Potential ZR-1 owner with some questions.

[Dime]

Hey guys I'm hoping to find myself a good, affordable Z within a few months and wanted to know a little about what actually goes into owning one.

1). Would a ZR-1 be a good daily driver?

It will become my main vehicle. I plan on driving it everyday, for almost every occasion, rain or shine, night and day. Where I live we don't know what snow is so that won't be an issue.

2.) What's the up keep on one?

I know that the only real difference between a Z and a regular C4 is the LT5, and I know the LT5 is a very durable endurance engine, but what all goes into the up keep of the beast and the up keep of the car as a whole? I am no mechanic. I can do the basic stuff like, oil, plugs, filters, etc. I live in Vicksburg, MS so I'm not too far from Mike Ebert if I need a pros help.

3.) Why do most have 3, 4, 5, or more owners?

I understand that it's not just some other car, and a lot of people want a chance to own one but still. Is it just a hard car to keep up, what?

If I think of anything else, I'll post it as well.

Thanks for the help fellas.

[GOLDCYLON]

Hey guys I'm hoping to find myself a good, affordable Z within a few months and wanted to know a little about what actually goes into owning one.

1). Would a ZR-1 be a good daily driver?

It will become my main vehicle. I plan on driving it everyday, for almost every occasion, rain or shine, night and day. Where I live we don't know what snow is so that won't be an issue.

2.) What's the up keep on one?

I know that the only real difference between a Z and a regular C4 is the LT5, and I know the LT5 is a very durable endurance engine, but what all goes into the up keep of the beast and the up keep of the car as a whole? I am no mechanic. I can do the basic stuff like, oil, plugs, filters, etc. I live in Vicksburg, MS so I'm not too far from Mike Ebert if I need a pros help.

3.) Why do most have 3, 4, 5, or more owners?

I understand that it's not just some other car, and a lot of people want a chance to own one but still. Is it just a hard car to keep up, what?

If I think of anything else, I'll post it as well.

Thanks for the help fellas.


1. Mines a DD
2. Really no more than any other 20 year old Car
3. The car is 20 years or more older. So pretty Normal

90% of the car is a normal C4 but being close to Mike can help you if something ZR-1 specific happens.

[mike100]

C4 vettes are getting kind of old and you will run into some nickel-and-dime maintenance issues. You may spend the first few months working out issues that previous owners let slide.

ZR-1's won't make a good driver compared to the regular coupe mainly because of cost. People want to keep them nice and be able to recoup some of their purchase price since they don't sell at a throw-away price. It could also be that for the money, modern cars offer similar or better performance. My 95 LT1 coupe had 3 owners before me and so has my 91 ZR-1. Most people just have a corvette, they don't DD them.

-Body panels are rare so that's a gamble for a collision situation.
-The engine parts can be a treasure hunt, although the community supports it as much as possible.
-The car is heavier so it doesn't have the same neutral balance that the regular C4 has.
-They drink a lot more gas than the LT1 or L98...the 100hp has to come from somewhere and the exotic 16 injector dual port system is kind of inherently thirsty. They do ok on a highway cruise though.

I enjoyed daily driving my $7000 LT1 car because I didn't care about the rain and had no worry about resale or loss of value (I sold it for $6500). The Zr-1 will tie up twice the money- maybe 3 times. I'm not sure my ZR-1 is worth twice what my 95 coupe was to me. better, yes, a value- not so much.

I would look for a deal on a regular LTx C4 or a C5 for regular driving.

[gbrtng]

you asked:
3.) Why do most have 3, 4, 5, or more owners?

Most 20-year old cars have that many owners - the ones that last that long.

If you find one in reasonable condition, there is no reason why it can't be a reliable DD.
One DD in northern IL has well over 200k miles ...

[secondchance]

My 91 bought in 91 was a daily driver - 5 years and 98,000 miles.
My 94 is a daily driver - bought in 2000 with about 25,000 and has 117,000 miles now(rain and shine before refinish last year and only on a sunny day since then).

Once you figure out and understand vacuum secondary system no special issues other then a typical C4.

[tomcat]

Hello, My 1991 ZR1 is a daily driver. Some folks are surprise I drive it all the time. It looks great, I'm currently changing to coilover shocks for a better ride. I have had no issues with mine. I change the oil once a quarter & the rest of the fuilds once a year. There is over 150k on my ZR1. I'm going to drive my ZR1 down to Antioch Cailfornia Memorial Day weekend to see my granddaughter. I can say I don't have the low-miler blues.

