Hello all, I am considering purchasing a black 2003 Z06 which has around 111k miles on it. The seller described it in good condition, with service records going back to when they purchased it at 38k miles. They used it as a daily driver, which is also what I would do with it. I asked of any issues and overall they described the car as mechanically sound with a smooth transmission and no grinding synchros. The car was maintained at a Corvette specialist in the area (I don't remember the name, other than it's a shop that specialized in Corvettes). It is also equipped with the magnetic ride control.

The only issues of note are a whistling that can be heard at about 70 mph from having replaced the rubber around the windows (I am not sure what is needed to resolve this issue, more an annoyance thing than actual issue). It does not have issues with water leakage, but in a car wash it sometimes might get a drop or two on the inside. There is also a very intermittent issue with the ABS light coming on that per the Corvette specialist was "something wrong with the light" and not an actual issue? Not sure I'm 100% on that, I'm thinking that might be a wheel speed sensor/wiring harness. There's also one minor quirk with the HUD where it has become misaligned slightly, I'd imagine this is a minor fix?

They are asking $15k for the car, which per KBB is on the dot for "excellent" condition. I have yet to drive the car, but from what I've heard so far it sounds like it doesn't really need anything. Is this a fair price, or assuming it is in the condition I expect should I offer less? I've been looking for a Corvette for awhile and it seems as though they're often overpriced compared to their listed values, so I'm surprised to find exactly what I have been looking for at what seems like a reasonable price. As an aside, should I really have this inspected by a mechanic if it runs good and I have someone with me who is a little experienced on what to look for on cars (Not a mechanic, just worked on his own cars for years)?

As an aside, does the LS6 have the piston slap on cold start like the LS1 in the Camaro is reported to have? I know this is not an issue, but I am curious if it exists there as well. Would appreciate any advice on the pricing or any particular trouble areas I should look for that are red flags to avoid the car. A Z06 is my dream car, so minor issues I am willing to overlook as I plan to long term own the car.

 

Last couple of times I priced pre-2004 Z06's none were priced under $16K-$17K, regardless of miles. So at $15K this is well down there. On the surface a great price. But in value, if long term ownership is your goal, I'd step up the extra $5K-$7K and get a much lower mileage one (20K-35K 1 or 2 owner miles). Odds would favor much less in the way of repairs and trouble. KBB tends to be much lower than real market price on any of the Chevy 1998-2004 performance cars. You can't get a Z06 for $15K in "excellent" condition (top 3% of all cars with that mileage)....unless you rip it from an estate sale or something. 90% of the dealers (and private-parties) over-price this by quite a bit. It's the other 10% you need to seek out.

Until you drive the car I wouldn't adjust an offer one way or another. It has potential as a 2 owner (?) well kept vehicle. The miles are high for my taste. The mileage premium on the Z06 is pretty reasonable (90K miles less for $7K).

 

I agree ^^^.
I love the documentation and upkeep but I dislike the mileage. Any car with 100,000+ miles needs things. You've already mentioned a few which immediately require $$ on top of the $15k, plus even more will go wrong with the car as time passes. We didn't even talk about new tires and you know what that entails money-wise for this type car. Why do I doubt he has a new set of quality tires on it.
I can see having $20k invested in this car within the first year if you pay the $15k. Now you'll have a 6 figure mileage 12+ year old Corvette for $20k. If you keep it for a few years, and the problems remain minimal by some miracle, you will be fine. Unfortunately I think negative with cars with this kind of miles. I know and have read of many owners of high mileage cars, and while the engine may be fine over the long haul, it's all the 'other' things that also accumulate those miles from use (and age too). If you aren't fussy about the particulars of everything working and appearing as they should, you might be fine.
I'd rather see you get it for less. I doubt people are knocking down his door to buy this car at $15k knowing that $20k is around the corner. I wouldn't be. I'd be looking at similar rides with half that mileage for that same $20k. Much less chance for future repairs and a happier ownership experience in the long haul. I have no knowledge of these cars I listed from Autotrader (they might all have problems) but I would start here instead. These asking prices are just that, and perhaps one could be had for under $20k. Travelling is a big part of finding the right car for yourself. Never settle for local stuff unless you get lucky or truly have no option.
Good luck with your search or if you get this car.!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...08008071&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...92061431&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...04822393&Log=0

