ZR1 low miles how possible

[Neomacross]

I just came across this page.
https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/results/?search=corvette+zr1

How is it possible that so many ZR1 have run so little.

So, for example, 8 milen....they must have just stood around the whole time.
Or have the speedometers been manipulated?

With such a low speedometer reading, can one buy such ZR1s blindly and without hesitation?

[GOLDCYLON]

In 1990 these were sold as a corvette supercar and promoted as the king of the hill. A few sat in folks collections with little miles and never driven and admired. Can the mileage be changed? Yes with the right equipment however, the overall condition of the car inside and outside will point out real quick to a exceptional low mile car vs. one that was driven regularly. GC

[Neomacross]

Ok thanks for the info.

The consideration is just for me to buy a ZR1 in Germany or to buy a ZR1 with very low miles via such an auction.
As a layman I would think that with such a low mileage ZR1 even a layman like me can't go wrong.

The problem is of course that I don't know much about it and I'm from Germany.

[ram_g]

Hi, a couple of observations.

First off just a clarification, because your post did leave off the "k" after "8", so I don't know if you saw in the listing that the car had 8331 miles, to be exact. That works out to 250-300 miles per year, which could be quite believable for someone who owned it as a weekend toy - does not necessarily equate to "just stood around the whole time".

The other point, and this is more relevant to your needs, is don't equate "super low miles" to "exceptional condition". Especially if you want to transition such a car to active use, you'll probably have to spend some money to fix things that go bad from insufficient use.

Last June I purchased a 1991 ZR-1 with 12,800 miles. It's overall in great condition but I have had to spend ~$3,500 over the purchase price to get it into a reliable driver condition. Some of these items may have already been taken care of for a car that was already routinely driven, plus I'd have paid less (maybe) for the car. No regrets, but some learnings for the next time around.

[Matt B]

May I ask what was included in these 3.500? Injectors, I assume. What else?

[ram_g]

May I ask what was included in these 3.500? Injectors, I assume. What else?

Tires ~ $1,600 (Knew I had to replace them purely due to age, went with cheaper Nittos originally, didn't like those, replaced (got full credit) and went with Michelins)
Injectors ~ $900 (FIC from Jerry's, plus gaskets, o'rings, a few bolts, etc. No surprise here but I was hoping to get away with not replacing them; alas)
Rebuild Bose amps ~ $430 (These were a surprise but happy with result)
1x FX3 actuator ~ $200 (Also a surprise)
Reverse light switch ~ $50 (I knew this was out when I bought it)
Subtotal ~ $3,180
Rounded up to $3,500 to include various misc. items including transmission and differential fluids, and other random minor stuff. Oil, coolant, and air filter had been changed by the PO just prior to sale.

Nothing out of the normal here but a regularly used car might have had up-to-date tires, replaced injectors, a working stereo, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, no complaints at all. Just awareness for the next guy.

Edit: oh by the way, these costs were with me doing all the work, which I enjoy. If you pay a mechanic to do this you'd be out quite a bit more.

[Vette73]

Tires ~ $1,600 (Knew I had to replace them purely due to age, went with cheaper Nittos originally, didn't like those, replaced (got full credit) and went with Michelins)
Injectors ~ $900 (FIC from Jerry's, plus gaskets, o'rings, a few bolts, etc. No surprise here but I was hoping to get away with not replacing them; alas)
Rebuild Bose amps ~ $430 (These were a surprise but happy with result)
1x FX3 actuator ~ $200 (Also a surprise)
Reverse light switch ~ $50 (I knew this was out when I bought it)
Subtotal ~ $3,180
Rounded up to $3,500 to include various misc. items including transmission and differential fluids, and other random minor stuff. Oil, coolant, and air filter had been changed by the PO just prior to sale.

Nothing out of the normal here but a regularly used car might have had up-to-date tires, replaced injectors, a working stereo, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, no complaints at all. Just awareness for the next guy.

Edit: oh by the way, these costs were with me doing all the work, which I enjoy. If you pay a mechanic to do this you'd be out quite a bit more.

I think I remember you were looking at my 91 blk/blk as well......Mine has 56,000 miles and over 500 HP with powder coated engine....

