Hoping to get a ZR-1 but I have quite a few questions

[Eaglerulez]

Hi Everyone,

I just registered for the boards today, but have been researching the ZR-1 for quite a while. Regardless! I am excited to be here!

I've always been a big Corvette fan and when I was about 8 years old my dad had a black ZR-1. Unfortunately he got sick a few years later when I was 11 and we had to sell it to pay for his hospital bills, but my memories of my Dad's old car are very fond and for the longest time I have always told myself that I would buy a ZR-1 one day.

I am about to graduate college and have a bit of money saved up for a new car. My brother and I currently split the payments on a 2012 V6 Camaro, which I currently drive, but at the end of the semester he gets to keep it as his own per our agreement.

My budget is about $30,000 and I've been considering a used BMW M3 a used BMW M5, as well as a used Cadillac ATS. However, considering the fact that I have been finding ZR1's in the $20,000-$25,000 range as opposed to the $30,000-$40,000 range of those other cars, I feel like the ZR1 could be a better investment simply because it is cheaper, will give me similar performance to the other cars, and it has always been my dream car. I feel like if I purchased a ZR1 I would be keeping it for the rest of my life for the most part whereas the other cars, though proven performers, just don't evoke as much passion or emotion in me.

Having said that I do have some questions that have just been eating away at me when researching all of these cars.

1) How much "better" will this car be in comparison to a V6 Camaro? I know this is kind of an obvious question, but I still think it is worth asking. My Camaro is a great car, but as a whole it feels "heavy" when doing daily driving, so much so that it becomes a bit of a pain for me to drive. Though the V6 packs 323 HP, the car as a whole feels like it is lacking. I'm pretty well versed on the straight-line metrics for both of these cars so I know the ZR-1 will be better, but how will a ZR-1 feel from a handling perspective? I really just want something that feels light and agile, most of the time, but can pull like a freight train if it needs to.

2) This car will be used as a daily driver and will be my primary and only vehicle. I know the LT-5 will be rock solid, but are there other things that I should be aware of that could hinder my enjoyment of it from a daily driving perspective? I feel like the stock stereo system would probably need to be replaced? And I am concerned about the seats/interior falling apart simply because they are getting kind of old. Are these things cheap/manageable to upgrade?

3) I know these cars are pretty old and will need some "standard" 20 year old car maintenance (replacing fluids, changing plugs, wires, etc). I don't have much under-the-hood experience aside from doing some simple bolt-on mods. Would these things be pretty easy for me to handle/ learn? I do work right across the street from Corvette Mike's in Anaheim so I do have professional help available, but I heard those dudes charge a premium price for their work. Plus, part of the reason for buying the ZR-1 is because I do like tinkering, but because I've always had relatively new cars I have never really had to for fear of messing up something, or for fear of voiding a warranty of some sort.

4) If I do purchase one of these I am hoping to keep it for a very long time. I would probably mod it in order to get the most out of the car. How much more power could I expect from fairly straightforward mods? Every time I search ZR-1 mods and the like I do see some good recommendations (like exhausts, headers, a chip, etc) but I never know what sites to look at in order to find these mods. Usually when I find ZR-1 parts they are for OEM replacement. I ask this mainly because I want to get an idea of how much modding a ZR-1 would cost.

Also, I have searched Google a few times but haven't really found much on suspension upgrades. Are there any good suspension mods for the car? I know for the Camaros we have a whole package from the likes of Pfadt that supposedly do wonders for it. Are there similar things available for the ZR-1?

I apologize for the long topic and all the other questions, but owning a ZR-1 is just such an awesome notion, and I can't believe that I am in a place in my life where this could actually be a reality. Furthermore, I just really like the idea of taking an old classic (that still is very strong on its own) and just adding some modern flare to it, to make it an even more amazing car.

Thanks in advance for the responses!

[Kevin]

1) How much "better" will this car be in comparison to a V6 Camaro? I know this is kind of an obvious question, but I still think it is worth asking. My Camaro is a great car, but as a whole it feels "heavy" when doing daily driving, so much so that it becomes a bit of a pain for me to drive. Though the V6 packs 323 HP, the car as a whole feels like it is lacking. I'm pretty well versed on the straight-line metrics for both of these cars so I know the ZR-1 will be better, but how will a ZR-1 feel from a handling perspective? I really just want something that feels light and agile, most of the time, but can pull like a freight train if it needs to.

The ZR-1 isn't a light car. On top of that it has wide tires which makes slow speed maneuvering feel heavy, the clutch is ok enough for something that does 0-60 and traps like the zr-1 will but it's still heavy for DD. I haven't driven a new Camaro so I can't really comment on how it will feel vs a zr-1 but you should be able to see more out of the zr. Early zrs have a fairly loud trany whine and the seats are hard to get in and out of but hold you much better then the later seats.

