what vette to buy

[Gixer]

Thats the thing Lusifer, if I want comfort, a nice cabin and all the toys, my daily wins hands down.

My C4 is as quick as the Z06, has the odd rattle (but then so did the C7 Z06 ive been in), flexes like a bd with the roof out even with the extra bracing, has no bloody fly by wire throttle body so flooring it really is flooring it and no nanny aids. Couple that to one of best manual gear boxes ever made, the quick steering rack and the fact you have to climb over the chassis rails to get in and you get a sense of occasion every time you drive it.

Edited by Gixer on Tuesday 22 November 19:16

[MrNoisy]

ian-163jt said:

I know what you mean about getting top uk spec 1 owner with warranty , i am not scared to save some money and take a chance ...
is mag ride an option then ?
what is z51 package? also what is 3lt ?
what is 1sb ?
do you think i shaoul import one ?

Magride was certainly an option yes.
Z51 is the performance package, not overly so, not crazy hard but imo the non z51 is just too soft and not befitting the performance of the car.
3lt is the specification level. 2005 model was 2sb then 1sb (1 being higher), 06 up is 1lt, 2lt, 3lt (3 being higher rather confusingly!)

Only you know whether to import! I think with the exchange rate i'd be buying locally personally. (however that doesn't mean it wouldn't be an import.) The only people that will tell you a UK or euro car is better are those that have them. There is little in it for me at this age. I can see an argument both ways when the car is new or nearly new but not so much at a decade old.

I echo the comment above, 2008 was the key midlife upgrade of the C6 and is a substantially improved vehicle all around.

They are all pretty cool in their own way but also don't forget - it's only a plastic Chevy and in the land of the free they don't even get a second glance...

[ian-163jt]

Gixer said:

Interesting thread. Couple of things though, you may want to try both as its down to personal taste. Corrosion wise you should be pretty much fine C4 upwards.
Imo, the vette has evolved from sports car to gt car over the years. A c5 Z06 will be a bit less gt than a C6. It will certainly be a bit more of a raw driving experience. Also lets not forget a C5 Z06 was top dog when new. A base C6 was never top dog even when new. Comments of the aged interior are true though. Althouh no vettes have anything to shout home about when it comes to interiors, even the C7.

I run both a C6 Z06 and C4 ZR1 (not stock). While the Z06 is very civilised, fast and practical- great for driving to the Alps or Monaco non stop or perhaps the odd track day, once in the Alps, its the ZR1 I yearn for. Far more a drivers car. Preferred by both my wife and myself and the car that will never be sold.

Im one of those that do not like the C7 very much. The looks just dont do it for me. In fact the only one I like is a friends white Z06 - imo the only colour that works. You say each model is an improvement but lets not forget the considerable weight the new car has put on and the fact GM have taken it to the ring twice, crashed it and never posted any times.....

Look up the C6 model changes year to year on google. Try to go post 2008 if you can if its the C6 you opt for. If a model thats been imported from the states then make sure you hpi check it and car fax it too. No point just having a UK check done on a car thats been in the states.

Oh, never buy blind from the states. Always view the car yourself or have someone you trust go and view it. Dont believe any photos the seller claims are of the car. With the bad exchange rate at the mo, im not sure you will get that good a deal. Bare in mind offical euro cars were a different spec to us cars.

Edited by Gixer on Tuesday 22 November 17:52

thanks for heads up , will a c5 have more of a chance of rust issues than my bmw then ? i thought it was older vettes ?
what do you think about the jap imports ? good or bad ?
cheers Ian

[ian-163jt]

MrNoisy said:

Magride was certainly an option yes.
Z51 is the performance package, not overly so, not crazy hard but imo the non z51 is just too soft and not befitting the performance of the car.
3lt is the specification level. 2005 model was 2sb then 1sb (1 being higher), 06 up is 1lt, 2lt, 3lt (3 being higher rather confusingly!)

Only you know whether to import! I think with the exchange rate i'd be buying locally personally. (however that doesn't mean it wouldn't be an import.) The only people that will tell you a UK or euro car is better are those that have them. There is little in it for me at this age. I can see an argument both ways when the car is new or nearly new but not so much at a decade old.

I echo the comment above, 2008 was the key midlife upgrade of the C6 and is a substantially improved vehicle all around.

They are all pretty cool in their own way but also don't forget - it's only a plastic Chevy and in the land of the free they don't even get a second glance...

thanks again , confusing about 1 being highest spec then changing to 1 is the lowest , think i will have to find car then check with guys on here its ok car as i tend to be very impulsive !!!
there is a silver and black c6 on e bay, with z06 kit on , but i dont like the bonnet (looks like it should have a blower underneath ), its £25 k.....i am not sure but it might have been the dealer that was selling another blue c6 with Z06 kit on about 4 weeks ago ?

[Marc p]

ian-163jt said:

thanks again , confusing about 1 being highest spec then changing to 1 is the lowest , think i will have to find car then check with guys on here its ok car as i tend to be very impulsive !!!
there is a silver and black c6 on e bay, with z06 kit on , but i dont like the bonnet (looks like it should have a blower underneath ), its £25 k.....i am not sure but it might have been the dealer that was selling another blue c6 with Z06 kit on about 4 weeks ago ?

I'd be very sceptical about the silver and black one on eBay for a few reasons, firstly, ignoring the fact that he says it is both a 2lt and 3lt(it can't be both) it's a very early 05, so it can't be as the LT packs weren't available on the 05's, secondly, that doesn't appear to be a genuine GM Z06 kit, it looks like a poor fibreglass copy. Thirdly, it's got the six speed auto that was never used in 05, same for the steering wheel.

