Black Z06 in classifieds

[ian_uk1975]

Just in case anyone has seen it and is tempted by it, the black Z06 in PH sales being sold by Claremont is on CARFAX. Just phoned about it and was told it had new bumper, OSF suspension, OSF wheel, etc. Think I was probably speaking to Tom, who also went on to say, 'That's why it's so cheap, if it was not on CARFAX, it would be £39,995 and would walk out the door'. Yep, OK Tom.

Just a heads-up for anyone that might have been interested in it.

[BlackZeD]

Bugger

[SeeFive]

I shouldn't think that it would be too difficult to knock a corner off a Z06 against something solid (no, not Pete of course). As long as the repair was done properly, it should handle ok again. I am also not convinced that someone with Tom's reputation would market a duffer, although I do not know the man personally, just hearsay.

It just depends if you want to pay the extra money for a pristine car, and get top dollar and a quick sale when you sell it later. So, given that it was the right price, which frankly is not quite there (I mean the 35k in the title rather than the 37k in the advert text), it would be worth a haggle to get it home for the price right.

... and no, sadly I do not have the money... very sadly or I'd have a chat with him and a run up the road to make sure before I negotiated in the low 30's. That is pretty good money for a Z06 today to keep for 3-4 years, letting the next buyer know it has been ok to own despite its earlier history.

Great track day car for the uber rich too.

[ian_uk1975]

Personally, I find it rather irksome that the car is being marketed on both PH sales and on eBay with no mention of said damage in either ad. I also find it irritating when I'm told (quite snottily, I might add) that the fact that it was previously damaged is why it's so 'cheap' and that if never damaged it would 'walk out the door' at £40k. We all know that several perfectly good Z06s have changed hands for around £35k with no stories attached to them.

In terms of reputation, Claremont remind me of some of the Ferrari specialists I spoke to when shopping for a 355. They had good reputations too, but the attitude of the people running those businesses put me off at the first hurdle... snotty, clipped and made you feel as though their time was precious and they could be doing better things than talking to you. Ask these people about condition and try to draw them on details and they often retort as though personally offended. The good dealers, IMO, are the ones that are relaxed, easy-going and enthusiastic to chat with no 'holier than thou' attitude.

Sorry, I'll step down off my soap box now. Horses for courses and all that.

Edited by ian_uk1975 on Friday 14th August 00:05

[SeeFive]

ian_uk1975 said:

Personally, I find it rather irksome that the car is being marketed on both PH sales and on eBay with no mention of said damage in either ad. I also find it irritating when I'm told (quite snottily, I might add) that the fact that it was previously damaged is why it's so 'cheap' and that if never damaged it would 'walk out the door' at £40k. We all know that several perfectly good Z06s have changed hands for around £35k with no stories attached to them.

In terms of reputation, Claremont remind me of some of the Ferrari specialists I spoke to when shopping for a 355. They had good reputations too, but the attitude of the people running those businesses put me off at the first hurdle... snotty, clipped and made you feel as though their time was precious and they could be doing better things than talking to you. Ask these people about condition and try to draw them on details and they often retort as though personally offended. The good dealers, IMO, are the ones that are relaxed, easy-going and enthusiastic to chat with no 'holier than thou' attitude.

Sorry, I'll step down off my soap box now. Horses for courses and all that.

Edited by ian_uk1975 on Friday 14th August 00:05

Hmm. I'd have to agree with you that the advertised price seems more than I would want to pay for that year, mileage and record. Agreed, it would be good to see the car advertised at the right price, with the reason stated up front rather than having to ask for the details.

Vendor issues aside, I'd still be tempted with such a car at the right price. However it sounds that getting there could not be the most pleasant experience, or could potentially be impossible based on your experience. Shame because after meeting people at other Vette dealers in 5 years of ownership and initial buying, my experience has been good and I would have assumed that a firm like Claremont would be in the same mould. I guess that not every individual will get on with everyone else in this world, but initial attitude counts for a lot when you are selling. Negotiation preparation tends to spoil that from some people, but it can be done with adaptation for the individual you are dealing with, and a degree of honesty and openness to a successful conclusion. I am a little surprised at your experience not based on personal knowledge, but purely because many Vette owners say good things about Claremont. Perhaps sales negotiation is not their strongest set.

As an aside, I heard a great story from Malcolm at Farnham's Station Hill Garage (TVR) years ago where a young, scruffy, denim laden lad was in his showroom. Malcolm did as always - went over and greeted him as he would anyone else and asked if he could help. The lad did not look like a potential buyer, but Malcolm enthusiastically showed him around the car, talked about colours, options and all the usual stuff.

The lad then explained that 15 minutes before, he had been ignored as he walked around another local, more glossy, snotty TVR dealership, and placed an order with Malcolm for a new Chim on the spot. He had just had a little luck on the lottery and buying a car was a priority before buying clothes and growing older

[G4HKS]

Having worked in sales all my life the same rule of thumb exists, never judge a book by its cover. In addition if Ian felt as though he was being talked down to then the chap on the other end of the phone has failed. Any "salesperson" (whether they own the gaff or not) will miss a massive market if they don't know how to approach customers in a friendly open and honest manner.

I had a guy work for me who ended up having arguments with customers (can you believe it!) because he didn’t agree with the customers point of view. He didn't last long...

As for describing the damage that was on the car in an advert (but has been corrected to a satisfactory standard) I don't agree that this is required. I do agree however that the advert should at the very least mention "Cat D" or whatever level it was. You would still probably have rung but at least you are forewarned.

Edited by G4HKS on Friday 14th August 10:49

[ian_uk1975]

G4HKS said:

Having worked in sales all my life the same rule of thumb exists, never judge a book by its cover. In addition if Ian felt as though he was being talked down to then the chap on the other end of the phone has failed. Any "salesperson" (whether they own the gaff or not) will miss a massive market if they don't know how to approach customers in a friendly open and honest manner.

I had a guy work for me who ended up having arguments with customers (can you believe it!) because he didn’t agree with the customers point of view. He didn't last long...

As for describing the damage that was on the car in an advert (but has been corrected to a satisfactory standard) I don't agree that this is required. I do agree however that the advert should at the very least mention "Cat D" or whatever level it was. You would still probably have rung but at least you are forewarned. Sometimes, people are better face-to-face than over the phone, but as 99% of sales enquiries must start-off with a phone call, it doesn't help if your telephone manner isn't open and friendly.

In fairness, not all my comments were directly aimed at Claremont, as I've only spoken to them briefly over the phone. However, I did get the same clipped answers and the vibe that he didn't want to be pressed on details... the feeling I got was 'The car's a bargain and you'll offend me by asking lots of questions about it'.

Re. Cat C/D declaration, it wasn't actually recorded on HPI because the damage occurred in the States. It is, of course, recorded on CARFAX. A line in the ad saying 'Previously damaged, now repaired to a high standard' would have been more than sufficient.

Edited by G4HKS on Friday 14th August 10:49[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by ian_uk1975 on Friday 14th August 11:11

[G4HKS]

Okay Ian, sorry missed the fact it was a US import. (Dohh)

I find that kind of attitude quite remarkable to be honest but I have the same in my game with customers ringing us to tell us how offended they were at some of our competitors attitude. Once or twice you might accept as a dealer listening to this sort of thing but when you get the same stories over and over again about the same competitor we find it obviously amusing and indeed ensure that that dealer gets a BIG HAMPER from us at Christmas. Just love 'em!

Anyway, didn't you rush off and get an SL-55?!

[ian_uk1975]

G4HKS said:

Okay Ian, sorry missed the fact it was a US import. (Dohh)

I find that kind of attitude quite remarkable to be honest but I have the same in my game with customers ringing us to tell us how offended they were at some of our competitors attitude. Once or twice you might accept as a dealer listening to this sort of thing but when you get the same stories over and over again about the same competitor we find it obviously amusing and indeed ensure that that dealer gets a BIG HAMPER from us at Christmas. Just love 'em!

Anyway, didn't you rush off and get an SL-55?!

That was someone else, I think. Coincidentally, I did consider an SL55 at one point and still think they're one of the most attractive cars ever made. An SL65 in black would be very tempting and they're available at about the same price as a Z06. MUCH higher running costs though.

[G4HKS]

Yep, the shape of the SL series is superb, having owned an SL-55AMG years ago.

Actually went to see a new SL-63AMG last Monday in black with the big twin-spoke AMG wheels. Looked great but I just got the feeling of been-there-before and I would have got bored with it probably. Also tried an R8 this Monday but did the stupid thing of driving to the dealership in the Z06.(And no, the Z is not for part-ex!). The R8 was very very good but after the performance of the Z, the V8 engined R8 is not for me. Got a drive in a new R8 V10 early this Sunday. Watch this space..!

[Vet Guru]

This is the 2nd Vette that has been in a major smash and been sold by Claremont with mo mention of it until someone tells him it's on Carfax. Remember Zs were being sold new from Stratstones a few months ago for 49k so what they are asking is very expensive.

[B15TT0]

G4HKS said:

Okay Ian, sorry missed the fact it was a US import. (Dohh)

Anyway, didn't you rush off and get an SL-55?!

That was me!

Couldn't find a clean used Z for sale in a colour I wanted at <40k so I decided to try an SL55. It's a lovely car actually and does everything you could ever ask for. Remarkably practical too. Quick as hell but no where near as raw and exciting as a Vette when you fancy turning the wick up.

I think i'll keep the 55 for a year and then see what the Z market is looking like.

[G4HKS]

Hi Chris, AHHH! So it was. I think Ian was invloved in the original thread and that's why I got the pair of you mixed up. Glad you got and are enjoying the SL-55, they are a stonkingly good car and at least you can put the roof down which is more than I can do in the Z.

Edited by G4HKS on Wednesday 19th August 11:34

[ian_uk1975]

G4HKS said:

at least you can put the roof down which is more than I can do in the Z.

That's the one area in which I think GM really dropped the ball on. The purists drone on about racing heritage and chassis stiffness, but I'm absolutely certain that MOST ordinary folks would rather have a removeable roof. It's the one thing that makes me think long and hard about the Z06.

[JimexPL]

ian_uk1975 said:

G4HKS said:

at least you can put the roof down which is more than I can do in the Z.

That's the one area in which I think GM really dropped the ball on. The purists drone on about racing heritage and chassis stiffness, but I'm absolutely certain that MOST ordinary folks would rather have a removeable roof. It's the one thing that makes me think long and hard about the Z06.

I would be in the same predicament, and I think that if I couldn't have a convertible as well a C6 then I'd go for a C6 6.2 coupe with a few choice upgrades (brakes, intake/exhaust).
It will be on my shopping list next year once I'm bored with the Z4...

[G4HKS]

I do have a convertible as well of course but it isn't as much fun to drive as the Z. Looks the biz though!

[V8-muscle]

[BlackZeD]

I'm looking for a C6 Z06 at present and I "may" be
able to afford this.
Would Tom be selling a repaired car if it wasn't fully
straight ?
Would there be anything I would need to check or have
checked to be sure it will be OK, i'm thinking, brakes,
steering, chassis members, is the ECM on the offside.
As another question i'm assuming it is the American offside,
i.e. the passenger side that was biffed ?
Any pointers (don't touch it, go for it) etc. would be helpful.

Dave.

[Vetteran]

Interesting B15TTO I had an SL55 which I bought because the ride in my 996 GT3 was too hard.Then found SL55 quick but not dynamic enough so bought Z06 my favourite car to date(owned Ferarri,Lambo(2)Porsche(5)etc)You will not be disappointed when you buy yours. I plan to buy a new one soon Cyber Grey with Spider Design Comp Gray Aluminium wheels bxxxdy gorgeous!!

[SeeFive]

BlackZeD said:

I'm looking for a C6 Z06 at present and I "may" be
able to afford this.
Would Tom be selling a repaired car if it wasn't fully
straight ?
Would there be anything I would need to check or have
checked to be sure it will be OK, i'm thinking, brakes,
steering, chassis members, is the ECM on the offside.
As another question i'm assuming it is the American offside,
i.e. the passenger side that was biffed ?
Any pointers (don't touch it, go for it) etc. would be helpful.

Dave.

Obvious stuff for the body is how does the panel fit / colour match look. Looks to be a difference on the passenger headlight gaps in the pics. Check all around that corner closely and appraise the quality of the body repair. Get as many details as you can of the damage / repair and check if it is in the (required full) history paperwork. I recently went to an open day at an official Vette dealer in Southampton, and they put my car on the computer and recalled every bit of work that had ever been done to it through the factory - so if your repair was done by an official US Vette dealer, it should show up. If not, then it was obviously done elsewhere.

It's difficult, but try to check any points where the suspension hangs on the chassis for damage - and not just on the repaired corner. That is a very specialist chassis construction.

For a car like that in the early 30k area, I would want to get an agreement to put it on a laser alignment / corner weight tool pre final purchase to see exactly how straight it is. I guess you would agree the deal at the final price, then get the check done at an independent place and if it is in tolerance, go ahead and purchase it.

You need to be aware that of you are nervous about buying it now, your prospective purchasers when you come to unload will be equally few and far between, so make sure that you will not need to sell it in a hurry if you over commit (cite "may" be able to afford it).

And finally remember, someone on here said that straight cars have been sold for that kind of asking price. It might just be worth being patient if it all does not look good on viewing, or there is any reticence from the seller to your test criteria on the car as value for your hard earned 30k+, then use your head and not your heart and walk away. Another one will come along later.