Help picking my next vette!

[Michael L.]

Guys,

Since I’m turning 60 next year I thought I would celebrate by buying myself a new (to me)car. Thought about a 2004-06 Ford GT (I’m actually a Ford guy at heart, but sorta “inherited” the 69 L-46 I’ve been restoring for 20yrs and plan to have judged in Oct in Frisco) but the cost may be too much. Looking also at a ‘23-‘25 vette (def only want a C8) and deciding between a Z06 vs a ZR-1. Been looking a little online but I’m really not up to speed on the new vettes and a can’t make heads or tails of all the designation these listing come with!!! 3LT 2LZ, blah,blah,blah is all giving me a headache. I’m looking for a cool fun car to have but one that will also likely make for a decent investment. I don’t have to kill it or anything but wouldn’t mind at least getting my money back when I decide to sell one day. Is there a good
website or something that will help explain all the mumbo-jumbo that goes with these cars? What’s the thought on the ability of the Z06 to hold its value over time? What’s up with new ZR-1s seemingly selling for 2-3x over sticker??? Thanks guys any help is appreciated.

Mike

[Michael J.]

If you are looking to order a new one, I would suggest finding a good dealer with a good salesman to help you through all the options. The C8 is infinitely customizable for your preferences, and the online build program Chevy offers is excellent at visualizing choices and explanations,

https://www.chevrolet.com/shopping/configurator/performance/2025/corvette/corvette-z06/config?buildCode=&radius=2000&zipCode=87501

but a salesman with a bit of an inventory on hand is valuable. When I ordered my '25 Z06, I spent probably 4-5 hours with the build program and the salesman going through all the options I wanted.

Buying a used one is more difficult, but if you understand the options and have a window sticker to look at, you will be more knowledgeable. Good luck. BTW, having owned C6 and C7 ZR1s, I was waiting for that to be announced before I ordered a new C8. After I saw it and the compromises I would have to make to get it, I chose the Z06.

[Terry M.]

Guys,

Since I’m turning 60 next year I thought I would celebrate by buying myself a new (to me)car. Thought about a 2004-06 Ford GT (I’m actually a Ford guy at heart, but sorta “inherited” the 69 L-46 I’ve been restoring for 20yrs and plan to have judged in Oct in Frisco) but the cost may be too much. Looking also at a ‘23-‘25 vette (def only want a C8) and deciding between a Z06 vs a ZR-1. Been looking a little online but I’m really not up to speed on the new vettes and a can’t make heads or tails of all the designation these listing come with!!! 3LT 2LZ, blah,blah,blah is all giving me a headache. I’m looking for a cool fun car to have but one that will also likely make for a decent investment. I don’t have to kill it or anything but wouldn’t mind at least getting my money back when I decide to sell one day. Is there a good
website or something that will help explain all the mumbo-jumbo that goes with these cars? What’s the thought on the ability of the Z06 to hold its value over time? What’s up with new ZR-1s seemingly selling for 2-3x over sticker??? Thanks guys any help is appreciated.

Mike

Mike L,
I will offer you my take, but it is not a universal opinion. Sorry this is so long. The Irish in me is up today.

To think one will make a profit from an automobile purchase is, with a few unusual exceptions, fruitless. One has to keep a car for a long time, and usually not use it, before seeing any increase in value. And it helps for it to be an unusual Corvette as well.

I bought my 1970 LT1 new for $6K in 1970 dollars. The on line inflation calculator shows that as very nearly $50K in todays dollars. I have driven the car 62K miles (mostly before 1973) and stored it for 55 years. The car has every award it can get absent one -- which award is not as old as the car.

Then there are expenses: replacement tires (Original 1970 dated tires), battery replacement (almost re-manufactured so that it works for minimal/no deduct judging), and the expense of driving/hauling it to about a dozen shows along with the expenses (registration -- hotel) of those events. I haven't tracked all those ancillary expenses, and some of them began when the car was 10 years old, so one would have to calculate the inflation value on those.

Bottom line, if one looks only at financials, I doubt I could sell the car for a return greater than what I would have received if I put the money in the bank. What I can't measure -- and what means more to me -- is the enjoyment I got from driving the car and the fun of all those judging events. I value the friendships and experiences more than any amount of money, but that is me and is not necessarily anyone else.

