My journey to a C6

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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
So after a year of deliberations and flip flopping including test driving a tuned 370z which was my other choice, I actually even offered my 300zx up for the swap of one I’ve finally settled on a C6.

I’ve been a 300zx owner for the past 14 years and whilst I really like my Z cars that journey is over and it’s time to buy what the teenage version of myself never thought could happen. Over the winter I’ve got some faffing to do to get the most from its sale, it’s mechanically sound but there’s the usual stove chips etc of car that used.

I’ve come to conclusion that I don’t want or need a mint condition C6, in reality I can’t leave things alone and already have plans to modify the car. Budget wise I should have about £20k to play with and I’d like to get a manual transmission version. That won’t get me into z06 territory but should source a sound base. Did see a black one with a faulty TCM in budget but it was an automatic.
 
C5Steve

C5Steve

CCCUK Member
Interestingly I also came via a 300ZX (well with a diversion to an Evo 8!), same sort of reasons! Your budget sounds fine, I'm sure you'll be able to find something. I think I've seen your 300 on a Facebook group (blue one?), I'm sure wanting to swap for a C6 rings a bell. I'm not sure you'll have much luck with a swap, sale is certainly the way. Z's seem to be few and far between now in decent condition.
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
C5Steve said:
Interestingly I also came via a 300ZX (well with a diversion to an Evo 8!), same sort of reasons! Your budget sounds fine, I'm sure you'll be able to find something. I think I've seen your 300 on a Facebook group (blue one?), I'm sure wanting to swap for a C6 rings a bell. I'm not sure you'll have much luck with a swap, sale is certainly the way. Z's seem to be few and far between now in decent condition.
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Oddly my 300 has Evo 8 brakes front and rear.
That wasn’t mine, mines red. It was a 370z I offered it for. Here’s a photo.

IMG_5835.jpeg
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
C5Steve said:
Oh that might be it I'm on the 350 page as well (my girlfriend has one)! I occasionally miss mine, but not all the hassle it was to own compared to the Vette!
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That’s likely the one yeah. Mines very reliable these days, huge amounts of work to get it there though. I certainly won’t miss paying silly prices for a gasket etc.
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
Should I discount autos? I would convert it to manual but I don’t know if that’s a particularly cost effective thing to do? Better to pay/wait for a factory manual?
 
Chevrolet

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
Dorsetsteve said:
Should I discount autos? I would convert it to manual but I don’t know if that’s a particularly cost effective thing to do? Better to pay/wait for a factory manual?
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No, dont think you should. Had my 2007 6 speed auto for 6 years and loved it. 2005 cars have the 4 speed (?) autos carried over from the c5. For 2006 on, the 6 speed auto has paddle shifters on the steering wheel if you fancy a bit of manual shifting. I hardly ever used them. The UK Vette dealer I bought the car from said people don't. Think that converting an auto to manual is a non starter? Don't know where/how you will be using your new car, but on the narrowish/potholed roads where I live, I like to have both hands on the wheel driving a powerful V8.

If I was looking for a C6 now, I would be considering this one:
Used 2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Victory Edition for sale
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
Chevrolet said:
No, dont think you should. Had my 2007 6 speed auto for 6 years and loved it. 2005 cars have the 4 speed (?) autos carried over from the c5. For 2006 on, the 6 speed auto has paddle shifters on the steering wheel if you fancy a bit of manual shifting. I hardly ever used them. The UK Vette dealer I bought the car from said people don't. Think that converting an auto to manual is a non starter? Don't know where/how you will be using your new car, but on the narrowish/potholed roads where I live, I like to have both hands on the wheel driving a powerful V8.

If I was looking for a C6 now, I would be considering this one:
Used 2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Victory Edition for sale
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I’m not keen on automatics for a sports car. A later Paddle shift would likely be acceptable, depending on the quality of the box, the Lamborghini one I drove last year was great. But typically most true autos aren’t really my taste and I’ve driven a few. I want to use it for occasional track use and general toy.

Power wise a stock base model C6 wouldn’t be a significant jump in power and the linear delivery of an NA would be easier than the on off switch of forced induction with no traction control I’m used to.
 
Chuffer

Chuffer

CCCUK Member
Dorsetsteve said:
So after a year of deliberations and flip flopping including test driving a tuned 370z which was my other choice, I actually even offered my 300zx up for the swap of one I’ve finally settled on a C6.

I’ve been a 300zx owner for the past 14 years and whilst I really like my Z cars that journey is over and it’s time to buy what the teenage version of myself never thought could happen. Over the winter I’ve got some faffing to do to get the most from its sale, it’s mechanically sound but there’s the usual stove chips etc of car that used.

I’ve come to conclusion that I don’t want or need a mint condition C6, in reality I can’t leave things alone and already have plans to modify the car. Budget wise I should have about £20k to play with and I’d like to get a manual transmission version. That won’t get me into z06 territory but should source a sound base. Did see a black one with a faulty TCM in budget but it was an automatic.
Click to expand...
Happy hunting for the C6 of your dreams . (y)
 
CaptainK

CaptainK

CCCUK Member
Dorsetsteve said:
Should I discount autos? I would convert it to manual but I don’t know if that’s a particularly cost effective thing to do? Better to pay/wait for a factory manual?
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I see you share the same love of manuals as me. :cool: I have no idea how much / hard it'd be to swap a C6 auto a manual. Probably lots of fancy electronics to sort out as part of the conversion. Still, an interesting project to be sure.
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
CaptainK said:
I see you share the same love of manuals as me. :cool: I have no idea how much / hard it'd be to swap a C6 auto a manual. Probably lots of fancy electronics to sort out as part of the conversion. Still, an interesting project to be sure.
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I’ve done it to other cars. It’s certainly the electrical side that’s more complicated, safety switches and reconfiguration of some others like neutral position switches etc. it must of been done.
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
I have been looking into it, scanning a few forums etc. Looks like (beyond the mechanical) you need to reprogram a few things to accept different input values. The inherent cost of the Gearbox assembly, wiring loom etc can stack up.
 
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Dorsetsteve

Busy user
Chevrolet said:
Agree. For me, converting a Vette from auto to manual or vice-versa, is ruining the "provenance" of the car. If I was looking to buy a nice manual C6, would I buy one that had been converted from an auto? No.
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Completely understandable but I think in reality if that was the car you were looking to buy the car I’m going to build wouldn’t tick those boxes for a multitude of reasons.
 
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