That makes a lot of sense as well as some that have commented in this thread, they don’t own one but have plenty to say in regards to the short comings with the car. Park one in your garage then you might add some credibility to all your statements here. The LT5 is only half the package,it’s the widebody that’s just as unique as the engine. Why did the OP post this question in the non ZR-1 section anyway and asks the question to people that have very little if any experience with the car.l? If GM would have just put the LT5 in a base,narrow body car I wouldn’t own one.

 

So...who's narrow minded, here? I'd take a "narrow" body ZR-1 every bit as fast as I'd take a "wide" body ZR-1. Like the driving experience, the difference is subtle...not profound. The 1.5" on each side does not make or break the car, in this 'Vette fan's opinion.

Where did I "have plenty to say in regards to the short comings with the car"? You'll have to quote where I disparaged the ZR-1 so that I can correct it, would you?

I think that you're being a little overly sensitive. I "get it". I happen to like CFI cars. I see plenty of threads where people (who never owned one) disparage the CFI. I find that unacceptable since they have no experience with one.

That is different than this, however, in two ways;
1. I respect, and love the ZR-1 for a plethora of reasons. I'm not here to bad-mouth it. I just don't think it was worth twice the price of the LT1...and most buyers in '92 didn't think so either. If I was a total "pedigree"/history kind of guy, I'd buy a 5k mile one, put it in a climate controlled garage and lust over it. I'd laminate and frame all the docs, and place them on easels in front of the car for my guests to read, etc... But I'm not that guy. I'm a driver, and I don't see a big diff in the driving experience of the two versions.
2. I've experienced the ZR-1...several times, while attempting to buy one.

So...I can relate to your position about "you opinion doesn't count b/c you don't own one"....but I've made a few attempts to own one and I don't, b/c the price wasn't worth the experience over the LT1...and that is precisely what this thread was about.


.

 

It was worth it if your buddy owned an RT/10 and you had to put the hurt on him ...

 

I can't give an unbiased answer to this question, because the 90 ZR-1 has been my dream car for a very long time. Like Tom, I too passed them up over the years. I owned 2 C5's and 2 C6's instead of buying the ZR-1.

I am glad I did, because I would have always wondered if I should have bought a C5 or C6 instead. I finally bought my 90 ZR-1 this June, and love it. I also own a 92 vert and an 84 coupe. Is it worth twice as much as an lt1 car? To some it is and to some it isn't. To me it was worth more than a C5 or a C6, because I could have bought either for the same price as my ZR-1.

I also like the history of the car which includes beating Ferrari Testarossa, Porsche 911 turbo, Lamborghini Countach, and breaking the 24 hour speed record that had stood for over 50 years.

Being called "King of the Hill" has to be worth something lol.
Shawn

 

Quote you so that you could keep dragging this bull$hit out for the next couple of days,no thanks.

 

Answering the OP's question is Bullshit, is it? Whatever Jeff. I wonder if you're even reading what I wrote.

 

I love the ZR-1, and I will own one. When I have it, I'd probably keep it for life.

 

Actuly the question has no bearing on what you can buy a C4 ZR-1 for today. If its your dream car get it now before they start to going back up in price.

You will get an American icon the likes of which will never be made again. The one that brought Corvette back into the world class sports car age.

 

Aren't ZR-1 prices about twice that of base prices...even today?



You talking about the '63? '68? '84? '97? '05? ...or the '14? Every new 'Vette (except for the '53) brought the Corvette back into the world class sports car age.


Unrelated...but cool vid to rally the enthusiasm...

 

More interesting reading...


POPULAR MECHANICS




TRAILER BOATS

 

I’ve tried but got a headache from reading all your fact drivin comments so why answer a question from somebody that has ZERO experience with the car and you drove 3 of them, yippee. I will give you this much in regards to the BS leveled at the 84 early on. My first C4 was an 84 and had it for over 20 years and the only issue I ever had was from a bad TPS that was covered under warranty. That car cought a lot of grief once the TPI cars came out then the car got more refined over the years. But the one thing I find most ironic is in the past it was other C4 owners that would bad mouth the car now that basic 84 reputation is viewed across the entire C4 generation and the C4 owners can’t quite understand it. I can,I lived it and if I had the space I’d be looking for a really nice low mile 84.