 

I think it might have a newer set of tires on it, I wanted to say it was something like a nice set of Michelins. I'm a bit surprised to hear the concern with the miles, I thought Corvettes were generally a pretty trouble free car? I know this is a bit apples to oranges, but at least for mileage I had a '96 Buick Riviera that I drove from 138k - 168k and in that time I believe it only needed a power steering pump, a new belt for the supercharger, and a set of brakes/rotors. I have a 2003 Nissan Altima now, bought it at 142k and now at 152k and all I've put into it was tires and brakes/rotors on the back. I pretty much expect if I don't just sell the car before it gets there, that I'll hit 200k without incident (though to be fair, I think the transmission could use some looking at as it grinds in gears and may have specifically been abused by the previous owner - bad due diligence on my part at the time).

I know it's typical for Corvettes to have lower miles than other cars, but are they really so bad for wear? What kinds of things would need to be repaired at 110k+? Firebrian may recall I looked at a '99 C5 with 55k miles for $12.9k and almost bit, but was too uncomfortable with the 8 previous owners and the fact it also needed the A/C to be serviced and was in a collision. A Z06 is what I really want, but I'm not really that crazy about the $20k price. All I kept hearing as I was searching were people saying you should be able to buy them for $16-18k - and if I search across all of the US you can find them, but not often.

I mean what price do you think this Z06 is actually worth then? I imagine the seller will not be crazy about the idea of a $12k offer or especially $10k and I can see why. Let me just ask for the same kind of money, is a 2006 Pontiac GTO with 115k miles a better, worse, or equal kind of deal? Does having the LS2 rank it better than the LS6 since it's a Gen 4 vs a Gen 3? All things considered, I was kind of hoping to be in a different financial place when I came across a Z06 but that's more of an ideal situation. I'm in a completely ok and comfortable position to buy at $15k - but $20k would be a no go right now. If what you all are saying is indeed true, then I would probably just not even look at anything for now (which is disappointingly the same conclusion I've come to every time I looked at Camaros, Firebirds, and the aforementioned Corvette and a few other makes I looked at). Nothing wrong with my car, I'd just like something more powerful and fun.

I appreciate the insight here as always, as it's been awhile since I had a GM. But I never thought of them to be problematic outside of a few bad models. Is there something I'm really naive about on the LS6 and its long term dependability?

Also I just came to a realization, if this is true about the LS6s then by association I'm guessing the LS1's aren't that great either? This is depressing, because it means now I'd have to look at a newer Corvette only and I could never have a C5 unless I swapped the engine (I will probably never do this). All I see anyone say when I try to find LS6 vs LS2 is people saying to get the LS2, get the newer engine, etc. So are these old ones just useless? Why does anyone even drive them then? I'm just about to give up and just stop looking for the Corvette I always thought I wanted. Just end up driving a 370z or something less exciting but at least trustworthy. God, I'll probably just end up with a cruiser Lexus that isn't even fast like an LS430 or LS460 - I find those with 100k miles and I know they can go 250k, which is what I thought Corvettes could do too. Shot down on any chance of owning a fun performance car I'd actually enjoy. Honestly, this almost is enough to make me not even care about cars anymore and I'm someone who has always loved cars and driving.

If anyone sees this in the next 2 hours or so, should I even waste my time looking at the Z06? Is there anything about it that could redeem it, or just not even bother?

 

I can feel your disappointment. Lots of Vettes come to market all the time. You just have to find the motivated private seller (or in a rare instance...a dealer) who has to sell and has few options...except you. It's gonna happen. While it may not happen this month, maybe in a few months or next year. I pulled the trigger 6 months after I started my search. And then saw several better cars more to my specifications pass by in the following 6-12 months. It was rather frustrating too. I might have had to wait up to 24 months, but the perfect car did come around (in fact one I passed on early on because the owner was too high on price). The owner finally caved in price and I already had a car. Couldn't do anything.

