GM Proving Grounds
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
GM Proving Grounds
I’m looking at a 2015 ZO6/ZO7 that was used for testing at the GM proving grounds in Yuma Arizona. It’s the right color (DSMO) has the right options I’m looking for and is a fairly rare combination so there are not many out there to choose from. It’s about 10k-15k under market price. Does anyone know if these cars are beat to death out there? The GM warranty has been voided and I would have to deal with the Ga DMV to try to get the title straightened out. Good buy? Run away and don’t look back?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,615
From: GREER SC
I would only do it if it was approx. 1/2 price of a decent used 15. Lot's of expensive parts if you have to pay for repairs. These cars are pretty tough, but it may come down to how picky you are. IE if a chip here and there or some strange things pop up you are going to get sick as soon as you hear/see it. If you are buying to really use IE drive and/or track it might be worth it.
There are some really good deals out there now.
JMHO
There are some really good deals out there now.
JMHO
Last edited by Thomasmoto; Dec 6, 2017 at 12:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
I would only do it if it was approx. 1/2 price of a decent used 15. Lot's of expensive parts if you have to pay for repairs. These cars are pretty tough, but it may come down to how picky you are. IE if a chip here and there or some strange things pop up you are going to get sick as soon as you hear/see it. If you are buying to really use IE drive and/or track it might be worth it.
There are some really good deals out there now.
JMHO
There are some really good deals out there now.
JMHO
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
That doesn't sound correct. I seriously doubt GM would sell the car without a warranty, there are too many potential repercussions that could come from selling a car without
a warranty. They would crush it before doing that. Cars sold from their fleet are auctioned off to GM dealers through GM only auctions and come with the remaining warranty from the time they were put into service. All of them have been properly maintained and are serviced before they are auctioned off. I also don't see a GM dealer knowingly purchasing a car that could become a sales nightmare due to not having a warranty.
The other thing that would worry me is the mention of title issues. If GM sold the car there wouldn't be any title issues.
I would be careful about purchasing the car since the so called history doesn't make sense.
Bill
a warranty. They would crush it before doing that. Cars sold from their fleet are auctioned off to GM dealers through GM only auctions and come with the remaining warranty from the time they were put into service. All of them have been properly maintained and are serviced before they are auctioned off. I also don't see a GM dealer knowingly purchasing a car that could become a sales nightmare due to not having a warranty.
The other thing that would worry me is the mention of title issues. If GM sold the car there wouldn't be any title issues.
I would be careful about purchasing the car since the so called history doesn't make sense.
Bill
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
That doesn't sound correct. I seriously doubt GM would sell the car without a warranty, there are too many potential repercussions that could come from selling a car without
a warranty. They would crush it before doing that. Cars sold from their fleet are auctioned off to GM dealers through GM only auctions and come with the remaining warranty from the time they were put into service. All of them have been properly maintained and are serviced before they are auctioned off. I also don't see a GM dealer knowingly purchasing a car that could become a sales nightmare due to not having a warranty.
The other thing that would worry me is the mention of title issues. If GM sold the car there wouldn't be any title issues.
I would be careful about purchasing the car since the so called history doesn't make sense.
Bill
a warranty. They would crush it before doing that. Cars sold from their fleet are auctioned off to GM dealers through GM only auctions and come with the remaining warranty from the time they were put into service. All of them have been properly maintained and are serviced before they are auctioned off. I also don't see a GM dealer knowingly purchasing a car that could become a sales nightmare due to not having a warranty.
The other thing that would worry me is the mention of title issues. If GM sold the car there wouldn't be any title issues.
I would be careful about purchasing the car since the so called history doesn't make sense.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,938
Likes: 784
From: Huntsville AL
I used to work at a tire test track for Dunlop and they totally abused the cars. I would think
GM is the same way. They are testing everything at the limits and beyond to wring out any issues in the cars and to measure their maximum performance.
So yeah, if you get a good price and you can afford to fix it, go for it. Especially if you intend to track the car yourself.
GM is the same way. They are testing everything at the limits and beyond to wring out any issues in the cars and to measure their maximum performance.
So yeah, if you get a good price and you can afford to fix it, go for it. Especially if you intend to track the car yourself.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
I used to work at a tire test track for Dunlop and they totally abused the cars. I would think
GM is the same way. They are testing everything at the limits and beyond to wring out any issues in the cars and to measure their maximum performance.
So yeah, if you get a good price and you can afford to fix it, go for it. Especially if you intend to track the car yourself.
GM is the same way. They are testing everything at the limits and beyond to wring out any issues in the cars and to measure their maximum performance.
