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View Full Version : Any Chicago/Illinois members willing to help me out?


ZR1Greg
04-11-2007, 11:34 PM
I have come to the conclusion that I need someone that's knowledgeable about ZR-1's to help me out and inspect/drive a vehicle that I may be purchasing.

Here's a little background information. The Car is a red 1990 ZR-1 with 39,200 miles and red interior. I've already seen the car and it looks mint. Hardly any nicks or scratches and incredibly clean all around. Seems to be a perfect fit for me and what I'm looking for. However, the seller is asking what I would consider a lot for the car, and more than I was willing to spend. He will absolutely not go down in his asking price, which is $22,000. The car has the pizza box with it along with all the books and video tape, but has no service records or history. I believe it's had 3 owners, but this guy has only had it since September. He claims that he "buys and sells" cars. The only visible flaw on the car is a small crack in the glass roof. However, the red solid top is also included.


I already looked at the car myself and it looks great. But basically the problem I have is that I don't know much about ZR-1's. I mean, I've done tons of research, and I even read the "Heart of The Beast" book by Anthony Young (which was great by the way.) However, I've never driven a Z before, and I really don't know what to look for when inspecting one. The guy who is selling the car wants $22,000 for it and will not budge on the price, so I cannot afford to buy a car that has any problems or issues whatsoever. But I cannot tell on my own whether the car drives right, if all the injectors are working, if the cams are timed right, if the clutch feels good, etc. Someone who owns a ZR-1 and has worked on them and knows what things to look for would be a HUGE help to me.

The car is located South of Chicago in Kankakee. I live in the northern suburb of Lincolnwood and I got there in about an hour and a half with medium/light traffic. Someone that lives on the Southern side of the Chicagoland region would probably find it easier and qucker to get to. But basically you just get to highway 57, and then take that about 30 miles south to Kankakee. I found that it was an easy drive, but if you leave during rush hour, traffic could be a pain. The guy is self employed so he should be available pretty much any time. He was also a pretty nice guy, and he will have no problem showing the car to you.

Again, this is something that I would HUGELY appreciate. I don't want to spend $22k on a car that I am not sure about. I would be willing to pay any member whatever you feel is reasonable for this favor, and I would owe a huge debt of gratitude to whoever is willing to help me out on this.

If anyone sounds like they might be able to do this for me, send me a PM and I'll provide you with all the details. Thanks in advance!!http://images.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/cheers2.gif

Kevin
04-11-2007, 11:38 PM
I say take it to mark haibeck and have him go over the car and see if the owner will split the cost with you. Depending on how far away you are from Addison, Illinois. If you're too far I'm sure someone in the registry will help you check the car out. my opinion on the price, 25,000 would be a great price for the car, 22,000 is an amazing deal will take it to

Hammer
04-11-2007, 11:55 PM
Greg,

If I lived as close to Marc Haibeck as you do, 72 miles, according to MSN Maps, I would arrange for him to go look at the car or get the car to him and pay him. He knows these cars as well as or better than anybody in the country. They are all he does.

Good Luck with your purchase of a ZR-1, they are amazing cars and one of the very few in the world with "SOUL". You have read HOTB, you know what I am talking about.


http://www.zr1specialist.com/

ZR1Greg
04-11-2007, 11:58 PM
Thanks everyone for the advice. However, it's quite a distance from where the car's located to where Marc Haibeck is. I'm not sure that the owner would be up for it.

Hammer
04-12-2007, 12:01 AM
Thanks everyone for the advice. However, it's quite a distance from where the car's located to where Marc Haibeck is. I'm not sure that the owner would be up for it.

Talk to Marc tomorrow and see what he would charge you to go there.

Kevin
04-12-2007, 12:03 AM
Thanks everyone for the advice. However, it's quite a distance from where the car's located to where Marc Haibeck is. I'm not sure that the owner would be up for it.
How far is it, how interested are you in the car, how bad do you want to feel safe about buying the car?

ZR1Greg
04-12-2007, 12:04 AM
Talk to Marc tomorrow and see what he would charge you to go there.

That's a good idea, I might try that.

ZR1Greg
04-12-2007, 12:06 AM
How far is it, how interested are you in the car, how bad do you want to feel safe about buying the car?

It's at least an hour away, maybe more. I am very interested in the car, and if it checks out, I'll probably buy it. But it would be more convenient if I could find another member to go out and check the car out.

Hammer
04-12-2007, 12:09 AM
Good Luck with the purchase. Keep us posted, we like pictures man.
:cheers:

Kevin
04-12-2007, 12:14 AM
It's at least an hour away, maybe more. I am very interested in the car, and if it checks out, I'll probably buy it. But it would be more convenient if I could find another member to go out and check the car out.
I know chicago traffic can be a pain, but if it was me I'd be having mark take a look at that car. Good luck on the car, she sounds like a bute

tomtom72
04-12-2007, 09:13 AM
I wil admit that when I bought mine I had a lot of anxiety due to no experience with a Z....but I think I was intimidated by the uniqueness of the LT5 vs any old sb chevy. That said I would spend the $ on Mark if it's doable. The price is fair for the car if it's mechanical condition matches it's cosmetic condition, JMHO.

Did you look over at the Net reg about how to check out a Z, there is a list of things to check. Do you own a scan tool with ZR-1 software for a 90? If so you can use it to get data on the motors electrical health. A plug check will tell you a lot. zfdoc.com will have a clutch hyd system test...simple ones..they will add to your info.Tire wear pattern will say something about the suspension & how it was driven. Look at the coolant tanks. lok at the oil cooler hoses....you get the idea, right? The net reg list has all this stuff. Or run the VIN thru a local chevy service dept & see what history chevy has in their data base.

Be calm, don't let your excitement cause brain lock. Easier said than done...I know...I was a wreck when I bought mine sight unseen, save for picts. I hired the local chevy store & selling dealer to survey the car. Not much real help as they didn't know much about an LT5...but at least I found out what worked & what didn't in the way of general C4 equipment. You're ahead of me...you can go touch the car! Just be calm and lok at the list at the net reg site if you can't hook up Marc. Oh, stupid Q from me:o ...is there a time factor involved here? Do you gotta jump on this one like yesterday? Are there other buyers? Don't fall pray to any of that, this is a lotta o cash and you gotta be good with it. Alot of my anxiety came from other buyers but the owner was a straight shooter...I was the first "hard" inquirey so I was first on line...but I still had to make the "call" based upon the service mgr's data & opinion over the phone...that's whay I said be calm about this.

:cheers:
Tom