One thing I've learned about buying collector cars over the past 25 years is that there is always another one right around the corner...even better than the last "too good to believe" deal you just missed out on. Remember that 80-90% of sellers are out to lunch on their asking prices and haven't arrived at the realization that they have to price something to the bone to finally move it. They will when they finally need the money. Whatever you end up with probably should be in the 10K to 55K mile range to truly avoid some of the routine pitfalls of any performance car.

Just keep your eye, ears and options open and continue to scout what's out there. Fall/winter discount season will soon be upon us. You can find a quality and well priced LS1 or Vette that doesn't have any of the piston/lifter slaps, knocks, whines, bangs, dings, dents, that some of the cars do. Doesn't matter what car you pick from 1998-2008 they are all gonna have some quirks that come back to get you. It's almost unavoidable regardless of make/model. Fwiw my 1998 Z28 A4 which I drove from 22K miles to 115K miles had zero issues other than a slight leak from the front differential pinion seal, the AC crapping out around 75K miles, and some rattles in the suspension once it passed 100K miles. As trouble-free a car you could hope for. No paint blisters or bubbles anywhere. And that car had the orig shocks, differential fluid and fuel filter when I sold it. Sad to say, that car was more fun to drive at 115K miles, than my current '99 SS at 17K miles. Just sayin'.

Take a closer look at that 111K mile Z06. Check for rattles anywhere. If the car is tight as a drum without a whisper or rattler or grind from that trans, maybe it was cared for extremely well. At least you would have seen it and know what a good or bad 111K miles feels, sounds, and looks like. I bought a 1969 Super Bee in 1997 with 51K miles. The car was an extremely nice driver (high end #3 condition). That car was 28 years old at the time and ran smooth on the original drive train and suspension bushings, springs, and links...some of those shocks were original. It had the original points distributor and carb that performed perfectly. At that time it ran as smooth and nicely as my 1988 Crown Victoria with 65K miles (that car went to 212K miles eventually). Only issue I had with the '69 SB with 2 years of ownership was the steering idler link coming loose. For the most part it was a 30 yr old car with 30 year old wiring and mechanicals. I wonder how it's doing today with 45 year old parts??? Old cars can run for quite some time on orig parts.

 

This 1999 FRC Z06 M6 doesn't seem like a terrible deal at 45K miles and $15K. Didn't even know they made Z06's in 1999. These must be the 385-395 hp versions?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=06333&endYear=2003&listin gType=used&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&maxP rice=17000&showcaseListingId=385281463&pricesOnly= true&trim1=CORV|Z06&mmt=[CHEV[CORV[CORV%257CZ06]][]]&modelCode1=CORV&photosOnlyActual=true&sortBy=deri vedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=1360232&startYear=1998 &makeCode1=CHEV&engineCodes=8CLDR&maxMileage=75000 &searchRadius=0&listingId=407694472&Log=0

Firebrian may recall I looked at a '99 C5 with 55k miles for $12.9k and almost bit, but was too uncomfortable with the 8 previous owners and the fact it also needed the A/C to be serviced and was in a collision.

8 owners by itself is a concern. So is the collision red flag. It was definitely cheap enough. Though 95% of potential buyers would have seen those 2 things and ran the other way. No one knows if that could sail trouble free to 120K miles.

 

I don't know anymore. There was a time I thought I wanted a G35/G37/350z, but now those are all too slow to me. They're marginally faster than my Altima with the same engine (except G37). My car is cheap and paid off, so I really don't feel like spending lot of money to get a car that's just a little faster. I like Lexus, trust them a lot, but they're all luxury cars that are more about cruising than being fast. I almost pulled the trigger on a 2006 IS350 w/Nav and all options with 65k miles for $16k, but it sold before I could go look at it.