2) This car will be used as a daily driver and will be my primary and only vehicle. I know the LT-5 will be rock solid, but are there other things that I should be aware of that could hinder my enjoyment of it from a daily driving perspective? I feel like the stock stereo system would probably need to be replaced? And I am concerned about the seats/interior falling apart simply because they are getting kind of old. Are these things cheap/manageable to upgrade?

it's a 20 + year old car. The major parts f the LT5 should be fine but there are other things that are going to keep coming up that need to be fixed. The Bose is rubbish, the power key may need to be rebuilt, the secondary system will probably leak, the plenum will need to come off quite a few times to deal with injectors, starter, plugs...lots of stuff. I was worried about DDing a 1997 honda, there's no way I'd DD a ZR-1, there's no cheep part of owning a corvette. Tires on these cars are going to run $700-$1600 and that's just for rubber. How much is premium running you out there? Two years ago is was $4.30/gal if I remember correctly. you'll be in the teens for MGP around town. Probably mid-20's on the highway

3) I know these cars are pretty old and will need some "standard" 20 year old car maintenance (replacing fluids, changing plugs, wires, etc). I don't have much under-the-hood experience aside from doing some simple bolt-on mods. Would these things be pretty easy for me to handle/ learn? I do work right across the street from Corvette Mike's in Anaheim so I do have professional help available, but I heard those dudes charge a premium price for their work. Plus, part of the reason for buying the ZR-1 is because I do like tinkering, but because I've always had relatively new cars I have never really had to for fear of messing up something, or for fear of voiding a warranty of some sort.

there's not a lot of places that work on the zr-1 and corvette mike isn't one of them. I can do some basic work on cars, but I can't work on the ZR-1. I'm lucky to have a chevy dealer near by that either still has lt5 mechanic on staff or knows how to read a manual. they've done my injectors and my ac compressor in the last two years. But I've known these guys for years and a friend of mine works there. As a novice you can't really "tinker" on a zr-1. there's not many bolt ons for these cars mods require taking parts off, porting them and putting back on.

4) If I do purchase one of these I am hoping to keep it for a very long time. I would probably mod it in order to get the most out of the car. How much more power could I expect from fairly straightforward mods? Every time I search ZR-1 mods and the like I do see some good recommendations (like exhausts, headers, a chip, etc) but I never know what sites to look at in order to find these mods. Usually when I find ZR-1 parts they are for OEM replacement. I ask this mainly because I want to get an idea of how much modding a ZR-1 would cost.

headers, exhausts, and a chip are going run you probably $1300 just in parts, header install takes 8 hours, roughly. the last quote i got for exhaust install was $300. for the price of other stuff, check out www.zr1specialist.com I've never worried about suspension work because the ZR-1 doesn't really need help there in my opinion. people have lowered the car but i dont' think it really needs it and I've never been a fan of coil-overs on street driven cars. Doug Rippie Motorsports seems to be the leader in c4 suspension kits.

Let me pose you this, I was in your situation not long ago...the cars you're looking at are all very expensive to maintain. The germans even more so, a know a guy who is a service writer at bmw and in talking with him i would never own a non-warranty bmw, though a buddy of mine had an F10 m5 and that thing was fast, but you can't own one for more then 5 years. you're looking at cars that while you may be able to afford the car, you may not be able to afford the upkeep. Have you checked insurance on a zr, on the other cars you want? its not worth it to go into debt or not being able to save money just to own a car. it's a car, it'll be here tomorrow and 10 years from now. get yourself set up and on track before worrying about a car. Honda makes a perfectly fine car, so do other makers. Others will disagree with me here, and i'm sure it's going to happen soon, there is no way, I say again, no way I'd own a zr-1 as my only car.

[Eaglerulez]

The ZR-1 isn't a light car. On top of that it has wide tires which makes slow speed maneuvering feel heavy, the clutch is ok enough for something that does 0-60 and traps like the zr-1 will but it's still heavy for DD. I haven't driven a new Camaro so I can't really comment on how it will feel vs a zr-1 but you should be able to see more out of the zr. Early zrs have a fairly loud trany whine and the seats are hard to get in and out of but hold you much better then the later seats.

Thanks for the heads up about this. Yeah I do know the ZR-1's are around 3500lbs, but my Camaro weighs in at around 3700-3800lbs so I wasn't quite sure how weighing less+ having more horsepower would affect the feel of the car. I know every 100lbs shaves about 1/10th of a second in a straight line, butt that isn't what I am too concerned about. The feel is what matters. So I will keep in mind that it is still a heavy car. I do think I can live with the seats, considering that I am young!


it's a 20 + year old car. The major parts f the LT5 should be fine but there are other things that are going to keep coming up that need to be fixed. The Bose is rubbish, the power key may need to be rebuilt, the secondary system will probably leak, the plenum will need to come off quite a few times to deal with injectors, starter, plugs...lots of stuff. I was worried about DDing a 1997 honda, there's no way I'd DD a ZR-1, there's no cheep part of owning a corvette. Tires on these cars are going to run $700-$1600 and that's just for rubber. How much is premium running you out there? Two years ago is was $4.30/gal if I remember correctly. you'll be in the teens for MGP around town. Probably mid-20's on the highway

All very good points. I guess I am kind of surprised by this response, as quite a few other threads have people saying that they've driven 100,000+ miles with few problems at all. Premium probably averages at around $4 a year right now, but I would be mainly driving 15 minutes to work everyday, and then a half an hour or so to visit the girlfriend occasionally. I do think I will be driving less after college since I won't be commuting 60 miles a day to school. So fuel efficiency is a concern, but I don't see myself consuming significantly more, simply because I will probably be driving a lot less than I am now.


there's not a lot of places that work on the zr-1 and corvette mike isn't one of them. I can do some basic work on cars, but I can't work on the ZR-1. I'm lucky to have a chevy dealer near by that either still has lt5 mechanic on staff or knows how to read a manual. they've done my injectors and my ac compressor in the last two years. But I've known these guys for years and a friend of mine works there. As a novice you can't really "tinker" on a zr-1. there's not many bolt ons for these cars mods require taking parts off, porting them and putting back on.

Got it, that's a good thing to keep in mind. After looking at ZR1 Specialist, it definitely seems like the mods for this car are a bit more complicated. From what I've heard the ZR-1 specific problems seem kind of rare, while the C4 problems seem to be fixable by most Corvette shops, which is why I was thinking I could go to Corvette Mike's in a bind. I'll keep in mind that they aren't really ZR-1 specialists, but aren't most of the ZR-1 problems related to the engine? Whereas the other stuff is pretty similar to a standard C4?

headers, exhausts, and a chip are going run you probably $1300 just in parts, header install takes 8 hours, roughly. the last quote i got for exhaust install was $300. for the price of other stuff, check out www.zr1specialist.com (http://www.zr1specialist.com) I've never worried about suspension work because the ZR-1 doesn't really need help there in my opinion. people have lowered the car but i dont' think it really needs it and I've never been a fan of coil-overs on street driven cars. Doug Rippie Motorsports seems to be the leader in c4 suspension kits.

Oh awesome, ZR1specialist is exactly the site that I was looking for thank you so much. These mods are definitely expensive, but they do give me a clear upgrade path if I find myself in a place where I can afford them. My uncle also lives about a half hour away from these guys, so maybe taking a roadtrip to IL will be a good excuse to visit him and get some work done on the car. '

Let me pose you this, I was in your situation not long ago...the cars you're looking at are all very expensive to maintain. The germans even more so, a know a guy who is a service writer at bmw and in talking with him i would never own a non-warranty bmw, though a buddy of mine had an F10 m5 and that thing was fast, but you can't own one for more then 5 years. you're looking at cars that while you may be able to afford the car, you may not be able to afford the upkeep. Have you checked insurance on a zr, on the other cars you want? its not worth it to go into debt or not being able to save money just to own a car. it's a car, it'll be here tomorrow and 10 years from now. get yourself set up and on track before worrying about a car. Honda makes a perfectly fine car, so do other makers. Others will disagree with me here, and i'm sure it's going to happen soon, there is no way, I say again, no way I'd own a zr-1 as my only car.

Well to be honest with you, that is the concern that I have with the BMW's. They seem like great cars, but are totally fragile and cost a ton when they break. What is appealing to me about the ZR-1 is that a lot of stuff seems very well documented, the price of entry is cheaper, (which means that if I do have to drop some money for repairs it will total less than something from Germany), and since the vehicle is a little more robust, doing these repairs is at least more feasible to me since the technology is more straightforward and less specialized.

And you are right, it totally is not worth going into debt or anything like that just from owning a car. Having said that, I personally think this car has incredible bang for your buck at the price points that it is available for. I am totally aware that I will have to spend some more money on it than usual for upkeep, but after the initial repairs, should I expect things to go wrong very often?

Thanks so much for the thoughtful and detailed reply! I am totally not trying to argue against anything that you are saying by the way I am just explaining a bit of my perspective and reasoning. You have some great points that I did not consider!

[edram454]

Eaglerulez,

Tough question can be answered many ways. I have never owned a Corvette as a daily driver. Corvettes have always been pleasure crafts line Duntov would call them. Lots of people do drive them everyday. If you can stand seeing your car rained on, parked in tight spots, nicked,, dinged,, dirty... then go for it. I have had 4 Audi's and when they break, watch out!! They are 3 to 4 year cars only. Set of brakes on an A4 audi.. 2k. Not worth it without warranty. Zr1's can break and depending on the part etc.. may be hard to get part or expensive. Every day drivers could either be high mile per gallon jap cars.. or very low mileage American luxury cars, Lincoln Town Car my favorite. Got to see what you are willing to put up with and risk. I will say one thing, nothing will drive like a Zr1!!

[Bob Eyres]

I totally agree with Kevin on everything he mentioned. So I won't reiterate.

But I do have some advice because one of my other cars is the family sedan, (grocery getter), a 2008 BMW 335i.
I'm been a chevy guy forever, and own a 2003 Suburban as a work vehicle, plus the ZR-1. One sunday, out for a drive in the ZR-1 on a beach road near here, I ran into a little BMW, a 135i with a Dinan emblem on the back. We came up to a light and I thought I'd give the little "beemer smartazz" a taste of the ZR-1. To make a long story short, he cleaned my clock. He walked the ZR-1 like I was standing still, and I'm to stranger to the qtr.mile.
After the laughter died down I asked him about the car and he schooled me about the twin turbo straight six.
At the time, we were looking for a new car for my wife. So I did my homework, then went to the local BMW store and had them search for a used 335i. Months later they found just the right car. Low mileage, on their CPO program (certified pre-owned). I bought it for less than half of new price, (right in your range), and have been driving it ever since.
It's the best combo of practical daily driver, superb handling performance vehicle, that I have ever owned. And for $500 or so you can tweak the computer to give it horsepower in the 350-400hp. range. What's not to like?

It came with a warranty that lasted over 2 yrs., and the service, free up until now, has been very good.
Where else can you get a car that will get an honest 30mpg on the highway, but when you put the hammer down it really hauls ***. It's made me a BMW, (and turbo), fan.
The downside is the expensive service bills that are probably in store for me if I don't turn it around for another one soon.

I love my ZR-1, but like the others said, it's not the best daily driver, and may not be the best choice for you at this time.

[scottfab]

1)
.....snip....
its not worth it to go into debt or not being able to save money just to own a car. it's a car, it'll be here tomorrow and 10 years from now. get yourself set up and on track before worrying about a car. Honda makes a perfectly fine car, so do other makers. Others will disagree with me here, and i'm sure it's going to happen soon, there is no way, I say again, no way I'd own a zr-1 as my only car.

