My journey to a C6

Fishy Dave

CCCUK Member
Great decision, I too have a C6 Coupe (aka base), it had to be cheap and a manual for me, hence buying one from the States at the end of 2017. UK cars represent good value at present, given their spec and that their price has remained relatively static since Covid, unlike the US cars.
If you're interested in a long read, here's my car's story: The £7700 Corvette C6 - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads UK
I have zero regrets about buying mine, they have character in abundance, easy to work on, reliable, perform well and parts are well priced considering their performance. Best of all, everyone seems to like them.
 

Dorsetsteve

Well-known user
Great decision, I too have a C6 Coupe (aka base), it had to be cheap and a manual for me, hence buying one from the States at the end of 2017. UK cars represent good value at present, given their spec and that their price has remained relatively static since Covid, unlike the US cars.
If you're interested in a long read, here's my car's story: The £7700 Corvette C6 - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads UK
I have zero regrets about buying mine, they have character in abundance, easy to work on, reliable, perform well and parts are well priced considering their performance. Best of all, everyone seems to like them.
I have read that thread it was very helpful, I also get the impression you aren’t a million miles away from me, I’m about half an hour north of Christchurch. There’s a chap in my town with a C3 and C6. I also met a guy with a black C6 that’s his daily with 190k on the clocks.
 

Dorsetsteve

Well-known user
I can look in California and import - mostly they are going for $15-23k depend on miles - over 100k is cheap right now - maybe a salvage car would benefit price wise too.

keith keef@eurovettes.com
It’s certainly an option to look at. I’m wary of it effectively being sight unseen and import taxes etc but realistically no different to importing from Japan I assume.
 

Fishy Dave

CCCUK Member
I have read that thread it was very helpful, I also get the impression you aren’t a million miles away from me, I’m about half an hour north of Christchurch. There’s a chap in my town with a C3 and C6. I also met a guy with a black C6 that’s his daily with 190k on the clocks.
Thanks, yes, I'm in Wiltshire, not far from junction 17, M4. Good to know there is another C6 in the UK with high miles.
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
I would say that Dave was extremely 'fastidious' in his original choice of C6 purchase......rather than looking for a vehicle with low miles and few owners (like, perhaps most of us) I'm guessing he would have looked for evidence of equally spaced on-time 100% regular oil changes and related lubrication services with minimal 'lay-off'' periods where the vehicle might 'sit' unused for extended periods. There are people in the 'States with all marques of Vettes (and other cars) who have 'done the clock' several times.
 

Dorsetsteve

Well-known user
I would say that Dave was extremely 'fastidious' in his original choice of C6 purchase......rather than looking for a vehicle with low miles and few owners (like, perhaps most of us) I'm guessing he would have looked for evidence of equally spaced on-time 100% regular oil changes and related lubrication services with minimal 'lay-off'' periods where the vehicle might 'sit' unused for extended periods. There are people in the 'States with all marques of Vettes (and other cars) who have 'done the clock' several times.
I’m sure I read of a guy with a 300zx like mine that had put 300k on the 3l v6, don’t think the turbos were original though. Personally I’d rather see a high miler that’s well serviced than a low mile car that’s on its original hoses etc etc. I certainly wouldn’t be put off a car because it had gone north of 100k, a top end rebuild is likely in any event, cam etc.
 

Dorsetsteve

Well-known user
Well I’m actively putting my car on the market next month, fresh MOT at that stage. Hopefully get around £15k for that and the gap il have to make up. Been closely watching the Vette market, been one or two come up I would have considered but it’s not proving easy. Most seem to be the A4 box which I’m not interested in. Few Z06s but they’re all out of budget.
 

Faszination

New user
Will follow this thread with interest. I've been a long term Corvette fan for as long as I can remember and am curious to see just how difficult it is to get hold of the car I want in the UK. I'd be after a Z06 or C6 ZR1 if at all possible, currently drive an AMG but have a Corvette itch that I'm going to need to scratch at some point!
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member

Faszination

New user
C6 ZR1s for sale in the UK very rare. Can't remember if they were ever officially sold in the UK? Mainland Europe maybe yes. So you are probably looking at a US, or other country (eg UAE) spec car thats come into the UK. Nothing the matter with a US spec car of course.
Yeah I'm not particularly fussy to be fair - it wouldn't really bother me if it was an import/left hooker. It doesn't necessarily need to be a ZR1, I'd settle for something with 500hp+ and that would be less complex than my current car :)
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
As Chevrolet says a C6 ZR1 here in the UK especially (and elsewhere) will be unobtainium and have a prove to reflect it's rarity. C6Z06 will be a struggle sourcing unless you are happy paying a premium price. You could always buy a stock C6 and modify the engine......(there are several good blower kits on the market to raise power considerably) and you can always source a big brake kit if stopping is of concern.
 

Faszination

New user
As Chevrolet says a C6 ZR1 here in the UK especially (and elsewhere) will be unobtainium and have a prove to reflect it's rarity. C6Z06 will be a struggle sourcing unless you are happy paying a premium price. You could always buy a stock C6 and modify the engine......(there are several good blower kits on the market to raise power considerably) and you can always source a big brake kit if stopping is of concern.
I had thought of mods - not something I've ever done to any other car I've owned (ever), but given how popular the LS platform is and the availability of bits - it might just tempt me to do something.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
I installed a EVS 1590 Supercharger on a base C6 that worked out well and good performance gains

installed2.jpg

Here is some of the installation process I went through to install and custom tune the PCM for it


Here is the HP and Tq gains with my custom tune completed reported at flywheel torque was 525 and 639 horsepower
This 2008 C6 LS3 engine with auto tranny still passed smog testing when completed

So far cheaper price then a C6 ZR1 and easier to repair and get parts for

EVScmp.jpg


CS-2.jpg
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
I had thought of mods - not something I've ever done to any other car I've owned (ever), but given how popular the LS platform is and the availability of bits - it might just tempt me to do something.
Or buy this 820hp/£40k. Looked great at the Mustang club meet at Brooklands the other week for £39,950. Surprised its still for sale.
 

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