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Corvette C6 #1614607
17/01/2018 15:58
17/01/2018 15:58
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
Hi All,

It's been ages since I posted here. Over the last year I've maintained the trio of BMW (Z4M, E30 race car and E46 325ti) and enjoyed near total reliability. The E30 did a full season of races, with just a fuel pump malady to spoil a certain class win mid season.

With a house purchase coming up (finally, at the age of 40!) the fleet needed to be reviewed. The race car and trailer sold last week and the Z4M will go in the spring (the best all round car I've owned to date).
The reason for this thread comes as a result of a memorable road trip my wife and I took around California just over a year ago, the highlight being a trackday at Laguna Seca. As well as driving a Z4M I was also cheeky enough to ask for a passenger ride in a Corvette C6. Whilst I can't pretend they are the finest car in the world it was an impressive ride that made a great noise.

Even whilst on that holiday I started looking for cars for sale! They are expensive in the UK (starting from £23k) and almost always automatic hurl
Whilst browsing the web in bed at midnight, before Christmas type I found a one owner, high mileage C6 for just $9995 (£7500ish). I got in there quick but was just beaten into second refusal. As luck would have it the first gentleman tried to haggle and then said the flights (from the next state) were expensive so I got a text at 03:45 and after a phone call to the owner in California had bought it by 4am, resulting in no sleep for the rest of the night!
Since then their has been a lot of work arranging the necessary insurance, flights, accommodation, ESTA, shipping, parts for UK conversion etc. etc.
The seller owns three Corvette including a new C7, he has been offered thousands of dollars more since I paid the deposit but he has been honourable and continued with our existing agreement.

We fly out to LA on Sunday, detour around the currently closed 101 (rock and mudslide) on Monday, collect the car and then over the next 9 days drive just under 2500 miles via California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas to include Monument Valley, Route 66, horse riding at a ranch and a trackday at Circuit Of The Americas. I drop the car at the port at Houston then fly to Nashville, pick up a hire car, drive to the Corvette factory and museum at Bowling Green, fly on to New York and then home.
I should get the car back after its Atlantic journey at the end of February, exciting!

Excluding the cost of the holiday/road trip the car will probably cost me just under £13,000 which I consider to be pretty good for 400bhp as standard and a rumbling 6 litre V8 soundtrack. driving I just hope I've not bought a pup!

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

regards, Dave


Last edited by Fishy_Dave; 18/01/2018 08:23. Reason: Missed out Utah!

Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614613
17/01/2018 18:19
17/01/2018 18:19
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 338
Camberley, Surrey
J
jonnyboy54321 Offline
Making a profit
jonnyboy54321  Offline
Making a profit
J

Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 338
Camberley, Surrey
What a nice story. Hope it goes well.


Always seem to have too many 20VT's to count......
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614614
17/01/2018 18:23
17/01/2018 18:23
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
OH that's brilliant Dave. I really like them,I also really like the z4m.

Enjoy what seems a fantastic holiday also. Good luck.



Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614617
17/01/2018 18:50
17/01/2018 18:50
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Wow!

Cool story, Dave, that sounds like MrsC and I, but with a lot more money!

That looks like an amazing amount of very nice looking (and sounding) car for the money.

Please keep us updated!

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614621
17/01/2018 19:39
17/01/2018 19:39
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Awesome. Road trip of a lifetime too.

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614632
17/01/2018 22:03
17/01/2018 22:03
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
Club member 1482
andyps  Offline
Club member 1482
My job on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Sounds like great value for money with the car, hope it is as good as it looks.


Andy

[Linked Image]
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: andyps] #1614646
18/01/2018 07:00
18/01/2018 07:00
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895
2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
B
bezzer Offline
Forum is my life
bezzer  Offline
Forum is my life
B

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895
2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
Great story Dave and what a road trip!



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614649
18/01/2018 08:20
18/01/2018 08:20
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
L
Lucifer Offline
Forum is my job
Lucifer  Offline
Forum is my job
L

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
And to think my wife said I was nuts for travelling to Reading to buy a car laugh

Coolest car purchase story by a distance though, good luck and enjoy the trip!


2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD; 2017 BMW M4 Competition Package; 2015 Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Tech
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614650
18/01/2018 08:25
18/01/2018 08:25
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
Thanks guys, we're excited but a bit nervous too. Some of the days are going to be long and the last two days/three flights have to be on time or else I'm stranded!


Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614710
19/01/2018 12:00
19/01/2018 12:00
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
Congrats on your purchase Dave, not sure which is more exciting, the car or the trip! cool

My folks went to the factory last year and really enjoyed it.

There are a couple of decent Corvette specialists in the UK, but you couldn't live further away from them as they all seem to be on the east or south east side of the country!
Tom Falconer at Claremont Corvette has just retired, but the business is still going, they restored a '63 split screen for a friend of mine and did a great job.
I was camping next to a guy with a C1 at Silverstone Classic a couple of years ago and he rated Corvette Kingdom highly too.

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614715
19/01/2018 12:56
19/01/2018 12:56

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



F*cking Awesome Dave - soooooo jealous of both the trip and the purchase. shocked

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: X19_pilot] #1614729
19/01/2018 14:16
19/01/2018 14:16
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Trappy Offline
Forum is my life
Trappy  Offline
Forum is my life

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Originally Posted By X19_pilot
Congrats on your purchase Dave, not sure which is more exciting, the car or the trip! cool

My folks went to the factory last year and really enjoyed it.

There are a couple of decent Corvette specialists in the UK, but you couldn't live further away from them as they all seem to be on the east or south east side of the country!
Tom Falconer at Claremont Corvette has just retired, but the business is still going, they restored a '63 split screen for a friend of mine and did a great job.
I was camping next to a guy with a C1 at Silverstone Classic a couple of years ago and he rated Corvette Kingdom highly too.


Walkinshaw Performance isn't too far away from Dave. Sure, they're a VXR8 specialist but the Corvette has the same engine, just with loads of plastic and 'leaves' or something on top, right? laugh


F****** b****** thing...
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1614749
19/01/2018 23:24
19/01/2018 23:24
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
J
JKD Offline
Forum is my job
JKD  Offline
Forum is my job
J

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
Awesome car! love

Another forum member has got a Corvette too, right?

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: JKD] #1615594
07/02/2018 11:49
07/02/2018 11:49
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
I got back safely last week, it was a brilliant road trip and the car was faultless. At some stage I will do a proper write up, perhaps for a magazine. smile I'm just waiting for a tracking/shipping number then I can track its progress across the Atlantic. The modding has begun already!
click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge


Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615596
07/02/2018 11:58
07/02/2018 11:58
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,300
Paddock Wood, Kent
A
adder58 Offline
I need some sleep
adder58  Offline
I need some sleep
A

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,300
Paddock Wood, Kent
simply WOW dave laugh certainly a tale for the grand kids one day wink not jealous in the slightest rolleyes


was Elec blue + owner laugh now use of a mini cooper S 25y independent Mortgage-Financial adviser smile
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615600
07/02/2018 14:10
07/02/2018 14:10
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
What a fantastic post!

This is what we all need to cheer us up on a cold Feb day - talk of epic trips and super cars!

Did much the same journey last year-all be it in a v8 rental car- your pictures of The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley had me smiling at the memories.

What a trip- I think we all need a few more details.

Great car-I can imagine your going to have a lot of fun with her. Great bonding first drive by the look of things!!

Regards

MM

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615602
07/02/2018 14:27
07/02/2018 14:27
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Fantastic story there Dave, a real contender for a bucket list if ever I heard one. I like good luck stories, as pointed out something for the likes of us to be uplifted. Nice one.... thumb


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615606
07/02/2018 17:38
07/02/2018 17:38
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Superb Dave - mighty respect. love
How does the C6 feel about not seeing that US sunshine again??? laugh


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615617
07/02/2018 23:02
07/02/2018 23:02
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
S
samsite999 Offline
I AM a Coop
samsite999  Offline
I AM a Coop
S

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
Amazing Dave, please please please do keep us updated as to this, I would be actually really interested in a good right up about the logistical side of something like this

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: samsite999] #1615627
08/02/2018 10:56
08/02/2018 10:56
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895
2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
B
bezzer Offline
Forum is my life
bezzer  Offline
Forum is my life
B

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895
2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
Looks great Dave, well done!



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: samsite999] #1615751
10/02/2018 16:58
10/02/2018 16:58
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Originally Posted By samsite999
Amazing Dave, please please please do keep us updated as to this, I would be actually really interested in a good right up about the logistical side of something like this


Yes, me too!

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615756
10/02/2018 18:53
10/02/2018 18:53
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 353
Leicester
Dan Offline
Club member 1124
Dan  Offline
Club member 1124
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 353
Leicester
I'm not suggesting you do this, because it might detract from the experience, but if you video it, it would make an awesome YouTube series...

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1615929
14/02/2018 19:55
14/02/2018 19:55
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 325
Benfleet, Essex
robcal Offline
Making a profit
robcal  Offline
Making a profit

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 325
Benfleet, Essex
Out of interest do car prices vary from state to state? Where's cheapest to buy second hand and where would you get the highest price?

Thinking in a couple of years spending 2 or 3 months out there. We'd buy a second hand car and sell it on our return - should be cheaper than rental.

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1616219
21/02/2018 12:21
21/02/2018 12:21
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
Thanks for your kind words guys. The car is still at the dock, the ship is delayed and due to leave this Sunday, with a UK eta of the 19th of March. Work is getting in the way of writing up the trip and costs but I will get it done.

MM: Your road trip in the Mustang sounds great.

Brilly1UK: I don't think it's going to like the mud, salt and rain, non of which it has seen before. The underside and suspension is so clean.....for now!

Dan: I have a few short video clips but not enough to make anything decent. My wife filmed some of them, say no more!

robcal: In the year I was looking at classifieds I didn't notice any great variation from region to region, BUT there were more Corvette for sale in the dry states anyway. Craigs list seems popular there but it was a pain for me as you can't do a country wide search. It could be useful for you though if you know where your end point is going to be. I agree that it should be a cheaper way for you, but not having a social security number and fixed address does mean that some states are easier than others. There are some good threads about this online and on trip advisor iirc. I used Geico for insurance btw and used a friends address in California as a base. I paid for a 6 month policy in installments and cancelled after a month, it cost about $100 for the month iirc.


Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1616232
21/02/2018 16:26
21/02/2018 16:26
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 217
B
Burty Offline
Club member 60
Burty  Offline
Club member 60
Making a profit
B

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 217
Yep ...top story and your lips are probably practising the 'burble' already.
I have an RS4 with a V8 and a similar bhp but currently it's awaiting the fitment of a secondhand engine as it suffered indigestion from a manifold-flap screw which totally the lump big time.
Thankfully, high capacity US motors are much less stressed.

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1618057
30/03/2018 20:40
30/03/2018 20:40
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
After a long delay at Houston the Corvette is nearly here. It is due to dock at Antwerp tomorrow, then arrive in Southampton on the 7th. I will probably have to wait another week for it to be unloaded, clear customs and arrive at the depot at Milton Keynes where I can collect it, exciting! smile

The Z4M sold last weekend which I'm a bit sad about as it's been the best all round car I've owned. Still, with the house move in the next couple of months I need both the space and money.


Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1618069
31/03/2018 08:24
31/03/2018 08:24
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I bet you’re like a kid waiting for Xmas, Dave!

Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1623924
13/08/2018 14:24
13/08/2018 14:24
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
F
Fishy_Dave Offline OP
I need some sleep
Fishy_Dave  Offline OP
I need some sleep
F

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,821
Bath
The story made it to the home page of Pistonheads on Friday, Cappo spotted it before then. smile
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-americancars/200-000-mile-corvette-readers-car-of-the-week/38528


Corvette C6 (manual of course)
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1623926
13/08/2018 16:26
13/08/2018 16:26
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Superbly done Dave.
Great read - keep us updated!


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Corvette C6 [Re: Fishy_Dave] #1623929
13/08/2018 18:41
13/08/2018 18:41
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
G
Gunzi Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Gunzi  Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Je suis un Coupé
G

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
Not sure how I missed this story first time around but wow sounds like a hell of a trip!

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