Am I crazy?

"Arben72" (arben72)
12/04/2014 at 01:02 • Filed to: None

I'm considering getting a different car. I absolutely love my M, and if I do this, I will have to get rid of the M as I won't be able to justify it anymore. The car I am considering is a Corvette Zr1. Come Monday I will see how this pans out. It only has 11k miles and at this price it's a bargain. Honest worry is that it might be to much car for me. But, damn it's a nice car.

DISCUSSION (33)

CAcoalminer > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:05

What year is it?

Arben72 > CAcoalminer
12/04/2014 at 01:05

2011.

CAcoalminer > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:07

Very nice. Well, I hope it meets or exceeds your expectations.

Arben72 > CAcoalminer
12/04/2014 at 01:09

I know it will exceed them, I just hope by not too much. I wonder how reliable it'll be out of warranty too. I'm not expecting Honda but I'm hoping it's not Range rover

GhostZ > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:10

What are you buying it for? If it's a collector car you intend to sit on and drive occasionally for a few years, it would be worth it, and a much better choice than a new Porsche. If it's a track car I'd think you'd be better off with a modified Z06, it's cheaper and less likely to kill its resale if you give it hard track miles.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:11

I don't have really any experience to speak from, but are you seriously worried that it's too powerful? (If that's what you meant by too much) I think if you acknowledge this and are a decent driver you can eventually adjust to more power or whatever.

Arben72 > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash
12/04/2014 at 01:14

Yes, it is an insanely powerful car. I like to push my cars on the streets (in a safe manner), and this might be way to fast to enjoy that. But then again I do like to get scared every once and a while...

JGrabowMSt > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:14

There's a surprising number of ZR1s around me, and there is a guy who DDs one spring through fall locally. I've seen him around a lot, but have never bumped into him at a show oddly enough. He's got a red one, and works about 4 miles from me.

As much car as it is, I think they're tolerable with the right tires, and being careful.

It certainly is a lot of car, but if it's not a DD, then you've got nothing to worry about. If it is a DD, I hope you like the seats, it was the only feature that I personally wouldn't want to live with. If I owned one, the seats would be the first thing replaced.

Under 4k miles a year though should mean plenty of warranty left....The only question I would want answered is if the original owner ever had a call from Chevrolet to bring the car back to the dealer for any random inspections, or if any parts have been replaced on it.

Arben72 > GhostZ
12/04/2014 at 01:17

Fun runabout I guess. Somewhere between dd and barely driven. (Closer to dd on the scale though). Resale value doesn't scare me if the car feels great and is worth it, it can't be worse then my s550...

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:18

Well if you don't trust yourself that makes sense lol.

 V8 Rustler > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:18

DAMN! DO IT!

How would insurance be? It cannot be cheap for a widow maker.

CAcoalminer > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:21

From what I've heard, they seem to be fairly reliable.

GhostZ > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:22

Well, consider that the difference between a C5 Z06 and a C6 ZR1 is the price of a small home in some places, or a years worth of income for some people, and it makes a bit more sense.

The ZR1 is going to be more hardcore and a lot less comfortable than a C6 or C5 Z06, and unless you're taking it to the track, you won't be able to tell the difference because you're not going to reach the car's limits anyway.

I'd still recommend that you get a C5 Z06, go for some mods and make it a fun runabout that is extremely fast for under a third of the price of a 2011 ZR1. If you can't stand the C5's looks, then go for a C6 Z06 or even just a regular C6 Corvette.

Arben72 > JGrabowMSt
12/04/2014 at 01:22

I'll be sure to get a ppi done and drag my friend that's a gm tech out there too. It'll be a half dd, thanks for the advice about the seats. I have some experiences with z06s as a passenger, if they're the same seat I'll be happy.

StingrayJake > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:30

I approve.

Arben72 > GhostZ
12/04/2014 at 01:35

This might be a little wrong of me, but the zr1 is rare and that puts it at a premium for me. The zo6 (I'd get a c6 if I did go this route) is a damn good car but if I did go this route I'd get one no older then a 2011 due to the engine/valve blowing issue. The problem with the equivalent year z06's is they aren't much cheaper then this zr1 (10-15k at most). Both of these cars I'd most likely never reach the limits in, even in stock form, but I'll sure as hell try. I just think the zr1 will be a little more enjoyable, even though I'll use it for all the wrong things.

Arben72 > V8 Rustler
12/04/2014 at 01:37

I have a feeling it won't be that much more until we add on the guaranteed traffic tickets.

JGrabowMSt > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 01:52

While this isn't the best comparison to make, the ZR1 is in a "similar" league as the Mercedes McLaren SLR. Super cool car, great looks, goes fast, sounds great, but has terrible seats. The SLR seats are rock hard and having a Mercedes star on the nose makes the car something like a mistake child. You're happy to have it, but deep down, you remember a mistake was made somewhere along the line that could have changed everything. There's a guy by me with an SLR that takes it to a ton of shows and he said the seats are the main thing that prevent him from driving it more. I have a bad back, so the right seat is a bit of a challenge for me, but the CLK430 still stands as both the most underwhelming car I've ever driven, but the one with the most comfortable seats ever. The SL seats are nice, but mine doesn't have any lumbar support.

I really love Corvettes all around, so you'll never hear me say don't do it. Chevy really did a great job with the HUD and the ECU in the car. It'll tell you when it's kosher to short shift and putter around town without making a ton of noise or getting terrible gas mileage. And then on the highway I would say that you should easily be able to see well into the mid 20's at least. I know a lot of guys with C5's and C6's that get 25-29 on the highway, both stock and modified.

What color is it? There are white, yellow, red, blue and grey ones by me, and I have to admit, as much as I love a PMY colored car, the white one had my attention for a lot longer than all the other ones.

Also, you're replacing an M3, no? I'm selectively ignorant about most BMWs, but moving to a supercharged american V8 will be a very big change in comparison. Comparing my Magnum (5.7L V8) to my SL (6.0L V12) is certainly apples to oranges, but they output roughly similar power, the delivery is just worlds apart. The smooth, refined SL goes like a rocket, but always feels composed. Punching it in the Magnum is rough around the edges, a little sloppy, but it hauls ass like a bat out of hell. Partially DDing a ZR1 will end up being a very large exercise in throttle control, and resisting the urge to plant your foot down hard, out of sheer terror of having to replace the tires any sooner than their mileage rating.

Lastly, I would just want to make sure that a low mileage car isn't low mileage because of some surprise that's about to jump out. Obviously it'll be looked at, but that's just me.

Arben72 > JGrabowMSt
12/04/2014 at 02:07

It's the one pictured, dark grey. I'm not to picky on seats, but I am appreciative if they are nice and cozy. I wouldn't be against swapping them out for some high quality aftermarket seats if they aren't though. The m3 has such a smooth powerband, but I just feel the yearning for a bit more. The low mileage doesn't scare me as it showed be covered under gms powertrain warranty, but it's off putting that it has 2 previous owners. But then again it could definitely be considered exotic level, and swapping out owners that early isn't unheard of. The gas mileage on the highway (most of my driving) will be a plus on top of it all. Another this is I never have driven a high powered stick, but I don't think that should be much of an issue.

GhostZ > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 02:17

Personally, I don't care about rarity as much as I care about resale value. Rarity does lead to better resale value because of scarcity, but it's not always a better car.

Any car can be made "rare" if you improve it, make it unique, add your own personality to it. Think about all of the cars featured on Big Muscle, most of them are normally very boring or common but they've all been given work to them that makes them wholly unique.

As for Z06 reliability issues, you got me. I don't know much about GM reliability so I'll trust you on that. I also didn't realize how much more expensive the C6 Z06s are, but you also have to keep in mind that a C6 Z06 isn't going to be hurt nearly as much by putting 20,000 miles on it than a ZR1 is.

Also consider that you could probably get a mild restomod C2 (or one bitchin' awesome C3) for that price too, if you're willing to put the work in, but it depends on your priorities.

Arben72 > GhostZ
12/04/2014 at 02:28

I do have a thing for c3s but I rather not dd one as collisions are a very real thing. That and I want something more factory set up as this car can't leave me stranded on the side of a road. Resale isn't to bad, as the zr1 has depreciated quite a bit already. I'm far from an expert on gms, but that's what I've read online about the zo6, and I'd rather not pay for a new ls7. At the end of the day we could all be driving Honda's and toyotas and get the best value for our money, but sometimes it's worth spoiling yourself to drive something exiting. Depending on how long I keep this car (at least a few years), it won't pain me if I lose a few thousand the next time I trade it in. I appreciate your advice but sometimes emotions overpower logic, and it's not always wrong to go with it.

CRider > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 02:58

Why not just get a C7 Z06?

Kinja'd!!!

Flavien Vidal > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 03:20

VERY reliable... It's a supercar with the reliability and maintenance costs of a Toyota Yaris lol (well, unless you include the cost of tires in maintenance :) )

Arben72 > Flavien Vidal
12/04/2014 at 03:27

Thanks for the information, that sounds perfect! Monday can't come soon enough...

Flavien Vidal > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 04:54

it's also actually pretty good on gas as long as you're not doing city driving... You might reach 24mpg on the highway if you're careful :)

Kailand09 > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 05:56

HELL YES! Amazing vehicle, especially for the price. My want of that car is so bad.

Jayhawk Jake > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 07:29

I approve.

If the ZR1 is too much, maybe the Z06 would be a better fit? The LS7 is a monster as well.

I drove a ZR1 and my general thought is that for the street it's way too much power. It's awesome, but too much. With 100 less ponies the Z06 probably hits the mark.

Also how about a new C7? I'm guessing that ZR1 is between $60-70k, which could get you a C7 Z51

Jayhawk Jake > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash
12/04/2014 at 07:32

I've driven one. It's on an entirely different level of power. Yes, you can modulate it, but it's also a bit frightening when you try to have fun.

The way I see it the ZR1 is a corvette for people who already have a corvette they drive daily. The ZR1 would get out occasionally, but every day it's a bit too much.

William Byrd > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 07:58

Hell of a car. Keep us posted!

Arben72 > Jayhawk Jake
12/04/2014 at 13:04

No doubt the zo6 would be an amazing car, but for the years I'm looking at this zr1 isn't much more. The c7 does nothing for me, it's not a bad car, just that I have no emotion or care to get it.

Arben72 > Jayhawk Jake
12/04/2014 at 13:07

At the same time I'm worried about the power, but I'm excited for it at the same time. The ls9 seems to be reliable and I probably will put about 8k miles on it a year, (I don't drive much), as I'll have a couple other cars to choose from. I don't believe in garage queens, all my cars are driven and enjoyed.

Arben72 > William Byrd
12/04/2014 at 13:08

Will do, I'll know for sure on Monday.

Shifty > Arben72
12/04/2014 at 20:41

Do it!