C3 as a daily driver?
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola FL
I have both.. one thing to remember the newest c4 is 14 years old and c3 is 28 years old.. that said there will be times when they need fixing.. I would have a back up car for that rainy day the car breaks... it will happen..trust me..but kept up and if you stay on top of things yes they can make a fun and good DD.. I just like the plan of having a back up...once I had both cars down..LOL so my F-350 was there and ready to roll....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
I have both.. one thing to remember the newest c4 is 14 years old and c3 is 28 years old.. that said there will be times when they need fixing.. I would have a back up car for that rainy day the car breaks... it will happen..trust me..but kept up and if you stay on top of things yes they can make a fun and good DD.. I just like the plan of having a back up...once I had both cars down..LOL so my F-350 was there and ready to roll....
Back up, is a must in my opinion.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
I used my C3 as a daily driver for 2 years. If you are used to driving a new car everyday, it might take some getting used to, but to be its better. Luckily when it was in the garage getting something fixed, I had my parents vehicles to back me up. Now thats not the case for everyone, so a backup car is a must.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Norton Ohio
It is funny you posted this .I was just thinking this morning what I would prefer I have both.A lot of highway and the 82 with overdrive or c4.If you are big getting in out C4 a couple times a day might get old.It does seem like the cars with overdrive you get a lot more miles on the engines before they need attention.Backup car a must.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
It really depends on how much you drive every day. If you have a long commute that has you sitting in traffic all the time, then I would say no.
If it's just a handful of miles on side streets, go for it.
I only have a few miles on country roads, and I use my 51 Plymouth all the time.
If it's just a handful of miles on side streets, go for it.
I only have a few miles on country roads, and I use my 51 Plymouth all the time.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
It's hard for me to except so many vette owners are so "soft" about driving these cars daily,
My second car was a vette and I have owned many, ALL were daily drivers from my custom Grand sport 66 to my wide body 81 to the 86 I sold a forum member to my convertible 69 I have been using since the PT took a dump.
I am in Orlando...the only place hotter is the sun, I have no AC and no wipers, did I mention it rains daily?
my 383 has a bluppy cam and the car likes to run on the ragged edge of too hot because I need a new radiator...and I do not right now have any safety net to fall back on this is my only car.
I see no reason my 69 cant be at the very least as good a driver as it was 41 years ago,
Is it as comfy as the PT...hell no! but then again, a 69 convertible corvette daily driver is priceless,
I believe and I mean this honest and with no offense to anyone...people are just spoiled,
AC and auto tranny's new cars every few years, service warrantees and driver thru oil changes....c3 daily driver? all depends on the person and how spoiled they are.
My second car was a vette and I have owned many, ALL were daily drivers from my custom Grand sport 66 to my wide body 81 to the 86 I sold a forum member to my convertible 69 I have been using since the PT took a dump.
I am in Orlando...the only place hotter is the sun, I have no AC and no wipers, did I mention it rains daily?
my 383 has a bluppy cam and the car likes to run on the ragged edge of too hot because I need a new radiator...and I do not right now have any safety net to fall back on this is my only car.
I see no reason my 69 cant be at the very least as good a driver as it was 41 years ago,
Is it as comfy as the PT...hell no! but then again, a 69 convertible corvette daily driver is priceless,
I believe and I mean this honest and with no offense to anyone...people are just spoiled,
AC and auto tranny's new cars every few years, service warrantees and driver thru oil changes....c3 daily driver? all depends on the person and how spoiled they are.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Norton Ohio
It's hard for me to except so many vette owners are so "soft" about driving these cars daily,
My second car was a vette and I have owned many, ALL were daily drivers from my custom Grand sport 66 to my wide body 81 to the 86 I sold a forum member to my convertible 69 I have been using since the PT took a dump.
I am in Orlando...the only place hotter is the sun, I have no AC and no wipers, did I mention it rains daily?
my 383 has a bluppy cam and the car likes to run on the ragged edge of too hot because I need a new radiator...and I do not right now have any safety net to fall back on this is my only car.
I see no reason my 69 cant be at the very least as good a driver as it was 41 years ago,
Is it as comfy as the PT...hell no! but then again, a 69 convertible corvette daily driver is priceless,
I believe and I mean this honest and with no offense to anyone...people are just spoiled,
AC and auto tranny's new cars every few years, service warrantees and driver thru oil changes....c3 daily driver? all depends on the person and how spoiled they are.
My second car was a vette and I have owned many, ALL were daily drivers from my custom Grand sport 66 to my wide body 81 to the 86 I sold a forum member to my convertible 69 I have been using since the PT took a dump.
I am in Orlando...the only place hotter is the sun, I have no AC and no wipers, did I mention it rains daily?
my 383 has a bluppy cam and the car likes to run on the ragged edge of too hot because I need a new radiator...and I do not right now have any safety net to fall back on this is my only car.
I see no reason my 69 cant be at the very least as good a driver as it was 41 years ago,
Is it as comfy as the PT...hell no! but then again, a 69 convertible corvette daily driver is priceless,
I believe and I mean this honest and with no offense to anyone...people are just spoiled,
AC and auto tranny's new cars every few years, service warrantees and driver thru oil changes....c3 daily driver? all depends on the person and how spoiled they are.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 2
From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 35,976
Likes: 29
From: San Clemente California
I have both.. one thing to remember the newest c4 is 14 years old and c3 is 28 years old.. that said there will be times when they need fixing.. I would have a back up car for that rainy day the car breaks... it will happen..trust me..but kept up and if you stay on top of things yes they can make a fun and good DD.. I just like the plan of having a back up...once I had both cars down..LOL so my F-350 was there and ready to roll....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I forgot to mention that the c4 86 in my case was a "better" daily driver than my 69 but about equal to either of my 81's,
C4's have more room in general, I dont care for the way they handle but some love it!
C4's have more room in general, I dont care for the way they handle but some love it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
So long as your expectations are realistic then go for it. Keep in mind the older ones may or may not require extra maintenance because of older technology that isn't used any longer: valve lash, points ignition and the like. I have a C5 and C3 but also drive an 02 Sentra SER most of the time. My backup has a backup.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
I'm surprised we don't have a lot of people saying how these cars are 30+ years old and can't be daily driven. You can daily drive a C3 as long as you keep it well maintained. I daily drive my '78 Z28 and have never had any problems, even in the Summer with no AC in the car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
trust me, in Texas you will want A/C. C3s in their normal state toss tons of heat into the driving area. My advice to you is to insulate the floor really well and get the A/C goin..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Thomasville, home of the Big Chair NC
My late wife drove a c3 daily for years. I got her a 94 back in 2000 which she drove daily until her death in 2007.
These cars were meant to drive, notice how they have license plates, headlamps, etc?
They may not be as comfortable as a limo, but if you keep them up, they do just fine.
Drive em, dont hide em!!!
These cars were meant to drive, notice how they have license plates, headlamps, etc?
They may not be as comfortable as a limo, but if you keep them up, they do just fine.
Drive em, dont hide em!!!