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[Z06] Z06 buying advice

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Old 07-27-2014, 07:29 PM
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jdk541
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Default Z06 buying advice

Soon to be in the market for a Z06. I was wondering if anyone could offer up some advice about thing to look for. I am curious to know more about the valve guide issues and if it was isolated to certain years? My budget is around $60k.

Any info you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Old 07-27-2014, 08:00 PM
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propain
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Originally Posted by jdk541
Soon to be in the market for a Z06. I was wondering if anyone could offer up some advice about thing to look for. I am curious to know more about the valve guide issues and if it was isolated to certain years? My budget is around $60k.

Any info you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
  • 2009+ for bluetooth
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Once you get it, if the miles are over 10K get it inspected for guide wear and address if needed. In my opinion if its an LS7 no model year is safe.

Last edited by propain; 07-27-2014 at 08:03 PM.
Old 07-27-2014, 09:39 PM
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60k would almost buy you a new one if you can find one on a dealer lot. Do you want to keep it stock or plan on modifying or racing it? If you plan on modding it, then any year is good. If you plan on keeping it stock, get something with some GM warranty left and do a GMPP and drive it. When GMPP is up. Or if you are affraid of the motor letting go and don't want to deal with the hassle, then just spend the $3k and do the heads. $45-48k will get you a very nice 08-09. Plan on ~$5k for tires, brakes, heads, etc and you would have a decent driver.

Other option would be to try to come up with ~$5k more and pick up an 09 zr1. If I had 60k laying around and wanted a vette that is what I would do.

Last edited by Unreal; 07-27-2014 at 09:42 PM.
Old 07-27-2014, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
60k would almost buy you a new one if you can find one on a dealer lot. Do you want to keep it stock or plan on modifying or racing it? If you plan on modding it, then any year is good. If you plan on keeping it stock, get something with some GM warranty left and do a GMPP and drive it. When GMPP is up. Or if you are affraid of the motor letting go and don't want to deal with the hassle, then just spend the $3k and do the heads. $45-48k will get you a very nice 08-09. Plan on ~$5k for tires, brakes, heads, etc and you would have a decent driver.

Other option would be to try to come up with ~$5k more and pick up an 09 zr1. If I had 60k laying around and wanted a vette that is what I would do.
My plan is to just leave it alone. 505HP is plenty for me. Any more than that and I will surely kill myself.

Ultimately I am looking for a 2009 or newer Jetstream Blue Z06 with 20,000 miles or less on the clock. Planning on selling my 06 coupe, I think I could get $25K to $27 K for it and then financing the rest.
Old 07-27-2014, 10:20 PM
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Best bet would be an 09. Nothing wrong with 08 though if you find one. If you plan on keeping it like that then go for a warranty. Have you driven one already? I think the base coupes make nicer daily drivers if it is just a daily car, or a grandsport. Just something to think about before jumping into one.

Heck, $60k buys a c7. I would drive a c7 too before going for a z06.
Old 07-27-2014, 10:24 PM
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ZR1 all the way hands down. 65k will get you one.
Old 07-28-2014, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by jdk541
My plan is to just leave it alone. 505HP is plenty for me. Any more than that and I will surely kill myself.

Ultimately I am looking for a 2009 or newer Jetstream Blue Z06 with 20,000 miles or less on the clock. Planning on selling my 06 coupe, I think I could get $25K to $27 K for it and then financing the rest.
Yeah you say 505 is enough for now.... LOL.....

If not in warranty, just budget $3K for the exhaust valve guide fix. Otherwise these cars are bulletproof.
Old 07-28-2014, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
Best bet would be an 09. Nothing wrong with 08 though if you find one. If you plan on keeping it like that then go for a warranty. Have you driven one already? I think the base coupes make nicer daily drivers if it is just a daily car, or a grandsport. Just something to think about before jumping into one.

Heck, $60k buys a c7. I would drive a c7 too before going for a z06.
Yeah, the C7's are great. They look real nice as I blow by them on the tracks......
Old 07-28-2014, 12:33 AM
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Keep saving, wait for the C7 Z06 ! That's my advice.

If you want to buy a clean 2008 Z06 with 3 years of GMPP, 13K miles on odo, a new LS7 engine with less than 100 miles on it that comes with 3 year / 100,000 mile warranty, and full XPEL custom wrap, wait a day or so and my advertisement will go up or PM me.
Old 07-28-2014, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Coach62
Yeah, the C7's are great. They look real nice as I blow by them on the tracks......
As a track car I agree the c6z outperforms the c7, but as a daily driver, cruiser I think the c7 is a far superior car. Not everyone buys a vette for track performance.
Old 07-28-2014, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
As a track car I agree the c6z outperforms the c7, but as a daily driver, cruiser I think the c7 is a far superior car. Not everyone buys a vette for track performance.
Fair enough, but the Z is underrated for long distance travel. We own 5 cars in the family, the most comfortable one for distance travel is my Z.
Old 07-28-2014, 05:41 PM
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I would add tho - that the OP asked about buying a Z. Most anyone buying a Z is looking for top line performance, otherwise they'd be looking at a base model or GS.
Old 07-28-2014, 05:49 PM
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Or a zr1, or be interested in modding it. Only he knows.

z06 is my most uncomfortable car, but every houses varies. I have done 2000 mile road trips in it but rather take any of my other cars. I drove a c7 for a week and for a daily driver, especially in Arizona things like cooled seats are awesome.
Old 07-28-2014, 05:54 PM
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My AC works great - but then again I love in SW Florida, it never gets too hot down here. Even my wife commented on how great my AC works when we took the car to church the other day.
Old 07-28-2014, 06:07 PM
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For that price im sure you can find a ZR1 out there.
Old 07-28-2014, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
Or a zr1, or be interested in modding it. Only he knows.

z06 is my most uncomfortable car, but every houses varies. I have done 2000 mile road trips in it but rather take any of my other cars. I drove a c7 for a week and for a daily driver, especially in Arizona things like cooled seats are awesome.
I just thought, what tires do you have? they can make all the difference in comfort. Lose the runflat tires, trust me on this.
Old 07-28-2014, 06:35 PM
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Had stock goodyears, general UHP, Nt05, 17" et streets, 18 ET streets, etc. It isn't tires, just my other cars are more comfortable.

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Old 07-28-2014, 07:05 PM
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Having gone from the stock GY tires to Michelin non run flats, the tires make far more of a difference than you realize. It is HUGE.

On my C5Z I went from the GY RF tires to Continental Extreme Contact non runflat. Also made an unbelievable difference.
Old 07-28-2014, 07:11 PM
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Yep, the stock run flats suck. Noisey, harsh, and no traction.
Old 07-28-2014, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Unreal
Or a zr1, or be interested in modding it. Only he knows.

z06 is my most uncomfortable car, but every houses varies. I have done 2000 mile road trips in it but rather take any of my other cars. I drove a c7 for a week and for a daily driver, especially in Arizona things like cooled seats are awesome.
I'm looking to upgrade from my base coupe. I really like it, but I need a bit more. I considered a C7 but I have to park it outside at work and I am not going to do that to a brand new car. With the C6Z, I can get the performance I am looking for, save a few bucks and not stress out as much when it is parked at work. I will be getting a car cover for it though. Just waiting for a couple dominos to fall in place over the next few weeks and I will be out there shopping.


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