I have to also go along with Kevin on all except where he wrote "rubbish".
I'd say it was garbage :)

Seriously, I'd advise you as I would one of my grown sons. Get a house first with your $. It's still a GREAT time to pick one up. Run a used econo car for a few years THEN jump on a mid mileage ZR-1 before they begin to climb out of the affordable range.
The depressed value on the Z will not stay down.
In the interim time get to know the car by following the posts here. You'll not only know what's what but be able to spot a deal on a ZR-1 when it happens.

If you're dead set on getting a ZR-1 avoid one so heavily modified that you play hell maintaining it. (or getting it to pass emissions and/or inspection) Wildly modified cars are going to have a much steeper learning curve with no one able to help A car reasonably modified (chip, exhaust, ported) will have the benefits with not much down side.
Do your self a favor too and get up to speed one emissions testing where you're at. So. Cal is notorious for the ZR-1 and emissions. Over the years the Republic of Kalifornia has tightened emissions for the ZR-1 making it harder to pass. There are several threads here on the forum on same.

[WARP TEN]

I totally agree with Kevin on everything he mentioned. So I won't reiterate.

But I do have some advice because one of my other cars is the family sedan, (grocery getter), a 2008 BMW 335i.....

Hi Bob--Agree on the comments--a 20 year old ZR-1 will be fun but probably a bit costly, and while fairly reliable not trouble free as a daily driver if you plan to put some miles on it.

BTW, my wife also drives a 2008 335xi sedan and loves it. Every time I suggest getting a newer one she says she is never selling her BMW; it will be her last car. It is amazingly quick and when her 4 year warranty was due to expire I added a three year Fidelity warranty up to 75k miles so we are set for a while. (I work at a BMW dealer and the techs said they have no problems with this warranty; indeed they covered a water pump failure without any questions (about $2k)). While we have not had many problems with it, I agree that BMWs should be on warranty unless you have deep pockets to handle the unexpected. The car has about 48k miles on it and its trade in value is only about $13k-15k so they should be availalbe at a reasonable price with cash to spare for future repairs. -Bob

[mike100]

20 year old cars are more economical if you can provide your own service labor. It is possible to find a well sorted car that is driven frequently, but it is possible to end up spending an extra $10k over the course of 2-3 years repairing and modding to keep up with modern muscle. I think I knew I would go to a ZR-1 (from a 300hp C4) when I got stroked by one of those 382hp S class Mercs and then got destroyed by a 335.

I can tell you that the ZR-1, while heavier and less balanced than a regular C4, will really be a lot more nimble and connected than any of the newer pony cars. Maybe not a Boss302 or ZL1, but you get the idea- C4 are easy to push toward their limits because the feedback is pretty good for an older car.

To even be able to mention them in comparison to newer stuff is a compliment for sure, but a vette this old may not be the best value economically. Then again, the depreciation won't be as much as a BMW with mileage.

The best bargain right now is an 03/04 C5 Z06 with low mileage. You have to really want a ZR-1 for sentimental reasons.

[LGAFF]

Buy a cheaper higher mile Z with service history, then buy a day to day car....Focus, Mazda 3, etc

[Kevin]

I have to also go along with Kevin on all except where he wrote "rubbish".
I'd say it was garbage :)

Seriously, I'd advise you as I would one of my grown sons. Get a house first with your $. It's still a GREAT time to pick one up. Run a used econo car for a few years THEN jump on a mid mileage ZR-1 before they begin to climb out of the affordable range.
The depressed value on the Z will not stay down.
In the interim time get to know the car by following the posts here. You'll not only know what's what but be able to spot a deal on a ZR-1 when it happens.

If you're dead set on getting a ZR-1 avoid one so heavily modified that you play hell maintaining it. (or getting it to pass emissions and/or inspection) Wildly modified cars are going to have a much steeper learning curve with no one able to help A car reasonably modified (chip, exhaust, ported) will have the benefits with not much down side.
Do your self a favor too and get up to speed one emissions testing where you're at. So. Cal is notorious for the ZR-1 and emissions. Over the years the Republic of Kalifornia has tightened emissions for the ZR-1 making it harder to pass. There are several threads here on the forum on same.

i may listen to too many brisitsh podcasts.

[Dynomite]

Buy a cheaper higher mile Z with service history, then buy a day to day car....Focus, Mazda 3, etc

I posted in this thread twice but seems wrong audience so I deleted those posts :D

I agree with LEE in that you should have a stand by Honda or something to stay mobile when you are fixing or modifying the ZR-1. At least until you have gone through the ZR-1 one time to correct issues neglected by a prior owner.

That is all I am going to say.....anymore.....:sign10:

P.S........Do have someone that knows what to look for stand by to help you when you start looking for that ZR-1. That person can take a look at the Z and ask questions and maybe even do a couple tests for you to make sure you start off in good order with this great hobby :thumbsup:

[cadillac531]

I agree with the reasons listed already about having a ZR-1 as a daily driver.

From personal experience, though, I used my ZR as a daily driver a long time ago, and for a very short period of time. IMO, while it was fun at first, it starts to become a bit of a chore to drive every day. If you get caught in the rain, they quickly become more of a handful, they're not particularly fun in rush hour traffic, and I found that I was always checking on it in the parking lot. I also didn't find it all that comfortable when wearing a suit and tie.

When it was my daily driver, it was still under warranty, so if something needed to be repaired it would have been covered. In those days, they gave you a loaner, too. However, I quickly started driving another vehicle. I feel ZR-1's are great weekend cars, great once in a while cars, and great track cars. Bottom line...they're a great second car to have in the garage.

[mike100]

.... At least until you have gone through the ZR-1 one time to correct issues neglected by a prior owner.


That would never happen:p. Probably a good time to mention about buying sight unseen.

[Dynomite]

That would never happen:p. Probably a good time to mention about buying sight unseen.

