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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
If that's what in your budget, there's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure to do your due diligence and inspect the vehicle thoroughly, as well as verifying if the heads have been fixed already. If so, what the mileage was when they were as opposed to what it has now. Depending on the mileage and who did the work, they may be subject to inspection. Just make sure you budget for things that need to be replaced getting into the higher mileage vehicles.
Guys, because of cost, I’m looking at a non modified Vette with a LS7 motor with close to 80K miles.
Pros? Cons? Thoughts?
What year is it? A 2006 with those miles is not terrible, especially if it was freeway cruising miles to work. Now if its all track miles well then maybe not so good. I am at 62,500 on my 2006 and it looks new an runs great!!
Mileage does not make a car. Then again, I'm not your typical "old man" Corvette owner. If the car was cared for and maintained, I don't see the issue.
jayyyw gave some great advice. I wouldn't worry at all at purchasing at 80k miles. Mine has 54k miles and still seems "new" in my mind. I think an oil sample to Blackstone Labs would be smart, might give you an idea of what kind of condition the rod coating is in. A wiggle test can be used to check for valve guide health.
You might get a really great price for the higher mile car too.
I got my 2006 with 61k on it and the previous owner had paint correction and ceramic coating so it looks brand spanking new on the outside and the inside was meticulously maintained, I did all fluids and had minor stuff that needed to be addressed (shifter bushings, clutch master cylinder but if I told you the car had 10k on it you would believe it. I looked at another car that had 40k on it and had spent multiple seasons being tracked. The car looked trashed and looked like it had 140k on it not 40k.
Its encouraging to read all of the cars that still have the "stock" heads on with no issues
The problem with that thinking is that just because you haven't dropped a valve yet doesn't mean you don't have an issue. Unless you have checked the guides, you don't know whether you have an issue or not. I had 100k on my Z06 'without an issue' when I decided to get the guides checked. Almost every guide was out of spec, including one so bad it wouldn't even register on the gauge. Who knows how much longer I could have gone before I dropped a valve? It is pretty much a proven fact that the guides in the LS7 wear prematurely and if you don't address it or at least monitor it then you are taking a big risk.
My '06 Z has just crossed over 88k miles and it needs no immediate maintenance items. Like others have mentioned it really depends on how well the previous owner(s) have taken care of it. Mine had the heads rebuilt at ~80k miles by AHP. I've seen (and nearly bought) z06s with less/similar miles that were not taken care of. Get a PPI or interview the seller to get all the information/pictures you need to feel comfortable. If it doesn't feel right move on, there are plenty of z06s.
2006 Z with 2,780 miles. Heads ported and milled, ported MSD intake, NW TB, Calloway CAI, Dynatec
long tube headers, X pipe and high flow cats, stock cam. Had the heads done just after I purchased the car with 2,100 miles on it. Certified garage queen.
2009 with 51K and third (maybe fourth) set of heads. Now using AHP heads. Stock now but plan on a cam. Do I drive it fast? No, take it easy until the oil's at 140 minimum. Only occasionally get on it. Harmonic balancer replaced, radiator replaced.
2006 Z with 2,780 miles. Heads ported and milled, ported MSD intake, NW TB, Calloway CAI, Dynatec
long tube headers, X pipe and high flow cats, stock cam. Had the heads done just after I purchased the car with 2,100 miles on it. Certified garage queen.
So about 200 miles per year. Do you plan on being buried in it
The former owner had it for 10 years and put 2,080 miles on it, so he averaged about 200 miles a year. I'm doing closer to 300. I really should drive it more, but am like a protective mother. And I view this purchase as a collector car. Do I think they are collectable right now - no. But they could be in the future. No question that the ZR1 will be at some point, but this is off topic.
The former owner had it for 10 years and put 2,080 miles on it, so he averaged about 200 miles a year. I'm doing closer to 300. I really should drive it more, but am like a protective mother. And I view this purchase as a collector car. Do I think they are collectable right now - no. But they could be in the future. No question that the ZR1 will be at some point, but this is off topic.
Well, 7 liter NA, 7000 red line is pretty unique but it's very hard to predict what will be a collectors item. BTW my Z06 is also red. I do think the C6 Z06 lines are very nice, better than the C7 (not so busy).
06-24-2018, 06:01 PM
