TommySalami

+1 on a C5 z06. I think it's the obvious choice here.

subinf

MarbleGT

Vette.

500 reliable hp in a Miata is unrealistic for anyone with a budget.

kingofdust

Yeah I am well versed in Miata lore, I just dint think people would take the 500 number for miatas seriously as 500 is a more relative number, I would like to see around 300 in a miata and 400 in a 240.

Been researching the Vettes a lot and I am loving them but I have fallen in love with the wide body of the zo6 and I am not sure I could ever settle for a regular c6. Should I be dissuaded by the rear leaf springs? I am looking for more of a handling car, and I know the z06 is an animal but would I be better off with something like an sti on coils and full suspension?

Also the z06's in my range are all around 35k which is fine but the mies are higher (50k) is that something to be worried about, I would only have the car for a couple of years before I swapped it for something else but I want a few years of trouble free driving. I would keep the z mostly stock, probably just intake, exhaust and tune for it, the rest of the mods would be appearance and suspension.

I havent ruled out the c5 z06 completely but I need to drive both.

MarbleGT

Z06...STI on coilovers.... You're all over the place dude!

Mileage is not as big of a deal as how those miles were racked up. Id rather own a Corvette with 50k on it and have all the service records from someone that obviously cared for it over a newer Vette with half the miles owned by someone like me. If the cars you are looking at are out of your price range, than don't look at them. Don't be that guy who buys a $30k car and has to eat ramen. You can research your ass off on the internet and still be at square 1, which it sounds like you are. If your budget is $30k, spend less.

C5 ZO6/thread.

kingofdust

You got two things right, I am all over the place with cars, because I truly love everything (except vw) and I am still t square one.

As to my finances, to be honest I was saying 30k because I wanted to buy a diesel truck as well, but I am leaning towards just trying to find the best z06 I can (pending an amazing test drive). I don't have a price range per say I was just putting a number on this. I didn't want the thread to take a nasty turn and I don't want to come off as bragging or anything. I appreciate all the advice you guys have put out there and this was really just a feeler type of deal. Ask any of my friends on these forums, I am a stand up guy and I have worked my ass off to get to where I am now.

I am compiling lists of cars I want to test drive when I get back from my next tour and will go try them. I am just trying to have fun over here!!!!



Also: I Know you don't know me, but researching is like my guilty pleasure and it helps me pass the time, I truly enjoy looking up everything I can about cars. AND I love your miata and have been admiring it from afar for awhile now, so its funny you should wind up in my thread lol!

subinf

Is an older viper anywhere on your radar or is that pricing out of the alternatives?

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

re Vettes - If you like widebody but can't/don't want to swing a C6 Z06, pickup a C6 and do a Supervette widebody. Soooo hot. And pics do not do those cars justice. Also looks different then every other C6/C6Z out there...

kingofdust

Holy shit the supervette kit is insane man, I am sold

And yeah the older viper is on my radar, hard to find though

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

That's what I'm saying!!

I'm a planner/researcher like you... and I've considered a ton of cars as a toy... but I keep going back to the C6 with the SuperVette kit. To help with the decision, once the C7 came out, C6 prices started dropping. I like a few other cars, but still keep coming back to that setup...

Brock79

If you go with a Z06, make sure it's the 2003-04 year or newer. The earlier Z06's had the problems with the valves and other engine components. Also I would consider the 2003-04 Cobra. That engine is already built to handle over 1000hp and everything is forged as well. There is very little work that needs to be done to get into the 600-700 hp range. Swap the blower, add a smaller pulley, larger fuel injectors, upgrade the fuel pump and add the proper CAI and your pretty much there. Those are the major things needed and a tune. I went with a Kenne Bell SC on mine and dynoed at 636hp at the rear wheel and 620on the TQ.

subinf

True. There are a few that I've been following in the bay area between 25k-35k. However most of them are the mid-90s...

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

How about just putting a 500hp sticker on whatever car you buy?

