ZR1 low miles how possible - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Neomacross · 03-01-2021

I just came across this page.
https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/r...h=corvette+zr1

How is it possible that so many ZR1 have run so little.

So, for example, 8 milen....they must have just stood around the whole time.
Or have the speedometers been manipulated?

With such a low speedometer reading, can one buy such ZR1s blindly and without hesitation?

GOLDCYLON · 03-01-2021

In 1990 these were sold as a corvette supercar and promoted as the king of the hill. A few sat in folks collections with little miles and never driven and admired. Can the mileage be changed? Yes with the right equipment however, the overall condition of the car inside and outside will point out real quick to a exceptional low mile car vs. one that was driven regularly. GC

Neomacross · 03-01-2021

Ok thanks for the info.

The consideration is just for me to buy a ZR1 in Germany or to buy a ZR1 with very low miles via such an auction.
As a layman I would think that with such a low mileage ZR1 even a layman like me can't go wrong.

The problem is of course that I don't know much about it and I'm from Germany.

ram_g · 03-02-2021

Hi, a couple of observations.

First off just a clarification, because your post did leave off the "k" after "8", so I don't know if you saw in the listing that the car had 8331 miles, to be exact. That works out to 250-300 miles per year, which could be quite believable for someone who owned it as a weekend toy - does not necessarily equate to "just stood around the whole time".

The other point, and this is more relevant to your needs, is don't equate "super low miles" to "exceptional condition". Especially if you want to transition such a car to active use, you'll probably have to spend some money to fix things that go bad from insufficient use.

Last June I purchased a 1991 ZR-1 with 12,800 miles. It's overall in great condition but I have had to spend ~$3,500 over the purchase price to get it into a reliable driver condition. Some of these items may have already been taken care of for a car that was already routinely driven, plus I'd have paid less (maybe) for the car. No regrets, but some learnings for the next time around.

Matt B · 03-02-2021

May I ask what was included in these 3.500? Injectors, I assume. What else?

ram_g · 03-02-2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt B

May I ask what was included in these 3.500? Injectors, I assume. What else?

Tires ~ $1,600 (Knew I had to replace them purely due to age, went with cheaper Nittos originally, didn't like those, replaced (got full credit) and went with Michelins)
Injectors ~ $900 (FIC from Jerry's, plus gaskets, o'rings, a few bolts, etc. No surprise here but I was hoping to get away with not replacing them; alas)
Rebuild Bose amps ~ $430 (These were a surprise but happy with result)
1x FX3 actuator ~ $200 (Also a surprise)
Reverse light switch ~ $50 (I knew this was out when I bought it)
Subtotal ~ $3,180
Rounded up to $3,500 to include various misc. items including transmission and differential fluids, and other random minor stuff. Oil, coolant, and air filter had been changed by the PO just prior to sale.

Nothing out of the normal here but a regularly used car might have had up-to-date tires, replaced injectors, a working stereo, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, no complaints at all. Just awareness for the next guy.

Edit: oh by the way, these costs were with me doing all the work, which I enjoy. If you pay a mechanic to do this you'd be out quite a bit more.

Vette73 · 03-02-2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram_g

Tires ~ $1,600 (Knew I had to replace them purely due to age, went with cheaper Nittos originally, didn't like those, replaced (got full credit) and went with Michelins)
Injectors ~ $900 (FIC from Jerry's, plus gaskets, o'rings, a few bolts, etc. No surprise here but I was hoping to get away with not replacing them; alas)
Rebuild Bose amps ~ $430 (These were a surprise but happy with result)
1x FX3 actuator ~ $200 (Also a surprise)
Reverse light switch ~ $50 (I knew this was out when I bought it)
Subtotal ~ $3,180
Rounded up to $3,500 to include various misc. items including transmission and differential fluids, and other random minor stuff. Oil, coolant, and air filter had been changed by the PO just prior to sale.

Nothing out of the normal here but a regularly used car might have had up-to-date tires, replaced injectors, a working stereo, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, no complaints at all. Just awareness for the next guy.

Edit: oh by the way, these costs were with me doing all the work, which I enjoy. If you pay a mechanic to do this you'd be out quite a bit more.

I think I remember you were looking at my 91 blk/blk as well......Mine has 56,000 miles and over 500 HP with powder coated engine....

