I just bought a 2007 Lemans Blue Z06. This is my 11th Corvette to
date. In additional I've owned Porsches and a Ferrari. In the past it
was a good car for the price and a great performance car but it had a
lot of rough edges that the Porsche had worked out a long time ago. But
this car changes all of that. Compared to the Z06 the Ferrari has a kit
car feel to it. The Porsche is a refined car but it has a chick's car
feel compared to the Z06. The Z06 is a guy's car. It is brutally fast,
excellent handling but in addition it now has great ride quality and is
very comfortable on a long trip. The fit and finish are excellent as are
the ergonomics. The Corvette has finally grown up. This car does
not need the excuse "for its price" any longer. In fact it makes the
other cars seem way overpriced for what you get. It gives you 99 percent
of the performance of a Ford GT for way less than half the price. It
gives you everything the Ferrari and Porsche have to offer and then some
for a fraction of the price as well. I am always looking for excuses to
go for a drive. I'm glad that I bought it instead of leasing it. I plan
on putting a lot of miles on this car. I am a little nervous about the
carbon fiber fenders but they are available from any GM dealer in the
country for less than half the cost of the same parts for an exotic car.
Aside from the visceral enjoyment I get from driving it the electronics
are a real kick. The head up display is awesome. After driving the Z06 I
really miss it in my other cars. The keyless start and security systems
also has a very high "cool factor" If you have the remote in your pocket
the car unlocks as you walk up to it. When you get in you just push one
button and the car cranks and starts automatically. The voice activated
navigation system works much better than I thought it would. Overall I
have to rate this as a... must buy. I only have two minor problems with
the Z06. One is that the roof panel is not removable and the second is
that it has really spoiled me. It has set the bar so high that it is
going to take something pretty spectacular to impress me.
I decided to buy this vehicle be caused I assumed it was a reputable
dealer. The car had been in an accident and was not disclosed by
Southdown Hyundai. Not only did they not tell me about the previous
collision damage, it was not repaired completely. The cosmetic bodywork
was completed, but there was mechanical damage. The front-end was pushed
into the engine, radiator fan, and bent the crankshaft pulley which
caused misalignment of the fan belt, which caused the fan belt to fail
after about a 150 miles of use. While the car was at the dealership
getting the belt replaced the mechanic noticed this mechanical damage. I
then contacted Southdown Hyundai and they would not accept
responsibility for the previous damage. Do not buy from this dealer!
The 1994 Corvette takes a lot of criticism about not having the best
body styling but, no one can say that they are not packed full of
performance. Just drive one!
I bought mine just expecting a good Corvette ride and handling. I also
expected to have to do some modifications to make it handle better and
pump up the power in the engine.
Make no mistake, at 300 rated horse power, this car is UNDER rated. It
feels more like 500. The 6 speed zf transmission is pleasant to shift
and has just the right gearing to get the power to the ground. I did
unhook the skip shift which I found was down right annoying.
The handling on this car is incredible as well. It feels like a slot
car. The 285/40/17 tires stick to the road like glue. I have run through
the winding mountain roads in Colorado with ease, barely backing off
through even the tightest of turns. The handling really put the fun back
in driving for me.
It isn't all fun and games though. Just like you would expect from a
Ferrari, the parts prices for this car are quite different from the
average Chevy. Cap and Rotor for the distributor are over $200 as is the
water pump. The distributor is in the front of the engine down by the
crank shaft which can cause some problems. The point here is they are
expensive to maintain so be careful when buying one as people tend not
to maintain them well. Also if you don't do your own work they can be
very expensive. For example a tune up from my local dealer was quoted at
$1300.
Overall I was looking for a hotrod that handled well. I got more than I
bargained for with this 1994 Corvette. I highly recommend getting one!
I consider myself a very lucky person for my recent purchase of a
1979 Chevrolet Corvette. I had been looking for a long time on EBay for
the right vehicle, I wanted a 78 or 79, I wanted it to have the spoilers
and I really wanted red. I had never driven this year vintage vette
before. According to everyone involved during the process of getting the
Vette from NC to Ne, I am very lucky to have received such a nice
vehicle in the shape it was in. The car drives excellent, the steering
is tight and it has a nice smooth ride on the road. This has the 245/70
tires with the original 15-8 wheels. It only has 59,600 actual miles and
drives like it too. I recently upgraded the console bezels and put in a
new stereo system, replacing the original 8 track. I thought I would be
able to live with that old technology but being an audio engineer, I
just couldn't handle not having a big sound coming from that car. While
under the dash I replaced all the (28 year old) light bulbs. I have
plenty of little projects for my vette but because my seller was a very
honest man, nothing that wasn't described in the auction. That's the key
to buying this vintage of a vehicle, read the descriptions and ask
questions! If there is not a picture of something, ask for one. The
other thing to consider for buying a late model vette is: there is allot
of part suppliers and support out there. My favorite is Ecklers, they
have everything and their website is absolutely the best I've
experienced. Just put in your vette year and it only displays the parts
and accessories for that year. If you're thinking of getting a 1979
Vette, I recommend it. Know going into it that you never know what is
underneath the dash, carpet or hood until you get in there. Because it's
28 years old (2007) and it probably has had multiple owners, each one
has probably gone in and made some kind of alteration to their likes.
Bottom line, if you get a good one, this is a great riding car. Easy to
find parts and plenty of documentation out there to guide you through
do-it-yourself projects. It's a head turner and gets allot of attention
out on the road. Good luck and good buying to you. JRGIV
The 1988 Challenge Corvette is, undoubtedly, a unique vehicle. Any
temptation to see this vehicle as a product of the big hair 80s is
quickly dispelled but the roll cage you must negotiate to enter the
custom fitted sports seat. This is, after all, a factory prepared race
car. Every car - the same, from the motor to the transmission. Only 56
were made in 1988 and because of this fact, it's future collectibility
is firmly established. So there will be little track time in this car,
and precious little cruising. It's days of sliding from one corner the
to next, virtually ended. It's time on the podium at Barrett Jackson
still several years in the future. But, when it's ready - she'll be
there returning a tidy profit.
Great looking car. excellent ride once you remove wallet from back
pocket. Thought about stick shift but after first traffic jam thankful
for automatic. Have the ""real 40th anniversary" Ruby red Convertible
(not a vett if not a rag top.)with all the bells and whiskers. Bought it
with 60,000 on it, 2006, 1st vett. Bose radio fine as long as your not
into great sound. Convertible has poor placement of bose controller.
$280.00 to replace with rebuilt, also problematic cd player. Another
$180.00 to repair. Lots of work to put in after market radio. Plenty
fast enough for a 60's hot roger. Stock exhaust quite but easy fix. It
is easy on gas 24+ Hwy.
Had to fix headlight lift assembly. Really simple and cheep once you
learn how. Fun car and reasonably priced now. Need to be drivn not
stored. JDR
