rufcar

Looking to buy a c4 ZR1 Which year seems to be the best with the least problems. Been restoring cars a very long time so I understand different cars and different opinions. Just want to hear from you zr1 owners? Tkx Jim

billschroeder5842

I have a 91 but statistically the 95 C4 is your better option. Not for any reason other than the C4 platform was a few years newer so any bug could have been worked out.

Now, having said that, for as long as I've been around C4s and ZR1s, they are all pretty stout and nobody "in the club" seem to favor any year over another. It is a personal preference thing.

If you are serious about a ZR1, I'd put more emphasis on the the cars history of owners and maintenance records. For me, I'd take a ZR1 with 100k on the car with impeccable records than a 30k mile version where you have no idea what was done.

rufcar

that's pretty.much how I look at all the cars I buy with the exception of all originals I found in heated garages etc. I'm looking at red 92 with 58k miles at a chevy dealer for 30k and a 94 yellow 32k mi 39k leaning toward the 94 though a vette only dealer. Tkx I appreciate your opinion.

billschroeder5842

The 94 will be higher HP, have a 4 bolt main and a slightly better breathing exhaust.

Z51JEFF

If you have the cash I'd hold out for the perfect car,low miles,rare colors. For me I'd look for another 91 if I was going to replace mine. Considering the power differences are not a factor it all comes down to the design features each year has. All 6 years of production there are small visual differences between each year. I want the nicest car out there so I'd spend the money on a car with the lowest mileage I could find,example there is a black,white interior floating around with 4000 miles.

prez1967

Buy an enthusiast owned car and it’ll pay off in the end. I bought a ZR1 Registry founding member’s car. It had some mods but was owned with love.

That being said, these are all now getting older and will have the same maintenance items due if they havent been done.

suspension bushings
shocks
potential de lamination of leaf springs
Dry rubber (weather seals, vacuum lines, etc)

you get the idea.

i was lucky and found a 94 in the color I wanted so the interior is updated but would have passed on it if the owner didnt show me that he was honest about its condition

billschroeder5842

Lets all not forget about the fuel injectors.....

Crabs

The very best ZR-1 there is, is the one you are driving at this very moment.

'Crabs

rufcar

all good advice. I have a garage full of other cars and 2 other corvettes a 66 427 all original with every option and 08 will cooksey zo6 for all the speed I need but after just selling my 73 pantera and my 61 rs 4 speed avanti Im looking for something different to add and these look like nice future collectables. I drive all of them and never trailer, After 2 days of lots of advice from many forums IM leaning toward the anniversary zr1 as the potential investment driver and I hate black and white cars! Or the later cars for the higher HP and rareity. There a nice 95 yellow one in NJ with 38K mi for around 39K that also caught my eye! I see a n ice 38K mi anniversary for around the same money too but both are dealers and I have never bought a classic car from a dealer. Tkx

billschroeder5842

@rufcar
Have you been over to the ZR1NetRegistry.com yet? A lot of us CF ZR1 guys "jump back and forth" between forums as the NetRegistry is ZR1 specific and has a bunch of resources. You might also find a car or at least people who may know of the history of what you are looking at.

rufcar

i tried to join there forum but no matter what engine answer I use it rejects it! I tired mercury marine, 5.7 ,32 valve and many more. After 10 tries I gave up?

billschroeder5842

Try "LT5"

Rkreigh

I've owned a 90, a 93, and 2 95s

for my $ the 93-95 cars are more rare, have the better engines, and have some minor quality enhancements. A bit faster up top, and of course the later cars had DUNNS heads which are interesting.

I feel the later cars have lots of things learned over the years and technically they all had 93 engines as that's when they were all made. I like the smoother ZF box, not as durable, but seems to hold 600+ hp ok.

the 93-95 engines had some improvements that give it the bump in hp, and better castings and fit of the intake, ect...

as most would say, performance improvements are minor, they bumped the rating to 405, but the later cars are a bit heavier too.

ALL the ZR-1 go like hell. Look for the over quality, the later cars typically go for more $ like the 93 anniversary which is a beauty.

WydGlydJim

I personally like the '90 body style the best, and several of the '90 quirks......I like valet key set up better.......I like the wrap around dash that the later cars it was changed a bit, and I like the black rub strips and old style front end on the '90........that said, I think a rare '95 with dunn heads would probably be the best buy, and a bit better car. I'm going to mod my '90 so I really don't care too much for the minor improvements, as mine will be majorly improved.

G8nightman

I prefer the earlier years

rush0142

93-95 cars got a bump in HP but performance across all years is the same.... The LT5, if maintained like any other engine, is solidly bulllet-proof. Never had one engine issue on my 91Z in seven years of ownership. I prefer the early year ZR-1s, but wouldn't kick any year Z out of bed for eating crackers. They are truly special cars

Topduarte

Made me almost spit out my beer with the "but wouldn't kick any year Z out of bed for eating crackers" comment.

Sleazy Rider

I always heard it referring to the female persuasion.

Even said it my self when confronted by said person.

rufcar

after much research I settled for the on for sale here this site, a 1990 with 39k mi. It has the Pizza box, the gear box was ZFdoc blueprinted and short shifted (5k) headers, 3" exhaust ,new fuel pumps, hibeck chip currently appox 420+ hp, new tires, new battery, most new sensors, oil lines replaced,fx3 works great,2 new front shocks ,new serpentine belt, all suspension bushings replaced All numbers matching. Negatives, new compress needs to be pulled and the correct baffle installed, front and rear bumpers are faded, only 1 top a blue glass top. and the later 94 5 spoke chrome wheels.
Thanks for all your feedback.

VikingTrad3r

the year you own.