What would never happen :p

OK...I bought two ZR1s without seeing in person.....:D

[Mika73]

You can't talk about V6 Camaro and ZR1 even at same day. That ZR1 drives circles around that Camaro. Those two are totally different cars.

ZR1 with headers and Corsa sounds totally crazy when rev it up to 4000-7000RPM :D

However if you want real power. You need top end porting and cylinder head porting and then it really starts cost money.

However forgot V6 and Camaro :)

[bradley]

I know I am in the minority here . but I have driven my 2 zr1s as daily drivers for the last 10 years. in that time I have had 3 breakdowns , the last one happening this weekend when one of the elbow coolant hoses broke in sacramento on the way home . if you are a little mechanically inclined and do good maintenance on your car it should be a dependable as any car around .for me owning these cars and not driving them every chance I get would be a sin .my 90 has 190k on her but with a new motor.my 92 has 160k and going strong .jmho

[Mika73]

Just curious what breakdowns happened for your ZR1 and why you needed new engine?

[WARP TEN]

What would never happen :p

OK...I bought two ZR1s without seeing in person.....:D

Now that I think about it, I bought both of mine without seeing them first. My 93, HIL KING (now QB93Z), I sent the money first (after lots of research, conversations and correspondence), then flew to the east coast to pick it up. Was there for my 30th high school reunion, seeing old girlfriends then driving a new Z home. Unbelieveable weekend, but that's a story for another time.:mrgreen: On my 95 WARP TEN, I bought it based on pictures, conversations, and research also. Both times I was lucky getting great cars with little really wrong with them. The 93 was essentially new with 6k miles and under warranty. The 95 had a clean CarFax and when it arrived it needed service and my only slight disappointment was the finish of the engine was a bit rough, but I could really see that in the pictures. Have since had it serviced and engine refinished among other things...:dancing But for a new person, strongly recommend close inspection with help from someone in the Registry experienced with the cars. --Bob

[bradley]

the other 2 were the trans broke(what bill told me later was reverse gear seizure}and broke a 1/2 shaft u joint at the drag strip. in my 90 I popped a head gasket and thought with this many miles on her to redo the motor .got a great deal from jerry on the short block and am saving to get the heads ported before putting her back together .could have mostlikely rebuilt the motor in the car but got such a great deal from jerry on the short blk that I had to go this way.plus it gives me a extra motor to think about stroking .wish wish

[randy ransome]

I drove one of mine daily, weather permit, for two years and looked forward to getting in it every morning and after work. May be me ,but I love to drive, throw in a ZR-1 and instant Permagrin.

[Dynomite]

I know I am in the minority here . but I have driven my 2 zr1s as daily drivers for the last 10 years. If you are a little mechanically inclined and do good maintenance on your car it should be a dependable as any car around .for me owning these cars and not driving them every chance I get would be a sin .my 90 has 190k on her but with a new motor.my 92 has 160k and going strong .jmho

This keeps up I am thinking the audience is changing right before my eyes :D....I may repost my deleted posts without feeling outnumbered :handshak:

Bradley.....we may be a minority but who is having the most fun ;)

I would never tell a new guy to get a Honda instead of a ZR-1.......:sign10:

[Z06scentair]

Buy a ZR-1..........

[Eaglerulez]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all of the input and replies! It is all very helpful and there is some great advice in here.

I think there are a few things that I should clarify.

1) Maybe it's just me, but the ZR1 doesn't seem like THAT expensive of a car. Yeah I'm expecting to put in a few grand here and there to keep things functioning properly but these cars can be had for around $20,000-$25,000 and that is right in the price range of my Camaro. Having said that, the advice about not putting myself into debt and all of that is very, very sound and is of course something that I will be working hard to ensure does not happen, but I just am having a hard time imagining this car breaking the bank. Unless I am seriously underestimating the cost of getting it into shape (if it needs to be brought into shape)

2) The main reason why I was considering the BMW's is because the M3 and M5 are known for their stellar performance. To be completely honest, I think BMW makes some really lame looking cars, and as noted, they are not the most reliable, or affordable to repair. The M series appeals to me because they are more performance based and because they have slightly more appealing aesthetics. Outside of the M3 and M5 I would never consider a BMW. If I were to go the "cheap" luxury route. I would probably get a used Cadillac ATS and stick a turbo on it. They can make around 400whp with one, but the problem is that the whole package would probably run way more than a reasonably priced un-modded ZR-1.

3) Though this ZR-1 would be my primary and personal vehicle, I could always borrow a family member's if I was in a bind. So I do appreciate the heads up about things like rain being a huge pain to deal with, but if the car is down for a bit thanks to maintenance it won't be the end of the world.

4) A used C5 and a cheap beater are definitely the most logical choice in my opinion. Having said that, I honestly like the C4's styling better and the ZR-1 has always been my dream car. If I am going to get a Corvette, for the most part it's going to be a C4 ZR-1 (though I do like the new stingrays haha). Objectively speaking, another good car would be a used Subaru WRX Imprezza, lots of mods available, pretty reliable, relatively cheap. But, I feel like they are a dime a dozen and don't really evoke any emotion for me.

5) Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the difficulty of the basic maintenance/upkeep. I probably won't have the money or energy to invest in too many specialized tools or anything like that, but is keeping this car in functioning shape really that hard/expensive? To give you guys an idea of what I think would find to be totally acceptable maintenance-wise, it would be putting in maybe $5,000 to do some major repairs upfront and then having to pop the hood once every two months or so if something happens to be acting fishy. Is that something I could expect with a ZR-1 or is it more complicated than that?