Personally I reckon it's been in a wreck, a big one and has been built back up using an 08+ one, I'm also dubious full stop of Z06 bodied base C6s as by the time you have bought, fitted and painted the kit, you'd be nigh on able to get an actual Z06(or grand sport if you want auto).

[ian-163jt]

Marc p said:

I'd be very sceptical about the silver and black one on eBay for a few reasons, firstly, ignoring the fact that he says it is both a 2lt and 3lt(it can't be both) it's a very early 05, so it can't be as the LT packs weren't available on the 05's, secondly, that doesn't appear to be a genuine GM Z06 kit, it looks like a poor fibreglass copy. Thirdly, it's got the six speed auto that was never used in 05, same for the steering wheel.

Personally I reckon it's been in a wreck, a big one and has been built back up using an 08+ one, I'm also dubious full stop of Z06 bodied base C6s as by the time you have bought, fitted and painted the kit, you'd be nigh on able to get an actual Z06(or grand sport if you want auto).

thanks , it seems that like you say the 2 c6 with z06 kits were both a bit too risky !
lucky if you know what bits are of what year cars, so you can tell better than most ...
looks like i might be back on c5 as now i am getting keen, funds not looking too good ...never mind sure the c5 will be nice ..

[MrNoisy]

C5 is a lovely car, you won't be disappointed. I'd rather have a top budget 5 than a bottom of the pile 6. Seriously, I would not be put off by the 98k of that red one earlier.....

Speaking for the C6, not sure if 5 is the same. There is a sticker in the glovebox which has the VIN number and all the option (RPO) codes on that particular vehicle. Mine has about 25-30 different codes, key one's being 1SB, Z51 etc etc......

see here - http://www.corvette-web-central.com/C6CorvetteRPOC...

I wholeheartedly agree with others on here, if it doesn't look right - walk away. It's a shame but obviously quite a lot of ste gets exported cause it can't or won't sell in the USA.

[Gixer]

Rust isnt an issue on C4 vettes upwards. Suspension is alloy, body not metal and chassis protected.

Check cccuk site for any for sale and try to buy a known car rather than something youre not sure about.

Whilst vettes are reasonable to maintain major parts are not cheap thus putting a bad egg right would be far from cheap

[ian-163jt]

MrNoisy said:

C5 is a lovely car, you won't be disappointed. I'd rather have a top budget 5 than a bottom of the pile 6. Seriously, I would not be put off by the 98k of that red one earlier.....

Speaking for the C6, not sure if 5 is the same. There is a sticker in the glovebox which has the VIN number and all the option (RPO) codes on that particular vehicle. Mine has about 25-30 different codes, key one's being 1SB, Z51 etc etc......

see here - http://www.corvette-web-central.com/C6CorvetteRPOC...

I wholeheartedly agree with others on here, if it doesn't look right - walk away. It's a shame but obviously quite a lot of ste gets exported cause it can't or won't sell in the USA.

yes i know what you mean, the red one is nice & everyone raves about it , its just i dont know about the red ??? also miles bit high & its top money as well if i put 20 k on it will be hard to sell. if it was down on price a bit i would go for it..
good idea the codes so i can check when i look ..

[ian-163jt]

Gixer said:

Rust isnt an issue on C4 vettes upwards. Suspension is alloy, body not metal and chassis protected.

Check cccuk site for any for sale and try to buy a known car rather than something youre not sure about.

Whilst vettes are reasonable to maintain major parts are not cheap thus putting a bad egg right would be far from cheap

thats good to know , what protection on chassis , is it good quality ?
Its funny there was a c3 vette i thought about, but rust is issue on these i believe ?

[ColinGr]

ian-163jt said:

yes i know what you mean, the red one is nice & everyone raves about it , its just i dont know about the red ??? also miles bit high & its top money as well if i put 20 k on it will be hard to sell. if it was down on price a bit i would go for it..
good idea the codes so i can check when i look ..

I can't help you with changing the colour and with regards to the mileage it will probably take at least 4 years to put 20k on it (if you are on 5k pa limited mileage cover) - I've only put 5k in almost 2 years which is less than I thought I would.

Re the price, drop me a PM or call me, the worst that can happen is that I say no.

[Gixer]

ian-163jt said:

thats good to know , what protection on chassis , is it good quality ?
Its funny there was a c3 vette i thought about, but rust is issue on these i believe ?

C4 was the first to get a galvanised and painted chassis. Rear subframe is alloy.

C5 onwards get a hydroformed galvanized-steel chassis dipped in paint.
C6 Z06 gets an alloy chassis.

Suspension components on all are alloy.

[ian-163jt]

ColinGr said:

I can't help you with changing the colour and with regards to the mileage it will probably take at least 4 years to put 20k on it (if you are on 5k pa limited mileage cover) - I've only put 5k in almost 2 years which is less than I thought I would.

Re the price, drop me a PM or call me, the worst that can happen is that I say no.

I am surprised that it did not sell fast as its a great car to be honest , i can see from everyone s comments that you and car are solid .. i would normally put around 5k miles on my spare car, its this that bothers me if/when i go for resale , the colour is ok really & the mods you have done make it look awsome anyway, love the wheels, exhaust , seats, rear fogs, win mirrors & all little detail shows ..
i am thinking .........

[ian-163jt]

Gixer said:

C4 was the first to get a galvanised and painted chassis. Rear subframe is alloy.

C5 onwards get a hydroformed galvanized-steel chassis dipped in paint.
C6 Z06 gets an alloy chassis.

Suspension components on all are alloy.

thanks for heads up ...are c3 at risk then ? would an mot tell you if ok or rusty ?

[Gixer]

Yes C3 and earlier. Some woyld have had body off restos though

[ian-163jt]

Gixer said:

Yes C3 and earlier. Some woyld have had body off restos though

ok cheers