Mrs. glass car

The wife and I took the vette out for a coast run the last 2 days. Put 360 miles on the car, reminding me of why I still own this car. The car hadn't been driven more than around the block for about 18 months. This car never disappoints us and since we drive it so infrequently it is like a new car to us each time we drive it.
Background: we bought the car new in 96' after realizing that we really wanted a convertible after purchasing a base 95' A-4 coupe. I didn't get a deal like everyone else gets, I payed around $53,000 out the door for it....money I have never regretted spending.
Over the years I have owned it other than normal oil and filter changes, I have put Hawk SPS pads, 4:10 rear gears and changed the original chrome sawblades for chrome 5 spoke GS 9.5' and 11' rims with 275 and 315s.
The car is hard to get in and out of, sits so low that you must choose which driveways you enter carefully. Will not clear a 4' fire hose, yes that was a mess but the friendly fireman swore that we would clear his hose (wrong!). The car has so much road noise that music is a waste of time, rides rough and is a general kick in the *** to drive. The wife never drives it, but grins all the time she is in it. You can start out with the top down in the morning fog on the coast and put the top up and climate control at 72 degrees in the blazing CA. central valley 110 degree days. It will idle all day in the hellish heat and never get over 228 degrees engine temp...you can stand on it after idling forever and it will pull to red-line like a freight train.
It seems the longer I own it the better I like it.

Jims79

Very cool....

wnafly

Seems these cars never lose their appeal and fun factor. Thanks for sharing.

F22

Great write-up and I'm sure many of us feel exactly the same way about our C4's! Ya gotta love em! They are fast, sleek and sexy. I'm never bored driving mine, that's for sure!

Tom400CFI

Ha-ha-ha... Your timing is impeccable.

Yesterday, we took our stockish '92 and drove from Ridgway CO (where we live) to Silverton, had dinner and came back.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ou...aA&mra=ls&z=11

I had many of the same feelings that you did. Mine in general were;
*The car simply runs awesome
*Handling is fantastic
*Brakes are awesome (upgraded to C5/DRM spring/HP+ pads)
*steering is sublime
*roof off is sweet (on smooth roads)
*The V8 provided plenty of thrust (even at 10,000'+ elevation) in 5th gear going up passes. Just a nice burble of exhaust most of the way, whild cranking corners.

Over all, I was thoroughly enjoying myself, and the car. It is SO fun! ...And I drive mine several times a week!

-Tom

Mrs. glass car

Pic of "still fun" car from about early 97':



From about 10 years ago:



2 years ago:

F22

Great pics! And I see you enjoy tunes in the garage. No boombox for you! If you're gonna rock, you're gonna rock!

owner C4 & C5

I have a C4 and a C5 but even beening it is alot harded to get into at 70 I would sell the C5 first. i just love the feel and tight ness of the 40th. Keep enjoying the C4 I do.

pmihaltian

Very

p_mac_44

exactly why I am looking to buy one. Great C4 story, thanks for sharing!

pkazsr

You noticed the stereo, I noticed the toolbox. I bet it is full of used tools. C4s need tools, just like mine.

F22

C4's need money too! Sometimes, lots of money, but usually, money often and often enuff! This is because we want our C4's to love us!

Mrs. glass car

Yea. the garage system is a pair of Definitive Technology BP-2000s powered by a Carver M1.5t 600 watt/channel amp, a Carver C-1 Pre-amp and a Carver TX-11 tuner also in the picture is a Mac 1700 receiver powering a pair of cheap Altec 3 way speakers.
The Carver Def Tec combo will set you in the mood for any car repairs requiring the well used tools. Ain't life grand!

l98tpi

cuengineer

Neat story. My wife and I just drove about 300 miles today to get to the beach at Edisto Island, SC for a mini-vacation and to visit relatives. Scarey part was that we were on the interstate first thing this morning facing the bright sun in heavy traffic. Checking my mirror to see the truck that was trying to run us over and because of the traffic, I was unable to swerve enough to miss a BIG chunk of truck tire in the road which hit the side of the car. Really aggravated me but just got some black marks on the paint which look like they should clean up.

Didn't get to go topless though as we got caught in about 5 t-storms. But in spite of it all, it ended up being a fun drive with no problems. What amazes most people is that the Vette actually gets a LOT better mileage than they expect -- if you don't goose it too much starting off.

Thanks for making me smile again about a nice ride!

Tommy T-Bone

I grew up in the muscle car era. With my 90 6 speed I drift back to a time I really enjoyed. Shifting briskly through the gears floods me with the excitement of a bygone era. Your only as old as you want to be.