I don't like anything Ford, considered the idea for awhile about a Fiesta ST or Focus ST but both seem too slow for as expensive as they are and I am not a fan of hatchbacks that much. Mustangs, sorry to anyone who isn't a tool and owns one, but 98% of the ones I see in my area are owned by tools so I wouldn't want to be seen in the same kind of car. I'd almost consider a Cobra because it's not as common, but they're harder to find and the ones I've looked at so far had not surprisingly, tool owners who wouldn't even give me a ride in it with them driving. I wouldn't spend the money for a new Mustang, and I don't think the ones before the coyote are worth it.

I looked at Camaro/Firebirds for awhile, but came to the conclusion I don't like the way they ride and they're too rough for me. CTS-V and GTO were other considerations, I like the CTS-V a lot but looks like it's no good because it has the LS6 as well and I probably can't get into one with an LS2 for what I want to spend. GTOs are always too expensive, automatic, or the LS1. I ruled out BMW M3 and M5 some time ago, too expensive and very unreliable even though I like them, particularly the M5. Considered an Audi S4 with the V8 but found they're the same, unreliable.

Looked at Subaru WRX/STi - too expensive, too many mods, or too high of mileage. I have a friend who is very into these and he had a very modded WRX that was probably the fastest thing I have been in. Maybe 350-400 hp? He sold it and bought a new one though. I prefer the STi, because I guess I'm a "ricer" and like the big wing and the prestige of the STi model. Thought about a VW R32 (Mk V) but I don't trust them at all and they only come with DSG and no 6 speed option.

I don't trust Chrysler products, I'd have to have the Hemi if I bought one and most are automatic. Can't afford a Challenger, and I don't really like them that much either. Have thought of like Mazdaspeed3's, but they're always beat to hell and still just a cheapy little hatchback in my eyes even if they are kind of quick. Acura even in their Type-S aren't really fast enough for me, Honda's are all too slow, Toyotas all boring, Nissans all CVTs now. I kinda like Volvos, but they're expensive for an S60R and not even that fast. Saabs are too finicky and hard to find the fast ones anyway, and not even that fast either.

Did I miss any brands? This is why I came to the conclusion of Corvette. Based on this though, I don't want an LS1 based one, and the LS6 is just a "hot LS1" so that's bad too. Can't buy the old LT1s because optispark and they're just not as good based on what everyone says. So it has to be an LS2 or newer, because they're that much better designed. But not an LS7, because those are an expensive nightmare and also can't last past about 100-120k miles apparently.

I mean really, this just makes me feel like utterly giving up on cars. I've looked at and done much consideration to what I want, I'm 25 so a two seater is fine for me. In a few years, maybe it won't? But I don't even know anymore, this all has me so distrustful of them now. I thought I knew GMs and that 110k was literally nothing. Are the people on here and other forums who have 130-150k on their Z06s just burning money to keep driving it? They all don't seem to give that impression. My Altima with 110k would be nothing. Even a 350z with 110k would be nothing and it's a sporty car that gets beat on. Are you saying it's because Corvettes are not that well engineered, because people abuse them that much? I just don't understand here. At 152k my car uses some oil, but that's it. It has no other known issues other than they burn a little oil with higher mileage.

The person selling this Z06 is an older man, I can tell from having spoke with him. Probably late 60's. So that means he bought the car when he was in his mid-late 50's with around 38k miles on it. Is the huge pending repair cost the magnetic ride control or is it the transmission? Or something else?

I feel so trusting of Nissans, yet they just don't have the power I want anymore. My Altima feels fun, but it's just not the same. The time I had in that '99 C5, the sound and feel, that's what was so great. That's what I want. I don't need a creampuff, I want a car I can just drive and have fun in. But I don't want to end up paying thousands in repairs because it's badly made or whatever the issue is.

