Should I buy a used "track car"?
#1
Cruising
Thread Starter
Should I buy a used "track car"?
I have a line on a 2014 Stingray with Z51 and 3LT options, 14k miles. The issue is that it was used at at track school in Phoenix. The rev counter is at 7,142 and engine hours around 700. Visually, the car is nice, paint defect free. Tire tread looks good, I am guessing tires were swapped back to the original Eagle F1's. Oil service interval is unknown, currently showing "service oil soon". GM warranty is blocked as it was registered as a commercial vehicle.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
#2
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Run, do not walk, away from that car as fast as possible.
Why would you put your money on a car that has been abused in many ways? For all you know, the oil has never been changed and it has been beat on its entire life. Sure, it may look great...these cars do clean up very nicely. It's the internals of the engine, transmission and other drive-line components that I'd always be worrying about.
There are many well-kept C7's on the market now; many are low mileage garage queens that are practically new. Do your due diligence and search. The money you save on any 'discount' they may offer will likely be more than offset by the money you'll spend on repairs in the future. And without a warranty, you're really asking for it.
Why would you put your money on a car that has been abused in many ways? For all you know, the oil has never been changed and it has been beat on its entire life. Sure, it may look great...these cars do clean up very nicely. It's the internals of the engine, transmission and other drive-line components that I'd always be worrying about.
There are many well-kept C7's on the market now; many are low mileage garage queens that are practically new. Do your due diligence and search. The money you save on any 'discount' they may offer will likely be more than offset by the money you'll spend on repairs in the future. And without a warranty, you're really asking for it.
Last edited by ExRedRacer; 02-19-2017 at 08:41 PM.
#6
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St. Jude Donor '13
If the oil is due for a change, have it done and send a sample to Blackstone Labs for their analysis. Just be sure to watch the change to make sure you are getting the oil from the correct car.
#9
Melting Slicks
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The oil sample needs to come directly from the oil pan as its draining out.
If the sample is taken from the drain pan its possibly comtaminated by all the other previous oil changes from other cars that left residue in the drain pan.
If the sample is taken from the drain pan its possibly comtaminated by all the other previous oil changes from other cars that left residue in the drain pan.
#11
Burning Brakes
No Eagle tires, OEM are Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP
#12
Safety Car
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If over-revving is your main concern then buy the car. The engine is usually one of the last things to go. Just make sure on start up there is not a large puff of blue smoke coming out of it. If the motor runs fine and is not making any unusual noises i would see no problem in buying the car if you are going to receive a huge discount. Usually the track cars have good maintenance.
#14
Burning Brakes
I have a friend who bought one from Ron Fellows last year and no problems to date.
#15
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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I have a line on a 2014 Stingray with Z51 and 3LT options, 14k miles. The issue is that it was used at at track school in Phoenix. The rev counter is at 7,142 and engine hours around 700. Visually, the car is nice, paint defect free. Tire tread looks good, I am guessing tires were swapped back to the original Eagle F1's. Oil service interval is unknown, currently showing "service oil soon". GM warranty is blocked as it was registered as a commercial vehicle.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
Much better deal on a 2014 3LT with 9800 miles that is for sale on the Forum at:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...51-4-sale.html
It has many options and One "Old" Owner- never tracked or raced-looks and runs like new!
Many Extra's Including OEM visible CF roof with matching side skirts, CF splitter (with end plates) CF hood vent and real CF grill bar cover.
Last edited by JerryU; 02-20-2017 at 10:43 AM.
#17
Drifting
I don't have a dog in this fight.
But honestly someone wrote "$25 grand" or run away.... Are you loopy?.
I'm sure it said 2014... duh!,,
Also over revving? Have you heard of a rev limiter?
IMO it seems that the school cars see 99% track time is true.
40-50% of that time is instructional laps and learning the car.. braking, Corning etc...
So the disposable get used up quickly ... brake pads, fluids, tires....
Outside of that with relatively low hours and miles the cars are maintained well.
Think of the reputation of the school if their cars broke down for paying customers.
Strike a good deal, maybe ask for oil change, new pads and other consumables that the school would have an abunadance of at their shop.
Good luck and enjoy.
But honestly someone wrote "$25 grand" or run away.... Are you loopy?.
I'm sure it said 2014... duh!,,
Also over revving? Have you heard of a rev limiter?
IMO it seems that the school cars see 99% track time is true.
40-50% of that time is instructional laps and learning the car.. braking, Corning etc...
So the disposable get used up quickly ... brake pads, fluids, tires....
Outside of that with relatively low hours and miles the cars are maintained well.
Think of the reputation of the school if their cars broke down for paying customers.
Strike a good deal, maybe ask for oil change, new pads and other consumables that the school would have an abunadance of at their shop.
Good luck and enjoy.
#18
Melting Slicks
If the deal was right I'd do it, but these cars have asking prices maybe a few Gs cheaper than a Sunday driver garage queen.
IMO, not worth it unless the savings was enough to hypothetically replace the entire drivetrain should failures occur. If that was the case, then it would be worth the gamble, but they're not gonna discount the track car THAT much.
IMO, not worth it unless the savings was enough to hypothetically replace the entire drivetrain should failures occur. If that was the case, then it would be worth the gamble, but they're not gonna discount the track car THAT much.
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RunningHot (02-20-2017)
#19
I have a line on a 2014 Stingray with Z51 and 3LT options, 14k miles. The issue is that it was used at at track school in Phoenix. The rev counter is at 7,142 and engine hours around 700. Visually, the car is nice, paint defect free. Tire tread looks good, I am guessing tires were swapped back to the original Eagle F1's. Oil service interval is unknown, currently showing "service oil soon". GM warranty is blocked as it was registered as a commercial vehicle.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
Is this a big risk that I should get a big discount for? Really, my main concern is over rev's during the track time.
Input appreciated.
Last edited by RunningHot; 02-20-2017 at 12:23 PM.
#20
Race Director
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Anyone whos been to Ron Fellows and walked around a little and poked their head into the maintenance garage, chewed the fat with the very personable techs there knows Ron Fellows takes very good care of their cars. Of course being a GM "supplier" representing GM I am sure they have the funding to do so. Not sure about the service provided for this car so I'd do my research.
As far as one poster indicating don't worry about over revving......there's a rev limiter..... there is but man constantly having the engine cut out at high revs and the reengaging at again high revs is not something I'd be comfortable with. I am not sure what happens to an engine when it hits the rev limiter but I suspect there is stress to the engine?
As far as one poster indicating don't worry about over revving......there's a rev limiter..... there is but man constantly having the engine cut out at high revs and the reengaging at again high revs is not something I'd be comfortable with. I am not sure what happens to an engine when it hits the rev limiter but I suspect there is stress to the engine?