 

This statement is incorrect. The 63 brought the Corvette into the world class sports car age - not "BACK" into the same realm. The 68 was generally considered a step backward. The 84 was considered a significant improvement, but without significant engine performance. The product planners actually used the 63 Corvette as the acceleration benchmark - with the 300HP engine. When the 97 came out, the view was very near ZR-1 performance without the cost. And all more modern Corvettes built upon the already growing reputation of improved ability of Corvettes to take on all comers. So, yes, the ZR-1 can be viewed as THE Corvette to bring the brand BACK to the world class sports car age - a high performance Corvette not seen since the last of the solid lifter big blocks in 1971. 1971 to 1990 is a very long time.

 

Say what? So...do I have zero experience or have I driven three of them?


Nice looking '84



There are literally articles for each of the cars that I listed where the car is is hailed as "finally world class" or something to that effect. I can link 'em, if you need me to....

 

I understand your logic at the same time if we use that logic then I`m not sure how many of us would have sports cars at all.

 

What other Corvette or any factory built car has ever set so many speed and endurance records, most if not all that were set by one of a kind specially built cars.

I will give the C4 L98 its credits also but the big records some 50 years old were broken by a stock powered C4 LT5 ZR-1. No other Corvette can make that claim.

That's part of the history you get when you pay for the ZR-1. In my opinion no other factory built sold to the pubic car will ever hold the title King of the Hill... until they best the C4 ZR-1.

 

When the base had the L98, it was worth it...when the LT1 came out the margin closed...but it was still a special car.

 

^Totally.

I totally agree. Not sure where I said anything counter to that...or how your point relates to what I was saying above, in response to your earlier comment about the ZR-1 making the 'vette "world class again". I was 1/2 joking, because I see that claim about nearly every 'Vette, both in the mags and on the forums. "The C5 brought the Corvette back to world class status again"....yeah, so did the C2, C3, C4, C6, and C7. It's all been put into print for each 'Vette. They ALL "finally made the 'Vette world class". That was my point, and the point of the "joke". The ZR-1 DID elevate the Corvette to "world class status"....just as most every 'vette has upon it's introduction.

As for "score keeping" on records...I don't know what other 'Vettes have more records; the L98 wins in the Showroom stock racing? No other car holds the particular record that the ZR-1 garnered, -you're right about that point, but other 'Vettes hold other records; almost all 'Vettes are pretty consistent winners/record holders for their time. The ZR-1 was probably more outstanding at it's introduction (relative to other cars of the period) than any other Corvette was or has been since.


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Over the history of Corvettes, maybe the Corvette did play catch up to cars from other countries when they surpassed the new performance standard... then a better Corvette was released, it was the new "world class" ... and then other countries would play catch up, releasing their better models, and then it was the Corvette's turn to play catch-up, continuing the cycle over the decades. So I can see how the Corvette could be brought "back to world class status," over and over. This cycle is still going on today, although with modern HP numbers I don't know how much longer it can continue before Big Brother steps in to save us from ourselves. Can't wait to see the 755HP 2019 ZR-1

 

It also wasn't really double the price. It came with every option checked (outside of roof choice). FX3, sport seats, bose CD player, etc. all adds up. If compared properly to a non Z the base car would be close to 40 grand while the Z is 60. So it's closer to a 50 percent mark up over the regular car if all options are the same minus the engine.

 

Tom, I have enjoyed reading your input on this topic. Sure seems like some of the C4 ZR1 owners are very sensitive to anyone who does not agree 100% with their perspective ( how dare you have driven a C4 ZR1 and then not purchased a ZR1 ). I swear at times reading some of the ZR1 owner responses is like going on the C5 forum and reading some of the C5 owners who act like the C4 was so inferior to the C5-sometimes it just comes down to personal taste period so how do you fault someone for their personal taste?


From my perspective the C4 ZR1 was a big step AT THE TIME for Corvette but I like convertibles so that puts the ZR1 out of my consideration.


In today's market when you are looking at spending $20K or more for a car like a C4 ZR1 you have a lot of choices in that price range. There are some very nice C5 Z06 etc. available so when you consider ability to modify and parts availability etc. I can understand why so many would choose a C5 Z06 for example over a C4 ZR1.