Thinking about a used z06

[z1ggy]

So, it's not set in stone, but there is a good chance I am getting a new job starting early next year. Substantial pay raise and a 10% cash signing bonus. I'm considering getting a used Z06 now that my cashflow will be much higher. Specifically a 2006 or 2007, looking to spend no more than $30k.

1) Do these cars have any outstanding issues to be concerned with? I've never purchased a used car more than 3 years old.

2) Do they take mods well? I think I'd eventually want to toss on exhaust, intake, coils, etc.

3) How many miles (or less) would be ideal at that price point?

Any other words of advice would be appreciated.

 

[Ferzerp]

1) Do these cars have any outstanding issues to be concerned with? I've never purchased a used car more than 3 years old.

The LS7 likes to drop valves. That would be my biggest concern.

edit: Think Porsche IMS levels of severity.

 

[z1ggy]

The LS7 likes to drop valves. That would be my biggest concern.

edit: Think Porsche IMS levels of severity.

D: jesus... Would I be better than going C5 z06? I'm not as big of a fan of the body, and obviously HP is down quite a bit, but I don't feel like spending $30k, to end up needing the engine torn apart after...

Edit: This topic seems to talk about it. Somehow 06 and 07 aren't affected?

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f62/gm-response-failing-ls7-engines-125371/

 

[jlee]

D: jesus... Would I be better than going C5 z06? I'm not as big of a fan of the body, and obviously HP is down quite a bit, but I don't feel like spending $30k, to end up needing the engine torn apart after...

Edit: This topic seems to talk about it. Somehow 06 and 07 aren't affected?

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f62/gm-response-failing-ls7-engines-125371/

I've seen ~2002 C5 Z06's with blowers in the 550-650whp range for $22-35k. Something to consider..

 

[z1ggy]

I've seen ~2002 C5 Z06's with blowers in the 550-650whp range for $22-35k. Something to consider..

Definitely. Even if the chance is very small, I'm not about to have an LS7 literally explode and then need to spend $10k on a new engine.

And you're talking blowers installed already for that price, or the car is that price and then people end up putting in blowers after the fact?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've seen ~2002 C5 Z06's with blowers in the 550-650whp range for $22-35k. Something to consider..

I'd be very wary of buying a car like that. The type of person who would spend several thousand dollars on expensive engine mods tend to drive them hard and when you drive cars hard they don't last nearly as long.

 

[KentState]

I'd be very wary of buying a car like that. The type of person who would spend several thousand dollars on expensive engine mods tend to drive them hard and when you drive cars hard they don't last nearly as long.

It's 50/50 with Corvette owners. Some drive them while others want a dyno sheet with a big number and then never got on the car again.

 

[z1ggy]

I'd be very wary of buying a car like that. The type of person who would spend several thousand dollars on expensive engine mods tend to drive them hard and when you drive cars hard they don't last nearly as long.

At that point, I'd buy a stock C5 for low 20's, make sure it's solid then do that mod myself.

Since that car is designed to probably run in the low 400's for HP.. What other engine/drivetrain mods would I need to be conscious of if I wanted to take a C5 over 500hp?

 

[Ferzerp]

D: jesus... Would I be better than going C5 z06? I'm not as big of a fan of the body, and obviously HP is down quite a bit, but I don't feel like spending $30k, to end up needing the engine torn apart after...

Edit: This topic seems to talk about it. Somehow 06 and 07 aren't affected?

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f62/gm-response-failing-ls7-engines-125371/

Maybe so. I never looked in to it very deeply. I just know that the think to look out for on the LS7 is the potential for the engine to eat an exhaust valve

 

[z1ggy]

Maybe so. I never looked in to it very deeply. I just know that the think to look out for on the LS7 is the potential for the engine to eat an exhaust valve

lol, people's reaction online to mitigate that risk is have the thing torn open right out of the gate and replace the heads, valves, etc. But if it's a design flaw, that really won't make a difference.

I'm also a huge mustang fan too, like I stated up top. Couldn't afford the new GT350 for a while, but I could certainly get like a 2003 SVT Cobra for the same price as a c5 Z06. Not as exotic looking, but that puppy sings so loud and deep. It can def turn heads with some nice mods. Thoughts?

 

[jlee]

Definitely. Even if the chance is very small, I'm not about to have an LS7 literally explode and then need to spend $10k on a new engine.

And you're talking blowers installed already for that price, or the car is that price and then people end up putting in blowers after the fact?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5339046505.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5316909468.html

 

[JulesMaximus]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5339046505.html

Over $70K in receipts and that's not including purchase of car.

What an idiot.

 

[jlee]

What an idiot.

And that's why you buy cars that other people built.