I'd almost like to just try another Camaro, because this one is much cheaper than this Z06.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...10/overview/#1

But based on everything here, 137k miles is probably way too much on that LS1. If we absolutely ignore the fact I didn't like previous ones and say I did like this one, it's still probably not a good deal right? Something like this would probably be actually fine I'm guessing (Other than it's a boring V6 version):
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...5729/overview/

EDIT: What about this 2009 G8 GT? I have never seen one this cheap.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...56/overview/#1

 

I just give up. Maybe I'm just a dumb kid, but I'm too depressed to look at cars anymore. Maybe an idiot for wanting a Corvette since I was young, but to have this realization hit you, the car you thought was the one, the one that after all that you've looked at and been disappointed with would make you happy is no longer any good and you have literally no other options left. The seller told me there were no issues, but I guess it doesn't matter. It's just a matter of time before it would. I'll just drive my Altima, I have nothing else left now. I have no idea what I'll ever get next now, as this was my plan for years. I think I would've rather this one never showed up so I still had the dream intact, because it's gone now.

 

There's no need to be depressed. You should be happy you had the sense to talk to a few older guys that have 'been there, done that' and can share that experience with you. Pat yourself on the back and be happy about that. That's why I've posted on here for the last 5+ years, to help the young guys. I sure could have used the help in my younger days. What's depressing is buying a car of your dreams and needing to spend $5,000 to $10,000 for a bad transmission, bad a/c, whatever. That's depressing! Not saying this Corvette has any issues but you talk like you are expecting a problem free 100,000 miles Corvette. That's just being inexperienced. You are also talking too much about the engines. I don't think we bad mouthed any GM engines at all. It's all the other stuff that comes with those same miles, from a/c to trannies, to even the slightest item. All can be annoying, and hurt that overall ownership experience. As I stated in my first response, maybe you don't mind the peripheral stuff going bad. I don't know you.
I also feel I can talk for Firebrian and obviously for myself. We are NOT buyers of $15,000 cars with 100,000+ miles on them. We also discourage family members and close friends from buying them as well. Now how do you feel? You are in exclusive company. We both agree to buy a better example for another $5,000 - $10,000 more. If you don't have it, save up and be patient. We've all been in your shoes. The Z06 cars aren't going anywhere. There will be lower mileage ones available next year and the year after that. I didn't buy my first air cooled 911 until I was in my 50's. It was always my dream car. I could have bought a POS a decade earlier. It would have ruined my experience. A life long experience at that. I'll never forget owning the lower mileage non-abused sweet version that I eventually bought. It wasn't nearby either. I travelled 500 miles to get it in Pennsylvania. Don't settle for 'local' as I stated earlier also.
As far as other makes, may I suggest that you re-visit the Mustang family, unless you just don't like them at all. Even though you have run into 'tools' I am here to tell you I have owned 3 different Mustangs over the decades and there are no more 'tools' in the Ford family than in any other car brand. Mustangs are also fine machines if not abused. Yesterday I attended a Mustang show nearby in Maggie Valley, NC with 224 registered cars. The owners were mostly friendly and great folks, from young to old. Think about attending one in your area and see for yourself and get away from those 'tools' you mentioned.
Look at this field of cars that you are eliminating because of those 'tools' you have met. Many can be had for $15k. They may not be Z06 fast but is that really all you want??

 

The person selling this Z06 is an older man, I can tell from having spoke with him. Probably late 60's. So that means he bought the car when he was in his mid-late 50's with around 38K miles on it. Is the huge pending repair cost the magnetic ride control or is it the transmission? Or something else?

Personally, I wouldn't try to sell any of my cars if it had an unresolved issue with potentially major costs looming to "dump" on the next owner (ie ABS light on this car and/or mag ride control). I just went through that with my 2002 DD Lincoln and the ABS ring cracked on the driver's front axle....giving me ABS activation at lower speeds. Finally bit the bullet and bought a new axle even though it was perfect in every other respect. I was willing to ride without ABS "forever" but I'm not so sure my insurance company would have like that decision. Cost $175 total to replace. So you can always go back at this Z06 owner and say you're interested, but want an answer on that ABS light and ride control.....a pretty reasonable request if you ask me. I'd be pretty surprised if that guy's intention is to screw the next owner, especially a 20 year trying to get a foot hold in the performance car field. He was inexperienced at one time too. Leave the screwing to the used car dealers and flippers. The true enthusiasts are there to share a positive experience with the next owner. Every car I've sold in the past 25 years all I got was thumbs up from the next sets of owners. I made it easy for them to buy from me...as I told them everything I knew that was "wrong" or a concern to me on the car. Scared away many buyers when they read my "laundry" lists....lol. Obviously, if I'm selling to a dealer, they are professionals, they should be able to figure out the pros and cons on their own....they don't get the fully detailed laundry list...only the big items.

