Introduction
Prior to purchasing this C6 Z06 I had six Ford Mustangs. A 91 GT, a 97 Cobra, an 02 GT, a 93 GT, an 03 Cobra and an 04 Mach 1). I was ready to play with something different this time. I would love to own a Mark-IV Supra but they are out of my price range. As are Ferarri's, late 60's Shelby GT500's, the 63-67 Stingray's and the newer C7 and C8 Corvettes. I love the 67-69 Camaro's but anything with a 427 cubic inch engine or bigger was also commanding an asking price out of my price range. I also knew that a 305, 327, 350, 383, 396 or a 400 cubic inch engine just wasn't going to scratch that itch. I wanted that 427 cubic inch engine. $50,000 was my budget. I wasn't going to settle this time but the C6 Z06 was finally in my price range.
I remember the first time I saw the C6 Z06 as a courier. I was making a delivery to a bank in Overland Park, KS in May of 2005 and there was a brand new white C6 Z06 parked in a spot in front of the bank. I looked at that car and fell in love. I'm going to have one, one day I said to myself. The C3, C4 and C5's have never appealed to me. It wasn't until 2013 when I saw a C2 Stingray at Bandimere Speedway doing a burnout in the burnout box that those started to grow on me but I doubt I'll ever be able to afford one. We can dream though right? 
The Search
The week before I bought my C6 Z06 I had been looking on all the classifieds sites. This car popped up on AutoList on a Sunday night. I was suspicious because it had been up for almost a month. I read the description carefully. One owner, garage kept, no accidents and almost all stock except for a new ATI harmonic balancer (great choice by the way) new serpentine belt and an MGW short throw shifter (yet another great choice). No tint, no gawdy ground effects, no painted interior trim pieces, no fender stripes, no racing stripes, no ricer wings and most importantly, that 427 cubic inch LS7 engine had those pretty red LS7 engine covers. The engine looked clean and completely stock. There was no evidence of a supercharger, turbo or nitrous under the hood. The engine bay was clean enough to eat dinner from. The wiring harnesses and the factory black tape wrap on the wire loom was intact and undisturbed. It wasn't worn, frazzled or ripped or faded. The paint, exterior and interior looked immaculate.
I wrestled with the decision to pursue this car or not for three days. That Wednesday, I contacted the salesman Jesse at Fusion Motorworks in Portland (PDX). There had been some mild interest in the car but nothing serious. Most people were too far away. I looked at the weather. The following Mon-Wed a high pressure ridge was encompassing the western part of the country. A perfect window to go get a car and drive it home. My mind started doing the logistics. The talks escalated with Jesse. I asked for a CarFax which he emailed over. It looked good. One owner, no accidents, no salvage or rebuilt title, nothing out of the ordinary reported. I requested a walk around video with the car starting up and running. As soon as the video came through, I knew I was buying it unless something serious showed up on the Inspection. The car was gorgeous and looked to be in great condition. Stock exhaust, stock engine, pretty interior. This is the one. I had Jesse email me a buyer's order.
Thursday came and I got online and submitted the loan application but by late afternoon I still hadn't heard anything about the loan so I called the bank and inquired. There were some technical difficulties that needed to be cleared up with a previous loan on a car that fell through. The new loan was approved contingent on clearing up the technicality the next morning.
I was at the bank early Friday morning. The loan officer got the old loan cancelled and issued a check for the new one. During the process Jesse started texting.
"Hannah, I have several people texting about the car.", "How many I asked?", "Six", he said. "Ok, give me another 20 minutes and I'll forward proof of funds". "Ok", he replied.
20 minutes later I paid a $1,000 non-refundable deposit via square. I sent Jesse a copy of the check front and back. An hour I booked my flight to Portland. I was so nervous and excited I booked the flight for the wrong Sunday. Thankfully, I cancelled it at no cost and re-booked. I then called a couple of Chevrolet dealerships in the area. Webb Chevrolet didn't do inspections but Carr Chevrolet was happy to do the inspection for me. I scheduled a 10:00 AM appointment. Jesse text me again that 9 more people had inquired about the car since I sent over the $1,000 deposit to hold the car. Wow! Talk about right time, right place!
Sunday night I caught an evening flight to Portland out of DIA. I watched Twister on the flight to kill the time. After retrieving my luggage, I took an uber and checked into a hotel just down the street from the dealership. I ate a hot pocket, downed a coke and went to bed. I must have woken up three times in a panic that I had overslept and missed out on the car.
The Inspection & The Purchase
I got out of bed at 7:40 am and conducted my hygiene, packed my suitcase and checked out of the hotel at 8:35 and walked the 2 blocks to the dealership, rolling my luggage down the street. The sky was partially overcast with a damp, misty feel to it. But the day was rife with excitement! This might be one of the best Monday's to ever occur in my life.
It was Jesse's day off but the owner Josh was there and greeted me with a big smile and a handshake. Are you ready to see the car? I am. I set my suitcase along the wall and pulled my camera bag out and set it on the table. I then followed Josh to the back.
