gavineberhart

I am new to these forums but looking to buy a c6 z06. I am wondering what I should look for when I go to look at one. I know about the heads issues but looking for other things that could be avoided by knowing what to look for on these cars. I am looking for 06-08 for about 32K. Please let me know.

449er

Look at the tires as you could easily spend 1-2k on a replacement set. Start the car & look at the harmonic balancer, is it wobbling? Look under the front end of the car & check the radiator support, these car or low to the ground & the support can easily get damaged. Have the heads been "fixed"? Verify with paperwork if they are, if not you can use this as a bargaining tool. Does the body/paint/interior look like the car has been taken care of? Good luck, these are great cars. The 2012-13 cars have better seats in them

Landru

Curious, why a C6 06?
What're you driving now, or FTM in recent past?

LS7 is the Z06, taking care of a LS7 requires regular routine maintenance.
Preventative sometimes in the case of heads.
Fluids kept fresh, pads/discs, tires crisp routine.

In/exterior is a big tell how it was taken care of or not, also.
If it looks clean it was loved, trust your eyes.

Miles.
Of course the less the better; however, from '06 to '13 many probably >50K in '20.
<30K will command top dollar, rightfully so.
No crisp low mile well loved (maint) Z06 owner will give it away so know going in, you'll get what you pay for.
If you've driven a C6 Z06 you know why, if you haven't you'll quickly learn.

Electronics are essentially as other C6, if there're issues fixes have likely been well documented.

Have driven my Z for 70K, first owner from showroom home.
Never 'beaten', all wearables addressed whenever required, C/H/T at 50K.
RWHP just under 500 vs 445 stock so it's a tad friskier costing 1 MPG highway so now at 27.
New MGW recently, honestly it's so perfect as-is don't have a need for more.

Very special is C6 Z06, hope you find one of your own. G/L

Spacewalker

I find the high-mileage well-kept cars to be more desirable. Interior exterior wear can be reconditioned. These cars need to be driven. They don't like to sit (electronics) and they don't like to be babied (LS7, particularly pre-2009 air-to-oil cooled ones). Roughly 75-80% of the cars out there are 2006-2008. They didn't make many after the financial crisis, release of ZR1 and grand sport, which all occurred just after 2008 MY.

The heads are an issue either way but if you buy a higher mileage one that was driven, by definition you are getting a more reliable car. You'll likely also save a few bucks in the buying process and you'll need that cash for maintenance.

gavineberhart

Thank you for the replies. I am looking at a c6 z06 as my college car. This will be my first fast car. I know its a bad financial decision but I got to have some fun. I love the look and power of a c6 z06.

ClothSeats

I hope you have a secure place to park. Other less fortunate college students may be inclined to key it.

gavineberhart

I am hopefully going to UC berkeley which is a very good school. I will have a car cover and park in front of cameras. I am not worried about it. The C6 isn't super flashy like the c7 so that is a plus.

grinder11

Happened to me years ago on a C5 I still own. We went to Frankenmuth Michigan for the "Barbarian" Festival. It was dark when we returned to car and drove home. Next morning; HAPPY FATHERS DAY to me! Some jerk had broken a long neck beer bottle by holding the neck firmly, and then damaged my car by stabbing the jagged ends of it into the soft front bumper. NEVER drive your Corvette to any public gathering where alcohol is served, unless its a Corvette show. Lots of jealousy in this screwed up world.......

EviLS7

I drove a V6 Camaro in high school and it got keyed. Just shitty people out there that karma will hit eventually.

449er

I agree with grinder11, my car does not leave my sight unless its in my garage

Iceaxe

In 1978 I drove a brand new Bandit Trans-Am to school and the only problem I ever encountered was getting the smell of wet ***** out of the passenger seat.

My daughter just graduated from college and drove a new Mustang GT her last two years and never had a minutes trouble.

Some of you must have went to some really crappy schools or live in some really crappy neighborhoods.

73DBG

1st paragraph....👊🏻🇺🇸🤘🏻 Carry on sir.

grinder11

Frankenmuth Michigan is one of the nicer cities of its size youll find anywhere. The problems happen for 2 reasons:
1-Probably most important, you get some bad eggs at most any event, especially when people come from all over the USA/world to attend, and.....
2-Alcohol mixed with jealous minds can do a LOT of criminal things..
No one is immune, I don't care where you live/work/play/go to school, stuff happens......

98DC231

Pay attention to the oil pressure when the car is hot and run away from a car exhibiting low numbers.

SPDKLZ1

Mine is on the lower end but has been extremely consistent since 3k miles. 23k miles currently. I'm at 28psi at 185*, 24psi at 200*, and 20-22psi at 215*. I'd be worried with anything considerably lower than that.

jamsvet

On my second 06 Z06. Bought the 13th one, drove her for 44k, road raced her for 6 years, sold her, missed her, found another one, bought her, love her. Paid 38.5 for a flawless 06 Z06 with 2,249 miles. They are out there.