Potential ZR-1 Buyer

[fiestamateo82]

Looking to purchase a 1991 ZR-1 vin:1G1YZ23J0M5801943, It has a clear carfax and looks great. Trying to get a test drive as we speak. Any advice?

[Z06scentair]

Looking to purchase a 1991 ZR-1 vin:1G1YZ23J0M5801943, It has a clear carfax and looks great. Trying to get a test drive as we speak. Any advice?

Welcome to the ZR-1 forum.

Read Read listen listen.

Be as patient as possible when purchasing a ZR-1. Best advice I can give at this time.

[fiestamateo82]

Thanks, I've been stalking the forums for a few months now. I enjoy the research. Look forward to sitting behind the wheel.

[ghlkal]

The best advice is to have someone go with you to check it out.

Is this Z in Virginia?

[fiestamateo82]

It is in Fredericksburg VA, I am currently stationed in Northern VA. Honestly do not know some one who is really Corvette savy to go with me, have a buddy who is near by that is somewhat technically knowledgeable with cars in general and has owned a C4 in the past.

[PhillipsLT5]

Dyno/Solutions
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3426579-1990-zr-1-for-sale.html#post1586270680

maybe you can find someone near that knows

[fiestamateo82]

Where would be a good place to look for someone who is knowledgeable?

[ghlkal]

There are a number of folks on here that belong to WAZOO in the Washington, DC area

Perhaps a nearby member would be willing to go with you to check it out.

[Z06scentair]

Where would be a good place to look for someone who is knowledgeable?

Ted and Ron are in VA.

Two great resources.

[fiestamateo82]

By chance what are their forum Handles(the Ted I was able to find was in TX and the Ron was unspecified). Thanks for all the help by the way, I would like to make the most educated purchase as possible.

[Kevin]

you could have the wazoo guys go over it and tell you what it needs before you buy it

[QB93Z]

I will be glad to help you find someone to look at the car with you.

email me your contact info and I will see what I can do. I am

jim@gizmosart.com

443-244-1347

Good luck with your search.

Jim

[PhillipsLT5]

you could have the wazoo guys go over it and tell you what it needs before you buy it

Wazoo, knows, good hands there

[Kevin]

Wazoo, knows, good hands there

they're a bit like allstate...but without all the bs rate hikes

[Jagdpanzer]

I'm in Fairfax and would be glad to assist you.

[fiestamateo82]

Jagdpanzer, thanks for the assistance and I will definitely let you know, right now the car is in the shop getting the clutch cable replaced. So it should be available to look at next week. Isn't Fairfax a bit of a hike down to Fredericksburg? I'm not terribly familiar with the areas outside of Fredericksburg and Northern Richmond. Thanks again for all the responses, quite the brotherhood!

[Kevin]

Jagdpanzer, thanks for the assistance and I will definitely let you know, right now the car is in the shop getting the clutch cable replaced. So it should be available to look at next week. Isn't Fairfax a bit of a hike down to Fredericksburg? I'm not terribly familiar with the areas outside of Fredericksburg and Northern Richmond. Thanks again for all the responses, quite the brotherhood!

you'll soon learn that almost no distance is to far to go for another brother of the beast

[Dynomite]

right now the car is in the shop getting the clutch cable replaced.

Maybe Throttle Cable or Emergency Brake Cable. There is a Clutch Hydraulic line......but that is rarely replaced.

Just so we know what to look for :cheers:

I would guess Clutch Slave Cylinder or Clutch Master Cylinder.
Clutch Throw Out Bearing requires the transmission be removed.
Clutch Start Safety Switch is also a possibility.

[fiestamateo82]

Maybe, that is what the sales person had told me, he didn't seem too knowledgeable about the vehicle.

[Kevin]

Maybe, that is what the sales person had told me, he didn't seem too knowledgeable about the vehicle.

that's a very common theme

[Paul Workman]

that's a very common theme

I agree, and the primary reason for NOT letting any dealership ever lay a hand on a ZR-1. The horror stories abound as result of un-qualified/un-familiar dealer mechanics. The people on this forum are by far more savvy with the intricacies of these cars than almost all of the dealer mechanics - at least arouind here! Need parts, or advise, or help or turn-key repairs/maintenance - This is the place to look first!:cheers:

Just sayin...

Paul.

[Kevin]

I agree, and the primary reason for NOT letting any dealership ever lay a hand on a ZR-1. The horror stories abound as result of un-qualified/un-familiar dealer mechanics. The people on this forum are by far more savvy with the intricacies of these cars than almost all of the dealer mechanics - at least arouind here! Need parts, or advise, or help or turn-key repairs/maintenance - This is the place to look first!:cheers:

Just sayin...

Paul.

I think this was half the problem with my car the last few years

[fiestamateo82]

Well the Z finally came out of the shop, turns out the clutch cable was actually a master cylinder and clutch (they couldn't tell me if it was an LT5 specific clutch or not). It was kind of underwhelming due to a 6 in (give or take crack on the hood), and some scratches on the rear , and then the fact that the seats were beat up and the bladders didn't work as far as I could tell. But it did run and drive nice. But I'm not sure I want to continue to pursue this specific car due to the price and my estimates for repairs of what I could find with my limited knowledge. Hopefully I can find something not too far away as most seem to be at dealerships. Thanks for all the advice so far!

[Racinfan83]

Keep your eyes on the classifieds on this site and Corvette Forum. There are a lot of good ones come through...

[XfireZ51]

Thanks, I've been stalking the forums for a few months now. I enjoy the research. Look forward to sitting behind the wheel.

Probably better off looking for one here on the Registry. May be a few bucks more but you'll know the "provenance" of the car. It will probably be in very good condition.

[dredgeguy]

Was it a 91 Black/Black at a Toyota dealer in VA?

[fiestamateo82]

Yep, most certainly was.

[dredgeguy]

I went with a buddy who was interested in buying a Z. Called and told them I was driving 1.5 hours + to get there and my buddy had an additional hour to my house to ride together. Agreed on time to see the car and test drive. Arrived on time at noon and was told, was just getting ready to call you, the car has a leak and you cannot drive it. It was a battle to even see the car. The oil cooler lines were off (common problem) and they had to jump the engine to start it. Sounded strong and had non-standard exhaust which sounded nice. Your right, there was a crack in the hood. Also the windows needed adjustment due to new rubber which was not quite right. Our WAZOO experts could have taken care of that. Saw rust under the hood on the drivers side firewall from maybe an alarm system. Problem is they have it listed for $3000 more than when I saw it maybe 5 months ago. Better options around but who knows, if they drop $8000 it would be a good deal.

[fiestamateo82]

Yea, I told them it would have to come down significantly before I even considered investing in it, now that I have the info from your experience, that kinda turns me off of it more. Thanks for the info!