Scroll down if you could careless about reading my experience in serching for a Vette and just want to see the new toy.
Backstory
So I have been looking at getting a Corvette for the past several years and decided to finally take the plunge. I had previously owned a C4 Vette and it left much to be desired. I had always loved the C5 styling and the C6 finally had grown on me. I knew the process would move fairly quickly as there are many Vettes available for purchase. With the C7 entering the market, prices of both the C5 and C6 were dropping like crazy. I decided now was the time to begin the adventure for a Corvette I could call my own. My main dilemma was that I had not driven either so I could not narrow it down between the two generations.
C6 Search
Fortunetly, the Chevy dealership up the road had a used C6 on the lot. The salesperson was a mutual friend of mine so I figured he would be a good place to start. When I arrived he met me at the door with two sets of keys. One of which was for a triple black 2005 convertible Corvette and the other for a white 2013 Charger R/T. Honestly I had never thought of a Charger being a contendor, but I thought what the hell. I sat inside, looked around, stepped back out, and said yep the 4 door kills it for me. Next up was that black 6 speed C6 convertible. Looking it over I could immediately tell it was "enjoyed" and "used." It had minor dents and scratches, interior plastic appeared to be faded, seams on the leather were separating, etc. Stepping in was quite the experience as well and I quickly became overloaded with all the features; navigation screen, various buttons, etc. Started it up and listened as the LS2 purred and was ready to take flight. Took it out of the parking lot and did what everyone should do when test driving a sports car, peeled out, race car shifted, and got up to speeds well above some stupid sign that tried to regulate my fun. The car pulled and sounded great.
When we we retuned I couldn't get out of the car. Not because I wanted to continue the experience, but because I couldn't find the damn handle. Then the salesmen proceeds to tell me it's the button on the door panel. I'm like what the hell? I push it and I'm still trapped in the car. He unloocks the door and still nothing, finally after a few seconds of me repeatedly pushing and holding the button it finally opens. Of course at this point I'm thinking this looks like it's going to be an electrical nightmare when something goes wrong. Then I find out on the 05's you have to put the car in reverse when you park or the battery will drain. What? At this point the only thing appealing about a C6 to me is the look and the LS2/LS3. I will give it this. For someone wanting a quick daily driver with lots of modern conviences and technology the C6 is the way to go. However, for someone like myself who could give two ****s about things like technology overload in a car and just wants a Corvette that looks good, is LS based, and still moves when you hit the gas a C5 is the way to go.
Needless to say with my less than steller experience with a C6 I was set on a C5, but there was one catch, it had to be a Z06.
C5 Search
The following day I headed up to Corvette Warehouse. If you have never been to a dealership that specializes in one kind of car or groups of cars it's really a rather rewarding experience. Walking in, there was a small office with a man that greeted me and asked how I was doing. Now keep in mind I was dressed in t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. I've always gone to a dealership dressed comfortably to see how the sales people react and if I actually get any help. In doing this I can quickly tell if the employee is there just to make a buck or really cares how I'm treated.
Then I hear the words every customer should hear at ANY dealership. "I don't believe in following the customer around and I don't believe in hounding customers to buy a car from us. All the cars are unlocked so feel free to sit in them, pop the hood and trunk, and look under them. Take a look around, let me know if there is anything your interested in, and I'll get the keys for you."
I proceed to look at the 4 Vettes in the showroom and then walk through a door where it is Vette infront of Vette infront of Vette. There had to have been at least 30 Vettes all together stacked infront of one another in various parts throughout the "garage." I felt like I was at a judge at a Corvette show and I was picking the winner. After 45 minutes of looking at different Z06's the salesperson came in the garage and asked if I liked anything I saw. I replied, "I like the black over there, and the yellow one next to it, the black one over here and this yellow one, and I also like the blue one in the showroom." He responds, "Okay let me get the keys." He returns with the first set, I fire it up, rev it up, and inspect it a little closer. He then comes back over and says, "each set of keys are on top of the cars you picked out. Have fun and let me know when you get one picked out." Another 45 minutes later I've narrowed it down to two choices. I keep going back to the same one multiple times and after sitting in it I just knew it was the one. Here's a pic of it collecting dust waiting for a new owner.
They play musical cars and get it pulled out for me to take it on a test drive. The salesperson says, "Every customer is different, if you like the Nascar thing take this route, if you just want to open it up take it this way. We will see you in a bit." As I adjust the seat and get a better feel of the shifter I'm not overwhelmed with all kinds of technology. It's just a simple car with a minimal amount of buttons, everything conviently placed, a damn handle, and 405hp at the mash of the gas.
First up was the cornering and with no suprise the Z06 handles amazing. Then it was off to the highway to really let it rip. I mash the gas on the entrance ramp and a smile emerges from ear to ear as the car just keeps pulling. I slow down a bit, drop a gear and it's dejavu. Headed back and wrapped everything up.
Here's the new car a 2003 Z06 57K miles:
For those wondering the wheels are CCW's 19" in the front 20" in the rear
First tank fill up:
Dear anal Vette owners,
Your car will NOT melt in the rain.
Sincerly,
No F***s given
