C7 Z06 Discussion General Z06 Corvette Discussion, LT4 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: GEM Motorsports

Some words of wisdom for the ZO6 buyer

Old 03-02-2019, 08:21 PM
  #1  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default Some words of wisdom for the ZO6 buyer

For those of you thinking about getting a C7 ZO6 and are looking at the forum for information and advice it might seem that a lot of us are often dwelling on the problems with the cars like wheels, tires, transmissions, etc. And you would be right – there’s a lot of grumbling that goes on and I will admit to not being happy about the wheels and the problems that can happen with the torque converters on the A8.

However, that being said, if you’re thinking about getting a ZO6, don’t be discouraged by some of the posts. The truth is that despite the grumbles which are mostly noise level stuff, the C7 ZO6 is one of the greatest bargains you can get, especially if you get a low mileage 2 or 3 year old and avoid the usual new car depreciation hit.

These cars are a blast to drive – gobs of power, scary acceleration, great handling, and fantastic braking and draws attention wherever you go. There’s also certain fun part knowing that on the street you can run away from damn near everything next to you at the red light. It’s great fun to wipe out the various Dodge and Mustang guys who think they are hot stuff or shocking a Hellcat by nosing them out.

Then there’s the price – you can’t come close to the ZO6 performance, looks and handling in an import for anywhere close to the price of the Vette. We’re talking at least $20-30K less for a car which will generally outrun the imports, handle as well or better and stop on a dime. Hell, although not a ZO6, you can often get a C7 1LT for less than $50k brand new. I paid $44K for my Subaru Outback and while the Subaru is a great car, it’s the family Truckster next to the Vette.

And, if you go to other car make forums, you’ll find the same gripes and grumblings because they all have their drawbacks too. A friend of mine with a Challenger Hemi just had the engine blow up in his driveway due to a timing chain failure. After it quit, he kept trying to start it and the cylinders filled up with gas which eventually exploded, blowing the throttle body off the engine in pieces, bent all 8 rods and cracked the block. The timing chain failure is a known defect and he will get a new engine from Dodge, but still, what a hassle…

My point is that no car is without its faults. Don’t let the forum grumbles get you down and dampen your desire to own one of these beasts. Get that ZO6 if you want it and you’ll have the ride of your life. Every time I get in mine, I still can’t believe how much fun it is and, for me at 71, it’s worth every penny.

The following 29 users liked this post by tertiumquid:
BlueDevlZ06 (03-04-2019), BMadden (03-02-2019), Carvin (03-03-2019), chasboland (03-03-2019), DAC17 (03-03-2019), Dnmscz (03-08-2019), GhostBluZ06 (03-02-2019), Glennm27 (03-05-2019), GTX JOHN (03-05-2019), Harbgrogan (03-02-2019), johnny3 (08-17-2019), jstewart (03-05-2019), kenownr (03-05-2019), LimeyC5 (03-03-2019), Mikec7z (03-03-2019), MontanaBob (10-01-2019), Oskee (03-03-2019), Panth3r (03-06-2019), Perf n Restore (03-03-2019), ralexand (03-06-2019), Road machine (03-04-2019), scbob (03-04-2019), SLEEKVET (03-04-2019), StevieATL (04-29-2022), SuperdadZ06 (03-04-2019), TBF (03-05-2019), thunderglide (03-05-2019), TimD11 (04-10-2019), Z06NJ (03-05-2019) and 24 others liked this post. (Show less...)
Old 03-02-2019, 08:37 PM
  #2  
GhostBluZ06
Racer
 
GhostBluZ06's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2018
Posts: 456
Received 43 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

44k for a outback!???? Thats more than the STI!! How did that happen???
Old 03-02-2019, 09:47 PM
  #3  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by GhostBluZ06
44k for a outback!???? Thats more than the STI!! How did that happen???
Top of the line model with every damned option available but 0% financing. Great vehicle by the way.
Old 03-02-2019, 10:30 PM
  #4  
prosdoc
Intermediate
 
prosdoc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2019
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Couldnt agree more. I’ve owned modded STi, Evo, and an E92 M3. The Z06 trumps these and so many high end cars by a lot. I bought mine with 6k miles on it so I got an amazing deal by letting someone take the depreciation hit. It’s such a great daily driver and track car. One happy Z06 owner here 👍🏻
Old 03-02-2019, 10:42 PM
  #5  
BMadden
Safety Car
 
