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Hi folks (yes, from the South). I’ve been lurking for a while, soaking in all of the Z06 love in this forum but now I'm at the point where I have an opportunity to own one.
I'm looking at a one owner 2016 Z06 owned by a local estate of someone who passed away last year (RIP). This family has a pretty large estate to dispose of, plenty of vehicles including the Z06. While I'm interested in the car, like everyone else, the deal has to be right and in this case, better than right. I'll explain.
Details:
~9200 miles
3LZ package (no Z07 or similar aero)
A8
Shark Gray paint, Dark gray leather w/Competition Seats
Black wheels, color matched roof, no other special options I can tell
2 years old, 1 yr B2B warranty left
Stored in a garage
That's about where the good ends. Here's the bad from my perspective. .
It's nasty… and not in the good, Janet Jackson way. From what I can tell the car hasn’t been driven in a year and from the looks it hasn't been washed in 2 years. I'm extremely OSD about my cars but this one makes me cry. It would take me 40+ hours of paint correction and detailing to get it back to new condition.
The owner was a smoker and I’m not. You can smell it inside but I see no evidence. I’m sure I can get it out since he only drove it a year and the smell shouldn't be too embedded.
It's been sitting for a year and I noticed mold spots on the seats and the battery was nearly dead when I started it.
Front tires (Michelin PSS) are REAL thin on the inside and I'm sure cords will be showing soon. Rears aren’t bad and see no evidence of burn outs. Considering he rarely cleaned the car, I'm sure rubber chunks would be there if he did.
The family (kids) or auction house has no history on the car. No paperwork, other than title and owners' manuals. No maintenance history and none on Carfax either. Upon starting the car the “service oil” message was on the display.
No test drives or possibility to take it to a mechanic. Other than a slow start with a weak battery it fired to life (Jesus the exhaust sounds awesome!). It still has warranty so I'm not too concerned.
No damage underneath I can tell, even on the two “front end brackets” that always get scrapped on Vets. But… there is a significant dent on one of the front bumper “teeth”. Not sure what to call it but the 2 things that stick out on the front bumper. It's noticeable and I'm sure would require a new front bumper cover. About $600 and I’m sure the same cost for paint.
So, my question to all of you, WWCFD? (What would Corvette Fans Do?) Or specifically, what would you pay for the car with what you know from above? Based on my research, no vehicle history, needs a lot of TCL and some minor repairs, I’m thinking around $58-60k. Do you think this is reasonable? Too low?
Last edited by 405 Bald Eagles; 09-25-2018 at 12:33 AM.
Reason: cut and paste bugs....
You would want the vin to get a viss and verify warranty on car and delivery date. Clear title or lien? IDK it would have to be a super deal and its got to start. I wouldn't go over 50k from your description. Mold is a worry.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think TXshaggy and Kevova nailed it. Here are more details and a few pictures.
1. Title is clear, no liens. VIN tag on door shows 12/15 build date.
2. Carfax shows car was purchased on 9/30/16 at a local dealer with 6 miles new, so it still has 1yr left on B2B. The car started, but it was slow to crank. Apparently the battery is weak from sitting for a while.
3. It had 7800 miles at last inspection on 10/5/17 and now has slightly less than 9000 miles (I was off on the 9200 miles).
4. It appears either he drove 1200 miles in the 13 days between the inspection and the time he passed away or family members have been having fun with it over the past year. Considering there was a detailing bag in the trunk, I'd guess the family members have been taking joy rides and have never bothered to clean it after dad passed away.
5. Thinking more about the “mold” on the seats, if someone was smoking in it, it may be ashes stuck to the seat. Below is a picture but not the best quality. I’ll try to get back tomorrow to look at it again. Most folks may not have noticed since it was only on this small area of the driver’s seat. This guy had 2 garages, a 3 bay and a 5 bay so I'm sure it was kept inside, just not kept clean.
6. As for me buying a '19, I don’t think that’s in the cards right now. My budget is $50-60k but of course a good deal is a good deal. I don’t want to burn through all my savings since a detached 3 car garage is in my future. The two-car attached just isn’t cutting it any longer.
7. My OCD'ness is a blessing and a curse. While it pains me to see any car like this, I would sadistically take pleasure in spending many hours of one-on-one time bringing this one back to its glory. The existing condition will be a bargaining chip.
8. I was originally thinking a maximum of $60k before I looked at it. Now that I have and done some investigative work, I'm with Kevova and thinking low 50's considering the investment in time, repairs and maintenance. I would also purchase an extended warranty from Dennis.
I'll take one more look at it tomorrow before bidding and we’ll see how it goes!
Front bumper damage. How does this happen with front cameras?
Mold (?) on the seat?
Inner front tire wear?
Filthy!
Yes, they're supposed to be black.
Last edited by 405 Bald Eagles; 09-25-2018 at 12:37 AM.
Reason: cut and paste bugs....
Dude I wouldn't pay your top end budget for that car. I just bought a Shark Gray 2016 2LZ for 52K. Mileage was higher, but I didn't have to do anything to it to fix it. I'm thinking 45K top for it in that condition. You can get excellent Z's for $60K.
vin # and which option package? For me smoker is big issue. Lazy family needs to take it on the chin.
detailing the paint, new battery , tires and fixing the front bumper not a big deal. All that you are looking at 4K if you don’t do the labor. — smoker’s car is an issue. That stank can last for years even after fumigation . Low 50’s . Rip to the owner.
vin # and which option package? For me smoker is big issue. Lazy family needs to take it on the chin.
"U" in the 5th digit in the VIN so it's a 3LZ A8. I've seen the car and confirmed. I agree, the smoking part is a big deal and will diminish it's value to a large audience. Luckily I see no burn damage anywhere and in years of detailing cars there are ways to get rid of the smell.
Last edited by 405 Bald Eagles; 09-23-2018 at 02:52 PM.
Reason: Typo
Sounds to me like the car is too questionable to even consider, unless you get it at a steal. By steal, I mean mid to low 50's. It probably just needs cleaned up,
but with that little dent in the front and knowing it sat for so long, i'd look elsewhere.
Everything you mentioned is cosmetic except for the tires. Normal wear item. You guys are tough on here. You would think the car was involved in a catastrophic world ending event the way you tell him to stay away. Bid to price your comfortable with then clean it up and enjoy it. Not that difficult. Its just a car
Mike
Last edited by michaeleverson; 09-24-2018 at 05:24 AM.
09-22-2018, 08:49 PM
Calling the experts: What would you pay?