My mouth was wide open when I saw it. It also looked much smaller in person than I thought it would be. They sit incredibly low to the ground. The paint was beautiful. The interior was flawless. I walked around it several times. The car was gorgeous. A streamline butterfly! 🦋
After a few minutes of gawking at the Vette, I grabbed both of my cameras while Josh moved the car to a better location so I could take photos which I spent about 20 minutes doing.
Josh handed me the keys and I sat in the car for the first time. I attempted to start the car but nothing happened. Puzzled I checked the e-brake and put my foot on the brake and pushed the start button. Again nothing. Huh? I asked Josh how do I start this thing? He walked over and said did you push the clutch in? I turned bright red and felt so embarrassed. It's a manual transmission. Doh! 🤦🏼♀️ I had assumed it would start without pushing the clutch in and I'm not even sure why.
I pushed the clutch pedal in and hit the start button and the engine purred to life. The stock exhaust is incredibly quiet for a performance car but it still had a healthy growl to it. My heart was racing with exhilaration. I listened for any ticking, knocking or missing of the engine. I only heard the healthy rumble of pure American Muscle.
I shared my location with Josh via google maps and took the car to Carr Chevrolet in Beaverton, OR for a 10:00 AM inspection. The GM tech there went through the car with a fine tooth comb. I told him I'm looking for a reason NOT to buy the car. He put the car on a rack and raised it up and began. I sat in the waiting room while the inspection was ongoing. About 40 minutes later the service advisor had me follow him back to the shop so I could inspect the frame, suspension and undercarriage. I was looking for bent control arms, frame kinks, welds, pinched frame, frame damage and rusted/corroded frame rails and undercarriage components. These are big indicators a vehicle has been hit, wrecked, have flood damage or been drive in a harsh winter environment on salted roads. The underside was straight, clean and there were no leaks or drips. No corrosion or rust was present. There was the usual light oxidization underneath but that's typical. The tech also looked at the ecu history and said this car had never even popped so much as a single error code. He did note the clutch reservoir fluid was a little brown and low, the oil was a little low and the coolant was between the fill lines but still within spec, but he topped everything off for me as I had a 1,315 mile trip home. Tires were at 50% tread life and the big brake rotors were brand new at 12mm. We talked briefly about the inspection and he said the car looked immaculate for being 17 years old and having 34,900 miles on it. The charging system test (starter, alternator and battery) all passed with flying colors. I asked him if he saw any reason not to buy it. He said no, not at all. I paid the $236 inspection fee, sent Josh a text that I was on my way back and drove back to Fusion Motors.
I arrived back at Fusion and quickly pulled up the bottom door sill trim and checked underneath the carpet on the drivers side and then the passenger side. I was looking for signs of flood damage, mildew, mold and mud. The floorpan was immaculate. No sign of any moisture, not even the syrup from a spilled coke.
I went inside and signed paperwork and Josh endorsed the check, filled out my temp tag and handed over the other two keys fobs. We completed the paperwork and on Monday March 16th, 2026 at 12:30 PM PDT I took possession of my very first C6 Z06. It's Jetstream Blue, and it had 34,955 miles on it.
The Drive Home
Josh went out and put my temp tag on and I loaded my suitcase into the rear hatch and put my camera bag in the passenger side floorboard. We shook hands and I got tin the car set the gps, adjusted the mirrors and off I went. Once on 84 East I set the cruise control. Seeing Mt. Hood for the first time was amazing! It's only 11,xxx feet but seeing it from sea level makes it look huge!
I stopped for fuel in Hood River, Oregon. I grabbed lunch at Taco Bell, then got back on the road.
I wasn't very happy the gas tank hadn't been filled up and the other fluids hadn't been topped off but whatever. Fusion Motorsports did make that right later, but I will keep the terms of what they did to make it right between us. I'm happy with how they made it right. I would also easily do business with them again. Josh and Jesse both have a lot of integrity that I haven't experienced with many other auto salesmen or dealerships. The gas and fluids got overlooked. It happens. It wasn't a dealbreaker, but I do think as a customer spending that kind of money the gas tank should be full, an oil change should have been done and the other fluids topped off at least. This is strictly my opinion.
The Z06 will need an oil change after the trip and I plan to have the clutch reservoir drained and filled with new fluid.
Going up Cabbage Patch was quite fun. The curves were rated for 45 mph and the Vette hugged the curves at 72 mph, never flinching, breaking traction or sliding out from under me, staying anchored and stable through each hairpin curve. The speed never bled off while ascending the grade or navigating the curves. What a beautifully engineered machine! I marveled to myself. The ride is comfortable and the suspension is incredible. You can feel the power just rippling under the surface. You can soft drive this car and enjoy a nice cruise. At the same time, that 427 is always ready to get down to business. The Heads Up Display is an interesting feature and I haven't decided if I like it or not yet. One thing I did notice is I don't particularly care for is the how the dash reflects on the windshield.
