2015 Z51 Corvette

I would have a convertible top company see what they think about it. That top fabric looks like it's getting near replacement time, and I'm guessing a new top would be over 5 grand.
Tops in new condition, it's just stained from mildew. Question is, can that be corrected? I've seen videos of it being done, but really haven't got to that point yet, but not too worried about the top. More concerned about the paint.
 
It wasn't parked outside, but it was parked outside.

ROFLMAO!!! I think I see what you did there. Did he never wash it? Just parking a car outside shouldn't kill the clear coat, unless there is something about the local environment I don't know about.

Sorry to hear of your brother's health issues.
 
I have a 2005 convertible Z-51, 6 speed with 17K miles. Still appears new, inside and out. Still smells new inside. It is my 17th Corvette if I remember correctly. I’m not sure how that car got in that condition, but it seems far from pristine. I have read recently that a quality paint job costs $20K plus. You put that kind of money in that car and you will be way upside down. Especially if you dump another few large on a top. That one would be a hard pass for me unless my brother were almost giving it to me.
Sorry to read about his stroke. I’m at an age where that sort of thing is always a possibility, and any major health issues an easily become life altering.IMG_0591.jpg
 
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The first thing you need to do is clean the car up to see what you're really dealing with. It's hard to be sure from the pictures, but if the clear isn't peeling, it will be soon.

Paintwork varies a bit by region, but a quality repaint from a reputable shop is likely to be $10k+ Most regular body shops will not want the job, because insurance work makes them more money, and paintwork is the least profitable part of what they do. And most hot rod/ restoration shops won't be that familiar with newer cars.

Wrapping it is another option, but although the paint doesn't have to be perfect, an uneven surface will require prep work. I would expect a professional wrap with quality materials to be ~$5k these days. A wrap will probably be showing it's age in 4-5 years, so IMHO, paint is a better investment, though more expensive up front.

I would hesitate about 'cleaning' a top with mold/mildew... I would replace it, and I would worry about the rest of the interior and carpet.

Cosmetic issues aside, the best 'Vette to buy is someone's low mile garage queen. I would not buy this car unless the 'brotherly' price was about $25-30k below market, and you have the time/money to have it properly painted and replace the top. We owned a C6 Z51 briefly. It was not a good car.... lots of problems and very cheaply built. I have heard the C7s are better, but haven't driven one personally.

Too bad it's not a hardtop... that would at least make a great track car. ;)
 
Another consideration is that should you repaint this car, it will take a serious hit in valuation. Ok to paint old cars but not new ones. There are too many 15-20 year old Corvettes around that have lived their lives stored in a garage and are still very much new looking. Doing a cheap respray is t an option either if you want to retain or add any sort of value. The car’s only redeeming value is that it belongs to your brother. Only you can decide how much that’s worth.
 
ROFLMAO!!! I think I see what you did there. Did he never wash it? Just parking a car outside shouldn't kill the clear coat, unless there is something about the local environment I don't know about.

Sorry to hear of your brother's health issues.
It was meticulously maintained before his stroke.
 
Such neglect. Wow. I can understand treating an old Miata like that but geez...

That will need to be stripped and repainted to ever have a brilliant long lasting shiny paint.

You could wrap it.

The top could be dyed darker to hide the mold stains.

No matter what you do,it will NEVER be worth close to what a well cared for example is worth. That's what neglect does to value.

Still..it is a ZO6 7 speed and they are not making any more of them.

Id toss a roll bar in it and make it my track rat..:)
 
Such neglect. Wow. I can understand treating an old Miata like that but geez...

That will need to be stripped and repainted to ever have a brilliant long lasting shiny paint.

You could wrap it.

The top could be dyed darker to hide the mold stains.

No matter what you do,it will NEVER be worth close to what a well cared for example is worth. That's what neglect does to value.

Still..it is a ZO6 7 speed and they are not making any more of them.