So yeah, if you get a good price and you can afford to fix it, go for it. Especially if you intend to track the car yourself.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
The car is at a independent dealer that says they buy about 100 cars a year from GM that are testing cars. It has a salvage title but the history is verified to be a GM corporate vehicle with no other owner. I am being told since it has no accident history the title can be redone as a regular one. After talking to them after I asked the question here I am not going to even consider buying it. Too much risk and trouble although it might be a good one to use as a track car and a daily driver since I wouldn’t be as concerned with rock chips or running it hard. This is the first time I’ve ran across this situation but it’s not for me. I do appreciate everyone’s feedback.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
After reading what tests they do to the cars at the Yuma Proving Grounds like the Vibration Test Track, the Interior Noise Test Track, the “7 Sisters Track” where they try to run the car to its limits to see what it takes to get the car to run off the track through 7 tight turns as fast as they can go. I want no part of one unless it was 1/2 price...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
The reason I asked was following the hurricane disasters earlier with all of the cars, trucks, and other vehicles that were underwater was to be absolutely sure that there is no possibility that an unscrupulous seller was trying to pass them off as something other than that. I don't know the lot you are dealing with and they may be legitimate and just obtaining the corvettes from GM. Good luck with whatever you do.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,574
Likes: 2,412
From: Lookin over Hoover Dam
The car is at a independent dealer that says they buy about 100 cars a year from GM that are testing cars. It has a salvage title but the history is verified to be a GM corporate vehicle with no other owner. I am being told since it has no accident history the title can be redone as a regular one. After talking to them after I asked the question here I am not going to even consider buying it. Too much risk and trouble although it might be a good one to use as a track car and a daily driver since I wouldn’t be as concerned with rock chips or running it hard. This is the first time I’ve ran across this situation but it’s not for me. I do appreciate everyone’s feedback.
That said...I'm in Athens and live in Normaltown if you need a helping hand. I built supercars for a living and was on tv for it....lol....that's my resume...
. You can assume what is required to get there. My gf and I both drive Corvettes as well.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
GM used some of these vehicles for random abuse, but some engineers just simply drove them to and from work and reported back. To determine the health or prior use, really just requires a very thorough PPI. I'd look at very specific indicators of use and abuse. Bushing locations, debris under the chassis, wheel well markings, look at the engine hrs reading to see the average speed over the life of the car vs mileage.
That said...I'm in Athens and live in Normaltown if you need a helping hand. I built supercars for a living and was on tv for it....lol....that's my resume.... You can assume what is required to get there. My gf and I both drive Corvettes as well.
That said...I'm in Athens and live in Normaltown if you need a helping hand. I built supercars for a living and was on tv for it....lol....that's my resume...
. You can assume what is required to get there. My gf and I both drive Corvettes as well.This is part of the vehicle description..Says on a salvage title then a rebuilt title...says GM Ambassador Program...Email to me says it was a “Test” car used at the Yuma Arizona Proving Grounds....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
Will sell all for the low low price of $65,000. You pick up. I also have thousands in new restoration parts plus various other parts, (fenders, hoods, etc..) to go with it all. I have leased out my 17,000 sf shop in Auburn Ga. and do not want to drag them all around. It’s all the remnants of a failed restoration shop idea for my son before he decided that wasn’t what he really wanted to do...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
Something doesn't sound right. There a scores of Ambassador Program Cadillac ATS-Vs from 2015 (but 2016 models) that have been sold over the last few months. They all had real titles and generally had less than 8000 miles. But I passed on each of those. This car sounds like a scam to me.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,574
Likes: 2,412
From: Lookin over Hoover Dam
Also, I really appreciate your offer of help, unfortunately the car is a 5 hour drive to Kentucky away..But on another completely different issue, since you are local and a car guy I have (12) 1978 Trans Am’s I need to sell, preferably as one lot, (1) Y82/WS6/W72..(3) Y88’s/WS6/W72...and I have (8) other various configurations of 1978 T/A’s all in need of restoration to some degree.
Will sell all for the low low price of $65,000. You pick up. I also have thousands in new restoration parts plus various other parts, (fenders, hoods, etc..) to go with it all. I have leased out my 17,000 sf shop in Auburn Ga. and do not want to drag them all around. It’s all the remnants of a failed restoration shop idea for my son before he decided that wasn’t what he really wanted to do...
Will sell all for the low low price of $65,000. You pick up. I also have thousands in new restoration parts plus various other parts, (fenders, hoods, etc..) to go with it all. I have leased out my 17,000 sf shop in Auburn Ga. and do not want to drag them all around. It’s all the remnants of a failed restoration shop idea for my son before he decided that wasn’t what he really wanted to do...
Last edited by KnightDriveTV; Dec 6, 2017 at 10:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 757
Likes: 158
From: Athens Georgia
Could be, I own several commercial properties in Walton, Barrow, and Gwinnett. The body shop coming available is in Loganville off Atlanta Hwy at Old Loganville Rd. next to the fire station and across from the Sonic Burger.