Thinking about a used z06

[z1ggy]

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?

Nothing jumps out at me because cars like the WRX are absolutely beat on by the kiddie racers who tend to flock to them. I also do not like the current looks of the most recent generation of Imprezas. Ugly as sin and boring. There's always the new Focus RS, but that's over my budget.

I really want a big time V8 before they go out of style.

 

[Ferzerp]

If you want a nice handling sports car, don't consider a mustang as an alternative.

I've had both a '13 GT500 and two C7s. The GT500 is not an alternative. It's a totally different kind of car. The Terminator will probably just make you sad unless you heavily modify it.

Actually, it sounds a lot to me like you want a toy, but don't yet know what the difference in the available toys are. I highly suggest that you find a way to drive as many of these cars as possible before you pick what you're getting.

 

[Beer4Me]

If you want a nice handling sports car, don't consider a mustang as an alternative.

I've had both a '13 GT500 and two C7s. The GT500 is not an alternative. It's a totally different kind of car. The Terminator will probably just make you sad unless you heavily modify it.

Actually, it sounds a lot to me like you want a toy, but don't yet know what the difference in the available toys are. I highly suggest that you find a way to drive as many of these cars as possible before you pick what you're getting.

Having owned a '11 GT500, I'll also echo Ferzerp's post about the Mustang handling. AVOID at all costs if you're looking for sharp handling sports car, because that is NOT what the Mustangs are at all. They are simply muscle. That's not to say that they can be turned into super handling track cars (look up Griggs Racing). Want to beat a Porsche 911 on the track? You're looking to spend at least $15K in suspension parts to do it, haha. At that point, should've just bought a C7 Z51 from the get go.

 

[z1ggy]

If you want a nice handling sports car, don't consider a mustang as an alternative.

I've had both a '13 GT500 and two C7s. The GT500 is not an alternative. It's a totally different kind of car. The Terminator will probably just make you sad unless you heavily modify it.

Actually, it sounds a lot to me like you want a toy, but don't yet know what the difference in the available toys are. I highly suggest that you find a way to drive as many of these cars as possible before you pick what you're getting.

I think this is pretty accurate. I mean, I can look up specs no problem, watch youtube.. but yeah, with out a drive I'll never know.

I'm driving my buddies modified '15 mustang GT tonight, so that'll be a good comparison for when I drive these other cars. Unfortunately, not tons of selection of these cars up here in the north east. I guess technically that's in the running too ('15 gt that is) but... It just isn't "exotic" enough for me. You never see any Terminators rolling around the streets anymore, or many z06's. However, plenty of mustangs, and not that many regular people even know the difference between the GT and the regular v6/4turbo.

 

[jlee]

You can also find Vipers in the ~$30k range.

 

[z1ggy]

You can also find Vipers in the ~$30k range.

Eh, yes but a 20 year old car... Def exotic though.
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Drove my buddies GT last night. Apparently ~485hp to the crank... boy that was fun. Winter is coming shortly so I probably won't get a chance to drive a cobra or a c5/c6 for comparison. Still really leaning toward an 03/04 cobra.. I know the vette will be more fun to drive, but mods are like 75% more expensive, and the whole c6 valve drop issue does irk me a bit. Luckily, it'd be my 2nd car so I could afford to have it out of commission for a bit, but the money spent would be such a killer.

Thanks a ton for your advice though guys, I'll be sure to come back if I need more help.

 

[Viper GTS]

Eh, yes but a 20 year old car... Def exotic though.
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Drove my buddies GT last night. Apparently ~485hp to the crank... boy that was fun. Winter is coming shortly so I probably won't get a chance to drive a cobra or a c5/c6 for comparison. Still really leaning toward an 03/04 cobra.. I know the vette will be more fun to drive, but mods are like 75% more expensive, and the whole c6 valve drop issue does irk me a bit. Luckily, it'd be my 2nd car so I could afford to have it out of commission for a bit, but the money spent would be such a killer.

Thanks a ton for your advice though guys, I'll be sure to come back if I need more help.

The nice thing about ~$30k Vipers is at this point their depreciation curve is basically flat. As long as you don't pay the Viper tax modding it you'll retain most/all of the price you paid for it. You can drive them basically for the cost of insurance, gas, and tires.

For total cost of ownership of a toy car that is hard to beat.