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ LOL. Reminds me of a buddy of mine who was a car guy. He had (still has) an early 90's Mustang totally built out. Not sure how much HP he has now. Anyway, he had a Toyota Echo as a little commuter car that him and his wife used. We went to a domestic shootout type event at Englishtown Raceway and took the Echo since his Mustang was getting more work done to it. On the Echo he had little NOS stickers in the small corner rear/side windows. I have to say, that car got more looks and confused faces then most of the monsters that were there. Most people just rolled with it and chuckled, but some would seriously look around to try to figure out if it has NOS installed. It made for some good parking lot entertainment...

Costco

Holy crap, JB. Thanks for finally putting a name on a face for me. I never knew the name of that kit... I googled Supervette and instantly recognized it. Yeah, pictures may not do it justice but ever since seeing this car I've lusted for it.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

wow! that's sick!

subinf

That looks great

Marcelechka

If you want a timeless classic with tons of potential, check out the Esprit... just sick! From '98 to '02 is when they produced the twin turbo V8s.... SICK!

Definitely on my list of vehicles to purchase... Vette, not so much.

Joneill44

^ Sexy car but so many issues

subinf

^ - I would stay away

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

^ That black Vette is sexy as hell!!!

Brock79

That Vette looks like a ZR-1 with a new hood and lower rear valance pretty much and new tail pipes.

Brock79

The more and more I look at it, that's exactly what it is. I'm not sure if it's a real ZR-1, but those are the only differences and the yellow calipers are not ZR-1. ZR-1's came with ZR-1 blue calipers.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Marcelechka

A true enthusiast over looks minor imperfections and enjoy the beauty of the vehicle as a whole... I have nothing against the Vette; it's just in S. FL, you see them EVERYday... both that an personal preference I guess

OP - if the Vette is what you desire, I'm sure you'll have a blast driving it.

subinf

I get it. Vettes are a dime a dozen pretty much everywhere. But I don't know if I would want to jump into the problems associated with the Esprits as an alternative.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

:P

MarbleGT

You haven't known anyone who owns an Esprit, have you?

Classic definition of an $80k car that costs $40 used. You can't just go to Autozone when your discontinued British super car needs a new fan belt every 36k miles. That and if you're over 6', good luck. Most of the common problems are minor in the fact that they don't require major service, but are still a giant PITA. I guess you could put the 348/355 in the same category. Yes you can get into them cheap, but that first $10k service bill and you're screwed.

I still love them, but after knowing a couple of guys with them...I dunno, Fun to look at.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Brother, can you please PM me where I can buy it for $40?

Will send nudes in return.

Marcelechka

I don't brag...
+1

MarbleGT

Says the guy with "Richkid1102" as a user name.

How is knowing someone that owns any car bragging?

Marcelechka

Caught this morning on our way to breakfast; wife was cracking up!

Rick_TL-S

$30K can get you into a nice C6, even more into a well taken care of C5 Z06 or Terminator which will hold their own against said C6.

C6 Z06s would be a solid choice, but you're not going to find them in your budget. They're holding their values very well, expect to pay $40-45K & up for a good model.

kingofdust

Been looking around a lot more and the bette is quickly rising to the top of my list, I am going to have to drive both the c5 z and the c6 to see which one I want. I will also drive a c6 z and see if its worth the wait and the extra cash.

2K2SilverTL-S

The C6 Vette is the car to have if you're looking for a "monster." It's funny, every time I mash the throttle, row through the gears, and look down at the speedo, I have this grin on my face and say to myself "this thing is such a fuc*ing monster." The available mods are endless, and you can pretty much have any power level you want, just depends how deep your wallet is and how much power you can handle safely.

I always laugh at the comments that "vettes are a dime a dozen." People act like they are Honda Civic's or something. I guarantee if you have a nicely modded Vette that sounds nice and you're not some white haired old man, you will get a lot of attention (if that's what you want). Even after 4.5 yrs of ownership, there is still never a dull moment when I take my car out....(will leave it there)

One more thing, I would allow some room in your budget for maintenance/issues. Unfortunately, things can be very costly if you have problems pop up. Anytime you go to the dealer you will get the "Corvette Tax" as it's called. Tires can't be rotated as well, so expect $1800-2000 for run-flats every 8-10K miles if you have a heavy foot like I do. Good luck.