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I thought I'd share my experience moving from a 2016 Z51 3LT to a 2018 Z06 3LZ with the help of Mike Furman at Criswell Chevrolet. See pictures of both cars below. (I updated this post to include links to videos of the Z06, see links below Z06 picture.) This might be informative for those trying to decide between a Z51, a Grand Sport and a Z06.
In September of 2015 I purchased my first Corvette at age 58. I've had a lot of sports cars but never an American muscle car so I thought I'd give it a try. I reached out to a local dealer in Tysons Corner, VA. I decided to not spend six figures for another sports car after having done that twice with a 2006 BMW M6 and 2006 Porsche 911 Carerra S. I thought I'd do the smart thing and ONLY buy what I thought I needed. I chose the Z51 at that time as it was then the sweet spot between the Stingray and the Z06. I patted myself on the back for not spending too much money.
After placing the order with the local dealer a friend told me about large volume dealerships where you could potentially purchase a Corvette for much less. I wish I had known that before placing the order as the experience at the Tysons Corner, VA dealership wasn't the best. The salesman played the usual games and frankly I paid too much for the Z51 and got too little for my trade. I stupidly didn't get the salesman to guarantee me a value for my trade before agreeing to the Corvette order. As a result when the Z51 came in I was so excited that I accepted a few thousand less for my trade than I should have. Of course I knew better but it wasn't a ton of money. After taking the Z51 home I noticed that the carbon fiber from the dash was missing. Called the salesman and he said it was a mistake. He made no effort to sincerely apologize or to compensate me in any way. He just wasn't a good sales person. He wouldn't even take pictures of the car when delivered to send to me while I was out of town on business. Just not the best experience but I did love the car so I filed the experience under "lesson learned".
I got the itch to trade up recently so I reached out to Mike Furman at Criswell after hearing so many good things about him on this forum. We're talking night and day difference with Mike versus the original salesperson. Mike has so much knowledge about Corvettes and guided me through the selection of options and the placing of an order for a 2018 Z06 3LZ. He also offered me a sight unseen value for my Z51 that he honored right through the sale of the Z06. He also provided a good discount off of list for the Z06. We agreed upon the deal when the order was placed not when I came to pickup the Z06. The Z06 arrived about 3 weeks prior to the estimated time that Mike originally provided. The delivery last Thursday was the best experience I've ever had picking up a car and I've bought a lot of cars.
The lesson learned here, BUY THE BEST (Z06) FROM THE BEST (Mike Furman)! And I should have bought the Z06 to begin with instead of trying to save money which I of course I didn't by buying he Z51 and then trading up less than 2 years later for the Z06.
I freakin love my Z06. I've already put just over 200 miles on it in an attempt to get through the 500 mile break-in period quickly. Can't wait to see what she'll do. It feels a lot different than the Z51 and I love the whine of the supercharger.
OP. Beautiful Z06. 1 pic is NOT GOING TO CUT IT BTW...
Best of luck with it glad you bought from Mike. You can't go wrong dealing with him.
Mike is the best. Plain and simple. You want to buy the corvette from Mike he's that great. He's genuine in his Love for the car. No gimmicks just like hanging with a buddy who happens to sell Corvettes lol.
me and my buddy picked our Z06's from him last October.
Your car looks Awesome and that BLUE ROCKS! I will say one thing about Mike Furman having never met the guy BUT HE HAS THE PERFECT SMILE IN EVERY PICTURE TAKEN OF HIM!!
Your car looks Awesome and that BLUE ROCKS! I will say one thing about Mike Furman having never met the guy BUT HE HAS THE PERFECT SMILE IN EVERY PICTURE TAKEN OF HIM!!
Thanks for all the kind words. At 16/C7Z's suggestion I've updated the original post to include additional pictures via a couple of links to video of the exterior and interior of the car. See the links just beneath the bottom of the Z06 picture. Enjoy!
Thanks for all the kind words. At 16/C7Z's suggestion I've updated the original post to include additional pictures via a couple of links to video of the exterior and interior of the car. See the links just beneath the bottom of the Z06 picture. Enjoy!
Great write up. I knew you would enjoy and appreciate the HP bump!
Mike Furman
Last edited by Mike Furman@Criswell; 07-17-2017 at 10:25 AM.
Mike, thanks again for the great experience buying the Z06. I'm loving the car. I need another 200 miles to get through the break-in period. That should happen this week. I'll be passing along your name to anyone interested in a new Corvette.
Your car looks Awesome and that BLUE ROCKS! I will say one thing about Mike Furman having never met the guy BUT HE HAS THE PERFECT SMILE IN EVERY PICTURE TAKEN OF HIM!!
I ordered my new 2013 Grand Sport convertible from Mike Furman, and he called my local Chevy dealer to confirm and coordinate a courtesy delivery. A great experience and great man!!!
07-15-2017, 08:05 PM
From 16 Z51 3Lt to 18 Z06 3LZ with Mike Furman
I will say one thing about Mike Furman having never met the guy BUT HE HAS THE PERFECT SMILE IN EVERY PICTURE TAKEN OF HIM!!