At the Love's in Baker City, OR I grabbed fuel and pulled the lower right fuse in the fuse box for the exhaust valve solenoids. The sound was much better with all four valves open on the rear exhaust.
I made fuel stops at a half tank each time. I finally stopped in Evanston, WY at the Pilot truck stop at 2 am because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and slept in the driver's seat for about 4 and half hours. Let's just say the Vette isn't real comfortable for sleeping in. Once I was awake, I topped off my fuel and continued back towards Denver. I paused at the off ramp for Elk Mountain and snapped a few photos of the Vette with the scenic background.
I made another stop in Laramie for fuel and a final stop in Bennett, CO to top off the Vette and grab some fruit and milk from the grocery store. I pulled into the driveway on St. Patrick's Day at 1:52 PM.
I calculated the trip totals. 1,315 miles in 24 hrs and 7 mins. My worst tank was 27 mpg and my best was 32 mpg.
New Perspectives
Prior to purchasing the Vette, I knew a little bit about the valve guide and valve issue with the factory heads but not a whole lot. I was under the impression it only affected Z06's from 2008-2011. Mine was a 2009. I knew there was potentially some risk to drive the car across the country too, but I wasn't in a position to arrange transport and I only had this three day window to go get the car and I promised myself to keep the rpm's under 2500, no power shifting, no dropping gears and punching the accelerator, no hard driving and no high speed bursts. Not until we get the heads fixed. Patience.
The good news here is the car and I made it home in one piece safe and sound. I gradually accelerated to highway speed and I set the cruise at 6 over the speed limit. Let me tell you...it was incredibly difficult to resist the urge to drop the hammer. Patience, I told myself again (something I am not known for but am getting better at). I ran 76 mph through Oregon (70 mph limit) and 86 through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming (80 mph limit).
The day after I got home, I had a couple conversations with Rich at the Corvette Connection in Denver and then Tony Mamo at Motorsports about the issues with the valves and heads I learned it affects all the Z06's from 05-13 AND the ZR1's and it's not a matter of IF it will happen, but WHEN it will happen.
In hindsight it was an incredibly risky gamble on my part. If I had to do it all over again, I would not have driven it home. I'd have found a way to either go get it with my Tacoma and a trailer or have it shipped to my home. But fortunately for me, there were no issues on the way home. Now she sits in the garage under two car covers until I get new heads for it. I'm putting my deposit down on some Mamo Motorsports Stage 2 heads in Mid-May.
The Vette got a full hand wash and rinse with the pressure washer two days after getting it home. There was also some garage cleaning, re-organizing and shuffling of cars.
Potential Consequences & Solutions
Many people will have differing opinions on what I'm about to say next and that's ok. Based on my conversations with Rich and Tony the issue will eventually affect all these cars. The unknown seems to be when? The valve drop occurs at different times for each owner. I'm really curious as to why that is? I'm not an expert on this matter. I've read enough horror stories with the valve drops ranging from 3,600 miles up to 100,000+ miles. There's no rhyme or reason as to when. Tony @ Mamo Motorsports says there's multiple issues the lead to this. The machining process on the heads was flawed and the valve guide wasn't seated concentrically when it was installed in the heads. The rockers are also faulty and allow too much side play for the valve stem (valves should move up and down only, not side to side). The titanium coating is also an issue as it wears off and creates friction against the valve guides. Once the valve guide gets too loose, the valve stem snaps and drops the valve on top of the piston and bye bye engine.
One gentleman bought his Cyber Grey Z06 with 29,000 miles and drove it from Missouri to New Jersey with no issues. 45 days later, it dropped a valve and set him back $35K for another engine, labor and new heads. He encouraged me to get new heads ASAP.
This right here is why my car will sit until I get the new heads put on and get it tuned. I don't have $35K sitting around to get my car going again and I work 6 days a week anyhow. 3-4 months isn't a big deal. It'll go by fast. I will get to play with the car for part of August, all of September and part of October before I put it away for the winter. Patience and maturity is the test here.
Rich told me the heads can be fixed with "fixed factory heads". New bronze valve guides and valves. He told me he's never had anyone come back in with the same issue.
Tony says bronze valve guides aren't harder than the valve guides that GM used in the factory heads. By "fixing the factory heads" all you're doing is resetting the clock on the issue because you can't correct the concentricity issue with how the valve guides are seated when they were machined into the heads.
KaTech swears they've never had a set of fixed heads fail.
Each one of you can do whatever you want. At the end of the day, it's your car and your money. You need to do what's best for you, your finances and whatever it takes for you to have some peace of mind. It doesn't make you wrong or me right or vice versa. You don't need anyone's approval nor do I. No one can make this decision but each individual. Do your research, talk to professionals who deal with these cars. Then take the action you deem necessary.
Me? I'll be going with the aftermarket heads from Mamo Motorsports because I don't want to ever see or deal with this issue again. I don't want it lurking in my mind, overshadowing everything I do with the car and questioning if this issue is going to show itself again if I were to have the factory heads fixed. That's not a risk I am willing to take. I want to have confidence in my car and have lots of fun.
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