If you are serious about a C8, get my email by clicking on my name above and I am willing to help. I don't know all those ins and outs of it, but I am willing to help, and the plus for me is that I will learn more in the process.

I traveled with a friend in my 2023 Z06 this last weekend. In a really, really small town in Kentucky, as we were ready to leave after fueling up, a family with a child about 8 or 10 years old pulled up to the next pump. The young girl was looking at my C8 in awe. I offered her a chance to sit in the car. Dad took a picture. We had a brief conversation about the car and they went into the convenience store and we were on our way, with a deliberate roar from the exhaust. Those are the kinds of experiences that can't be measured in dollars, and I hope will last a lifetime for that child. But, again, that is me and not the way everyone values life.

The trip to Kentucky? The 31st Anniversary celebration at the National Corvette Museum. For me a chance to enjoy time with some friends and meet some new friends. For me it is now more about the people than the cars, although without the cars I wouldn't have made all these friendships. But that is my perspective after 55+ (there were other Corvettes before the 1970) years of Corvette ownership. I will say again that it is not everyone's choice of experiences nor should it be.

[Sean S.]

I traveled with a friend in my 2023 Z06 this last weekend. In a really, really small town in Kentucky, as we were ready to leave after fueling up, a family with a child about 8 or 10 years old pulled up to the next pump. The young girl was looking at my C8 in awe. I offered her a chance to sit in the car. Dad took a picture. We had a brief conversation about the car and they went into the convenience store and we were on our way, with a deliberate roar from the exhaust. Those are the kinds of experiences that can't be measured in dollars, and I hope will last a lifetime for that child. But, again, that is me and not the way everyone values life.

Thanks Terry. Made my day. 👍🏼
This is exactly what owning (and sharing) a Corvette (or any classic car) is all about. Sean

BTW—Enjoyed seeing your blue ‘23 Z06 in the Bloomington Gold/Gold Collection a couple of years ago.

[John F.]

Find an A or K code 66 Fastback and enjoy it. Also a Shelby 66 350 GT would be a lot of fun to cruise in!

[Paul H.]

Michael, I've had my 24 Z06 for 2 years and love it. Great car. Intoxicating sound in Track Mode. 670 horse is plenty for the street. I'm on the ZR1 list but will likely pass. As said, no investment when buying a new Corvette. Try Macmulkin in New Hampshire. They are discounting new Z06's and have plenty in stock. Tell Tommy I sent you. He runs the dealership. Great guy, fantastic dealer.

[Michael L.]

Thanks for the info guys. Def agree buying cars, when compared to just putting the money in a mutual fund, can’t be considered an “investment” in the classic sense but what I’m looking for is to not have it lose 50% of its value in a few years, which likely means I’ll be looking for a used one to skip the “just left the lot” depreciation. I’m just looking to have a cool car for awhile and not take an absolute bath on the cost. Any investment comes with some risk, but there’s a slew of cars I know I could have bought 10 yrs ago that would sell for more money today, although, as Terry pointed out, when you factor in storage, insurance, wear and tear, your almost always still gonna be upside down, but I’m ok with that.

In looking online at used ones where’s a good place to find what all the designations mean? Wikipedia? Hard to shop when I have no idea what’s being sold.

Mike

[Michael L.]

And believe me I know about not treating classic cars as investments. I’m into the ‘69 L-46 I’m having judged next month for probably 150k at least, on a car that might sell for half of that? And that’s with me doing virtually all the work but after spending 80k for the body and paint you can get upside down very quickly! The other cars in my stable were similarly poor investments (probably 250k into a 69 mustang with a Boss 572, four link, etc.) that still needs body, paint, and interior! I’m the textbook example of how NOT to use classic cars as an investment! 😂 Just trying to limit the red ink with this next purchase as much as possible.

Mike

[Justin S.]

https://www.chevrolet.com/shopping/configurator/performance/2025/corvette/corvette/compare?buildCode=&radius=2000&zipCode=48243

[Michael L.]

So I attached what ChatGPT says about the different corvette models. That was super helpful. I understand now that it’s basically just options packages and the sticker goes up by about 6k from 1-2-3LT.
thanks for your replies and help. I’ll look for a used Z06 3LT.