Low mileage, manual c6..where to look?
Discussion
Hi.
After lots of deliberation I'm after a c6 manual with around 30k miles or less, and wondered if they come up for sale often and where to look. I've been looking on PH and AT and e-bay but there's not a lot. Seen a lovely black one for sale (looks lovely in the pics anyway!) in Essex, but the mileage (47k) might be a bit much. Unless anyone can tell me anything about that one and persuade me the mileage isn't an issue?
Anyone own something like that and thinking of selling soon?
Thanks in advance, and any advice gratefully accepted!
Wraggy
After lots of deliberation I'm after a c6 manual with around 30k miles or less, and wondered if they come up for sale often and where to look. I've been looking on PH and AT and e-bay but there's not a lot. Seen a lovely black one for sale (looks lovely in the pics anyway!) in Essex, but the mileage (47k) might be a bit much. Unless anyone can tell me anything about that one and persuade me the mileage isn't an issue?
Anyone own something like that and thinking of selling soon?
Thanks in advance, and any advice gratefully accepted!
Wraggy
Good choice/fab car/costs peanuts to run/rock solid GM reliability. You are looking in the right places. Prices with dealers same as 4 years ago. Depends on your budget? 2005-2007 LS2 engine car or 2008 on LS3 engine car? Look at Corvette Club UK website for members cars for sale.
US Import car or rarer UK spec car? Road tax cheaper on US import, but ensure it has US CarFax report to ensure its not an insurance write off/heavily damaged/repaired car. Three long time used Vette dealers in the UK (Clarermont Corvette, Adrian Dromey and Ameerican Dreams). Buy from them and obviously you are gonna pay a dealer margin.
US Import car or rarer UK spec car? Road tax cheaper on US import, but ensure it has US CarFax report to ensure its not an insurance write off/heavily damaged/repaired car. Three long time used Vette dealers in the UK (Clarermont Corvette, Adrian Dromey and Ameerican Dreams). Buy from them and obviously you are gonna pay a dealer margin.
Edited by Silver C6 on Tuesday 5th July 21:35
Thanks Silver c6, very helpful.
Budget not much of an issue so I'd prefer a 2008 on but if a great 2006 on car came up I'd be still interested.
With regards to uk/us, I must admit I don't know the differences yet so more research required....is the US one more difficult/expensive to insure?
I'll check out corvette forums tomorrow when I've got some free time.
Wraggy
Budget not much of an issue so I'd prefer a 2008 on but if a great 2006 on car came up I'd be still interested.
With regards to uk/us, I must admit I don't know the differences yet so more research required....is the US one more difficult/expensive to insure?
I'll check out corvette forums tomorrow when I've got some free time.
Wraggy
My experience of insuring a US one (although C5Z) is that it's not very expensive, or difficult to get quotes on.
Do read the small print though, as some "so called" American import specialist insurers have pretty unfavourable terms, such as will not pay for import duty on parts required for an accident damage repair.
Do read the small print though, as some "so called" American import specialist insurers have pretty unfavourable terms, such as will not pay for import duty on parts required for an accident damage repair.
Just looked at the Ad, the car looks nice, has had a few improvements, i.e. the radio has been changed, wheels with good tyres,
some underhood changes, look like coils covers etc have had a makeover.
It says the car has a huge history file, I would look through it for issues and services etc.
The cars are mostly bomb proof if basic servicing is done.
This one looks like it was looked after.
47k is nothing on that engine.
If you do go for it, just get the fluids changed correctly for peace of mind.
Also do due diligence with respect to carfax etc if its an import,check for previous damage etc.
Dave.
some underhood changes, look like coils covers etc have had a makeover.
It says the car has a huge history file, I would look through it for issues and services etc.
The cars are mostly bomb proof if basic servicing is done.
This one looks like it was looked after.
47k is nothing on that engine.
If you do go for it, just get the fluids changed correctly for peace of mind.
Also do due diligence with respect to carfax etc if its an import,check for previous damage etc.
Dave.
wraggy said:
Thanks Silver c6, very helpful.
Budget not much of an issue so I'd prefer a 2008 on but if a great 2006 on car came up I'd be still interested.
With regards to uk/us, I must admit I don't know the differences yet so more research required....is the US one more difficult/expensive to insure?
I'll check out corvette forums tomorrow when I've got some free time.
Wraggy
UK or Euro mainland spec cars have headlight washers (US cars don't) as the first easy identifier. But beware, UAE spec cars also have headlight washers. Only diff between UK spec and Euro mainland spec car is the headlights. For both, make sure the headlights point in the right direction on dipped beam. All UK/Euro spec cars have the upgraded brakes (bigger discs)/suspension Z51 option (option on US cars). A UK/Euro spec car should have a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) document, and are Thatcham Cat 1 compliant. Some UK cars sold by Stratstone in the UK also had Trackers fitted. Plenty of good info on C6s in the Corvette threads on here, and on the CCCUK website. Budget not much of an issue so I'd prefer a 2008 on but if a great 2006 on car came up I'd be still interested.
With regards to uk/us, I must admit I don't know the differences yet so more research required....is the US one more difficult/expensive to insure?
I'll check out corvette forums tomorrow when I've got some free time.
Wraggy
I had a look and a test drive in this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
I'm no expert on Corvettes but it seemed a really clean and well maintained car with a good history file - also had a short shifter and induction kit amongst other bits and pieces....hell of a lot of car for the money! Didn't take it further as needed a standard car for registration in France.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
I'm no expert on Corvettes but it seemed a really clean and well maintained car with a good history file - also had a short shifter and induction kit amongst other bits and pieces....hell of a lot of car for the money! Didn't take it further as needed a standard car for registration in France.
Just had a look at the ad, seems quite pricey for what it is?
I think if I were spending that amount of money I'd want to be in a 2008 + model, there were many improvements. Mine is a 2005 and I absolutely love it but as time progressed they made a few improvements, the largest being for the 08MY.
LS3 took it from circa 400/400(LS2) to circa 430/430 without any hit on economy or drivability.
Manual transmission was upgraded from the Tremec T56 to TR6060 which according to the guys I knew Stateside made a huge difference in shift feel. Again, I love mine but the shift quality, especially when cold can be tiring for anything other than spirited driving. With the transaxle out the back it takes a long time to warm the oil through! Best description I have heard is 'weapons grade' feel.
The variable steering was reprogrammed and a quicker/better rack was fitted.
Inside various changes were made to finishes on centre console and dash surround.
The 05MY is a little unloved Stateside (unfairly I feel) as there are quite a few experiences of exploding Diffs but these are nearly always when launched hard at the dragstrip, on standard suspension(wheelhop) and large power upgrades. Also, the steering wheel on the 05 was taken from a much cheaper Chevy, the yanks refer to the 05 wheel as 'The doughboy'.
Additionally the 05 was labelled as having something called 'Dead Battery Syndrome', my advice is whatever year you get invest in a battery maintainer, the Vette has a large current draw relatively when sat in the garage asleep. Mine will sit happily for several weeks however.
I am very pro US imports as I brought mine back as a personal import but there are things to be careful of if going that route. As already mentioned, due diligence ref the Carfax etc. However, be aware they sell the Vette in poverty spec in the States so it is possible to get a fairly basic one that is designed for the 'retirement' market that is strong out there.
05MY only were labelled 1SB and 2SB with '1' being the higher of the two trim levels. There aren't 'that' many 2SB's about even in the states as the first year adopters tended to spec them up.
From 06 onwards (3 spoke steering wheel, 6 speed for the auto) they changed to the current in use trim labels, 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. 3LT being the highest of the three.
All this information is handily printed inside the glovebox.
It is also possible to find any of these specs either with or without the z51 performance package. This adds shorter gear ratios, bigger brakes, vented discs, different dampers/springs/sway bars, coolers for the engine oil, power steering and transmission. This was supposed to make it track ready but believe me if you are 'at all' into pressing on at the track you will exceed the capability of even the Z51 brakes and coolers pretty quickly.
Also, USDM cars did not all come with HUD standard! Some say it is a gimmick but I love mine and use it all the time.
The Z06 opens a whole new can of worms ref dropped valves etc etc..............But wow, what a monster!
It is relatively easy to import an earlier car now as they are over the 10 year bracket and therefore just require an MOT vice IVA.
If it's a manual, proof of a clutch change would be nice as it is a pig of a job. You have to start rearmost and drop brakes, subframe, diff, tranny, torque tube to get to it. I'm pretty handy and did mine on axle stands but it ain't fun, I assure you. Would imagine it ain't cheap either! If you intend to do anything yourself then invest in a year specific 'HELM' manual from the States. This is the same documentation GM use. You can probably get it on DVD for peanuts/free but I'm a luddite.
There are lot's of other minor differences between euro/us cars like alarms, TPMS frequency, reprogramming keys etc but they are pretty irrelevant. The alarm may be a problem for you but may not. As a benchmark, my US import costs 'just' a tad more to insure a year than my 2006 V70!! Vette is 7k limited and has no NCB against it yet as we only came home last year! V70 has 5 years NCB, unlimited miles. Makes not one jot of sense to me! Same company lol.
Good luck, they are an absolute bargain for what they offer.
I think if I were spending that amount of money I'd want to be in a 2008 + model, there were many improvements. Mine is a 2005 and I absolutely love it but as time progressed they made a few improvements, the largest being for the 08MY.
LS3 took it from circa 400/400(LS2) to circa 430/430 without any hit on economy or drivability.
Manual transmission was upgraded from the Tremec T56 to TR6060 which according to the guys I knew Stateside made a huge difference in shift feel. Again, I love mine but the shift quality, especially when cold can be tiring for anything other than spirited driving. With the transaxle out the back it takes a long time to warm the oil through! Best description I have heard is 'weapons grade' feel.
The variable steering was reprogrammed and a quicker/better rack was fitted.
Inside various changes were made to finishes on centre console and dash surround.
The 05MY is a little unloved Stateside (unfairly I feel) as there are quite a few experiences of exploding Diffs but these are nearly always when launched hard at the dragstrip, on standard suspension(wheelhop) and large power upgrades. Also, the steering wheel on the 05 was taken from a much cheaper Chevy, the yanks refer to the 05 wheel as 'The doughboy'.
Additionally the 05 was labelled as having something called 'Dead Battery Syndrome', my advice is whatever year you get invest in a battery maintainer, the Vette has a large current draw relatively when sat in the garage asleep. Mine will sit happily for several weeks however.
I am very pro US imports as I brought mine back as a personal import but there are things to be careful of if going that route. As already mentioned, due diligence ref the Carfax etc. However, be aware they sell the Vette in poverty spec in the States so it is possible to get a fairly basic one that is designed for the 'retirement' market that is strong out there.
05MY only were labelled 1SB and 2SB with '1' being the higher of the two trim levels. There aren't 'that' many 2SB's about even in the states as the first year adopters tended to spec them up.
From 06 onwards (3 spoke steering wheel, 6 speed for the auto) they changed to the current in use trim labels, 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. 3LT being the highest of the three.
All this information is handily printed inside the glovebox.
It is also possible to find any of these specs either with or without the z51 performance package. This adds shorter gear ratios, bigger brakes, vented discs, different dampers/springs/sway bars, coolers for the engine oil, power steering and transmission. This was supposed to make it track ready but believe me if you are 'at all' into pressing on at the track you will exceed the capability of even the Z51 brakes and coolers pretty quickly.
Also, USDM cars did not all come with HUD standard! Some say it is a gimmick but I love mine and use it all the time.
The Z06 opens a whole new can of worms ref dropped valves etc etc..............But wow, what a monster!
It is relatively easy to import an earlier car now as they are over the 10 year bracket and therefore just require an MOT vice IVA.
If it's a manual, proof of a clutch change would be nice as it is a pig of a job. You have to start rearmost and drop brakes, subframe, diff, tranny, torque tube to get to it. I'm pretty handy and did mine on axle stands but it ain't fun, I assure you. Would imagine it ain't cheap either! If you intend to do anything yourself then invest in a year specific 'HELM' manual from the States. This is the same documentation GM use. You can probably get it on DVD for peanuts/free but I'm a luddite.
There are lot's of other minor differences between euro/us cars like alarms, TPMS frequency, reprogramming keys etc but they are pretty irrelevant. The alarm may be a problem for you but may not. As a benchmark, my US import costs 'just' a tad more to insure a year than my 2006 V70!! Vette is 7k limited and has no NCB against it yet as we only came home last year! V70 has 5 years NCB, unlimited miles. Makes not one jot of sense to me! Same company lol.
Good luck, they are an absolute bargain for what they offer.
wraggy said:
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. Some very useful info...
I think it's got to be at least a 2006 on model for me, preferably yellow or black but wouldn't rule out other colours. I might be waiting some time for the right car but I'm hoping to get a keeper.
Hello wraggy,I think it's got to be at least a 2006 on model for me, preferably yellow or black but wouldn't rule out other colours. I might be waiting some time for the right car but I'm hoping to get a keeper.
I have a 2008 C6 manual in crystal claret tricoat ( red ) with 15000 miles from new. It has full service history. It was imported new through Canada from the gent I bought it from - He used it for holidays in Austria & Italy - so I am the 2nd. owner. It has Z51, and has LT4 interior ( full leather ) I've owned the car for about 18 months, and have changed brake fluid, clutch fluid -regular change- engine oil & filter, and replaced the back - up lamp switch. The car has competition grey wheels - £700 - extra & NPP exhaust. It's virtually immaculate cond. I'm hoping to upgrade to a C7.
Nick-34vw4 said:
Hello wraggy,
I have a 2008 C6 manual in crystal claret tricoat ( red ) with 15000 miles from new. It has full service history. It was imported new through Canada from the gent I bought it from - He used it for holidays in Austria & Italy - so I am the 2nd. owner. It has Z51, and has LT4 interior ( full leather ) I've owned the car for about 18 months, and have changed brake fluid, clutch fluid -regular change- engine oil & filter, and replaced the back - up lamp switch. The car has competition grey wheels - £700 - extra & NPP exhaust. It's virtually immaculate cond. I'm hoping to upgrade to a C7.
Hi Nick. I tried to email you through piston heads but no joy. Sounds interesting. Can you email me any further details/photos price and where you are please?I have a 2008 C6 manual in crystal claret tricoat ( red ) with 15000 miles from new. It has full service history. It was imported new through Canada from the gent I bought it from - He used it for holidays in Austria & Italy - so I am the 2nd. owner. It has Z51, and has LT4 interior ( full leather ) I've owned the car for about 18 months, and have changed brake fluid, clutch fluid -regular change- engine oil & filter, and replaced the back - up lamp switch. The car has competition grey wheels - £700 - extra & NPP exhaust. It's virtually immaculate cond. I'm hoping to upgrade to a C7.
I'm just on holiday at the moment-back home tomorrow night so can call you Thursday onwards.
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff