After I decided to sell the Viper, it just felt like it was time to move on to something else. The main problem is I didn't really have a specific car in mind because there is nothing I'm very passionate about at the moment. I still covet a ZL1, as I think it would be a perfect fit for everything I need the third car to be, but I just can't stomach the thought of the horrific depreciation that will be associated with that car. So I decided I would buy the best deal I could find out of the the following 4 options - 08 Viper, widebody Vette Vert and/or Z06, CTSV coupe and Camaro SS with a Maggie. I wanted to buy a car I could drive for up to a year and get back all my money after sales tax etc...
After dealing with numerous people with each one of the cars listed, I finally found a great used Grand Sport Vette at an amazing price. It was at the local Vette dealer (Criswell), so I called up Mike Furman to put a deposit down. After some correspondence that evening it turns out the sale price on the ad was $6000 too low! So that deal abruptly ended...
That night while browsing eBay, I came across the car below located 20 miles away. I was still pissed from the deal gone bad at Criswell, and I've always had a thing for red interiors. While my OCD can't handle black, I made a low offer anyways....2 days later, after I had already forgotten about it, I won the car
Went and checked it out...the eBay pictures were from over 1000 miles earlier! It needed tires badly, was dirty as ****, and had a few paint scrapes that I didn't feel like dealing with. I decided to pass on the car at that point. I talked to a few of my old Vette buddies that evening, and after discussing pricing with them, I called the owner up the next day and offered him another $4000 less...and he took it
The car is a 2011 3LT with a 6 speed manual, with 14k miles. It strangely was missing the NPP dual mode exhaust, so I picked up a used set of B&B Bullets. I had them on my old LS2 C6, and they sound so much better on the LS3? I don't really know why. I prefer their tip layout and the drone isn't really an issue with the Verts.
The wheels are the new 19/20 GT stepped lip concaves from 360 Forged. I got a really sweet deal on these as they were ordered and then the buyer backed out and lost his $1500 deposit. The downside is they aren't exactly what I would have ordered if they were my own set, but I can live with it. I lowered the car on stock bolts and cut one rib off the bushings - its nice to be able to keep the nice ride and lower it for free!
I changed out the chrome Grand Sport badges to the black/red ones from the 2012 Centennial cars, and painted the brake rotors black and calipers red (I have no idea why silver is standard?) I think the only other thing I plan to do is to tint the amber/red side marker lights - I can't stand the orange up front








Here are some random iPhone pics along the way:

 

Looks nice!

Just in time for Carlisle next weekend.

 

Nice car! I've never really looked into them too much but I didn't realize they made the GS in a convertible. I just assumed since they put all those performance/handling goodies on there that it was more geared (no pun intended) towards the enthusiast who would want a coupe/hardtop.

 

can't go wrong with a Vette!

 

Nice ride, congrats.

 

Good taste in cars man! Let me know when you are ready for some tint!

 

congrats on your new Vette.

 

Looks really nice Hank
Very classy -

 

Looks great! I agree on the change of fender badges. Looks much better.

 

Looks great! Subtle changes make a big difference.

 

i love what you have done to it. the wheel and caliper repaint looks great. it looks like you've cleaned it up nicely. great job to put pride back into it.

what are your impression coming from a viper? (which year viper did you have?)

i happen to be interested in the C7. at $55k new, it's a great bargain and very competitive to 100-120k cars (GTR, 991, F type, viper)

what's nice about vette is that you don't have to worry too much about mileage, repair costs, depreciation etc. they are truly great drivers.

 

Thanks guys!

I like it an awful lot for what it is. It certainly doesn't move me like the Viper does, but I can appreciate it for what it is. I know all of the Viper's compromises and lived with them and enjoyed them for 5 years. It just felt time to move on and try some other cars for a bit. I've always LOVED the widebody Verts, so this was next on my list. If I really start to like it, I'll go the SC route to wake it up a bit. If not, I'll sell it soon and get into something else...for better or worse, I just don't get attached to cars

 

Congrats on the new ride!

 

It's best that you don't (unless its a classic). That's the approach I take as well. See my signature. Yes, I'm looking for reassurance

 

Dude congrats! Man I loved the Vipers you had, from the black vert the awesome blue and the striking red, you know how to pick 'em bud! Now time for another shoot!