barry1me

Guys I have been waiting for this opportunity since I was 15 when my dad had an original big block convertible. Ever since then I have been counting the days since I could buy a vette. Anyhow I have had my heart set on a 06 Z06 since the day they came out. Im looking to get 06 or 07 Z06. What are some things to look out for when shopping for one? I have been doing some reading on here, and it looks like a few are having engines going down!? Is this something I should be worried about? My price range is the $35kish range, so I may be looking at a Z in the 20k+ mileage range, unless I come across a steal. Im not really looking to mod it, just want something to have fun in with the wife. Anyhow thanks for help, and look forward to show some pics soon.

Marc Lefebvre

Thirty five grand should get you an 06Z with close to the miles you mentioned or an 07 with higher miles. I would reccomend buying one that has remained stock since it seems like the modded Z's are the ones proned to having engine issues. Just be sure the roof recall has been done and everything looks and sounds right. I have an 06Z and I love it and have not had any issues with it in almost 4 years with the exception of a small tear in the drivers side seat bolster and a gas cap that had to be replaced. Enjoy the beast that they are. Marc L. P.s. the 07"s have had issues with faulty needle bearings on the rocker arms.

tim414

With the 2006 they had a roof recall. The roofs would de-laminate. Check any '06 you consider for that recall.

The 2006 did not have issues really.

The 2007's built Jan 07-June 07 (I think-research the dates) had a needle bearing issue on a FEW 'Z's.

These cars are same as any other....get the newest/lowest mileage you can afford. If you find a 'Z that's been daily driven with 20-30k on clock, those should be a good buy.

The engine issue you read about seems to be luck of the draw. For insurance, you could pick one up and have valve guide etc freshened up. Personally, if I was not buying a "new" one, I would get the upgrade for the engine if you do not get any warranty.

I know what ya mean about those 60's BB Vettes. Same here. The number '427' burned into my mind and NEVER left. That's why I have not parted with my Z06 for a ZR1 (I 'will' own ZR in another 18 months...and have both 'Z's...unless the C7 has the 427 or a 'Z06 that greatly outperforms the present C6Z/ZR).

Good luck w/search and remember their built to be driven.....(they LOVE to rev)

camirocz

35 k will not get you a nice car you need to up your budget a little bit.

Random84

For a 20,000 mile `06 in good condition, I think the floor is a lot closer to $37-38K, and I hope you're not selective on colors. The market has inexplicably creeped up slightly over the last 2 months, likely because many of the deals have already been scooped up by ready-to-go buyers and what's left are people unwilling to sell or waiting for spring for hopefully a few more dollars.

FWIW the lowest price on a 2006 I've seen (20K miles or less), was around $38K. There are much higher mile cars, out there but I didn't keep tabs on them. I saw a 2006 DSOM with 6,600 miles sell for $40K right when I started looking - but it went so fast I have no idea on any title issues or other flaws.

The one piece of advice I see here that is worth listening to: be patient. There are plenty of Z's popping up every few weeks for sale, so if the current selection leaves something to be desired, just wait longer.

Random84

Autotrader search: there are SOME in your price range - but the mileage is obviously an issue. The one upside to a "high mile" Z06? You know the rocker arms are probably good, but odds are you'll be replacing valve guides sooner rather than later.


2006 Yellow Z, 14,000 miles asking $38,900! You might get this guy down a few thousand...
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2007 2LZ Yellow (with 85,000 miles): $32,800 from a dealer
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

2006 Yellow 2LZ (54,000 miles): $36,500 from a dealer
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

There is a 2006 black 2LZ (with 70,000 miles): $35,800 from a dealer

There are several red and black Z06's listed with 40-48,K miles, all in the $37-40K range

This car is highly modded - but has been listed for a minimum of 2+ months. 40K miles but easily negotiable into your price range - depending on the mods it might be a deal?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

ospreycorvette

If it was me, I would have the valve guides checked for wear, might save you $10k.

FrankTank

I think you need a couple thousand more to your budget.. decent 06's are still going in the upper 30's, 38 or 39k.

Read through the sticky threads at the top of this page , some 07's have the needle bearing issue if the car was built during a certain time-frame, but it did not effect all 07's. I have an 07 and no issues at all.

Don't buy into all the blown engine hype here, a majority are tracked and modded, there are a few stock blown ones, but not enough to be concerned about considering over 30k LS7's have been produced.

People also have a nice little habit around here of resurrecting the same blown engine threads every week (sometimes daily) to make the problem seem worse than it is.

ospreycorvette

Don't forget , guys are checking their guide wear and finding them worn, no blown engines, they're found before they blow. Go to ZR1 and base and see how many worn guides you find, none as far as I have seen.
Why ignore it, seems to me the best way is an ounce of prevention is surely worth it, it is your money.
Or just ignore it like some say.

FrankTank

I assume you meant ZR1 not ZL1... anyway, I agree with your statement, and thought I had put that in my post but apparently I deleted it..if the OP is concerned when he buys the car, pull hte heads first thing and send them to check the guides

barry1me

Im starting to reconsider if I want to jump into a $38k Z06, and have to worry about the valve guide thing. I may start looking at a Z51 instead.

Ruf-Racer

U Had PM

davestractor

Dont be afraid of higher miles if you know who has driven it and how it has been used. I bought a 2006 DSOM Z06 last year with 50K miles on it from a Corvette nut that has had nearly 20 Vettes. He drove it daily. I've used it for a year now and haven't had any issues that I could not solve by searching this forum. For instance, sometimes the drivers window does not index properly. Fixed that by resetting it. And if I have the telescoping wheel all the way out I get the service active handling notice occasionally. So after reading this forum I know I need to reposition and refasten a connecter under the dash at the bottom of the column. Those have been the only issue except the rear tires smoke excessively.

Respect the power, and drive it often. They are amazing cars. I think $35K will buy you a nice car, but it probably won't be real low mileage.

MudZ06

I agree, higher mileage didn't bother me. I wanted a car that had been driven at least semi-regularly.

barry1me

PM replied

barry1me

I have been reading some of the LS7s have a guide wear issue.....is there any way to tell when looking at Z if it has this issue?

Fly'n Family

Try to find a one owner car, and if you're buying privately - look at it at their place. Take a look at the owner, their other vehicles, house and yard as often how someone takes care of those things will reflect in how they took care of the Z. Personally, I think a pre-buy inspection by a knowledgeable Corvette shop is a good investment as well.

Good hunting.

sublime1996525

I think a mid to higher mileage car would be good anyway that way you know it hasn't sat collecting dust. Most cars that actually get driven seem to last a while.

Ruf-Racer

I had offered my 07 Z06 to a prospective Z06 buyer but had a change of heart!

I gave the car to my former open road race navigator in Las Vegas!

I'm sure the Vegas Vette group all know Mike Metcalfe from his Ruf days at the Silver State Classic.

Cheers,,
Roland AKa Ruf Racer

http://www.lvrpca.com/2007-07-14/0057.jpg

JoesC5

Some of the 2007's were recalled for the roofs also. Anyone considering either a 2006 or 2007 should check and see if recall 09V491000 issued in 2010 has been performed on the car. That is the final recall in which the complete roof is replaced by GM.