Long story short buyer is flying in from Tampa on Saturday to buy it......Car needs NOTHING mechanically.....Put gas in and drive....Not even getting my asking price of 22,500....Matter of fact its lower than 22...Have another corvette lined up....This ZR1 always served me well....Hope I'm making the right choice...👍👍

ram_g · 03-02-2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vette73

I think I remember you were looking at my 91 blk/blk as well......Mine has 56,000 miles and over 500 HP with powder coated engine....

Not me?

I joined this forum after I had bought my car, from a dealer in Michigan. Originally got interested in C4 ZR-1s after following BaT, lol.

Matt B · 03-03-2021

Thanks, you're list is fairly similar to mine (91 w/18.5kmls). 4 Michelin tires, control head + CDM, fluids, drive belt w/pulley, plugs, filters, wipers, etc. Things sum up quickly, even when you fix things yourself...
I'm not sure about my injectors as they were replaced by GM in 2010 with only 1000mls driven since then. Maybe GM used upgraded 93+ injectors, maybe the were not exposed to ethanol too long, maybe they are just broken - I will find out.

But again thanks. Your post helps my awareness of things potentially to come.

Z51JEFF · 03-03-2021

Plenty of cars out there with no miles on them, there's an original owner 90 out there with 27 miles that recently popped up.

03-01-2021	#1
Neomacross Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 6	ZR1 low miles how possible I just came across this page. https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/r...h=corvette+zr1 How is it possible that so many ZR1 have run so little. So, for example, 8 milen....they must have just stood around the whole time. Or have the speedometers been manipulated? With such a low speedometer reading, can one buy such ZR1s blindly and without hesitation?

03-01-2021	#2
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,153	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible In 1990 these were sold as a corvette supercar and promoted as the king of the hill. A few sat in folks collections with little miles and never driven and admired. Can the mileage be changed? Yes with the right equipment however, the overall condition of the car inside and outside will point out real quick to a exceptional low mile car vs. one that was driven regularly. GC __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

03-01-2021	#3
Neomacross Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 6	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible Ok thanks for the info. The consideration is just for me to buy a ZR1 in Germany or to buy a ZR1 with very low miles via such an auction. As a layman I would think that with such a low mileage ZR1 even a layman like me can't go wrong. The problem is of course that I don't know much about it and I'm from Germany.

03-02-2021	#4
ram_g Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 183	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible Hi, a couple of observations. First off just a clarification, because your post did leave off the "k" after "8", so I don't know if you saw in the listing that the car had 8331 miles, to be exact. That works out to 250-300 miles per year, which could be quite believable for someone who owned it as a weekend toy - does not necessarily equate to "just stood around the whole time". The other point, and this is more relevant to your needs, is don't equate "super low miles" to "exceptional condition". Especially if you want to transition such a car to active use, you'll probably have to spend some money to fix things that go bad from insufficient use. Last June I purchased a 1991 ZR-1 with 12,800 miles. It's overall in great condition but I have had to spend ~$3,500 over the purchase price to get it into a reliable driver condition. Some of these items may have already been taken care of for a car that was already routinely driven, plus I'd have paid less (maybe) for the car. No regrets, but some learnings for the next time around. Last edited by ram_g; 03-02-2021 at 03:27 PM.

03-02-2021	#5
Matt B Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Beautiful Bavaria Posts: 520	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible May I ask what was included in these 3.500? Injectors, I assume. What else? __________________ ZR-1 #638/1991

03-03-2021	#9
Matt B Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Beautiful Bavaria Posts: 520	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible Thanks, you're list is fairly similar to mine (91 w/18.5kmls). 4 Michelin tires, control head + CDM, fluids, drive belt w/pulley, plugs, filters, wipers, etc. Things sum up quickly, even when you fix things yourself... I'm not sure about my injectors as they were replaced by GM in 2010 with only 1000mls driven since then. Maybe GM used upgraded 93+ injectors, maybe the were not exposed to ethanol too long, maybe they are just broken - I will find out. But again thanks. Your post helps my awareness of things potentially to come. __________________ ZR-1 #638/1991

03-03-2021	#10
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,039	Re: ZR1 low miles how possible Plenty of cars out there with no miles on them, there's an original owner 90 out there with 27 miles that recently popped up.