 

[Kelvrick]

And that's why you buy cars that other people built.

People who payed other people who know how to build them, hopefully.

OP, why a z06 specifically? Unless this is going to be a track car, why not a C6 with the ls3 and much improved interior?

EDIT: N/m about interior, thought OP was talking about C5 z06's.

 

[Beer4Me]

So, it's not set in stone, but there is a good chance I am getting a new job starting early next year. Substantial pay raise and a 10% cash signing bonus. I'm considering getting a used Z06 now that my cashflow will be much higher. Specifically a 2006 or 2007, looking to spend no more than $30k.

1) Do these cars have any outstanding issues to be concerned with? I've never purchased a used car more than 3 years old.

2) Do they take mods well? I think I'd eventually want to toss on exhaust, intake, coils, etc.

3) How many miles (or less) would be ideal at that price point?

Any other words of advice would be appreciated.

My neighbor/friend has a '08 Z06 (his baby), and he states that all early gen C6 Z06 will drop valves in the head. Essentially, what he explained is that GM used cheap metal on the rocker arms, and they essentially just "snap". According to him, it affects all 2005-2009 Z06, and it was apparently corrected in the 2010+ models. MY buddy's Z06 head has been completely rebuilt with aftermarket valves, rockers, and spring which correct/prevent this issue. He also has a cam and headers. He's putting down 550~ to rear wheels just with those mods. I've driven it, and it is one fast summabitch. Much faster than my stock '11 GT500 (550 crank hp). Just watch out on those. He told me he spent about 6k getting said work done on his car parts/labor included.

Also, since it's a dry-sump system, you HAVE to let the engine warm up before you go WOT. Another thing, he cautioned me about.

FYI, the interiors on these cars is absolutely junk. Cheap, hard, brittle plastic everywhere, and no soft-touch anything. It made my '11 GT500 feel like a Lexus/BMW/Audi, you get my point.

Other than aforementioned stuff, he said it's pretty bullet-proof car.

 

[Ferzerp]

Also, since it's a dry-sump system, you HAVE to let the engine warm up before you go WOT.

Err, the second part is smart, but the first doesn't imply the second at all. You always let an engine warm to operating temp before flogging it. Any engine. Wet or dry sump makes no difference at all here. The only functional difference between the two is that the dry sump continues to oil at higher lateral and longitudinal forces than a wet sump ever could.

Maybe it was a reference to the high volume of oil and the over-eager cooling at low temps making it take forever to heat up though?

 

[Elfear]

Couple options for nice C6:

2006 with 600+rwhp (asking $35k)

2008 with 400+rwhp (asking $27k)

2007 Z06 with rebuilt engine and 475rwhp (asking $32k)

You can find some great deals on the Vette forum.

 

[z1ggy]

People who payed other people who know how to build them, hopefully.

OP, why a z06 specifically? Unless this is going to be a track car, why not a C6 with the ls3 and much improved interior?

EDIT: N/m about interior, thought OP was talking about C5 z06's.

I much prefer the c6 body style in general. z06 because....I can? haha

But sounds like I may need to rethink this a little bit, based on the quoted below...

My neighbor/friend has a '08 Z06 (his baby), and he states that all early gen C6 Z06 will drop valves in the head. Essentially, what he explained is that GM used cheap metal on the rocker arms, and they essentially just "snap". According to him, it affects all 2005-2009 Z06, and it was apparently corrected in the 2010+ models. MY buddy's Z06 head has been completely rebuilt with aftermarket valves, rockers, and spring which correct/prevent this issue. He also has a cam and headers. He's putting down 550~ to rear wheels just with those mods. I've driven it, and it is one fast summabitch. Much faster than my stock '11 GT500 (550 crank hp). Just watch out on those. He told me he spent about 6k getting said work done on his car parts/labor included.

Also, since it's a dry-sump system, you HAVE to let the engine warm up before you go WOT. Another thing, he cautioned me about.

FYI, the interiors on these cars is absolutely junk. Cheap, hard, brittle plastic everywhere, and no soft-touch anything. It made my '11 GT500 feel like a Lexus/BMW/Audi, you get my point.

Other than aforementioned stuff, he said it's pretty bullet-proof car.

Damn, I feel like it just doesn't make financial sense to buy a $25-30k car knowing I immediately would need to dump in $6k just so the thing doesn't blow apart. I'll have to see how much the 2010's+ are going for now...Still have a budget of $30k.
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Off topic slightly, but I mentioned the SVT cobra above as a 2nd option. I am sketched a little bit by older Fords (Fix or Repair Daily.. hehe) but I can snag an 03-04 for probably $20k and either add a new SCer/Port the Eaton, add some other (much cheaper than z06) mods and have a mean sounding car for that $30k that will have solid numbers.

 

[leper84]

lol, people's reaction online to mitigate that risk is have the thing torn open right out of the gate and replace the heads, valves, etc. But if it's a design flaw, that really won't make a difference.

I'm also a huge mustang fan too, like I stated up top. Couldn't afford the new GT350 for a while, but I could certainly get like a 2003 SVT Cobra for the same price as a c5 Z06. Not as exotic looking, but that puppy sings so loud and deep. It can def turn heads with some nice mods. Thoughts?

Why not go with a low mile GT500?

 

[jlee]

I much prefer the c6 body style in general. z06 because....I can? haha

But sounds like I may need to rethink this a little bit, based on the quoted below...



Damn, I feel like it just doesn't make financial sense to buy a $25-30k car knowing I immediately would need to dump in $6k just so the thing doesn't blow apart. I'll have to see how much the 2010's+ are going for now...Still have a budget of $30k.
__________________

Off topic slightly, but I mentioned the SVT cobra above as a 2nd option. I am sketched a little bit by older Fords (Fix or Repair Daily.. hehe) but I can snag an 03-04 for probably $20k and either add a new SCer/Port the Eaton, add some other (much cheaper than z06) mods and have a mean sounding car for that $30k that will have solid numbers.

2nd gen CTS-V?

 

[thedarkwolf]

If it is just the rocker arms wouldn't that be pretty easy and fairly cheap to fix? Just swap them out with good ones. It is still just an ohv engine, easy peasy.

 

[z1ggy]

Why not go with a low mile GT500?

What under $30k, I'm looking at like... low mile 08/09 to maybe 07 or so. I just honestly don't like that body style. Makes lots of power, but I think the 03-04 Cobra looks better oddly enough.

2nd gen CTS-V?

Ah, yes...This is a possibility. Just did a quick search though (cars.com) and to get into an 09/10 for $30k, I'm looking at pretty high miles. At that point, if it's something I'm interested in, I'd probably be better off waiting and upping my budget.

edit: How many miles these engines typically good for? Any issues to be aware of like the good ol LS7 valve drop? I did manage to find a 2010 for $33k with ~47,000 miles on it. Chance to get them down to $30k.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/649881125/overview/ <----- is an Auto tranny (want manual probably) but just an example

If it is just the rocker arms wouldn't that be pretty easy and fairly cheap to fix? Just swap them out with good ones. It is still just an ohv engine, easy peasy.

I don't think they've been able to determine root cause of the issue. I watched a video last night on youtube of a guy showing the heads on his 2010 LS7 with 52,000 on it. The actual guides for the valves were either machines wrong, or were worn away from the valve stem.
He took out one valve, and places it inside all 8 exhaust guides...And 2 of them were loose, 6 were fine. Additionally, the inside of the heads were extremely oily and dirty.

 

[Elganja]

the c6 z06 are very nice cars... I would stick to a 2007 and up, the 06 had a host of issues being the first model year of the c6z06

dropping valve issue is overblown IMHO, but honestly if you are planning on modding it, just do the heads and cams right away (~5-6k depending on what package you go for) and you'll be set

if you want a little better interior, look for a 3lz packaged one

they are very fun cars to drive, I miss mine

 

[z1ggy]

the c6 z06 are very nice cars... I would stick to a 2007 and up, the 06 had a host of issues being the first model year of the c6z06

dropping valve issue is overblown IMHO, but honestly if you are planning on modding it, just do the heads and cams right away (~5-6k depending on what package you go for) and you'll be set

if you want a little better interior, look for a 3lz packaged one

they are very fun cars to drive, I miss mine

Problem is... I can't afford that with a pretty strict budget of $30k. I'd have to get an 07 with very high miles probably. It's still an option if I'm willing to wait to get something a little newer/less miles.

At this point it basically comes down to getting a higher miles CTS-V/z06 and do no mods, probably for a while, or get an 03/04 svt cobra and toss on exhaust, intake and tune right away. I have a while to think on it as it's about to be winter but I'm pretty OCD and I want to make sure I make a good choice.. haha.

 

[Elganja]

Problem is... I can't afford that with a pretty strict budget of $30k. I'd have to get an 07 with very high miles probably. It's still an option if I'm willing to wait to get something a little newer/less miles.

At this point it basically comes down to getting a higher miles CTS-V/z06 and do no mods, probably for a while, or get an 03/04 svt cobra and toss on exhaust, intake and tune right away. I have a while to think on it as it's about to be winter but I'm pretty OCD and I want to make sure I make a good choice.. haha.

i had a 03 cobra as well at one point, that car was fun, but no where near as fun as my c6z06

have you thought about any AWD cars that are mod friendly? like an evo 8?