Possible ZR-1 Purchase

[DavidMKelly]

Hello All

I'm a long time ZR-1 lover contemplating my first purchase. I'm originally from England where such toys are hideously expensive (I was once quoted $7000 for insuring a base model C4!) but having moved to Canada there finally is the possibility of achieving my dream.

I'm not a millionaire, nor likely to be one any time soon, and when I saw the Black/Grey ZR-1 listed by Ken Bellock it looked like a good buy. The things he lists the car as needing dont sound especially onerous.

I'd appreciate any feedback on what people think of this as a purchase. Is anyone in that area? Do they know the car at all?

Thanks very much in advance

Dave

[Kevin]

i think we could use a bit more information on the car before we can really help you

[DavidMKelly]

Sorry. It's listed in the for sale section at Zr1.net

1990 Black/Grey 64,200 $15,500

DESCRIPTION/OPTIONS= This car has been on the cover of "King of the Hill" magazine! Ported intake, hurst short shifter, chip, corsa exhaust, brand new clutch/flywheel/transmission. A true Beast at just under 400hp to the rear wheels!! Includes dyno sheets, 91 service manuals, original owners manual and VHS tape, car cover, and glass top! It has never been smoked in, and only shows wear on the drivers side, left side cushion. Why is it so cheap? The car does not come with a stereo, it needs a new engine oil temperature sensor, and will need new rubber soon, besides that, it's in perfect shape!

[Aurora40]

Seems like a lot of car for the money to me, assuming it's in good shape. It might be nicer to have 1990 service manuals, but not a big deal... :)

[bobbyhi]

The price does sound pretty good. I guess that I would have to really have it inspected and drive before purchasing. Could be other "things" wrong that may not be listed. Make sure the tranny is in good working order. No grinding between gears for example. Good luck....

[DavidMKelly]

Who would be the best people to go to for an inspection? Anyone got any idea of how much it would cost to get it inspected?

Dave

[Kevin]

have an owner of a ZR-1 go and look at it.

[bobbyhi]

Dave,

If you posted where you live I'm sure someone in that area would be more than willing to help out.

[DavidMKelly]

I'm in Sudbury, Ontario. (Canada) the car is located in Texas. Not sure precisely where just yet. Is anyone out that way?

[Kevin]

I'm in Sudbury, Ontario. (Canada) the car is located in Texas. Not sure precisely where just yet. Is anyone out that way?
If my g/f didn't hate her home state so much I'd say there is a pretty decent shot that I'd be there in the next month or so. But she does so I won't be. If I do end up there by some fluke I'll let you know.

I just found out that the car is in the houston area and if I do end up there over the holidays I'll be happy to look at the car

[cuisinartvette]

15k sounds pretty fair for the car. Always like the grey interiors too. The fact that it already has some mods ocunts for something too. Best of luck:cheers:

[ZR-1 Mack]

The price does sound pretty good. I guess that I would have to really have it inspected and drive before purchasing. Could be other "things" wrong that may not be listed. Make sure the tranny is in good working order. No grinding between gears for example. Good luck....
The price is below market... I gotta wonder why

[cwmoss]

I was wondering the same thing too. When I bought mine (94), I did a lot of research, and decided to go with the 405 cars (93-95). See if you can find out if it has the original engine. They had some problems with the early cars, not major, but they did replace some engines.:thumbsup:

[DavidMKelly]

Thanks for all the comments and tips from everyone. I'll ask about the engine. Is a VIN check worth paying for? Might sound a stupid question but I've no experience of them.

Thanks again

[DavidMKelly]

I take your point ZR-1 Mack - I'm well aware that when something looks too good to be true it usually is!

[ZR-1 Mack]

David,

I wasn't trying to persuade you one way or the other.

If you were close by and could see the car in person it would be alot easier. Like any used car deal... its buyer beware.

If someone on the forum could run a car fax for you, you might find out if it was ever in an accident that went thru insurance.

Before making any trips or having anyone look at the car for you, probably wouldn't hurt to make a list of questions and call the seller . If you're a serious buyer he'll cooperate.

[tomtom72]

Hi Dave & welcome to the madness!:handshak:

High Anxiety = large dollar purchase from great distances blind! I went thru that with mine & it wasn't fun & I dealt with a straight up person...but how do you know for sure? No answer I can give ya. There might be a Z owner in TX who knows the car, there are a lot of owners in TX, so ask here & at CF/ZR-1 section.