Long story short buyer is flying in from Tampa on Saturday to buy it......Car needs NOTHING mechanically.....Put gas in and drive....Not even getting my asking price of 22,500....Matter of fact its lower than 22...Have another corvette lined up....This ZR1 always served me well....Hope I'm making the right choice...👍👍

[ram_g]

I think I remember you were looking at my 91 blk/blk as well......Mine has 56,000 miles and over 500 HP with powder coated engine....


Not me?

I joined this forum after I had bought my car, from a dealer in Michigan. Originally got interested in C4 ZR-1s after following BaT, lol.

[Matt B]

Thanks, you're list is fairly similar to mine (91 w/18.5kmls). 4 Michelin tires, control head + CDM, fluids, drive belt w/pulley, plugs, filters, wipers, etc. Things sum up quickly, even when you fix things yourself...
I'm not sure about my injectors as they were replaced by GM in 2010 with only 1000mls driven since then. Maybe GM used upgraded 93+ injectors, maybe the were not exposed to ethanol too long, maybe they are just broken - I will find out.

But again thanks. Your post helps my awareness of things potentially to come.

[Z51JEFF]

Plenty of cars out there with no miles on them, there's an original owner 90 out there with 27 miles that recently popped up.

[dredgeguy]

Ok thanks for the info.

The consideration is just for me to buy a ZR1 in Germany or to buy a ZR1 with very low miles via such an auction.
As a layman I would think that with such a low mileage ZR1 even a layman like me can't go wrong.

The problem is of course that I don't know much about it and I'm from Germany.
My suggestion for you if you do not know much about the ZR-1. If you buy a ZR-1 have it delivered to Marc Haibeck (www.zr1specialist.com) in the Chicago area so he can go over the car and make whatever repairs are needed before sending to Germany. Marc is an expert and very fair and trustworthy. You will then receive a car you can add fuel and enjoy! Will be the best decision you can make with a ZR-1

[Matt B]

...I wish I would have known this very, very valuable hint before I had mine delivered to Germany. I could not agree more from my local perspective: considering that every part will cost you as much as about 2-2.5 times of the US purchase price when it arrives in your German hands AND there is only very scarce knowledge over here (such as Thomas) there is absolutely no point in NOT sending it to Marc, have it checked and fixed locally in the US and import a readily maintained and set up car. Only the cost for shipping, duty and tax you will spend for your parts will pay for transportation of the car within the States.

I intent to search for a 1993 model once 2023 get close and then for sure opt for Marc's service.

However, to the US based readers: consider that a nice and well maintained ZR-1 over here easily comes to the equivalent of $40,000 or more. Low mile cars with far less then 30kmls can hit 50 grand or even more. So it's understandable why this $30,000 offer seems tantalizing...

[carman49]

Some years ago I saw one that was never registered or that went through the make ready process at a dealership, one with the plastic still on the floor mats in a parts warehouse in Oklahoma City.

[Norwegianmopar]

I know of a 27.5 mile car, twentyseven and a half mile. 16 of them was when he got it home from the dealer, the rest from moving it around the building thru the years. Even has all the plastic on the interior. Got lots of videos of it.14795

Sent from my SM-G955F using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[Matt B]

What an insane waste of money and even more insane waste of such a great car... ;)

[AndrewL]

My suggestion for you if you do not know much about the ZR-1. If you buy a ZR-1 have it delivered to Marc Haibeck (www.zr1specialist.com (http://www.zr1specialist.com)) in the Chicago area so he can go over the car and make whatever repairs are needed before sending to Germany. Marc is an expert and very fair and trustworthy. You will then receive a car you can add fuel and enjoy! Will be the best decision you can make with a ZR-1

This. I know my way around cars and will be doing my own work once I receive my car but my car is with Marc right now being gone over. Budget a few thousand extra to transport the car each way if you don't buy a car local to Marc and have peace of mind that it has been gone over by one of the best.

........I intent to search for a 1993 model once 2023 get close and then for sure opt for Marc's service.

However, to the US based readers: consider that a nice and well maintained ZR-1 over here easily comes to the equivalent of $40,000 or more. Low mile cars with far less then 30kmls can hit 50 grand or even more. So it's understandable why this $30,000 offer seems tantalizing...

We have a similar thing here in Australia. Buying a car in the USA, having it inspected, maintained and shipped here isn't rocket science and is better than paying a market adjustment applied by guys who happen to already have cars in the country. Good luck with your search!