BMadden's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 4,224
Received 1,830 Likes on 659 Posts

Default

Nice to see a positive post on this forum for a change. Thanks, OP.
The following users liked this post:
Perf n Restore (03-03-2019)
Old 03-02-2019, 10:54 PM
  #6  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by BMadden
Nice to see a positive post on this forum for a change. Thanks, OP.
Thanks. I thought it was about time.
The following 2 users liked this post by tertiumquid:
kenownr (03-05-2019), Perf n Restore (03-03-2019)
Old 03-02-2019, 11:01 PM
  #7  
BELVIN20
Burning Brakes
 
BELVIN20's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Terrell North Carolina
Posts: 1,146
Received 512 Likes on 302 Posts

Default

Happy Z06 owner here as well, best bang for the buck ever, as original OP said, all cars have issues even million dollar cars, but a Z for the money cannot be be beat.
Old 03-02-2019, 11:33 PM
  #8  
doggman
Racer
 
doggman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2010
Location: By the Nook-ler plant, LKN west
Posts: 277
Received 48 Likes on 40 Posts

Default

My only gripe is the wife can see the speedometer.
The following users liked this post:
SuperdadZ06 (03-04-2019)
Old 03-03-2019, 12:13 AM
  #9  
RegnaR
Burning Brakes

 
RegnaR's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,232
Received 228 Likes on 193 Posts

Default

Only gripe is the weather this year... getting some more snow tonight...
Old 03-03-2019, 09:51 AM
  #10  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RegnaR
Only gripe is the weather this year... getting some more snow tonight...
Move to the south. I drive mine 12 months a year in Georgia:
Old 03-03-2019, 09:57 AM
  #11  
Elk
Le Mans Master
 
Elk's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,329
Received 3,257 Likes on 1,723 Posts

Default

Excellent post and a great idea for a thread.
The following users liked this post:
tertiumquid (03-03-2019)
Old 03-03-2019, 11:14 AM
  #12  
bluekey28
Racer
 
bluekey28's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: Apache Junction AZ
Posts: 285
Received 41 Likes on 30 Posts

Default

Well said. Found a '17 Z06, WGG, M7 with only 600 miles on the clock just last month

. Best bang for the buck...the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Moved up from a '13 427 convert. As great a Vette as that was the C7 takes the experience to another level. Is it perfect? No. Very firm ride, lots of road noise...but as you pointed out its performance characteristics are hard to beat. Starts, stops & turns like lightening. Similar to driving a high powered go-cart. If you are driving too aggressively, this rocket can get away from you. On a freeway road trip the fuel mileage will impress you. The media options will entertain you. The performance settings will scare you or at least keep you fully alert. For what it's worth, take a test drive & decide for yourself. It's not a car for everyone but it will make you feel alive.

Originally Posted by tertiumqu. id
For those of you thinking about getting a C7 ZO6 and are looking at the forum for information and advice it might seem that a lot of us are often dwelling on the problems with the cars like wheels, tires, transmissions, etc. And you would be right – there’s a lot of grumbling that goes on and I will admit to not being happy about the wheels and the problems that can happen with the torque converters on the A8.

However, that being said, if you’re thinking about getting a ZO6, don’t be discouraged by some of the posts. The truth is that despite the grumbles which are mostly noise level stuff, the C7 ZO6 is one of the greatest bargains you can get, especially if you get a low mileage 2 or 3 year old and avoid the usual new car depreciation hit.

These cars are a blast to drive – gobs of power, scary acceleration, great handling, and fantastic braking and draws attention wherever you go. There’s also certain fun part knowing that on the street you can run away from damn near everything next to you at the red light. It’s great fun to wipe out the various Dodge and Mustang guys who think they are hot stuff or shocking a Hellcat by nosing them out.

Then there’s the price – you can’t come close to the ZO6 performance, looks and handling in an import for anywhere close to the price of the Vette. We’re talking at least $20-30K less for a car which will generally outrun the imports, handle as well or better and stop on a dime. Hell, although not a ZO6, you can often get a C7 1LT for less than $50k brand new. I paid $44K for my Subaru Outback and while the Subaru is a great car, it’s the family Truckster next to the Vette.

