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Hi, all. New to the Corvette world but have been involved in the restoration game for quite some time with various A-Body muscle cars.
My intent is to acquire a C4 ZR-1 in the next few months before warmer weather hits. I've been eyeing a few local ZR-1's and was carefully paying attention to the C4 ZR-1's that crossed through Mecum over the past two weeks. I plan to register for the ZR-1 forum as well as connect with Mark aka ZR-1 Authority.
Most ZR-1's I've seen on the market are relatively low mileage. I'm looking for more of a driver. Any concerns with mileage in excess of 50k? Everything I've read has indicated that as long as maintenance was performed, the LT-5 will go for well beyond 150k miles. What's the general consensus from the community? What should I look to spend for a "higher mileage" '91 or '92 ZR-1?
Glad to have you join. You might get more information from the zr1netregistry.com If you haven't been to there website.
Here's my 95 ZR-1 a little over 60,000 trouble free miles.
Glad to have you join. You might get more information from the zr1netregistry.com If you haven't been to there website.
Here's my 95 ZR-1 a little over 60,000 trouble free miles.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
My 94 is for sale, very well modified and is a great driver. As for mileage, I wouldn’t hesitate to do a higher mileage car that’s been well maintained, and honestly would probably take it over a low mileage car that has sat for a long period.
I wouldn't worry too much about the higher mileage cars. Since you are in Chicagoland, you have Marc in your backyard for anything that you can't fix yourself. ZR-1's share many of the same parts as regular C4's minus the special parts (LT5, body panels, etc.) which are relatively inexpensive when you need them. I loved working on mine and then handing it off to Marc to finish things for me.
Since you want a driver, I would look for a car that has been tastefully modified. I'm so happy to find my car had the top end done. I'd love to drive (maybe own) one of the 650hp cars. I'm at about 470hp which is great fun but these cars can really make some power.
Here’s mine w 165k. However, as others have said, I bought it w 112k on the chassis but practically everything has about 55-60k on it. Motor, suspension, brakes, trans, rear end etc.
~ 540chp. Modified for being a great road car. So these cars can last for quite some time and really be a ton of fun to drive while surprising the heck out of some of today’s performance vehicles.
😉😆
I just bought a 92 ZR-1 2 weeks ago, and was looking for the same thing. Ended up finding a white 102k mi car that has all maintenance records and the same owner for the last 30 years.
I went to see the car and loved it, you'd never know it had the miles it's had. He took it all over the country.
The car i got was almost 100% stock, i have maintenance records, and notes on the car. Spare parts (he did 95 side vents, A-molds, etc). He's done the normal stuff (injectors, starter, fuel pump, etc) and the car was just perfect for me.
I plan to modify it (slightly) and make it my own, and just drive it as much as possible. I've already signed up for a track event next month.
I wouldn't, and didn't, hesitate for a higher mileage car. My search was 60k+ mi cars. That's not to knock the low mileage ones, just wansn't what i wanted.
I'd say for a higher mileage ZR-1, i think the market is high teens to low 20s depending on the car/condition/etc.
The ‘91 ZR-1 I looked at was just a okay car. The owner was very helpful in answering questions. Coming from the muscle car restoration world, I am overly critical.
The car had 70k miles. The steering column was loose, there was a tear in the LH seat bolster, both corners of the front glass had delaminating issues, spider webbing on the front, rust inside the engine compartment, spotty glass top, trashed carpeting, leaky rear hatch struts, no history of maintenance in terms of fluids being flushed, etc.
On one hand, it’s a 33 year old car. On the other, some of those wear and tear items are less than ideal when there are so many low mileage options out there.
I offered $18k cash because that feels reasonable. It’s good to see others on the forum agree with the high teens as a potential price point. When you factor in the “higher mileage” (note the quotes), accompanied by the issues above, even $18k may be too much. Thoughts?
I just bought a 92 ZR-1 2 weeks ago, and was looking for the same thing. Ended up finding a white 102k mi car that has all maintenance records and the same owner for the last 30 years.
I went to see the car and loved it, you'd never know it had the miles it's had. He took it all over the country.
The car i got was almost 100% stock, i have maintenance records, and notes on the car. Spare parts (he did 95 side vents, A-molds, etc). He's done the normal stuff (injectors, starter, fuel pump, etc) and the car was just perfect for me.
I plan to modify it (slightly) and make it my own, and just drive it as much as possible. I've already signed up for a track event next month.
I wouldn't, and didn't, hesitate for a higher mileage car. My search was 60k+ mi cars. That's not to knock the low mileage ones, just wansn't what i wanted.
I'd say for a higher mileage ZR-1, i think the market is high teens to low 20s depending on the car/condition/etc.
Very helpful! Did the car you picked up have any of the wear and tear like I called out above?
Very helpful! Did the car you picked up have any of the wear and tear like I called out above?
I was gonna say, not at all. Seats look great. Windshield had been replaced but I’m not too picky on that. Both tops in great shape as is carpet,floor mats and dash.
Mechanically it’s in great shape. No rust that I’ve been able to see. I paid 20k for mine since it has OEM 92 zr-1 and OEM a molds as well with newer tires.
I was gonna say, not at all. Seats look great. Windshield had been replaced but I’m not too picky on that. Both tops in great shape as is carpet,floor mats and dash.
Mechanically it’s in great shape. No rust that I’ve been able to see. I paid 20k for mine since it has OEM 92 zr-1 and OEM a molds as well with newer tires.
Wow, sweet ZR-1! You stole that thing. It is much cleaner than the one I looked at!
Wow, sweet ZR-1! You stole that thing. It is much cleaner than the one I looked at!
Previous owner was even on the registry but not super active. Found it on a nationwide Craigslist search randomly and kept it as quiet as I could so no one else snagged it. Most that see it can’t believe the mileage. I got lucky I think.
Time will tell! Now to figure out what to do first (other than the usual fluid change and once over). Sell wheels and buy newer ones. Sell a set and keep the other set? But which. Etc etc.
I'm looking for more of a driver. Any concerns with mileage in excess of 50k? Everything I've read has indicated that as long as maintenance was performed, the LT-5 will go for well beyond 150k miles. What's the general consensus from the community?
A higher mileage ZR-1 won't be a problem at all. Most, like mine with 85K, have been well cared for and well maintained. I really feel that a car that has been driven is better than one that hasn't been.
A higher mileage ZR-1 won't be a problem at all. Most, like mine with 85K, have been well cared for and well maintained. I really feel that a car that has been driven is better than one that hasn't been.
I tend to agree with that. The search continues! The one I looked at felt a little neglected.
since you are "in the neighborhood" seek out Marc and Pete of the FBI boys. ZR-1 mods are expensive, and there have been very nice deals on rebuilt 500 hp and up ZR-1s
the mods go cheap and the LT5 is an anvil that loves to be driven hard. 7k is glorious, and the smiles you will get from a modded car make it a ZR-1, only more so.
I paid a bit for mine, but it's up over 500 at the tire and doesn't disappoint.
Many solid deals, the ZR-1 Net Registry can help you find what you are looking for, and have trusted members around to check out cars. Don't be afraid to travel to get the right car.
plenty of them made, I prefer the 93-95 cars as most of the c4 improvements (minor) were made.
01-14-2024, 07:29 PM
New - C4 ZR-1 Hunt - Chicagoland