Don't assume the guy is selling because repairs are looming (brakes, AC, suspensions, or what have you). I sold my '98 Z28 at 115K miles at age 55 because I suspected 120K miles was the useful life of an LS-1. But I was going by my experiences with all cars going back to the 1970's. I had no clue that when taken care of, 200K miles is quite achievable. Had I known that, I'd never would have sold it. So here was one "older guy" who sold his LS-1 for a stupid reason that was completely untrue. And I took care of that car. This elderly Z06 owner might have a similar mindset that 120K miles is a "brick wall." Maybe he doesn't want to risk 150K miles. It's a great + that's he's the one that took it from 38K to 111K....just like I was the one who took my car from 22K to 115K. 50-65 year olds are a lot less likely to beat the snot out of their hot rods.

If I were you I'd spend some more time on that 111K Z06 as another "trial" run. Ask the guy why he didn't ditch it before it got to 100K? Could be he wants a brand new Vette. The worst that can happen is that you spend some time and it doesn't work out. You'll be much the wiser for it nonetheless. A well taken care of 111K miles could easily be equivalent to a beat on 65K mile car, especially if a lot of highway miles are involved. The lower risks car are the lower mileage ones. But, you can buy a lemon at any mileage. There's never a guarantee.

You're only 20. You have a lot of years left to get your first hot rod. I didn't even own a V8 until I was 30...and it was no hot rod either. 48 when I got my first performance car (a rust free, #3 condition, #'s matching 1969 roadrunner 4 speed with a built 383 for all of $3,000 - what a steal - right from the owner/engine builder too, and it didn't hurt any that it was very rare optioned car with AC, 3.55 performance axle package, hood stripes, hemi heavy duty suspension, bucket seats)...there were some true bargains out there in 1992-1996. There are bargains out there right now, if we know our stuff....and look for them. No one said it's easy either. The very first LS-1 I looked at in 2011 was a very rare 2000 Firehawk formula M6 hardtop with 28k miles. No one wanted it at that time either because of the color silver/pewter? wrong year, or the lack of flash vs. a WS6. In any case I didn't know enough to buy that car for $12K. How could you go wrong with 1 of 4 or 1 of 6 built in that color? Someone else got it because I dawdled. The very first car I considered was the right one based on "value." I didn't have the knowledge at the time to step up and buy when no one else did.

 

I guess I'm just surprised then? Every car I've bought has been at or over 100k miles and of all of them, I can't name any that had any real issues. The Riviera had quite a bit more and never needed anything done to it. I had a Deville with 99k that only ended up needing a wheel speed sensor, I sold it because I was afraid of Northstars after I read more about them. My Altima is trouble free save for a 6-speed transmission that could stand to have new synchros put in (I should've realized when the previous owner skip shifted mostly). If I were looking at most GM vehicles with 100k miles on them I wouldn't have a concern, there are only a few that I don't trust (Cavalier, Cobalt, a lot of the ones with the 3400 engine in them).

I can tell you with great confidence I would buy a Lexus with 100k or more and feel very confident in it to not have things go wrong. It's going way toward the luxury side of what I want, I'd rather get those kinds of cars when I'm older though I appreciate it now too. As an example, I found this 2005 LS430 with 127k miles for just under $15k. It has records for its entire life. I disbelieved it until I did a lot of research but they're very trouble free cars, unlike the equivalent kind of car from a German make. I like executive cars like that, but it's only 290 hp or so and it's a luxury cruiser anyway. I feel I'll look too much like I'm borrowing an older relatives car even if it is mine. I could make it look like someone younger owns it, but I like leaving cars mostly stock on the outside, so I'd rather avoid aftermarket wheels and the like.

