would you drive it home?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: east rutherford new jersey
damn........i'd say no.
i brought my first vette, about 1 1/2 hours away, and had it towed home.
i erred on the side of caution. i just didn't want any problems.
once i got it home, i had a mechanic give it the once over, i felt better about it.
maybe because it was my first vette, 25 year old car, and 134k, that helped me make up my mind.
*edit* jackass drivers on the garden state parkway played a bit in my thinking also.
i brought my first vette, about 1 1/2 hours away, and had it towed home.
i erred on the side of caution. i just didn't want any problems.
once i got it home, i had a mechanic give it the once over, i felt better about it.
maybe because it was my first vette, 25 year old car, and 134k, that helped me make up my mind.
*edit* jackass drivers on the garden state parkway played a bit in my thinking also.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
well since you are flying there you do not have to many options. at first I was thinking no, but it could be ok, the part that scares me is only 350 miles in 6 months. you are getting ready to double that in one day. but what the heck go for it. I towed my 93 back from Florida because the part that scared me is being stranded in some town and at the mercy of some shop that knows nothing about your car. if you have a breakdown it may be cheaper at that point to rent a truck and trailer and tow it home the rest of the way. good luck 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: chicago south burbs IL
Drive it! When I bought mine i drove it 5 hrs home with nothing more than a test drive and (Luckley) I got home fine . It was cold and I didn't have any heat but, It was the best drive ever. If it breaks down you will have a story you can laugh about years later.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
I live in outside of Philadelphia, PA and bought mine out near Minneapolis, MN. A solid 2 day 20 hour drive. Flew out, drove it home. I also brought my brother to switch drivers and my tool box.
I think I was a little lucky, 20 year old tires, had to stop and get it aligned before we left Minne. The guy did a total restoration on it and when I got it home, I found a few bolts that had to be tightened that he missed.
Great experience but my A$$ hurt for days.
I think I was a little lucky, 20 year old tires, had to stop and get it aligned before we left Minne. The guy did a total restoration on it and when I got it home, I found a few bolts that had to be tightened that he missed.
Great experience but my A$$ hurt for days.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
I drove my 76 from Sacramento to Houston (1800 miles). When I picked it up I noticed the fan clutch was bad, the owner had tools with him and he put a new one on at his expense. I was a little nervous at first, but once I made the Texas line I figured worse case would be if it broke, I have it shipped back and I fly back.
Now all I do is keep adding stuff and spending money on it.
Now all I do is keep adding stuff and spending money on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
a few things..
I'd test drive it (with spirit) and after that let it run for a bit to see the cooling system in action. Good strong shifts, good oil pressure, good frame / birdcage, good rakes.... let it rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
I guess it's a little late now for input since you were flying out last night but I would have said drive it too! I drove my '86 from Atlanta back to Tampa after flying out one way to get there. There's only one way to know for sure if it will make it or not; kind of like and adventure!
My '81 came out of Boca and I drove it back too but that's not quite as far. Sloppy steering on a rainy day was a lot of fun!
My '81 came out of Boca and I drove it back too but that's not quite as far. Sloppy steering on a rainy day was a lot of fun!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: St. Rose LA
I made it back
Well I bought the vette and drove it home, 777 miles in 14 hours. Thanks for everyone's input. I will post some pics later. It has original show room new interior, original paint with slightly faded bumpers. Bonus, not just new front calipers, but all 4 with new lines & pads. No rust. The frame is still black. Original mufflers & pipes have slight surface rust. The only thing that didn't work was the cruise control. The power antenna worked until I got to Ocala. When I stopped for gas, I noticed that the motor was running but the antenna wasn't going down. I had to pull the fuse to stop the motor. I guess the plastic gear strip broke? So the rest of the trip was just the sound of the motor. After a full day of inspections, banks and the line at DMV, I got on the road out of Port St. Lucie at about 4pm (my time). I made plenty of stops to check fluid levels and to stretch my back. I pulled up at home this morning at 6am . The strange thing is that I got more waves, thumbs up and cool car comments, driving this c3 than I do in my c5. More later.....
you said your antenna broke in Ocala, that's where I picked up my '93. looks like one more Florida vette in LA, Florida sure has some nice roads 
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
I purchased my 1973 bigblock coupe in Onalaska, Wisconsin and drove it to Miami, Florida in 1986. The previous owner changed the water pump and replaced the belts and hoses. I carried some hand tools and only needed it to use them once - when the A/C clutch seized up on the Florida Turnpike and I cut the belt.
Word of advice, the trip home is NOT the time to performance check the car. Obey all speed laws, check fluids frequently, and keep track of miles per gallon fuel consumption - it may be a sign of impending trouble if it suddenly becomes very inefficient (more inefficient?) Most of all, enjoy the ride!
Word of advice, the trip home is NOT the time to performance check the car. Obey all speed laws, check fluids frequently, and keep track of miles per gallon fuel consumption - it may be a sign of impending trouble if it suddenly becomes very inefficient (more inefficient?) Most of all, enjoy the ride!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
One of the best stories I've ever read is by one of my web buddies who bought a 73 GTO in California and drove it home to Memphis . I recommend everyone read this.
It's 73 '1/2' pages with a miriad of twists and turns and period music optional.
He's as passionate about GTO's as most of us are about our Corvettes. After you circle from the last page to the start page again, be sure to click his email and give him a little feedback. It's truly a masterpiece of webliture.
here's the link:
Daves 1973 GTO Odyssey
It's 73 '1/2' pages with a miriad of twists and turns and period music optional.
He's as passionate about GTO's as most of us are about our Corvettes. After you circle from the last page to the start page again, be sure to click his email and give him a little feedback. It's truly a masterpiece of webliture.
here's the link:
Daves 1973 GTO Odyssey
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
The strange thing is that I got more waves, thumbs up and cool car comments, driving this c3 than I do in my c5. More later.....
Applies to most cars that have "evolved":
68 Impala "Cool"
1998 Impala "not so cool"
Applies to most cars that have "evolved":
68 Impala "Cool"
1998 Impala "not so cool"
Last edited by AirTrafficController; Nov 5, 2007 at 10:15 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Well I bought the vette and drove it home, 777 miles in 14 hours. Thanks for everyone's input. I will post some pics later. It has original show room new interior, original paint with slightly faded bumpers. Bonus, not just new front calipers, but all 4 with new lines & pads. No rust. The frame is still black. Original mufflers & pipes have slight surface rust. The only thing that didn't work was the cruise control. The power antenna worked until I got to Ocala. When I stopped for gas, I noticed that the motor was running but the antenna wasn't going down. I had to pull the fuse to stop the motor. I guess the plastic gear strip broke? So the rest of the trip was just the sound of the motor. After a full day of inspections, banks and the line at DMV, I got on the road out of Port St. Lucie at about 4pm (my time). I made plenty of stops to check fluid levels and to stretch my back. I pulled up at home this morning at 6am . The strange thing is that I got more waves, thumbs up and cool car comments, driving this c3 than I do in my c5. More later.....
Cory
[/IMG]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Excellent, now if we could just get them together for a photo op!!! There was a guy selling one on vette finders I think with like 3500 original miles but he wanted big money. Your car looks great, drive it safely and enjoy and dont forget to check out the crossfire vault for any related problems that may crop up.
Cory
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
"The strange thing is that I got more waves, thumbs up and cool car comments, driving this c3 than I do in my c5."
WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED!
You did well. It's beautiful. Have fun and congratulations.
Glenn
WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED!
You did well. It's beautiful. Have fun and congratulations.
Glenn