Id toss a roll bar in it and make it my track rat..:)
With research I found the Z51 was never offered with any Z06 options, this just has a Z51 7 speed, apparently my brother was mistaken or had bad info.
 
I have a 2005 convertible Z-51, 6 speed with 17K miles. Still appears new, inside and out. Still smells new inside. It is my 17th Corvette if I remember correctly. I’m not sure how that car got in that condition, but it seems far from pristine. I have read recently that a quality paint job costs $20K plus. You put that kind of money in that car and you will be way upside down. Especially if you dump another few large on a top. That one would be a hard pass for me unless my brother were almost giving it to me.
Sorry to read about his stroke. I’m at an age where that sort of thing is always a possibility, and any major health issues an easily become life altering.View attachment 707591


Fixed the pic for ya...

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With research I found the Z51 was never offered with any Z06 options, this just has a Z51 7 speed, apparently my brother was mistaken or had bad info.

Best resource for anything Corvette is, no surprise, the Corvette Forum. Quite a few members you may recognize over there.
They know everything down to the correct washers.
 
Pay to have it detailed and see what it looks like. Might be the best few hundred dollars you have ever spent. Is it a LT1 or LT3 $10,000 difference. Front lift or not $3,000. I had a 2014 LT1 no options 7 speed manual with air condition and drove it for 8 years until getting my 22 C8 in 2021. Sold the C7 for $33,000 to givemethevin, and it was in perfect condition with 70,000 miles. averaged 26 MPG driving in the city every day, 30 on the highway. FYI 7th gear is only used on toll roads going 90. And yes 30 mpg. Too many cops on toll roads to go any faster. Good luck on your decision.
 
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Pay to have it detailed and see what it looks like. Might be the best few hundred dollars you have ever spent. Is it a LT1 or LT3 $10,000 difference. Front lift or not $3,000. I had a 2014 LT1 no options 7 speed manual with air condition and drove it for 8 years until getting my 22 C8 in 2021. Sold the C7 for $33,000 to givemethevin, and it was in perfect condition with 70,000 miles. averaged 26 MPG driving in the city every day, 30 on the highway. FYI 7th gear is only used on toll roads going 90. And yes 30 mpg. Too many cops on toll roads to go any faster. Good luck on your decision.
Well, you gotta share your C8 now.
 
Well, you gotta share your C8 now.

Sold it due to road construction in and around San Antonio. In the two years I owned it I hit a truck retread, 4x6 block of wood and some unknown object. $3,000 in damage. They place concrete barriers on both sides of the road so when you see something in the road there is no place to go. All items hit where in the dark. I have a 2028 on order, #5 on my dealers list. It won't be my daily driver and hopefully construction slows way down.
 

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No front lift option for C7 Corvettes and…

…base engine is a LT1.

Think you are confusing interior option codes with engine code. Interior options were 2LT and 3LT. Base interior was 1LT.

Be safe.

Pay to have it detailed and see what it looks like. Might be the best few hundred dollars you have ever spent. Is it a LT1 or LT3 $10,000 difference. Front lift or not $3,000. I had a 2014 LT1 no options 7 speed manual with air condition and drove it for 8 years until getting my 22 C8 in 2021. Sold the C7 for $33,000 to givemethevin, and it was in perfect condition with 70,000 miles. averaged 26 MPG driving in the city every day, 30 on the highway. FYI 7th gear is only used on toll roads going 90. And yes 30 mpg. Too many cops on toll roads to go any faster. Good luck on your decision.
 
Sold it due to road construction in and around San Antonio. In the two years I owned it I hit a truck retread, 4x6 block of wood and some unknown object. $3,000 in damage. They place concrete barriers on both sides of the road so when you see something in the road there is no place to go. All items hit where in the dark. I have a 2028 on order, #5 on my dealers list. It won't be my daily driver and hopefully construction slows way down.
Ummm!
Gray is my favorite color too, nice. Appreciate you sharing.
 
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