bolts or studs the heads have been off...

ZO ZICK

Vettes R Us

It was the Ron Fellows edition, but it was not a solid white. The car had graphics on the front fenders and hood. I'd be curious on that myself if the graphics are not there.

50 4Ever

The VIN says it's an 08, so it can't be a RF Edition. Also I believe they all had red interior.

OP: The ad says "Power Memory Seats", my 08 Z06 has a manual passenger seat, only the driver seat is power and has memory.

capevettes

The original poster hasn't logged in since he posed the question. Lots of thoughtful feedback and advice that he never saw

monsstrvette

I would take it to reputable performance shop not a dealer.

08mojo

Do you have any mods done to your car?

For those of you saying you can buy an 08 (heck, or even older) with half the mileage for that price: please send a link to the ad. $32.5k is LOW.