Again, thanks so much for all of the input! I don't mean any of these things to be argumentative by the way, I just want to clarify some things that I think might not be understood haha!

[John Boothby]

You sound like you have your mind made up and are just looking for a little push?

You are a young guy and seem to have the right attitude regarding doing your own maintenance. I say go for it! You can buy a very nice car for the money you are talking. You can also find decent drivers for maybe 12K to 15K. Which leaves you with some bucks to work out the kinks. I say find a decent car and let someone look it over if possible. Then, if you are lucky, no surprises!!

Good luck!!

[bradley]

I think if you take your time and buy a car from a forum member that has been taken care of and had some of the bugs taken care of ie injectors, secondary vac things,maybe clutch . and ujoints.the only other thing that would be expensive would be the tranny make sure that shifts good and doesn't chink in any gear . if all these things are good then it should be just normal maint, which isn't costly at all. if you stay with forum members when looking to buy I think you will get a fair honest representation of the car you are looking to buy. in closing all I can share is that having driven over 200k with my 2 zr1s daily I cant think of another car that would give as much fun as the zr1.the motor is bullit proof and pretty darn fast too . my white car has gone 11.94 @118mph and the black car has gone 12.10@119.85 with just intake porting and headers plus a good tune . oh one last thing you will not lose much if any cash due to depreciation.jmho. good luck in what ever you decide to do.

[Kevin]

I'm spending $1000 more or less, a year to keep my car running. that's not counting fuel, tires, insurance...that's just repairs. I only have the car out 5 or so months. I'll say this, you've got bigger balls then I do wanting to have a zr-1 as your only car.

[scottfab]

I agree with the reasons listed already about having a ZR-1 as a daily driver.

From personal experience, though, I used my ZR as a daily driver a long time ago, and for a very short period of time. IMO, while it was fun at first, it starts to become a bit of a chore to drive every day. If you get caught in the rain, they quickly become more of a handful, they're not particularly fun in rush hour traffic, and I found that I was always checking on it in the parking lot. I also didn't find it all that comfortable when wearing a suit and tie.

When it was my daily driver, it was still under warranty, so if something needed to be repaired it would have been covered. In those days, they gave you a loaner, too. However, I quickly started driving another vehicle. I feel ZR-1's are great weekend cars, great once in a while cars, and great track cars. Bottom line...they're a great second car to have in the garage.

Very well put. Getting out of the car with a suit on is awkward at best.
To me the greatest joy is the difference I get with the kick in the pants power I feel after driving my daily driver then jumping in for a quick run to the store in the Z. Can't imagine eating ice cream every day. It would ruin the experience not to mention rot my teeth:-D. Around here they use gravel on the roads in the winter. I replace the windshield on my daily driver every few years. Can't and don't want that on the Z. I also don't get any joy driving the Z in the rain or Ice or Snow.
When I do drive it the secondaries get a work out. Keeps carbon deposites lower and the actuators working great to WOT a lot. First thing I do on every drive it to test the secondaries to keep them functional. It's like a roller-coaster ride.

Still if I were just starting out after college I'd stay away from a Z period until I was established a bit. Shopping for groceries in it is a pain, you can't haul much home from Home Depot and it doesn't haul many friends at a time. It is a "specialty" tool not a one size fits all.
I don't wear a suit everyday and I don't drive the Z everyday. It's a great
alternate kick in the butt car to have in the garage.
Hey, but that's just me.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Buy a cheaper higher mile Z with service history, then buy a day to day car....Focus, Mazda 3, etc

I agree completely. I've had at least one Corvette in my garage since I was 17 yrs old. I struggled to eat in order to have a Corvette when I was young. Not as much fun as you might think. Please note that "I'd do it all over again and not change a thing!!". Just keep a car for a driver and the Corvette (ZR-1) for a toy until you get yourself situated. SAVE MONEY at all times.

[Dynomite]

The old audience (do not do it) is back.

It is now time to turn the tide one more time (DO IT) :D

Just another opinion in this regard....I thought I was in minority when this thread started but now am not so sure so am reposting this information.

Just to show Eaglerulez what minor modifications look like and cost. This will give Eaglerulez an idea of what one can do with little additional cost on a medium mileage ZR-1 if you really want to have some fun. :D

I purchased for $14K a 90' with 75K miles. Refurbished TOP END eliminating TB Coolant, Eliminated Air Induction, and Adding SW Headers (the bulk of the expense). Except for Headers probably spent $500 total on Top End Refurbishing (so much for bringing out my checkbook talk) ;)

Removed Cam Covers with engine in car and checked Camshaft Timing (was right on the money). I have to add.....I can now look into the Timing slot in the front camshaft retainer of each camshaft and tell you within a degree what the timing is without using any "tool" inserted into that slot. But to get timing exact you really have to use a deflection meter on the lifter to determine exactly the position of the valve at TDC.

I spent maybe another $500 on Bling

And must not forget the $15 spent on High Temp Silver Rustoleum.

And then I splurged with $800 Wilwood C5 Z06 Brake Upgrade :thumbsup:

I used PayPal for Jerry's gaskets (and some very nice SS Allen Head Bolts) and some new secondary components that actually were functional as they were.

