Mid-life Crises
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Vonore Tennessee
Mid-life Crises
Ok, my C6 is now 11 years old with 70K miles. It has an air induction system, short-throw shifter and one-piece crankshaft pulley, and I've replaced other parts as they were required (e.g., water pump, A/C compressor, oil sending unit, all belts and hoses). It looks and runs fine, but for how long nobody knows. It's decision time - do I sell/trade it in for a newer vehicle or do I keep it and put some money into it so it lasts 5+ more years. If the latter, I'm looking for suggestions on items to replace, rebuild or upgrade, assuming a working budget of $10,000 (far less than what I would spend for a newer performance vehicle). I suppose replacing the clutch would be high on the list and I should probably do something about the weak differential case (it's an 05). What else, performance-wise that would be within budget? Don't have the time, tools or patience to do the work myself, so need to factor in labor costs as well.
Last edited by Mr. Motion; Jun 6, 2016 at 08:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Things we have done on our 2009 at 91k miles:
Drain/refill differential.
Drain/refill radiator every 5 yrs.
Drain/refill A6 tranny, but you're a shifty guy and I don't know about them.
Flush P/S system (done with engine shut off)
Headlights may need new lenses, $$$. See if you can get just the lenses replaced aftermarket.
Engine and cabin air filters should have been done already.
Brake fluid flush, brakes probably need work if still original.
New plugs and wires, not mandatory but getting close.
Others will have further suggestions...
Drain/refill differential.
Drain/refill radiator every 5 yrs.
Drain/refill A6 tranny, but you're a shifty guy and I don't know about them.
Flush P/S system (done with engine shut off)
Headlights may need new lenses, $$$. See if you can get just the lenses replaced aftermarket.
Engine and cabin air filters should have been done already.
Brake fluid flush, brakes probably need work if still original.
New plugs and wires, not mandatory but getting close.
Others will have further suggestions...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
I had 2 LS2 C6's and just picked up (well on Thursday of this week) a Crystal Red 3lt 2009 all options Z51 NPP HUD, new tires etc... except NAV. I always wanted the Ls3 C6 after they came out but never got one. I will never own a C7 so this my toy for quite sometime. Depending on if you like the new one or just want a "newer" one. I figure the LS3 won't bore me in a few years with similar numbers on the c7 anyway. I had a 2002 Z06 but I don't track the car and I like to take the top off....and I wanted the reliability vs head issues etc.
Hard decision, I just got back in to them after 5 years of not owning...I was over due.
Hard decision, I just got back in to them after 5 years of not owning...I was over due.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
70k miles is pretty low to to be expecting to dump $10k on the car.
I would just look at anything that degrades with age like the rubber suspension components and take a look at your hoses and belts.
If you're looking at performance upgrades I would see no problem with getting a blower installed at that mileage and you'd still have a little change left over for maintenance items.
I would just look at anything that degrades with age like the rubber suspension components and take a look at your hoses and belts.
If you're looking at performance upgrades I would see no problem with getting a blower installed at that mileage and you'd still have a little change left over for maintenance items.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Why not just fix things as needed, these cars (no matter what year C6)should go way more then 70,000 miles before any major repairs are needed...Maybe replace all the fluids, but I wouldn't start replacing things just to spend the money...With just 70,000 miles that car is just starting to get broken in..I say drive it and enjoy....
...WW
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...WW.
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Last edited by WW7; Jun 8, 2016 at 09:36 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 270
Likes: 6
i had to replace the harmonic balancer, ac tensioner, both belts and the starter along with the torque tube and also did the a6 new filter,gasket and flush
all in all spent around 2-2.5k at 105k miles i guess it was bound to happen and i daily it everyday 40-60miles daily but u at 70k miles yours is practically new lol
i was also thinking of selling it but the thought of getting into a bigger debt for just another car when all of them are bound to break? no thanks ill be happy with the ls3 for a long time and the vette all in all is a pretty simple car to fix and pretty cheap aside from needing a lift for 80% of the work
all in all spent around 2-2.5k at 105k miles i guess it was bound to happen and i daily it everyday 40-60miles daily but u at 70k miles yours is practically new lol
i was also thinking of selling it but the thought of getting into a bigger debt for just another car when all of them are bound to break? no thanks ill be happy with the ls3 for a long time and the vette all in all is a pretty simple car to fix and pretty cheap aside from needing a lift for 80% of the work
Last edited by nenji01; Jun 7, 2016 at 10:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 240
From: Houston TX
Ok, my C6 is now 11 years old with 70K miles. It has an air induction system, short-throw shifter and one-piece crankshaft pulley, and I've replaced other parts as they were required (e.g., water pump, A/C compressor, oil sending unit, all belts and hoses). It looks and runs fine, but for how long nobody knows. It's decision time - do I sell/trade it in for a newer vehicle or do I keep it and put some money into it so it lasts 5+ more years. If the latter, I'm looking for suggestions on items to replace, rebuild or upgrade, assuming a working budget of $10,000 (far less than what I would spend for a newer performance vehicle). I suppose replacing the clutch would be high on the list and I should probably do something about the weak differential case (it's an 05). What else, performance-wise that would be within budget? Don't have the time, tools or patience to do the work myself, so need to factor in labor costs as well.
Good luck!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
As few miles you drive, I'd be inclined to only repair as needed. Spending now for long term anticipated breakage or maintenance is not money well spent. Handle regular (fluids/filters/brakes/etc) maintenance as always, but watch and listen for unusual things.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 60
Fluids, Hoses, and Belts. And anything else your manual suggests. Any parts you replace, look into upgrading to see if the upgrade fits your needs. Might as well do the plugs and wires while you're at it. Once that is done, see where you stand with both $$ and how the car is running and go from there.
Last edited by CriticalmassGT; Jun 10, 2016 at 04:21 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Fluids, Hoses, and Belts. And anything else your manual suggests. Any parts you replace, look into upgrading to see if the upgrade fits your needs. Might as well do the plugs and wires while you're at it. Once that is done, see where you stand with both $$ and how the car is running and go from there.