Hoping to get a ZR-1 but I have quite a few questions

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by bradley

I know I am in the minority here . but I have driven my 2 zr1s as daily drivers for the last 10 years. If you are a little mechanically inclined and do good maintenance on your car it should be a dependable as any car around .for me owning these cars and not driving them every chance I get would be a sin .my 90 has 190k on her but with a new motor.my 92 has 160k and going strong .jmho

This keeps up I am thinking the audience is changing right before my eyes ....I may repost my deleted posts without feeling outnumbered

Bradley.....we may be a minority but who is having the most fun

I would never tell a new guy to get a Honda instead of a ZR-1.......

[Z06scentair]

Buy a ZR-1..........

[Eaglerulez]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all of the input and replies! It is all very helpful and there is some great advice in here.

I think there are a few things that I should clarify.

1) Maybe it's just me, but the ZR1 doesn't seem like THAT expensive of a car. Yeah I'm expecting to put in a few grand here and there to keep things functioning properly but these cars can be had for around $20,000-$25,000 and that is right in the price range of my Camaro. Having said that, the advice about not putting myself into debt and all of that is very, very sound and is of course something that I will be working hard to ensure does not happen, but I just am having a hard time imagining this car breaking the bank. Unless I am seriously underestimating the cost of getting it into shape (if it needs to be brought into shape)

2) The main reason why I was considering the BMW's is because the M3 and M5 are known for their stellar performance. To be completely honest, I think BMW makes some really lame looking cars, and as noted, they are not the most reliable, or affordable to repair. The M series appeals to me because they are more performance based and because they have slightly more appealing aesthetics. Outside of the M3 and M5 I would never consider a BMW. If I were to go the "cheap" luxury route. I would probably get a used Cadillac ATS and stick a turbo on it. They can make around 400whp with one, but the problem is that the whole package would probably run way more than a reasonably priced un-modded ZR-1.

3) Though this ZR-1 would be my primary and personal vehicle, I could always borrow a family member's if I was in a bind. So I do appreciate the heads up about things like rain being a huge pain to deal with, but if the car is down for a bit thanks to maintenance it won't be the end of the world.

4) A used C5 and a cheap beater are definitely the most logical choice in my opinion. Having said that, I honestly like the C4's styling better and the ZR-1 has always been my dream car. If I am going to get a Corvette, for the most part it's going to be a C4 ZR-1 (though I do like the new stingrays haha). Objectively speaking, another good car would be a used Subaru WRX Imprezza, lots of mods available, pretty reliable, relatively cheap. But, I feel like they are a dime a dozen and don't really evoke any emotion for me.

5) Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the difficulty of the basic maintenance/upkeep. I probably won't have the money or energy to invest in too many specialized tools or anything like that, but is keeping this car in functioning shape really that hard/expensive? To give you guys an idea of what I think would find to be totally acceptable maintenance-wise, it would be putting in maybe $5,000 to do some major repairs upfront and then having to pop the hood once every two months or so if something happens to be acting fishy. Is that something I could expect with a ZR-1 or is it more complicated than that?

Again, thanks so much for all of the input! I don't mean any of these things to be argumentative by the way, I just want to clarify some things that I think might not be understood haha!

[John Boothby]

You sound like you have your mind made up and are just looking for a little push?

You are a young guy and seem to have the right attitude regarding doing your own maintenance. I say go for it! You can buy a very nice car for the money you are talking. You can also find decent drivers for maybe 12K to 15K. Which leaves you with some bucks to work out the kinks. I say find a decent car and let someone look it over if possible. Then, if you are lucky, no surprises!!

Good luck!!

[bradley]

I think if you take your time and buy a car from a forum member that has been taken care of and had some of the bugs taken care of ie injectors, secondary vac things,maybe clutch . and ujoints.the only other thing that would be expensive would be the tranny make sure that shifts good and doesn't chink in any gear . if all these things are good then it should be just normal maint, which isn't costly at all. if you stay with forum members when looking to buy I think you will get a fair honest representation of the car you are looking to buy. in closing all I can share is that having driven over 200k with my 2 zr1s daily I cant think of another car that would give as much fun as the zr1.the motor is bullit proof and pretty darn fast too . my white car has gone 11.94 @118mph and the black car has gone 12.10@119.85 with just intake porting and headers plus a good tune . oh one last thing you will not lose much if any cash due to depreciation.jmho. good luck in what ever you decide to do.

[Kevin]

I'm spending $1000 more or less, a year to keep my car running. that's not counting fuel, tires, insurance...that's just repairs. I only have the car out 5 or so months. I'll say this, you've got bigger balls then I do wanting to have a zr-1 as your only car.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by cadillac531

I agree with the reasons listed already about having a ZR-1 as a daily driver.