My point is simple......if you have wrenches and know how to use them, Modifying/Refurbishing an LT5 is a LOT OF FUN and a Piece of Cake especially with the guys on this Forum to answer ANY and ALL questions you may have. Oh Ya....almost forgot......did a compression check (215, 212, 215, 213, 216, 211, 215, 212) and changed ALL fluids. LT5/ZR-1 Fluids (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070550)

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Dynomite3/e432a450-3b35-4a8e-9c8c-75b433b4ac6f.jpg
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Dynomite3/fe433474-92ce-4c78-a187-556259265a75.jpg

[bradley]

dynamite, well put having owned a lt1(92) I think working on the zr1 in many ways is easier than that car. also since you are living in socal you have decent weather most of the time . why not buy your dream as I did and drive the pants off her knowing that what your in is a very special piece of vet history . if you do decide to buy one and need help on her I am just 3-4 hrs away and will help you thru any issues you may have when you get her . the key is to take your time and find a decent car that someone has taken care of .I said to myself 13 years ago I only go around once so why not drive a piece of fast history and love every minute of it . on my trip to Colfax this last weekend I got into 2 impromptu freeway races a c5 zo6, beat him by 3 cars upto 110 when I shut off and a 335 bmw that I beat by 5-6 cars. both guys just looked at me in disbelief . the look on their faces was just priceless. they both now about the zr1 now:dancing

[bradley]

also if you care to go to youtube the. you will find them under Bradley taylors zr1 c4 zr14/3/2010 Fontana street legal drags

[edram454]

go ahead and get the z. You only live once. If you want it, get it. You might regret it later in life. I for one, cant stand german cars. dont like there looks, performance and the ridiculous cost. I have toasted my share of german cars on south florida roads. I would be a sad day when a bmw blows by my zr1. that is why I got a modded z. It still is not the fastest car on the road anymore with all those boosted cars running around but it will hold its own. I have a knowledge and know what a very powerful car feels like and my z is no slouch. When it comes to sports cars, its Corvette or nothing. When the day comes that I cannot get into my Corvette, then my sports car days are over. The zr1 is the Corvette that I have most enjoyed driving period. Good luck on your choice.

[Mika73]

ZR1 is your dream car then I suppose that choose is already made :)

If I would be living at US I would look C6 Z06, C5 with blower or C6. All those make more power than ZR1 without serious mods. (Not C6). Also it looks so easy, just bolt on blower to C5 and you have 500hp to go :)

[bradley]

that is a good point , you can make easy power that way, the key with boosted power is to have a very safe tune .too many times cars are tuned to the edge and with boosted power you are allowed one mistake and poof the rings are gone .it boils down to this do you want to drive a piece of history or just want a powerfull car .

[scottfab]

....snip....
And you are right, it totally is not worth going into debt or anything like that just from owning a car. Having said that, I personally think this car has incredible bang for your buck at the price points that it is available for. I am totally aware that I will have to spend some more money on it than usual for upkeep, but after the initial repairs, should I expect things to go wrong very often?

Thanks so much for the thoughtful and detailed reply! I am totally not trying to argue against anything that you are saying by the way I am just explaining a bit of my perspective and reasoning. You have some great points that I did not consider!

You seem to have a well established hold on reality. I'm sure whatever decision you make will be well considered. That in itself is impressive. You're doing your homework.

You'll note a lot of passion here on these responses to pull you into our community. We'd love to have you and you'll get an ear full of help. That in itself is a plus to buy the Z. On the other hand the push to get you to buy the Z is well meaning (mostly) but read between the lines. When someone says it only cost $5.37 (the 37 cents is important) and a little elbow grease to completely go through the car and fix everything that may not be what happens to you and your car. I know you can see through such claims already so leave it at buyer beware.

You mentioned your dad had a black ZR-1. Have you thought of maybe trying to find that one? It maybe possible here on this forum if you can locate the VIN.

In the end you're going to make an informed decision and therefore it will be the correct one for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide and if we can help point you at some ZR-1s for sale, we will.

[mike100]

I would like to add that people are a little too focused on the LT5 and some potential costs with that, but besides the cost of modding (rather than keeping it stock), the real costs are generic C4 items that nobody likes to think about.

The radio, the cracking clear targa tops, weatherstrip costs, rear tires, shock rebuilds, worn suspension, u-joint, or wheel bearing service. Be careful to not pay top dollar when you could very well be in for about $2000 in general service items.

[DaveK]

I got my car in 2005 after dreaming of owning one since they came out in 1990. I've enjoyed every single moment of ownership and would not trade those for anything. Do I drive it daily? No. Fear of dumb drivers and car park hits make me protective about when and where I drive. Do I drive it? Yes, a lot, and I've put thousands of miles on the clock since getting it including several round trips to Bowling Green which is about a 2000 mile round trip depending on which route I take. A 1200 mile trip around Lake Superior and another 2000 mile trip touring around New England not to mention regular "local" trips within Ontario.

Ask Jim Voter about driving a ZR-1. A trip all the way from the East Coast to Alaska and back - somewhere in the region of 8000 miles.

Some parts are a bit expensive, it's a Corvette after all. Some cars need more work than others, that's how things work out. The cars are tough, reliable and more fun than a goldfish down your shorts.

Dave

[cadillac531]

I think there is one more thing that everyone may have overlooked in owning an older vehicle as a daily driver, whether it's a ZR or not.

While you may be mechanically inclined and can turn a wrench with the best of them...there's the down time associated with repairs. Vehicles can go down in the most inopportune time and that is something that should be thought about.

When a repair needs to happen, but life gets in the way, it's always best to have a back up, and if possible one with a warranty. That way you always have your mode of transportation covered, and if it has a warranty, one you don't have to worry about.

Just some additional $.02 (if needed).

[Dynomite]

I have not had troubles with the ZR1s ........just lots of fun and I have two ZR1s (90' and 91'). The 90' has 76K miles and the 91' 50K miles. Both have been gone through with all issues fixed/improved and with each a bit different modifications. Just experimenting with the modifications is a lot of fun.

