thinking of trading/selling the RL....

[Antonio]

yep. serious. no joke.

I've stumbled onto a car that's almost too good to pass up. My dealer is also a chevy dealer and they just received a 2004 C5 Z06 which they are now selling at $29,995. They first got it on the lot 2 weeks ago, at 32,495 and just recently reduced the price. I know it won't be there long at its current price. It had one owner and only has 40K miles. It's still stock and perfect condition.

I'm going to try to speak with my insurance to get a quote for it, and then also speak with the dealer to see if I can work some kind of deal for it, maybe even close to an even trade. I have no idea if they'll go for it, I was just wondering your guys' opinions.

I wouldn't be leaving the forum however if I did trade the sky away Made too many friends around here. It's just that my car has shown some problems and I'm starting to wonder what if they continue. I am a power junkie and the Z06 would be the way to go. It's just the insurance thing that's got me wondering. (i KNOW it's going to jump up with the Z06)

I would of course rather sell to someone on the street or this forum, as I'm sure they'd appreciate my mods more than the dealer, but who knows.

What do you guys think?

[cerberus]

The two things which sprang immediately to mind as I read were 1) Don't leave the forum whatever your decision. 2) It actually makes sense as you continue to crave more power. Think hard though, but take some time to not think at all. There's tradeoffs there, which I'm sure you're weighing back and forth. Keep us posted as you ponder.

[BlueSkyRL]

Don't do it man! Resist the craving, back away, and never look back Actually i understand the power thing...I got the gene too I guess all I can say is keep her between the lines and enjoy...life is short

[SKY 07]

I agree with the above posts. I hope you don't do it.
What kind of medication are you on???? You can't be thinking correctly. T.

[Morfious]

Here's the thing, the power hungry drive will continue! The zo6 will be fine for a while (much more stout than the sky). Until you start reading about the intakes and exhausts and tunes and lowering springs etc! Z06 parts are a bit more pricey than ours are. I was seriously looking at getting an M3 (and selling a kidney to afford it) and decided that I would have to mod that as well to make me happy. Plus you are getting an older car. There is no reason why a Z06 with 40k miles would have less problems than your sky with 40k miles on it. More of a luck of the draw thing. Stay home, mod it up and save the extra cash for lunch money (if anyone needs it you do)! Plus the insurance will skyrocket in NJ esp if you have any points.

[xmicro_Redline]

Ok Antonio, here is my personal view, take from it what you will.

First, let me say, I will be surprised if your insurance isn't AT LEAST 150-175% MORE!

When I considered the SKY for my father and I , we also looked at Corvette's. It wasn't a Money issue, we were willing to Pony up up to $60K, if we really wanted to. I test drove many cars over 8-10 Month's, both used and new. I too love Speed and the sound of RAW 8 Cylinder power, I grew up with a driveway ful of my brothers friends with Corvette's, Mopar, Stangs, etc.

What I found about the Corvette that turned me off (and there wasn't much about it that did) was the sheer SIZE. It is bigger than you think. It is a LOT of Car to handle, and will be WAYYYY harder to recover in a situation when you under estimate it's power. The SKY is fast, but not really POWERFUL. The Corvette is RAW POWER. I would say take it out and test it, you may find, as I did, it is just too BIG for you. Coming from a MINI which is basically a street legal Go-Cart, it was way to big of a jump and NOT AS FUN.

So if you are more about Fast/Control keep the SKY, if you just want that raw V8 and are willing to handle the bigger car than consider the Vette.

ECONOMICS:

Now let's talk reality, I know you are doing what any good red blooded American Male does when he wants something, you are trying to sell yourself the "FREE UPGRADE" policy.

Let's be real, your car right now is probably worth about $25K TOPS in this economy, as a Private Sale. The Dealer will not take it unless he can make a few Grand on it. He probably will not like all the mods you've done, people do not like to see that on a used car, because they know how you were driving it. I would say the dealer will not give you a DIME over $23K. Now you have to lay out $7K +TAXES + Gas GUZZLER tax (not sure on a used car)
How about the difference in Gas usage, this is your everyday car, let's say (the way you drive) you will average 16 Miles to the gallon, (10 Miles less per gallon). Let's say you fill up 5 times a month, so you will fill up one extra time.

So $9,250.00 more for the car (+Gas Guzzler Tax, if applicable) Maybe $1K More a Year in Insurance (I am being real generous here) and maybe $750 (at prices right now, which are supposed to almost double by year end)in gas.

The Corvette will cost you Approx. $11K the first year alone (plus money to personalize/mod).

If I was you I would save up some cash and get the Mallett conversion. You will have a BETTER performer, a more rare car, and you do not get someone else's headaches and the way Higher Insurance!

Anyway, just my

Good Luck Bud!

And I agree with Jason, you will never have enough power, I am over that feeling, It cost me money over the years!

[GetAboutRL]

now a voice from your other shoulder:

"Antonio" ... You deserve it ! You work hard and just want to have some fun! Besides, once gas prices double .. muscle cars will be even rarer to see on the highways! Listen to that little devil inside of you and enjoy life while you can!

[bun1t]

You could just sell me your mods...

[Antonio]

Thanks guys for the opinions.

Believe me Paul, I've thought about everything you've said already. As far as mileage goes, the Z06 actually gets 18/29, which isn't far off from us actually.

