Evander Holyfield

Hi all, I'll be joining the Corvette owner's club (again). Bought a 2012 Grand Sport in Illinois and will be driving it home to Dallas, TX tomorrow. Around an 800mi trip.

With that said, anyone have any suggestions? I've heard of people putting blue painter's tape on the front bumper to protect from rock chips. Thoughts? Any other comments are welcome.

Weather should be reasonable, but a little kick of Rain X never hurt.

Thanks!

Chris V

Seadawg

You can also stick a couple layers of saran wrap across the front, and it will help and not stick out so much.

I make a 650 mile trip to WV from FL, and never do anything, except make sure all fluids are OK, tire pressure is correct, and I have a couple of energy drinks to keep me focused during boring driving traffic times

J3TVETTE

The tape idea is a good one, comes off easy. 800 miles isn't bad at all. Congratulations on the new car!

Judgebull

You will be fine, just drive your car normally and enjoy yourself. The winter has been mild here in the Midwest (Indiana) with very little snow so there's no salt or sand grit on the roads. The temperatures have been mild usually above freezing. Just do the normal things, check the oil level and make sure the tires are aired up. Have a good ride. 😎

LoganExplosion

Yeah, wrap the entire car in aluminum foil. Otherwise you'll DESTROY the paint driving that far. Get it home and into the tupperware ASAP. Burp that lid too.

jimmymac25

Avoid dump trucks and such... Buy and install some spot mirrors for quick lane changes.

LMB-Z

Fill up with gas, get something to eat, couple of sodas, drive. Have fun. Congrats on the new car. Pics or it didn't happen.

Joey D

If u care about rock chips, put the blue tape on the front (painted side) of both side view mirrors.

airmed2

Just drive. I do watch things closely while driving, like staying far behind large trucks (and I pass them quickly), and I avoid straddling animals or anything since this car is so low. Watch the approaches of restaurants, gas stations, or any place that has a sloped drive.

But have fun. Don't be so engrossed with the delicacy of the car that you can't enjoy it. Taping it is kinda silly...but, it's your car. And with that said, it's only a car.

Evander Holyfield

Thanks for the tips all. Heading to the airport now. Blue tape in tow. My second 'vette, si I'll play nice. Obligatory photos to come.

Huskerman

Rock chips are actually kinda sexy.....they indicate a real road warrior mentality......like I am going to drive the wheels of this thing and love every minute of it kinda mindset....... course the waxers just can't understand that.....

Joey D

Lol- ok. I put over 100k miles on my last 6c and it was a daily driver..including rain and snow. It looked like someone took a shotgun to both mirrors after about 30k miles of nj turnpike driving. By 90k miles the headlights were insanely chipped up, along w the rear brake ducts.

When I bought my centennial I promised myself that I would take more precautions w the car in terms of care. Not protecting the paint (for me) is an avoidable and careless mistake. Bottom line is Get it home, get some 3m or expel and drive it as much as you want.

ruxvette

Hell, put the tape on the back side of the mirrors and drive hard.
I drove my '05 over the mountains in Montana after a light snow and I taped the front end (make sure you tape from the bottom up to avoid wind catching edges)...I drove my '11 from WI to AZ and never gave it a thought.
It's just a Chevy...

ruxvette

And don't forget the clear plastic seat covers...

Boilerman

If you want to avoid rock chips do not tailgate and stay away from oncoming vehicles when on 2 lane roads.
Congrats on your new ride .

rkj427

he bought it used, and in another state..........................
unless he went and examined it very closely prior to the purchase, it may already have chips and such on it in the usual places.......................

Joey D

I'm Italian... plastic seat covers are a must. I even have one on my office chair.

GREENKAR

Don't follow PU trucks or any other kind of truck very close they will get you every time. Congrats and enjoy the trip. Very

ruxvette

Umm, sure, right, ah...speechless...

61X

Drive it like you stole it. Pedal to the metal or balsa wood or whatever is under there.