And, if you go to other car make forums, you’ll find the same gripes and grumblings because they all have their drawbacks too. A friend of mine with a Challenger Hemi just had the engine blow up in his driveway due to a timing chain failure. After it quit, he kept trying to start it and the cylinders filled up with gas which eventually exploded, blowing the throttle body off the engine in pieces, bent all 8 rods and cracked the block. The timing chain failure is a known defect and he will get a new engine from Dodge, but still, what a hassle…

My point is that no car is without its faults. Don’t let the forum grumbles get you down and dampen your desire to own one of these beasts. Get that ZO6 if you want it and you’ll have the ride of your life. Every time I get in mine, I still can’t believe how much fun it is and, for me at 71, it’s worth every penny.
The following 2 users liked this post by bluekey28:
Panth3r (03-06-2019), tertiumquid (03-03-2019)
Old 03-03-2019, 11:52 AM
  #13  
TJC333
Instructor
 
TJC333's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2017
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes on 34 Posts
Default

I am in the process of trading in my 2017 Grand Sport on a 2019 Z06/Z07. Eight weeks before it comes in. Can't wait to feel that 650 horsepower. I will be tracking the car. Never did open track days until I got the Grand Sport. Great fun.
Old 03-03-2019, 01:02 PM
  #14  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by TJC333
I am in the process of trading in my 2017 Grand Sport on a 2019 Z06/Z07. Eight weeks before it comes in. Can't wait to feel that 650 horsepower. I will be tracking the car. Never did open track days until I got the Grand Sport. Great fun.
You're gonna love it! I had a '16 Stingray before and although it was pretty damned fast, it was nothing compared to the ZO6.
Old 03-03-2019, 01:57 PM
  #15  
RegnaR
Burning Brakes

 
RegnaR's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,232
Received 228 Likes on 193 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by tertiumquid
Move to the south. I drive mine 12 months a year in Georgia:
Lived in the south for a few years. Will be living in Washington State next year, so I will be complaining about 91 octane.
Old 03-03-2019, 02:40 PM
  #16  
Ruderegime
Pro
 
Ruderegime's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2018
Posts: 677
Received 143 Likes on 101 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by doggman
My only gripe is the wife can see the speedometer.
You can change the digital display I know it still shows up but they're less likely to see it. I have to threaten my girl to change the cluster all the time to get her to stop looking at it.
Old 03-03-2019, 02:43 PM
  #17  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RegnaR
Lived in the south for a few years. Will be living in Washington State next year, so I will be complaining about 91 octane.
And rain...

Get notified of new replies

To Some words of wisdom for the ZO6 buyer

Old 03-03-2019, 02:44 PM
  #18  
tertiumquid
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
tertiumquid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,212
Received 637 Likes on 375 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ruderegime
You can change the digital display I know it still shows up but they're less likely to see it. I have to threaten my girl to change the cluster all the time to get her to stop looking at it.
Old 03-04-2019, 12:39 PM
  #19  
scbob
Advanced
 
scbob's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2019
Posts: 54
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Well said tertiumquid! I can't say AMEN loud enough. AMEN!
It is human nature to bitch. That's why on the evening news "if it bleeds it leads".
I've had an '85, '99, '05, '14 and now a '15 (Z06) and they have all been great cars. Great. Are they perfect? No. Are they great? Yes!
But you hear people bitching about all of them.
Just human nature. People love to bitch.
The following users liked this post:
tertiumquid (03-04-2019)
Old 03-04-2019, 06:27 PM
  #20  
Boba Fett
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Boba Fett's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Shits Creek NY
Posts: 10,783
Received 485 Likes on 347 Posts

Default

Ive had quite a few Z's and several other sports cars. They are the best "bang for buck" ones out there. That being said, I appreciate some of what the other guys are putting out there as well. Certainly true, all platforms come with their issues from time to time.

Last edited by Boba Fett; 03-04-2019 at 06:27 PM.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Some words of wisdom for the ZO6 buyer



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:59 PM.