From personal experience, though, I used my ZR as a daily driver a long time ago, and for a very short period of time. IMO, while it was fun at first, it starts to become a bit of a chore to drive every day. If you get caught in the rain, they quickly become more of a handful, they're not particularly fun in rush hour traffic, and I found that I was always checking on it in the parking lot. I also didn't find it all that comfortable when wearing a suit and tie.

When it was my daily driver, it was still under warranty, so if something needed to be repaired it would have been covered. In those days, they gave you a loaner, too. However, I quickly started driving another vehicle. I feel ZR-1's are great weekend cars, great once in a while cars, and great track cars. Bottom line...they're a great second car to have in the garage.

Very well put. Getting out of the car with a suit on is awkward at best.
To me the greatest joy is the difference I get with the kick in the pants power I feel after driving my daily driver then jumping in for a quick run to the store in the Z. Can't imagine eating ice cream every day. It would ruin the experience not to mention rot my teeth. Around here they use gravel on the roads in the winter. I replace the windshield on my daily driver every few years. Can't and don't want that on the Z. I also don't get any joy driving the Z in the rain or Ice or Snow.
When I do drive it the secondaries get a work out. Keeps carbon deposites lower and the actuators working great to WOT a lot. First thing I do on every drive it to test the secondaries to keep them functional. It's like a roller-coaster ride.

Still if I were just starting out after college I'd stay away from a Z period until I was established a bit. Shopping for groceries in it is a pain, you can't haul much home from Home Depot and it doesn't haul many friends at a time. It is a "specialty" tool not a one size fits all.
I don't wear a suit everyday and I don't drive the Z everyday. It's a great
alternate kick in the butt car to have in the garage.
Hey, but that's just me.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Buy a cheaper higher mile Z with service history, then buy a day to day car....Focus, Mazda 3, etc

I agree completely. I've had at least one Corvette in my garage since I was 17 yrs old. I struggled to eat in order to have a Corvette when I was young. Not as much fun as you might think. Please note that "I'd do it all over again and not change a thing!!". Just keep a car for a driver and the Corvette (ZR-1) for a toy until you get yourself situated. SAVE MONEY at all times.

[Dynomite]

The old audience (do not do it) is back.

It is now time to turn the tide one more time (DO IT)

Just another opinion in this regard....I thought I was in minority when this thread started but now am not so sure so am reposting this information.

Just to show Eaglerulez what minor modifications look like and cost. This will give Eaglerulez an idea of what one can do with little additional cost on a medium mileage ZR-1 if you really want to have some fun.

I purchased for $14K a 90' with 75K miles. Refurbished TOP END eliminating TB Coolant, Eliminated Air Induction, and Adding SW Headers (the bulk of the expense). Except for Headers probably spent $500 total on Top End Refurbishing (so much for bringing out my checkbook talk)

Removed Cam Covers with engine in car and checked Camshaft Timing (was right on the money). I have to add.....I can now look into the Timing slot in the front camshaft retainer of each camshaft and tell you within a degree what the timing is without using any "tool" inserted into that slot. But to get timing exact you really have to use a deflection meter on the lifter to determine exactly the position of the valve at TDC.

I spent maybe another $500 on Bling

And must not forget the $15 spent on High Temp Silver Rustoleum.

And then I splurged with $800 Wilwood C5 Z06 Brake Upgrade

I used PayPal for Jerry's gaskets (and some very nice SS Allen Head Bolts) and some new secondary components that actually were functional as they were.

My point is simple......if you have wrenches and know how to use them, Modifying/Refurbishing an LT5 is a LOT OF FUN and a Piece of Cake especially with the guys on this Forum to answer ANY and ALL questions you may have. Oh Ya....almost forgot......did a compression check (215, 212, 215, 213, 216, 211, 215, 212) and changed ALL fluids. LT5/ZR-1 Fluids

[bradley]

dynamite, well put having owned a lt1(92) I think working on the zr1 in many ways is easier than that car. also since you are living in socal you have decent weather most of the time . why not buy your dream as I did and drive the pants off her knowing that what your in is a very special piece of vet history . if you do decide to buy one and need help on her I am just 3-4 hrs away and will help you thru any issues you may have when you get her . the key is to take your time and find a decent car that someone has taken care of .I said to myself 13 years ago I only go around once so why not drive a piece of fast history and love every minute of it . on my trip to Colfax this last weekend I got into 2 impromptu freeway races a c5 zo6, beat him by 3 cars upto 110 when I shut off and a 335 bmw that I beat by 5-6 cars. both guys just looked at me in disbelief . the look on their faces was just priceless. they both now about the zr1 now