The price could reflect the $ needed to R & R stero plus some "incentive" to overlook the fact that it's not there. JMHO. The rest of the changes are great but if the OE parts were tossed then there is another reason for the reduced price, again JMHO. Most save the OE stuff for the next owner if possible, it sounds better to a larger group of possible buyers. The P & P is a steal!

Talk with the guy & get the scoop on what was done for regular issues for a car with that milage, like water pump, alt., starter, etc. The carfax will tell you if milage is spot on but the collision aspect is only good if it was reported to DMV &/or Ins. Co. but that does help...it's just not the last word. Some states, will for a fee, give you their DMV history on a car registered in that state...I did it with mine from VA. All it told me was what the owner said was true & it listed milage at the state inspection intervals.

Good luck, I wish I had more insight to offer.
:thumbsup:
Tom

[Jim Jones]

Some of the early cars did have engines replaced, but, if I remember correctly, it was because there weren't any certified ZR-1/LT5 techs to work on the cars and it was easier to have the engines replaced. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Also, I liked your website David.

Good luck on the purchase.

Jim

[tomtom72]

HI Jim & right on! I forgot that point, thanks for bailing me out!

Yes the LT5 techs were scarce & GM wanted to do the post mortum to see what went wrong so dealers were instructed to just replace the motor & send the broken one back for study by MerCruiser & Lotus engineers.

:cheers:
Tom

[DavidMKelly]

Thanks for the comments everyone and advice. You're absolutely spot on tomtom. It's a lot of money and the distance factors don't help. I've decided that particular car isn't for me. The distance just is too much for me to handle and the car isn't really among my favourite years.

I'm looking at the Quasar Blue one listed on ZR-1 net by Joe Houdeshell from Atlanta GA at the moment and will hopefully be talking to him on the phone once Christmas is gone to discuss things further. That's a 92 with 75000 miles. Closer but still a long way away from me sadly.

Thanks for the comments on my site Jim, glad you liked it. :-)

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Dave

[cwmoss]

Dave,
I didn't reply back, but I am only 100 miles from Houston. I am a "Newbie" Z owner, and I just wouldn't have had enough knowledge to give you an accurate opinion, other than it's physical appearance. I do like the Blue ones. Good luck in your search. :thumbsup:

[tomtom72]

Hi Dave & gingle bells to ya!

Hey on the Atlanta car, ya know there are a few Z owners down there & they might be of help to ya. Wegone, Steve, runs with a group called "The Peach State Posse". They have a web site and I know Steve is a stand up guy that is down for helping a future &/ brother Z owner out with info if he has some to share. Steve is aces when it comes to sharing info if he has any to share.

It may pay to look up the PSP and see if anyone knows the car because those guys are a tight bunch & they do care for their cars. Before I bought mine I was talking to Steve about one Z he had for sale & the other owners down Atlanta way said that they were up to go put "eyes on" the car as a favor to another vette-a-holic. Just a thought.

:thumbsup:
Tom
Just be patient, if it gets away...so what! You have to be comfortable with the deal!

[DavidMKelly]

Hey cw. Hopefully I'll be joining you in ZR-1 'newbiedom' in the relatively close future. The blue isn't my own personal favourite - I'm a sucker for dark red metallic - but I do like both the quasar blue and the polo green ones as well.

Thanks for the info on the peachtree guys Tom. I'll see if I can dig some contact info on them. It would certainly help if someone with more 'educated eyes' could check the car out for me. I know where my knowledge ends.

Good advice at the end of your post too. :)

Dave

[Kevin]

I didn't end up making it to texas this holiday season. Sorry that I couldn't help you out.

[DavidMKelly]

No problem Kevin :)

No luck tracking down a site for the Peachtree guys yet. I'll keep searching.

[tomtom72]

My apology to Dave for my senior moment!!!

Sorry Dave I got the name of the possie wrong & that's why you had no luck in tracking them down!

www.peachstateposse.com I was stuck on Peach Tree Street in Atlanta. I think with the correct name you may have better luck!

Sorry man for my slip-up!:o

Tom
I even checked to make sure the link works!