Who abuses their C3?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I drive my '81 daily as the weather allows. I drive it pretty hard I guess. Tore up a rear end doing it. Built motor, transmission, and rear end in her now. If something breaks now it was a weak link anyway.
I bought and built this car to drive. I guess if I had a rare Corvette C3 I wouldn't drive it hard. Just me I guess.
Last edited by Street Rat; Apr 14, 2017 at 10:26 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
Driving it daily and maintaining it accordingly is NOT abuse.
Driving it hard and maintaining it accordingly for that style of driving is also NOT abuse.
What ever the machine is, using it up to its design parameters isn't abuse. I cannot even say winter driving is abuse, if it is being properly maintained (cleaned appropriately afterwards).
Driving it like a teenage moron, hitting curbs, not changing the oil or servicing the cooling system, that is abuse.
Drive it.
Driving it hard and maintaining it accordingly for that style of driving is also NOT abuse.
What ever the machine is, using it up to its design parameters isn't abuse. I cannot even say winter driving is abuse, if it is being properly maintained (cleaned appropriately afterwards).
Driving it like a teenage moron, hitting curbs, not changing the oil or servicing the cooling system, that is abuse.
Drive it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I enjoy driving my C3 and see no problem with people driving them a lot.
I don't drive it in bad weather. I enjoy the power of my car, I enjoy the way it handles. Both of these suck in the rain. I'm also 6'2 and broad-shouldered - for me, driving a C3 with the windows up is torture.
On top of all that, the risk of someone plowing into it is much higher.
No, I derive no real enjoyment from it, so I take a car I won't enjoy anyways and if something happens to it, a trip to one of the local car dealerships could replace it in a few hours.
I have nearly two decades of blood, sweat, tears and poor financial decisions tied into my car.
I don't drive it in bad weather. I enjoy the power of my car, I enjoy the way it handles. Both of these suck in the rain. I'm also 6'2 and broad-shouldered - for me, driving a C3 with the windows up is torture.
On top of all that, the risk of someone plowing into it is much higher.
No, I derive no real enjoyment from it, so I take a car I won't enjoy anyways and if something happens to it, a trip to one of the local car dealerships could replace it in a few hours.
I have nearly two decades of blood, sweat, tears and poor financial decisions tied into my car.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
I took out all my abuse on a GTO when it was new and so was I. Lots of differentials and clutches that I could ill afford. Learned my lessons with some one car "accidents" as well. Decided that was kid stuff and now only autocrossing lets me "exercise" the car and that is actually pretty mild stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
