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Comments
Sylvain
Now, you are not talking about a popping sound coming from the exhaust on deceleration, right? Because without an X-pipe on a performance exhaust, this will happen, but its definitely not a backfire.
"As a potential Vette buyer, looking for feedback comparing Z51 to the new F55 suspension. Is the F55 worth it? Does the Z51 ride hard? The suspension and the 6-speed are the only options I'm considering"
In regards to your 2 concerns, I have only lived with the Z06, and or the Z51 suspension and the six speed(41k miles). So in that sense both were standard for the Z06. If given a choice, I would go with the Z51 suspension and the 6 speed. If it was for my wife or I had to share it with her, the Z51 and the automatic. My wife and I just recently completed a 2000 mile round trip to Las Vegas, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. We went from app 6000 foot elevations to -282 feet below sea level. She and I both loved the Z51 for the ride quality and the taut lean feeling that it has. While I would probably grant you that the FE3 suspension can be tuned far softer than the Z51, for us, the Z51 seemed to handle a very wide range of conditions. I would also probably say that we both probably have different reasons for liking the Z51 suspension. The other thing is that come shock absorber replacement time, the Z51 shocks will probably not shock your wallet as much as the FE3's.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14619
Regarding your roll bar question: those roll hoop thingy's you are referring to are just for show (not a very good show on a Corvette IMO). You would still not be allowed to run any high speed autocrosses or anything like that in your 'vert with that type of contraption on it. It would have to be standard tubular roll cage equipment.
I tend to agree with you though, that the regular top on a coupe does not seem to provide for that much better protection to warrant it being ok to enter high speed autocrosses with (without a roll cage), but hey, I'm not going to complain about that one!
It appeared to be bigger in every dimension: longer, wider and just a hair taller. The C5 also appeared to have more rake (the tail was taller, the nose lower.
Before you all start firing posts let me say I'm sure the actual measured differences are minimal.
The point of my post is that it APPEARED larger.
I wish the GM stylists would address this issue w the forthcoming C6.
A two-seater sports car, even a big heavy one should not have a "fat-[non-permissible content removed]" look. In 1963 GM managed to make the new Sting-ray seem a little smaller than the car it replaced but ever since the '68 restyle it's been going the other way.
Based on what I've seen in R&T, the upcoming design lacks excitement. It looks vaguely like the new Z but less exciting.
Your opinions may differ.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
By the way, I keep seeing the term "ricer" being used. Does this mean a clapped-out, lowered Honda or Toyota or some such vehicle? One may have gone by me today: Its exhaust note sounded like a big, long fart. Is that a "ricer?"
As for the wider and longer stance than the C4 I think those are factors that help the ride as a touring car, which it does very well, in addition to being great fun.
thanks
RE: BACKFIRE -- there is "backfire", which is combustion leaking up through your air filter, and "afterfire", which is the gunshot sound out your exhaust. Backfire is usually caused by an overly lean mixture (very volatile) pre-combusting while your intake valve is still open, and Afterfire is usually caused by an overly rich mixture seeking combustion in the exhaust system.
In any event, it isn't "normal" and you need to have your Vette's fuel delivery system checked out.
Shifty the Host
Which of the 50 years is your favorite?
You can also get to it from Motor Trend as well or the Corvette50thstore.com
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
They said it's because until the engine is hot, the catalyser (not sure if it's the good word in english) cannot eliminate properly the emissions so there is a air pump sending air simultaneously wich causes those popping sounds. For testing purposes, the dealer have removed the "AIR PUMP" fuse wich is number "50" in my case in the fuse box and this morning, instead of having the popping sound at every shift, I had it only once.
Does it sounds any bell to anybody and does it make sense? I know almost about nothing about those things.
Thank you,
Winter is coming and the vette will sit in the garage for 5 months but hey, it's the price to pay to live here in Montreal, Canada
Sylvain
highway1/la-hy-corvette9oct09001432,0,1759171.story?coll=la%2Dclass%2Dautos%2Dhighway1
To copy and paste the link, use the whole 4 lines and then delete the space after the / before highway1. Without the space it won't let me post the link over 150 char's long. Good luck finding the artcle.
--------------------
Since the Corvette debuted five decades ago, GM has sold 1.2million of them, ranging from gutless wonders to racing machines disguised as street-legal cars
By SCOTT DOGGETT
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
October 9 2002
We could thank Mr. and Mrs. Brooks for the Chevrolet Corvette.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/la-hy-corvette9oct09001432,0,7773202.story
Visit Latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
Also, if you want to see a nice 63 Split Window picture try the
photo gallery link to the right of the story.
Thanks,
Mick
Yes.
I wouldn't say they are selling for MSRP, based on this.
I encourage you to look around on the web and I'm betting you could get $2k to $5k if it is worth the time. My dealer was in Montana. Seems lots of the dealers are down south or midwest and east. Great experience.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=168
So, I need to know 2 things:
1) when should I change the oil? I've read that it should be changed at least once a year (assuming low miles), but is that enough?
2) does anyone have any experience with ultra synthetics like AMSOil? my husband just switched to it in his truck. He was impressed by their literature but I would be curious to hear if there are any negatives out there (other than the price).
thanks!
Anyway, from what I've read other places, most who do less than 3k miles a year, do the oil change before going into winter storage, usually. The other comment is to possibly also change it after a few hundred miles out of storage as well. Seems there are lots who have summer only rides. As to switching from Mobil 1 which was recommended, I have no experience.
It seems that cars that are stored and not driven a lot have a series of different problems than say Starrow68 or I would experience.
In terms of oil changes I would look carefully at what the DIC says. For example, my mileage has my oil changes at app 14-15k., basically I have a lot of longer distance, higher speed miles. In fact, I change the oil at between 12-14k miles. So if your 900 miles every 6 months is the higher speed longer distance type, I would as a minimum change, it once a year or 1800 miles. If you have lower speed short distance driving twice a year oil changes will suffice.
In regards to Amsoil and Redline, for as much as you drive and the cost of the above products per qt. it is overkill. They are very good products however!
1) I had to make some rash promises in order to get my husband to "go along" with buying the car. Such as, I won't put more than 1000 miles on it in a year until it is paid off. As you can see, I'm already over my allowance. He wanted to make sure that if financial ruin fell upon us and we had to sell it, that it would be virgin and pristine and easily sellable. Also, one of my arguments for buying the car was the "collector" angle.
2) I have 3 children, 2 of them small (and the third one is 16- you can imagine how he burns to drive that car). The 2-seater 'vette is not exactly your family automobile- or much of a grocery-hauler either. I guess I could hook up a trailer to it and stuff the kids in there!! haha! Anyway, there will be no car seats in the 'vette unless it is a dire emergency. So I usually can be found trundling the kids around in my 92 mazda mpv. (oh, the shame of it!). About the only time I get to drive it is when the kids are in school/preschool, or on the weekends. So there you have it. I guess it is a fair weather car for me too (that was another demand: that I don't drive it in bad weather). So many demands!
But just going out to the garage and sitting in it helps me through the hard times! And driving it can pull me out of the deepest funk.
What's DIC? Is that the computer that advises about the remaining oil life? I would guess that the miles on it are about 50/50 just driving around town, and the remainder are highway miles. But not very high speed miles, because I feel like a cop beacon.
So anyway it sounds like I might be the twice a year oil change category.
As for the amsoil or redline: anyone else think it is overkill? Their wear-scar data looks impressive. And if I could do something to prevent or postpone the varnish and gasket-hardening that I've seen on some of the other cars we've had, it would be worth a couple hundred bucks a year.
What are the different problems of cars that are stored and not driven a lot? I drive it at least once a week, but usually not very far.
thanks for your input.
You can read about the DIC in your owners manual. The part that I was referring is about the oil life %. While you already have a feeling for the kind of miles that you do, this will serve as feedback. Before you posted I was purely guessing that you didn't drive it but once a week and not very far. So if you were to categorize your miles, it would probably put it into the severe category. But a half to an hr drive per week at freeway speeds (app 30 miles-60 miles will tend to get the systems up to optimum operating temperatures and actually decrease your need for twice a year oil changes to once. If you keep the same schedules as you have been I would change it twice a year.
Some things need more attention for stored vehicles: Battery tends to discharge deeper Seals tend to wear a shade faster. The AC system should be run to keep the system integrity. Check for moisture or mould. Tires can get flat spots, if the car sits too long. Oil of course we have discussed. The gas tank if not full tends to develop more moisture.
I hope others who tend to store vehicles will chime in, because the truth is I try to use ALL my vehicles for some of the same reasons I have stated.
The latest C-5 models have very low maintenance requirements. As I said before, I change oil at app 13-15k, oil filters are very inexpensive, the spark plugs are rated to 100k, the antifreeze has a rating of 5 yrs or 150k, the air filter needs changing at 30k. All of course can be changed at more frequent intervals, and many do. Happy driving to you!!
It is the resale value that is at issue. If I was looking for a used vette, I would want one with the absolutely lowest, kindest miles possible. But since I've already come to the conlusion that I'd sooner cash in my 401k than sell the car (if it came to that), I should just drive the hell out of it and have some fun!
Are you serious about the 13-15K? I meant to ask about that earlier. That's a lot of miles between oil changes!
Oh yes quite serious! Mobil One, especially the new synthetic SL product is quite good. I have been using Mobil One 5w-30 for many miles (over 550k) in various Toyota Landcruisers, again with a 15k oil change interval. All of them have their valve covers removed and checked each 60k miles for valve clearances (payoff for the dealer is a 200-300 dollar valve adjust job) and using Mobil One I have yet to have one done! I do talk to the mechanics and the assistant manager and all marvel at how clean and within manufacturers tolerances the internal parts are.
Getting back to the Corvette topic, I do app 21k a year so on a 2001 Corvette. The thing has only had a very common leaking rear differential starting at 23k. So be on the look out for a clearish almost slightly yellowish synthetic 75W-90 gear differential oil emanating from slightly left of center app 23 inches IN from the edge of the center of the rear end (6 speed manual).
As to my Coupe, I did 3k oil changes for first year with then the scheduled 10k service, which is just another oil change mostly. I will now go up to 4k to 5k between changes as most of my mileage is at least 6 miles freeway speed in addition to local street warmup time, and oil just gets to operating temp in that distance. As to benefits of changing oil often, had a similar experience with an MG where the pan got pulled after 12 years and the shop was amazed how clean it was.
As to low mileage, good for resale but with the C5 and Z06 the 0% has killed the resale big time, there was an article in Contra Costa Times about how much it's down. If I find again I'll post later.
"And if I could do something to prevent or postpone the varnish and gasket-hardening that I've seen on some of the other cars we've had, it would be worth a couple hundred bucks a year."
By virtue of the fact that you use synthetic oils, (ie., Mobil One) the varnish and gasket hardening is virtually eliminated.
You might want to see the Mobil One web site: http://www.prod.mobil1.com/index.jsp, for a more technical description.
Redline and Amsoil have similar ratings and websites.
I use Mobil One for a number of reasons: 1.It is widely available 2. The price is cheaper than either Redline or Amsoil 3. Mobil One periodically goes on sale 4. It is recommended 5. I have a history with the product. 6. In the interest of bias disclosure: I also own the stock. I bought the stock actually WAY after using the product for a very long time. So you can see me as a real dummy or a real dummy!
thanks
adb
Also remember that this is old and used model pricing has been dropping as the 0% financing has been extended to new years.
http://www.vetteweb.com/features/0205vet_prices/index.html
Then for more discussion here is a link to another board with people's inputs on the C4 vs. the C5.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=413251
good luck in your search, love the C5 here. It helped that the kid got out of college in 4 years.
The difference between a year old Vette with 1000 miles and one with 12,000 miles is not enough to warrant the torture you are going thru.
Just drive it like you stole it!
You might find some info here useful:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=341449
also here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=408412&postid=4289530#4289530
On Resale: by Joelis: "The difference between a year old Vette with 1000 miles and one with 12,000 miles is not enough to warrant the torture you are going thru."
Joelis: You're right, It IS torture. And you're right again, the resale difference between 1000 vs 12000 miles in a year old vette is probably negligible. I read your post to hubby, and when he was done sticking out his tongue at me, he replied that he was thinking of 25 years from now, the difference between an 02 Z06 with, say, 10,000 miles on it vs. one that had over 100K miles that was well and throroughly used. So I guess his angle is the true collector angle.
He mentioned the '67 427: if you could find one with breathtakingly low miles, in immaculate, pristine condition, wouldn't that be worth a lot more than one that was flogged and then put out to pasture? Same thing here. There were only 1065 MYellow Z06's made in 2002. He wants mine to be the finest one around in 25 years. But hell, I want to spend the next 25 years enjoying it!
Clearly, I need 2 of these cars, 1 to collect, and the other to drive! haha. And just as soon as I win the lottery, that's the first thing I'll do: go buy an 03 (and an extra garage while I''m at it)!
I went to KBB.com. They don't have resale info yet on the 2002 Z06's! neither does edmunds. I looked at the 01's; the figure kbb came up with was about $43000. I don't know what the 01's listed for, but they are NOT the same car as the 02. Nonetheless, you have a good point, I am pretty sure the resale on the 02 will still be pretty devastating with the current 0% financing available. Oh well.
stArrow68: I went to the site you mentioned, read some verbage about their price guide, but where are the numbers? maybe I have to be a subscriber or something? (http://www.vetteweb.com/features/0205vet_prices/index.html)
All in all, the consensus seems to be: DRIVE IT!!
VETTE's 2002 Guide To Corvette Prices--Vette Magazine
Corvette Prices in the May '02 issue of Vette Magazine
The link is to just the summary introduction article and the link to the data no longer is there. I have the print edition of the May '02 so that is where I have been looking since. If any particular data is of interest I'm willing to look it up. Lists the 2001 Z06 from 38.5k to 42.5k for a good to excellent car. Recent models have fewer options and so only 1 to 3 lines per model. Older cars from late 70's and back can have up to 13 or 14 different versions of engine, transmission, carbs and rearend packages. For example the 69 Coupe from 300 to 430hp, and the 58 Vert from 230 to 290hp. Makes for interesting file info if you want a record of what older models are doing in case the market tanks some year and find yourself in position to get the one you always dreamed of. They do offer back issues if anyone is interested. Sorry for not checking.
I may have to get that back issue. I want to talk my son into selling his old supra for some nice american muscle.
You do realize that there is still significant costs involved in keeping that car in "pristine" condition for 25 years. Especially these days, where there are so many different components (mostly electronic and pricy) to fail on a car like this. Also, I don't know if driving it only a couple hundred miles per year will be enough to keep things in working order throughout its lifetime (seals, valves, any type of deteriorating component).
I wish I had a plan for what I would be doing 25 years from now - other than pushing up daisies.
Good Luck!
The Z06 is about 30% of annual production, so figure 12-14,000 made each year. The 02 is not particularly special compared to the 03, or the coming 04, regardless of paint. There will be 30-40,000 units produced of this model, with the 405 hp engine. This will KILL long term investment value more than any other factor. I would enjoy it, maintain it, and forget about the negligible investment value. Low mileage corvettes are actually pretty common. Really high mileage ones are pretty rare though.
Any thoughts Mr. Shiftright, resident investment/collectible car expert?
Look here for exact production numbers:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/z06/index.html
If it's Canadian, you're even more rare! ;-)
Given the long range prospects, I certainly wouldn't hold onto a Z06 for "profit", nor would I keep the miles low. I'd drive it to death. This way, you'll have all the fun, and all those folks "hoarding" their Z06s will be left holding the bag in 25 years.