Viper GTS

 

[z1ggy]

The nice thing about ~$30k Vipers is at this point their depreciation curve is basically flat. As long as you don't pay the Viper tax modding it you'll retain most/all of the price you paid for it. You can drive them basically for the cost of insurance, gas, and tires.

For total cost of ownership of a toy car that is hard to beat.

Viper GTS

I think it's an intriguing idea, you have a good point. If I can actually find one in good shape within driving distance, it's worth a look. Clearly by your name, you are biased though

 

[RLGL]

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.

Take the cash and put it in an IRA

 

[z1ggy]

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

edit: Think Porsche IMS levels of severity.

Any way for me to find data on this exact issue? Saw a c6 z06 on my way to work this morning, nearly creamed my pants. Such a sexy car. If we are talking like 1 in 100,000 failure rate... I feel like I could live with that. If it's more like 1 in 10,000 or worse.. then yeah that's maybe a risk I wouldn't take on.

I feel like reading about it on the vette forum is blowing it out of proportion because for every 1 guy that shows pics of his dropped valve and leaky heads... How many other guys had absolutely no problems, especially when stock?

 

[Viper GTS]

Any way for me to find data on this exact issue? Saw a c6 z06 on my way to work this morning, nearly creamed my pants. Such a sexy car. If we are talking like 1 in 100,000 failure rate... I feel like I could live with that. If it's more like 1 in 10,000 or worse.. then yeah that's maybe a risk I wouldn't take on.

I feel like reading about it on the vette forum is blowing it out of proportion because for every 1 guy that shows pics of his dropped valve and leaky heads... How many other guys had absolutely no problems, especially when stock?

You're vastly over-estimating C6Z production numbers:

http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2013/04/c6-production-numbers/

Basically 28,000 total Z06 production over the entire C6 run.

Viper GTS

 

[z1ggy]

You're vastly over-estimating C6Z production numbers:

http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2013/04/c6-production-numbers/

Basically 28,000 total Z06 production over the entire C6 run.

Viper GTS

It's how us engineer type folks work with stats to determine Sigma level. I understand much less than 100,000 cars are even produced.

I know it'll never get reliable data on this issue, I just don't want to end up one of those dudes on the vette forum who said he dropped a valve at 12k miles, replaced the engine then dropped a 2nd one at like 60k on that motor. Guy said he spent $17k getting engines replaced & rebuilt. You never know how they are driving the thing, but that's pretty bad.

Read an article this morn written by Katech. They did a ton of testing on the OEM Valve Train. Basically they said the best and cheapest way to try and ensure you don't get that issue is to replace the OEM guides with bronze ones and if you have the money, to trade out the OEM valves with titanium ones.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/1406-how-to-maintain-valvetrain-stability-ls7-exhaust-valves/

 

[Viper GTS]

It's how us engineer type folks work with stats to determine Sigma level. I understand much less than 100,000 cars are even produced.

I know it'll never get reliable data on this issue, I just don't want to end up one of those dudes on the vette forum who said he dropped a valve at 12k miles, replaced the engine then dropped a 2nd one at like 60k on that motor. Guy said he spent $17k getting engines replaced & rebuilt. You never know how they are driving the thing, but that's pretty bad.

Read an article this morn written by Katech. They did a ton of testing on the OEM Valve Train. Basically they said the best and cheapest way to try and ensure you don't get that issue is to replace the OEM guides with bronze ones and if you have the money, to trade out the OEM valves with titanium ones.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/1406-how-to-maintain-valvetrain-stability-ls7-exhaust-valves/

My point was that if it were even as low as one in 10k you'd probably never have heard about it - Three failures would never get that attention. It's probably much higher than one in 10k.

Viper GTS

 

[z1ggy]

My point was that if it were even as low as one in 10k you'd probably never have heard about it - Three failures would never get that attention. It's probably much higher than one in 10k.

Viper GTS

This is true. Well, at least 28 people on vetteforum said they had a valve issue, with half of them indicating they were bone stock oddly enough.

Honestly my best bet is probably finding a shop somewhere in the country that specializes in corvettes. Those mechanics there would probably know best how common it really is and if its just as simple as crappy guides, or if the problem is more complex, like say exhaust gas temperatures wearing our the seals and causing high valve bounce or something.