It is a bigger car, that does suck. Parts prices are a little expensive, but bolt ons for the vette yield much better power. As far as my car goes, it's on its 3rd tranny and 2nd differential, so you can see how I feel about it. I've dumped 6,000 in non-warrantied repairs for the sky in less than 2 years, that's not even counting the performance parts I've bought for the car. At least with this Z06, the LS6 block is just fine up to 500-600 whp and the tranny/diff can take it as well.

Insurance is of course the big one. I'm speaking with them today about a quote. And as far as what I could get for my car is another big one, which I'm trying to swing by my dealership to ask them that question.

Z06's, although large, do very well in autocrossing so i can still have fun tossing the car around.

I'm still just in the speculation stage, I was just kinda thinking out loud really....and no it's not the meds I've been pondering this for over a month now.

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by bun1t

You could just sell me your mods...

which is a possibility. I still have all the stock parts in exception of the exhaust.

[marlboromike]

The VICODIN has gone to your brain....it's time for the members to perform a frontal LABOTOMY...pass me the drill.

[Antonio]

why doesn't anyone think i'm speaking and not the vicodin?

[marlboromike]

Originally Posted by Antonio

why doesn't anyone think i'm speaking and not the vicodin?

have u ever thought of DRUG COUNSELING?

[SKY Spy]

Just as reference, I just traded in my RedLine, manual, loaded -6cd and CarMax only offered me $21k. I have ONLY 9,088 miles on her. My dealership offered me CLEAN BOOK which ended up being $22,650 for my vehicle with 9,088 miles...

Just some reference for you!!!

BA...

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by SKY Spy

Just as reference, I just traded in my RedLine, manual, loaded -6cd and CarMax only offered me $21k. I have ONLY 9,088 miles on her. My dealership offered me CLEAN BOOK which ended up being $22,650 for my vehicle with 9,088 miles...

Just some reference for you!!!

BA...

yeah, i did actually consider your recent trade in in my thoughts. If anything I'd push hard for a private sale. Unless of course they're willing to wiggle a bit on the price of the Z06. It's been reduced once so they're obviously trying to get it off the lot.

[eddf]

Reading through this forum, it seems a few folks traded in their Vette for the Sky. I'm curious what their reasons were.

Ed

[Ernest]

Get the Z06, you will love the power/handling I am not putting down the SKY it is an awesome ride for what it is, but a chance to move into a Z is to good to pass on.

Keep in mind the '04 Z06 is the only year of the C5Z's that has the carbon fiber hood My son has a Millenium Yellow Z06, with CAI, headers, tune & 100 shot is pullin' right @ 500 HP.

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by Antonio

It is a bigger car, that does suck.

It is all a matter of what you like Antonio, for a guy like Ernest (a big guy) the SKY is too small. But like me, you are not that big and would get lost in that cockpit. I like a car to fit around me, not for me to be all loose inside the cockpit. To each his own, of course, I would go test drive it before you go one step further.

As far as the Gas specs.........yea, if you believe 26 Miles to the gallon, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. You would have to drive that car like grandma with no near redline acceleration to get even close to that. Remember you are talking an 8 cylinder, unlike a turbo 4, there is a very big difference in gas consumption the more you get on it!! One of the owners of my company has a Mustang GT500. His mileage is supposed to be 14/20. He gets about 8 miles to the gallon when he is getting on it!

The other major factor is a safety one. This is a powerful light car, if you start to loose the ass end of that vette, you will not recover it as easy as the SKY. Ernest understands what I am saying, I bet.

I wish you luck with your decision, I agree with you that the Vette is built to race and the SKY............the verdict is still out, but it is not a race car, it is more of a cruiser. If you are aware of all your costs, you test drove it and love it, then Godspeed and enjoy, that is what we all work for is it not!

Hell if GM Survives, I am looking at a Camaro Z28 in the near future!

[Antonio]

Well, I did look at the car today. Car has some cosmetic imperfections. Spiderwebbing of the clear coat on the bumper and a small crack, which would require the whole bumper to be replaced. Also some minor scratches here and there around the whole car. Mechanically speaking, the car is rock solid. Started it up, revved it a bit, and sounds good and strong. As far as the feel inside, I could definitely be comfortable in a vette.

But from what I saw, I'm not going to jump on this Z06. If the bumper didn't need replacing and the other scratches weren't there, then maybe. But I'll hold onto the RL for now.

I was surprised though they said they'd offer me 21,000 for the RL even though I didn't have it with me at the time to look at. So I guess it's value held well.

I just can't go that far upside into a Z06. I'll keep my eyes open though

Heh heh, and you all thought you'd finally be rid of meYou're stuck with me for a little while longer

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by Antonio

Well, I did look at the car today. Car has some cosmetic imperfections. Spiderwebbing of the clear coat on the bumper and a small crack, which would require the whole bumper to be replaced. Also some minor scratches here and there around the whole car. Mechanically speaking, the car is rock solid. Started it up, revved it a bit, and sounds good and strong. As far as the feel inside, I could definitely be comfortable in a vette.

But from what I saw, I'm not going to jump on this Z06. If the bumper didn't need replacing and the other scratches weren't there, then maybe. But I'll hold onto the RL for now.

I was surprised though they said they'd offer me 21,000 for the RL even though I didn't have it with me at the time to look at. So I guess it's value held well.

I just can't go that far upside into a Z06. I'll keep my eyes open though

Heh heh, and you all thoug