Contemplating a ZR1 Purchase

[564crewdog]

Hello all, I’m considering a ZR1 purchase and would like to gain some insight from you, the experienced experts!
I currently have a 1975 Porsche 911S that I’m looking at selling to fund a ZR1, here’s my thoughts on why in no particular order…
1. A car with A/C!
2. The power comparison…NO comparison
3. Airbags and ABS would be a welcomed safety feature
4. I love the sleeper aspect the ZR1, and the body style
5. I do most of my own maintenance and repairs, access to the engine with the hood design looks fantastic
6. Parts on the Porsche are very expensive and I have to adjust the valves every 12,000 miles
7. Adjustable suspension, sign me up!
8. Removable roof
9. American marque
Here’s some specific questions I have on making the jump:
1. I’m 6’2” 195lbs and have never driven a Vette, will I fit?
2. I want it as a daily driver, the Porsche has never let me down in 10 years, is this car daily driver material?
3. I’ve read about the critical parts that are no longer available thread (e.g. ECM & DIS module), if I experience a failure do I have a garage filled static display?
4. Should I just spring for an 07/08?
5. Your 2 cents?
Thanks!
Rich

[Vetman]

I drive my 1990 two to three times per week, occasionally on 500 mile trips. Never lets me down, love the loooong power band and extremely smooth engine and trans. very comfortable but terrible to get in and out of..... I hate that part... that is why I don't use it to run errands. I am 6 foot, 215 pounds with a skinny butt.... that helps. I have owned several corvettes and love this one, partly because the way it drives and a lot because of it's history which I have studied since 1988.....

[Kevin]

the seats in the 93+ cars are better for bigger gents but I'm 5'8 and 190 with most of that around the middle on a good day and short legs and I love the 90 seats. Wouldn't change them for anything other then the Challenge seats that Brett is remaking. Would I trust a ZR-1 as a daily driver? no, but then again I wouldn't trust any 20 year old car as a daily driver. Parts are available, it all depends on how deep you're willing to dig into your bank account to get them. I'd drive both the zr-1 and the c6 and make up your own mind, the c6 is nearly as fast if not as fast as the zr-1, rides better, will probably cost less to operate and is newer. I'm actually considering selling my zr-1 to get into an older 911. additionally i'm not sure a 20+ year old airbag is actually that safe anymore.

[mike100]

Points 7 & 8 do add to the cost and complexity. The removable targa was always a compromise in the original frame design and the adjustable suspension, while still rebuildable, is quite expensive if yours in in a state of disrepair. Usually the system is not all bad all at once and worth fixing, but if everything is shot, it might be desirable to convert to non-adjustable shocks.

Getting a C6 is probably going to cost you less money in the long run since the depreciation might be less than repairs+depreciation on the older car. That said, I have an '08 LS3 car with an inch of dust on it and drive my 91 ZR-1 much more frequently. The chassis is way way better on the newer car- just to be clear about that, but it lacks personality somewhat.

[We Gone]

Had a 90 I drove as a DD for many years most of the miles were from Atl to Tampa every other week for 2 years never let me down. I sold it and got a new 04 in 04 have put 160k miles on it with no issues been a great DD and don't worry about it much sitting in parking lots, after all its just a Corvette and easily replaced..

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by 564crewdog

Hello all, I’m considering a ZR1 purchase and would like to gain some insight from you, the experienced experts!
5. I do most of my own maintenance and repairs, access to the engine with the hood design looks fantastic The Top End is relatively easy to work on (Plenum, TB, Injector Housings).....Cam Covers can be pulled engine in car but more difficult removing original Torx 40s.
1. I’m 6’2” 195lbs and have never driven a Vette, will I fit? A bit tight getting into and out of....I think your head room would be fine as long as you a
are not wearing a western hat
3. I’ve read about the critical parts that are no longer available thread (e.g. ECM & DIS module), if I experience a failure do I have a garage filled static display? ECMs and DIS are very rare failures and lots of parts including every nut, bolt, and gasket is available from Jerry (A26B) and Limey
Thanks!
Rich

The Big fact on owning a ZR1 is that they are sooooo much fun working on and if you like working on and modifying engines....
the LT5 is for you

[Jim Nolan]

The 90-92 seats form to you and leave you with the impression that you are part of the car. The reason the seating changed was because of the complaints of the middle age individuals with a wider rear end (sorry guys). That was because GM listened to the complaints of Corvette owners who were buying their lifetime dream, a Corvette and were willing to make changes for the older generation.

When I drive I like to feel as though I am part of the car. True I have to remove my wallet when I drive but I feel every sense of the car when I get on it. Sorry for my rambling it's all a personal thing.


Bring it on!

Jim

[lisounds]

I had many corvettes over the years

currently i have a c3 c4 c5

a few months ago i sold my 610 horsepower 94 corvette convertible.
a car that i built to my specs over the years and ended up with a 10 second beast. now i'm missing that car, but anyway


with a empty spot in the garage that i had to fill i went with a 95 zr1
a car that was on my bucket list

this car is factory original and abosolutly perfect

I chose a zr1 because:

has decent power
plenty of history
kind of rare
selling at the lowest price right now



the c4 to me make me feel like i'm in a cockpit of a plane
you feel your one with the road

my 78 pace is primitive but i love to look at

& my 04 z06 is what i use for ther longer drives

find a lower mile car that was maintained
and have fun

[Don in VT]

Hi,

I really agree with Jim N. regarding the seats in the 90/91. Very form fitting and super comfortable on long trips. We bought ours to drive from Fairfax, VT to Buffalo, NY and we made 12 trips over the 3 years we have had the car. The seats make the difference for us because we can get in the ZR in VT drive to NY and it feels like we just drove it around the block. Not everyone has the same feeling about the seats but we love them. The power train is bullet proof. We did not experience any breakdowns on all of the NY trips or our close in trips as well.

The ZR is a terrific road car even better then my 88 Porsche 928.

Good luck with your purchase

Cheers,

Don in VT

[cvette98pacecar]

Joe Thomas is 6'4 to 6'6 and weighs a bit more than you so I am guessing you will fit easily enough.
As for the parts that are no longer available. Necessity is the mother of all invention. What is not available today will be available tomorrow.
If I had to give you advice buy a modded car you cant go wrong for the price.