Test drove a Z, want to buy and have questions.

[Zslash28]

Cars.com has many for sale in the low 50s and a handful in the 49K range. I just did a sweep for VINs two days ago.

[Robbie1227]

The Z28s that I've looked at had the same issues with the small stress cracks on the front wheels, not the rears. Prob from sitting for a year, not sure.
Anyhow, I didn't notice the cracks until I got the car home, and when I called the dealer, he said the other Z28 on the lot had the same issue, since I got the car for primarily track use, the dealer shipped me a new set of rubber at no cost, under warranty

I have been told mixed opinions:
-these are normal stress cracks on front performance tires due to the super sticky compound
-slight dry rot, but no need for major concern, enjoy them and then switch to the new ones.
-get new rubber, and swap them out

Not sure who to believe, and I sure would like to get some use out of the original set.
Here are the pics of the front 2 tires.

[Robbie1227]

Here's the other tire

[Robbie1227]

And here's the new set of rubber
Do you think the existing tires are safe?
Do we have any tire guys in the group?

[Schlok]

My guess is that these are cracked from sitting in cold weather. This was a big concern and still is on the Z06 Michelin tires. I wouldn't track on those cracked tires but nicely done getting a fresh set. Enjoy the car!

[URBAN LEGEND]

I wouldn't drive with those tires.

[Stephen12ZL1]

the cracks in the picture are in a terrible place. I would not trust them on the track.

[backtotintops]

Originally Posted by Robbie1227

-these are normal stress cracks on front performance tires due to the super sticky compound

??? sketchy sketchy.

[All2Easy]

When I bought my Z, the dealership told me the car had been sitting inside since they took delivery. No cracks in the tires, and the dealer had the car in stock for almost a year (purchased during the Chevy sales event end of last year). I think they are being honest since the paint also showed zero signs of the typical fallout that a car sitting out in the weather tends to display....it was smooth as glass, and no swirls in the finish.

Perhaps exposure to the elements contributes to this issue??? Just a guess.

[ADVANT123]

If your willing to consider a lightly used one, my 2014 with less than 1500 miles is available in the pricing range you are looking for:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428364

[Unreal]

Originally Posted by t_towner

Both dealers have said they will likely sale to their used car division and then take the loss at that time as a "used" car. Apparently they won't take a significant loss as a new car?

I also assume the valves are fully fixed and there are no head issues as on the early Z06 cars?

ALl z06s, including 2013 have valve issues, and there is no changes or reason to believe z28s will be any different.

[Robbie1227]

Well it certainly wasn't cold weather, I purchased the car in Miami
I don't think their is a hotter place I the US

[t_towner]

Originally Posted by ADVANT123

If your willing to consider a lightly used one, my 2014 with less than 1500 miles is available in the pricing range you are looking for:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428364

Advant, that's a nice car! Depends on where you are at with the price? And how much warranty is left?

From the limited knowledge I have it appears as if there are approximately 169 brand new Z28's still available to purchase? That's about 13% of production for 2015 still setting on dealer lots. To make matters worse the Z has been out of production for over a year. That's just sad. (Not sure exactly when te last Z rolled off the line but based off the production dates I would assume in the Jan/Fed 2015 timeframe?)

Therefore the conclusion that I'm drawing...if they couldn't sell for $55k at 20% off then why are they somehow worth more now? I'm 98% certain you can buy a new one for under $55k w full warranty.

The new stuff coming out is somewhat better ergonomically, esthetics and still ever increasing performance wise. I wouldn't even be in here if a new GT350R could be purchased at MSRP yet I realize how killer this car is bang for the buck wise. It truly is a performance bargain for the track if a guy can purchase new for mid to low 50's.

Unreal - the heads are a concern. I wouldn't even buy one w a thought of resale because once these go out of warranty the buyer pool likely shrinks even smaller? The ZL1 is just easier to go faster in a straight line.

Am I just way off base w this thought process.

[JUSTIFIED]

Originally Posted by t_towner

Advant, that's a nice car! Depends on where you are at with the price? And how much warranty is left?

From the limited knowledge I have it appears as if there are approximately 169 brand new Z28's still available to purchase? That's about 13% of production for 2015 still setting on dealer lots. To make matters worse the Z has been out of production for over a year. That's just sad. (Not sure exactly when te last Z rolled off the line but based off the production dates I would assume in the Jan/Fed 2015 timeframe?)

Therefore the conclusion that I'm drawing...if they couldn't sell for $55k at 20% off then why are they somehow worth more now? I'm 98% certain you can buy a new one for under $55k w full warranty.

The new stuff coming out is somewhat better ergonomically, esthetics and still ever increasing performance wise. I wouldn't even be in here if a new GT350R could be purchased at MSRP yet I realize how killer this car is bang for the buck wise. It truly is a performance bargain for the track if a guy can purchase new for mid to low 50's.

Unreal - the heads are a concern. I wouldn't even buy one w a thought of resale because once these go out of warranty the buyer pool likely shrinks even smaller? The ZL1 is just easier to go faster in a straight line.

Am I just way off base w this thought process.

I know the last gen Z06 had some head issues. However, i spoke with the service mgr at the # 1 Chevy dealer in the nation (after I had already purchased my Z from another dealer...). He told me they inspected a lot of Z06 valves and none of them were out of spec. He also told me about guys blowing up their engines and trying to claim "it just happened" until they were presented with computer analysis to the contrary. It's sad if this is keeping people from buying one of truly great cars of our era.