I even found an SC430, admittedly not a car I usually consider due to their price hover more towards 20k, but this one has 42k miles for $14.5k. It's a little showy for me, but I'd prefer a coupe over a sedan for sure and considering their pedigree of minimal repairs even up to 200k I imagine it would be a very trouble free and enjoyable car to own.

But a Corvette is what I wanted because it's more aggressive, it looks cooler, it has the sound and feel, those Lexus are nice but will never have that. My dislike of Mustangs reaches pretty deep as I detest Ford greatly for the numerous awful vehicles they make (That I must see every single day, instead of people buying better made vehicles that are available for the same money). I honestly don't really want to give off the message that I approve of them by owning one of their cars. I truly do not trust them to be reliable in the slightest, too many personal experiences with my family having owned them, relatives owning them, seeing them broken on the side of the road all the time, and all of them being terrible junk way sooner than a car should start falling apart. For American vehicles, I am GM tried and true and I trust them significantly more than Ford/Mopar(Well, Fiat these days).

To give an idea what's even available, there are several 2011-2013 with the V6 - but I detest an American sports car with a V6. I feel that's an area Japanese cars excel in, and if I was ok with a V6 sports car I'd buy something Japanese and not a car that was designed to have a V8 but had a cheap V6 dropped in as an afterthought. The newest thing with a V8 is this 2007 GT with 111k miles. Now that is a 111k I'm genuinely scared of. I rarely see these with 150k or even 130k on them, so I feel like buying something like this is way more of a gamble than the Z06. They're way more often bought by stupid kids or idiots who tear up their cars, I generally trust the kind of person who drives a Corvette much more to take care of it. Mustangs are the kinds of car in my area who rev up next to everyone, cut in and out of traffic, and just drive like they own the road. One of the late model V6 ones cut in front of me some years ago and I nailed it, I was coming up on him at about 80 as his "300 hp" V6 couldn't pull away.

The Cobras I looked at were like this, I prefer this body to the '05+ one but again the owners didn't want to even let me touch their cars let alone go for a ride in it. A Terminator would be ideal as I love superchargers, but I'm not paying $18-20k for a Mustang, especially not one that old.


And I'd almost just assume go find a Camaro SS which would likely cost similar money and still ride the same. But every time I find them they're overpriced (based on what I hear here, I have never seen one priced right). I found I think an '02-'03 GT for $6,500 once that had around 65k miles. I was going to look at it to humor the idea, but then decided I didn't want to waste the time driving the 50 miles to go look at it.

If I could trust them, I would absolutely own one of these though. But I have none whatsoever in them. Although I at least see some of them with 150-180k miles, I guess thinking on it I never see Corvettes with those miles on them.


To add, I drive few miles per year due to my work. So I don't rack up lots of miles on any of my cars. I used to when going to school, but that's past now. Kind of why I don't want to buy a Lexus, I'd probably buy one and it would have such little ever go wrong that I'd own it for many years and end up having to sell it probably just to get something else because I'm bored of it. I'd rather save the LS430 for when I'm in my 30s or something, if even that. Or maybe as a daily driver if I can swing it later on and have something fun to drive to compliment it. The idea of a Z06 + an STi seemed like the most fun to me though the truly bad weather days are infrequent enough that I doubt the AWD is truly necessary.

 

With the summer driving season soon winding down, you are going to start seeing a lot of deals on these kinds of cars. Be patient, keep an eye out, and I guarantee will find a bargain.

I have had all kinds of cars over the years: 550 hp big block Chevelle, two different WRX STis, Trans Am Firehawk, supercharged Mustangs...this list goes on. But I have to say one my favorite cars was my LS swapped '68 Chevelle.

I swapped in a 2005 6.0, upgraded the suspension, and ended up with a car that ran and handled as well as a modern sports car but with, IMO, far better styling than much of what is on the road today. And of all the cars I have had, that one got the most attention of any them. I stopped at a local parts store to grab some bulbs and literally cleared the entire store of the customers and the workers as everyone gathered around to see the car. It was surreal.

Anyway, good luck in your search and maybe consider a restomod or pro-touring type car.