I am thinking of getting a third ZR-1 simply because once you fix/modify them the fixing/modifying fun stops as the ZR1s are just too reliable :sign10:

I would like to add that people are a little too focused on the LT5 and some potential costs with that, but besides the cost of modding (rather than keeping it stock), the real costs are generic C4 items that nobody likes to think about. The radio, the cracking clear targa tops, weatherstrip costs, rear tires, shock rebuilds, worn suspension, u-joint, or wheel bearing service. Be careful to not pay top dollar when you could very well be in for about $2000 in general service items.

I thought about and inspected each and every one of these potential issues (on both 90' and 91') and the only issue I had was the Radios which I sent off to Doc Don's (http://www.doctordons.com/) for an upgrade :thumbsup:

Oh.....ya......replaced a set of tires on the 91'


Discount Tire (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/assignTireVehicle.do?yr=1991&mk=CHEVROLET&selectedModel=CORVETTE&vid=005923)

FRONT............................................. .........................REAR
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance..................................Nitto NT 555R Drag Radial
P275/40ZR-17 98W............................................... ......315/35R-17 102V B
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/ZR1%20Modified/NittoNT555.jpg.................................... .............http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/ZR1%20Modified/NittoNT555R.jpg

1. Total for ALL four tires (two FRONT and two REAR) $704 with free shipping.
2. Tires arrived 3 days after ordered from Discount Tire (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/assignTireVehicle.do?yr=1991&mk=CHEVROLET&selectedModel=CORVETTE&vid=005923)
3. Took new tires and rims with old tires to local Discount Tire.
4. Discount Tire removed old tires and installed new tires on rims (Left and Right).
5. Cost to install two front and two rear new tires including balancing was $15 each tire.
6. Confirmed tire balance at 120 mph with zero vibration at any speed 0 - 120 mph.
7. Absolutely the best balanced tires I have ever had.

8. Tires (some helpful hints from Marc Haibeck)
a. There are four or more brands available for the ZR-1. Sumitomo, Kumho, Nitto, Vredestein, etc.
b. Sumitomo's may flat spot when cold because there is one nylon cord. They will thump for about the first five miles when cold.
c. Kumho's racing tires are excellent.
d. The Nitto NT 555 provides 95% of the performance of the Goodyear D3 at about 60% of the price. The soft thread on the NT 555R wears out in about 20k miles.
e. The Tire Rack does not sell Nitto. Discount Tire has them Discount Tire (http://www.discounttire.com).
f. AFS Wheels sells Vredestein tires Vredestein (http://shop.afswheels.com/VREDESTEIN...A-TIRES_c5.htm). AFS Wheels are the same as "Cleanin-out-the-garage" on Ebay. Cleanin-out-the-garage has Lots of information on Vredestein Sessanta tires on Ebay Vredestein Tires (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Vredestein+tires&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

[edram454]

ZR1 is your dream car then I suppose that choose is already made :)

If I would be living at US I would look C6 Z06, C5 with blower or C6. All those make more power than ZR1 without serious mods. (Not C6). Also it looks so easy, just bolt on blower to C5 and you have 500hp to go :)

I just sold my 600hp to the crank, 525 rwhp c5 1.5 weeks ago and replaced it with my modded zr1. c5 is faster. fun factor of the zr1 is priceless. No comparison for me. If I were racing for money.. give me my boosted c5... if I just want to have fun and enjoy the ride and sensation.. zr1 hands down.

[Eaglerulez]

Hi everyone!

Thanks again for all of the super helpful replies. I had heard awesome things about the ZR-1 community, but I never expected it to be this welcoming, honest, and just downright helpful.

I do have a few months before I start my pursuit for a ZR-1 in earnest. So I think in the meantime I will start reading through the boards and try my best to study up on the car as much as possible.

If I have any questions along the way, I'll be sure to ask!

Thanks again!

[bradley]

also if you find a car you are interested in don't be afraid to ask someone to look at it for you and give you their 2 cents . good luck on your quest

[Dynomite]

Hi everyone!

Thanks again for all of the super helpful replies. I had heard awesome things about the ZR-1 community, but I never expected it to be this welcoming, honest, and just downright helpful.

I do have a few months before I start my pursuit for a ZR-1 in earnest. So I think in the meantime I will start reading through the boards and try my best to study up on the car as much as possible.

If I have any questions along the way, I'll be sure to ask!

Thanks again!

Hi.......great thread and great discussion....appreciate the topic :thumbsup:

Just as a comparison......I spent the day replacing my water pump on a 1990 Toyota Corolla.....4 cylinder..........Almost had to pull the engine :D

I DO NOT like Front Wheel Drive Cars :mad:

Then there is my 1986 Chev Silverado with 4 barrel Carb 305 I finished restoring the other day.......13 mpg in town ;)
But like riding in a bus :sign10:

[bradley]

you know if there is a rice boycott your toy wont run :sign10:

[Paul Workman]

Hi everyone!

Thanks again for all of the super helpful replies. I had heard awesome things about the ZR-1 community, but I never expected it to be this welcoming, honest, and just downright helpful.

I do have a few months before I start my pursuit for a ZR-1 in earnest. So I think in the meantime I will start reading through the boards and try my best to study up on the car as much as possible.

If I have any questions along the way, I'll be sure to ask!

Thanks again!

Perhaps one of the best sources for the history is "The Heart of the Beast" written by Antony Young, if you can find a copy. And, becoming a ZR-1 Net Registry member will access you to the back issues of the HOTB magazine; a real treasure trove of information, spanning everything from social to technical events as well as history.

My I be the first to say welcome to the Brotherhood of the Beast, even if you're still in the looking phase!:handshak: