buying a ZR1

[raymond greene]

I need a little advice please. I am looking at a 1994 ZR1 with under 10k miles on it. It looks very nice and has a long time older owner. It will need new tires I know, but I am here in Massachusetts and its freezing with snow on the ground so I can't test drive the car. How can I buy this car with some confidence? Thanks, Ray

[mike100]

I had little to no problem with my chassis and suspension when I bought my car sight-unseen, but it sure would be nice if you could really drive the car to redline in the first two gears to see if the synchros in the ZF trans are alright. Brake function is another thing that can only be tried on the road too.

Much of the rest of the car could be checked statically by someone who knows C4's.

[efnfast]

Can you get it out at all? Sure would be nice to put it on a lift somewhere. There are owners around your area that might be able to look at it with you. -Steve

[tccrab]

Take a good look at where the car is stored.
This will tell you most everything you will need to know about buying this car.
It will be obvious if the car was neglected or if it was loved.

'Crabs

[raymond greene]

Thanks for your replies. No one around here that I know that could look at the car. The car's paint is exceptional and was kept in previous owners garage. Now it is in a heated showroom at a consignment facility.

[efnfast]

Where is it Raymond, I'm in NH. Might be able to take a look. I'm no great mechanic, but I am an owner. I might even be able to scout up some other help.

[ZZZZZR1]

Raymond,

Sent you a PM



David

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by raymond greene

Thanks for your replies. No one around here that I know that could look at the car. The car's paint is exceptional and was kept in previous owners garage. Now it is in a heated showroom at a consignment facility.

There is an ex-ZR-1 owner in Waltham by the name of David Bright.
He might do it.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by raymond greene

Thanks for your replies. No one around here that I know that could look at the car. The car's paint is exceptional and was kept in previous owners garage. Now it is in a heated showroom at a consignment facility.

Can you go and fire it up (check oil pressure and listen for any unusual sounds).......then take a look at the engine and interior......look and listen.....Shift through the gears (standing still or move a couple feet). I have bought two ZR-1s sight on seen but asked a lot of questions. Both ended up better condition than I expected from all the talking and photos

So it can be done (buying without seeing or driving first hand) but you do take a risk. I figured in my case I could restore anything that comes my way unless someone ran it out of oil

And yes......as alnukem suggests below......I always run a compression check as the first check to make sure I do not have some kind of basket case. In my case I ran that test after I received the ZR-1

[alnukem]

Compression checks are pretty easy too.