Manfred E............:saluting:
91 ZR1 #906
http://pnwzr1.net

[secondchance]

Hello, My 1991 ZR1 is a daily driver. Some folks are surprise I drive it all the time. It looks great, I'm currently changing to coilover shocks for a better ride. I have had no issues with mine. I change the oil once a quarter & the rest of the fuilds once a year. There is over 150k on my ZR1. I'm going to drive my ZR1 down to Antioch Cailfornia Memorial Day weekend to see my granddaughter. I can say I don't have the low-miler blues.

Manfred E............:saluting:
91 ZR1 #906
http://pnwzr1.net

I am impressed! I imagine we share a common thought - enjoy what you love!

[ittlfly]

Hello, My 1991 ZR1 is a daily driver. Some folks are surprise I drive it all the time. It looks great, I'm currently changing to coilover shocks for a better ride. I have had no issues with mine. I change the oil once a quarter & the rest of the fuilds once a year. There is over 150k on my ZR1. I'm going to drive my ZR1 down to Antioch Cailfornia Memorial Day weekend to see my granddaughter. I can say I don't have the low-miler blues.

Manfred E............:saluting:
91 ZR1 #906
http://pnwzr1.net

Sent you a PM...........

[tccrab]

My $.02

Drive the car.
If you love it, buy it.
Drive it as often as you like.
Flog it often and hard, it will love you for it.
If it breaks, fix it.
One more thing.
This isn't the kind of car that you should buy if you have to count pennies.
That being said, I've spent more money keeping wifeys 2001 Maxima in tip top shape than I have on my Z.

TomC
'Crabs

[phrogs]

I am driving my Old Beater ZR-1 at the moment but some days I car pool with my truck.

But I missed not driving my ZR-1 everyday I went for the whole winter this time and it sucked!


There is not a part on this car that is not available while it might not be cheap it will be available.


Tires have always been my highest expense. I try not to get wraped around the axle about gas prices I drive it because I love it. I could ride the bus for free but I don't.

[Gary Yarbrough]

1). Would a ZR-1 be a good daily driver?

I drive mine almost every day that it is not raining and I love it. I work in two different cities, one of my drives is 30 miles, the other is ~60. I've also got a '73, and the ZR-1 is just worlds ahead when it comes to the basic comforts. On the softest setting, the ride is really good. The best $$$ I've spent on making it a better daily driver was in swapping out the 90 seats for 95 sport seats. The original seats were just to narrow for me. You may not have the same issues... The radio/CD player/speakers aren't the best, but that can easily be updated if you care about the sound system.
As for driving in the rain, I think tire choice will be the main factor. Personally, I wouldn't drive it in the snow; it's just too low to the ground. Any accumulation and you'll be plowing the snow!

2.) What's the up keep on one?

I think others are right on here; it's like any other 20 year old car. After a few trips around the block, I've got the plenum pull down to 25 minutes based on tips from this group. I had to do the basic stuff to my 90 since I've had it: plugs, wires (twice in 20,000 miles), oil (obviously), injectors (my had the originals), coils, PCV system, a vacuum check valve in the secondary system, new secondary vacuum solenoid, and a new thermostat/radiator. All things considered, really nothing major given the age of the car. I'm certainly no mechanic but with help from this group, I haven't had trouble doing any of this stuff in my own garage.

Again, as others have said, it's not a cheap car to work on. Compared to the parts for my '73, everything is much more expensive on the ZR-1. BUT, it's really worth it.

Good Luck!

[John Boothby]

If you buy the right car, you will enjoy it, if not, it can nit-pick you to frustration. When you find a specific car you are interested in this group can help you in determining if it is the right car for you. Some high miler's that have been taken care of can be great cars for your purpose. Low miler's, while good for collector's who don't drive them, will begin to need all the little things most of us that drive the cars have already replaced.

Good luck in your hunt!

[EvanZR1]

Once you figure out and understand vacuum secondary system no special issues other then a typical C4.

Or just remove the scondaries completely and never have to worry with them again. :)

[rkreigh]

Or just remove the scondaries completely and never have to worry with them again. :)

yes, but keep in mind this might make it more difficult to pass emissions.

the ZR-1 is a very reliable car. the LT5 even more so.

I've had 4 of them now and had ZERO engine problems. lucky I guess

I attribute that to the constant hammering I give the car and driving it often.

only problems I've had were from the car sitting too much

worry more about driving it than not driving it. you'll be miles and smiles ahead

yes the body panels and engine parts are getting a bit trickey. but keep in mind there were of 7,000 lt5s made and more are getting parted out every day.

I'd like to see more "custom" parts made like the thermostat housing. I'm learning to weld and with a bit of fabrication, that would be pretty ez.

[viperbaron]

I drive mine daily, when I can. Nothing out of the ordinary for a 20 year old vehicle. Still very responsive and comfortable. I wish I was home now to drive it.:fahne: