Giving up on the 911

[Speedy!]

After looking for months I test drove a 911 Turbo (2019 model) and it just didn't knock my socks off like a car that costs that much should. The interior felt very fragile like the leather was super thin and could easily tear and wear poorly, although this one still looked good. The buttons and switches felt a bit odd like they could get sticky over time or something, hard to describe.

The biggest tell was I found myself fiddling with the stereo which was some super duper upgrade called Burmester. It didn't have any engine sound that was appealing at all, kind of like a sewing machine actually.

It was quick and handled well, but the ride was more jarring than I expected and the whole car made a rattle sound when I hit seams and bumps in the road.

Bottom line I can't believe people will pay so much for these.

SO, I started looking at other options. C8 Z06s kept popping up in my search feed so I went and test drove one yesterday and I was shocked at how nice it was. Felt like a $200K car with super nice materials throughout, dash layout super nice, buttons had nice tactile clicks and feedback, brakes crazy good, and that exhaust note was intoxicating. Seems prices have cratered on them for whatever reason as well so win win. Gonna start looking.

I was interested in a C8 when they came out but stopped looking due to all the ADM BS. Now that the Z06 is out and all that ADM nonsense is over I'm finding gobs of them with less than 2,000 miles for sale. I asked the salesman what was up with the flooded market and he chuckled and said all the people that bought them as an investment started panic selling when the depreciation started to hit which further pushed the values down. Even brand new 2025s are discounted $15K. Big difference from the $200K+ ADM prices just 12 months ago.

 

[DGatzby]

@Speedy! I drove both a C8 Z51 and a C8 Z06 at the Exotics rental track in Vegas yesterday. If you are considering one a Z06 is worth every dime. They seem like a good value against a lot of others. I did not particularly like the Z51, just my opinion.

 

[Speedy!]

@Speedy! I drove both a C8 Z51 and a C8 Z06 at the Exotics rental track in Vegas yesterday. If you are considering one a Z06 is worth every dime. They seem like a good value against a lot of others. I did not particularly like the Z51, just my opinion.

Thanks for that info, I'm trying to talk to a few people I consider in the know on Corvette, I wasn't much of a fan until the engine moved to the back, then I started paying attention.

The C8 Z06 I drove yesterday was amazing. I turned the radio down and forgot it even had one lol. The only head scratcher is why the prices have completely cratered. Maybe the ERay and ZR1 coming had some to do with it.

 

[DGatzby]

They made us shift short of 8k which was disappointing. But yes, it sounded amazing. Within the first 100yds cannot wait to see my video, I said something about night and day about the base engine unit. Plus those suspension upgrades felt substantial to my butt. Two seconds on best lap time. But then I bettered that by four seconds…McLaren 570 GT4. I really liked that little unit. Luigi (great guy) is getting it ready for me.

View attachment IMG_1136.jpeg

 

[Speedy!]

I'll likely never do a road course, just want another fun weekend driver. So far I've driven Ferraris, McLarens, and now Porsche 911 Turbo and none of them lived up to the price tag. I'm a bargain hunter so that may be why. The Z06 felt like a MUCH more expensive car than asking price.

 

[vortecd]

"SO, I started looking at other options"

Do you have to buy anything?

 

[DGatzby]

I'll likely never do a road course, just want another fun weekend driver. So far I've driven Ferraris, McLarens, and now Porsche 911 Turbo and none of them lived up to the price tag. I'm a bargain hunter so that may be why. The Z06 felt like a MUCH more expensive car than asking price.

I think with more time behind the wheel of that Z06 would let me challenge it and myself a lot more.

 

[Speedy!]

"SO, I started looking at other options"

Do you have to buy anything?

Don't have to do anything but pay taxes and die I reckon, but would rather have fun than looking at a bank statement.

 

[vortecd]

Don't have to do anything but pay taxes and die I reckon, but would rather have fun than looking at a bank statement.

You have a 170, think you are set

 

[jonx96]

I’ll be curious of how worth it a zr1 will actually be. I heard something about some extreme torqe management bleeding off a ton of power and you don’t actually get the full pull until after which was well over a 100 miles an hour. Z06 is prolly the better buy for sure for what you want

 

[1971demon]

I'll likely never do a road course, just want another fun weekend driver. So far I've driven Ferraris, McLarens, and now Porsche 911 Turbo and none of them lived up to the price tag. I'm a bargain hunter so that may be why. The Z06 felt like a MUCH more expensive car than asking price.

You could spend ALOT more..and get a lot less then you will get from the ZO6 the car is more than a bargain...much more

 

[Speedy!]

So learned something on these Z06s. Seems Chevy implemented a "warranty void" if you flip the car within 6 mos of ownership. Good on them for trying to stop that crap, now I just have to make sure I confirm warranty status on any I'm looking at.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

I’ll be curious of how worth it a zr1 will actually be. I heard something about some extreme torqe management bleeding off a ton of power and you don’t actually get the full pull until after which was well over a 100 miles an hour. Z06 is prolly the better buy for sure for what you want

The Z06 is a sexy beast, but the ZR1 got my attention. If it performs in the wild like it has been touted by Chevy... that's a hell of a car. It should be the best car ever offered under $200k.

 

[Jimmy N.]

You have a 170, think you are set

Until there's a curve in the road....where a 911 driver wouldn't even have to lift.

 

[Speedy!]

I’ll be curious of how worth it a zr1 will actually be. I heard something about some extreme torqe management bleeding off a ton of power and you don’t actually get the full pull until after which was well over a 100 miles an hour. Z06 is prolly the better buy for sure for what you want

A 1000HP+ twin turbo is interesting for sure, but they went a bit overboard on the aero on the ZR1 IMO. Even the Z06 gets a little out there with the Z07 package and starts to scream "look at me, look at me" too much. I prefer the more subdued look.

Until there's a curve in the road....where a 911 driver wouldn't even have to lift.

That's it really, I wanted to get set with both ends of the spectrum while I'm still young enough to enjoy them. The 170 is like a sledge hammer and the Z06 like a scalpel. I'm also driving the 170 quite a bit and having an alternate option will keep some miles off.

 

[Boris]

Thanks for that info, I'm trying to talk to a few people I consider in the know on Corvette, I wasn't much of a fan until the engine moved to the back, then I started paying attention.

The C8 Z06 I drove yesterday was amazing. I turned the radio down and forgot it even had one lol. The only head scratcher is why the prices have completely cratered. Maybe the ERay and ZR1 coming had some to do with it.

Prices cratered because Chevy/GM doesn't treat the car as a collector. If you get one of the first of the latest and greatest Vettes, you can flip for a nice profit. Otherwise, its best to wait out the storm. GM will build plenty of them.

I think in 2024, there was something like 6k-7k produced and GM kept churning them out.
ADMs are for those who need to be the first one at Cars and Coffee with one. Otherwise, there will be discounts for those who exercise patience.
Now you can order a new Z06 under MSRP without trying too hard.

 

[2ndAmend]

Of course it all depends on what makes you happy. I had Vettes. But the lack of space, the fact that you can't take the wife and dog at the same time (I guess that is a + for some), forget about weekend trips (my wife needs 5 sweaters, 5 pr shoes, exercise mat, weights, etc...), it has very low utility. When I was single, it was a great commuter car everyday to work, and very cool!

After entering the HC Experience, everything has changed. A car with a huge trunk, plenty of room for everyone, smooth comfortable ride, I continue to be amazed at what great cars these are!

I have come up against a few C8's at the dragway, they are not competitive there.

I do Land Speed Trials, 1 and 1.5mi, every year. There are usually an assortment of C8's there. Not a one posted better times than my stock M6. Forget about comparing one to the RES2.

Do your research and think about it carefully. If you buy well you can always flip if you are unhappy, which I expect you will be.

Just because you can get a good deal, doesn't mean it is really a good deal for you. Good luck!