Big news! I've been handed $40,000 to buy a Corvette Z06. Really.

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
09/16/2014 at 19:13 • Filed to: None

Yes actually. It's not for me though. My dad has always wanted a Z06 and he finally came up with the money to buy one. He's handed me $40,000 to find and buy a C6 Corvette Z06 and drive it to him from the cars location to Calgary, Alberta. Cool dad, huh?

So knowledgeable jalopponauts, give me a crash course in C6 Vettes. He used to have a 2007 Corvette Z51 (which I drove on dates while I was high school) so we're not total noobs to Corvettes but I always welcome more know how.

What's the best year to shoot for minding the price cap. Any trouble points, recalls or problems to know about with these cars?

DISCUSSION (37)

My citroen won't start > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:19

Get a Callaway!

Kinja'd!!!

Arben72 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:19

Aren't the ls7s known to explode? That's the only hiccup I've heard about on an otherwise amazing car. Please tell me he's going to modify it to unleash the beast. Also if he can, I'd wait for the new z06 to be on the streets for at least a month. The price should dip for him to get something newer.

For Sweden > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:19

I'd say call Automatch Tom, but I don't know if he's allowed to do stuff in Canada.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > For Sweden
09/16/2014 at 19:20

I could buy in US and import...

scoob > For Sweden
09/16/2014 at 19:22

It's times like these where Kinja needs a mentioning system. On another forum I frequent, if I want to "call" a user, I would type "@For Sweden" for example, and you'd get a notification/email saying I mentioned you, with a link to my post.

But, since that's a practical feature and this is Kinja, it'll never get it.

Manuél Ferrari > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:23

One thing I always wonder when getting a car like this that is commonly tracked - is there any good way to know if the owner is lying about not tracking his car other than checking forums to see if you see pics of that car at race tracks?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Arben72
09/16/2014 at 19:27

I've never heard that. I'll look into it. And no way haha it will stay stock forever. 505 horsepower is more than enough in a car weighing 3,200 pounds haha

StoneCold > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:30

Is modified okay? The work was done by a respectable shop.

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corv…

Says the original exhaust and intake can go with it.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > StoneCold
09/16/2014 at 19:31

I wouldn't mind but he's going to want a bone stock one.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:35

Did all Z06's come standard with magnetic ride control?

StoneCold > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:36

If you fix the silly vinyl and badges, he just lowered to $41K :

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corv…

Otherwise it's going to be pretty tight to find a Stock, stock one.

StoneCold > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:36

Wait....USD or CAD?

StoneCold > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:38

Nope, only the ZR1 and the Z07 carbon package.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > StoneCold
09/16/2014 at 19:41

Thanks for the info!

I recall his old Z51 C6 having an adjustable ride knob. What system was that?

desertdog5051 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:42

As seen today on the FP. Watch out for this.

No Prius Needed > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:44

BOOM!

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4654772668…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4581385407…

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:53

Might have found a winner here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-…

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > StoneCold
09/16/2014 at 19:54

either or haha the difference isn't that crazy

CAcoalminer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:55

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-z06-…

CAcoalminer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 19:58

This seems interesting:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-…

macanamera > CAcoalminer
09/16/2014 at 20:30

" Ok, always garaged always locked up in a warm garage and well Maintained! Yes, comes with a quality Dust Cover! I am not a dealer this was my personal car, my wife never has driven this car. Did I mention my wife is not into this Corvette hobby? Geez I was going to keep this short... Sorry... Thanks Gerry"

^^^the best part haha

CAcoalminer > macanamera
09/16/2014 at 20:39

I know. This guy seems awesome.

TractionControlOff > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 20:54

I cannot remember which year ('09 or '10 I believe), but they switched from X-pipe exhaust to H-pipe, so it sounds closer to straight pipes. Some owners I know claim the car feels faster as a result. Also, later Z06s have the ZR1 spoiler, which I think looks great, but is more aerodynamic. Some later Zs also have the carbon package, which will add to the price, but will give you essentially most of a ZR1 with the LS7.

Axial > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 21:21

Newer is better; try for 2011+ for the Z06 to minimize potential for valve-drop issues. The rest is just standard used car fare.

Shifty > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/16/2014 at 23:29

Try to go 2008 or newer, a lot of improvements were made.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Axial
09/17/2014 at 08:25

2011+ will be difficult for $40k

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Shifty
09/17/2014 at 08:26

What improvements? Any specific ones that make a huge difference?

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/17/2014 at 10:56

Why not go Grandsport? Little more ride comfort, not that much loss in awesome.

Also, the cheapest 'Vette in Alberta on Autotrader right now (with a manual, newer then 08) is $39,900 CAD and is a 3LT Z51.

Your going to have to go to Ontario and get it. MAke sure to register it in Alberta, so they don't screw you on the 13% tax.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Chevrolet/Co…

Here you go.

Also, shipping will be around $1000 to Edmonton.

Good Hunting

Axial > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/17/2014 at 16:01

Yeah, it will, it's just that 2011 is when they presumably started fixing the LS7 valve-drop issue.

DanZman > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/17/2014 at 21:45

Definitely look into it! That is the biggest reason that I decided to modify mine...

DanZman > Shifty
09/17/2014 at 21:46

a lot of weight was added too...

DanZman > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
09/17/2014 at 21:48

the biggest things are the different(60lbs heavier) transmission and the keyfobs. I have an 07 and the fob looks cheap. The 08+ cars get the same fobs as cadillac.

DanZman > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
09/17/2014 at 21:51

the C6 grand sport is an abomination.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > DanZman
09/18/2014 at 14:08

Why? Magna ride, dry sump Z06 Brakes. It's basically a Z51+ package.

DanZman > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
09/19/2014 at 01:10

I feel like its a factory sanctioned knock off a real Z06. There is no argument that it has better performance than a base car, but it is not a real deal high performance model.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > DanZman
09/19/2014 at 13:07

What was the price difference though? I also remember being a passenger on a track day in the Z06 and a GS as well, and the Z06 was killing the GS around the track (might have been a lot to do with the drivers as well) but I would still probably rather live with the GC day to day, I think.

The point of this car was the guy who wanted to DD the car all summer, and then hit maybe 1-3 track days and an autocross with it.

DanZman > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
09/20/2014 at 01:35

I think the difference was about $10k. I DD my zo6 with no issues and I have a cam in it. In stock form they are just as easy to drive as a scion tc.