C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A C3 as a daily driver?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 12:03 AM
  #1  
93BlkRose's Avatar
93BlkRose
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: r Va
Default A C3 as a daily driver?

I currently own a 93 corvette for a dail driver and I am considering buying any where from a 69-75 convertible to drive when the weather is nice and a beater for the winter. I grew up with 69 and 71 corvettes so the shark is my favorite body style. Does any one here drive there c3 alot and any tips for keeping it on the road. Thanks Oh I read some threads concerning c4 and c5 owners bash c3's on the c3 forum and my two cents on the topic is if c3's had not of sold as well as they did there would have been no c4 and thats the truth.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 12:34 AM
  #2  
AlwaysWave's Avatar
AlwaysWave
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

I use my 72 most days during the non snow months. If something needs repair, I do it myself or have it done. Last year I put 12,000 on the counter. About 6000 of that was 2 cross country trips and two runs to Bowling Green.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 09:04 AM
  #3  
zwede's Avatar
zwede
Race Director
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

I use my 71 as a daily driver year round. These are simple cars. Just do preventive maintenance and don't wait for stuff to fail before checking it and you'll be fine.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 09:15 AM
  #4  
TedH's Avatar
TedH
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

After wrenching and 'investing heavily' in my C3 for the past six years, it is now fit to be my daily driver. I keep the C5 for driving the wife to dinner on the weekends and for northern summer road trips. 'Keeps the miles off the C5.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 10:06 AM
  #5  
Swamp Thang's Avatar
Swamp Thang
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Boston MA
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

'78 as daily driver non-winter. Just watch the garage floor for leaks, best way to know what it needs. You'll be fine if you check the U-joints and calipers regularly. Get one with A/C if you can.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 10:11 AM
  #6  
flood's Avatar
flood
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (Swamp Thang)

Im getting closer to using it as a daily driver. Just got to get all the old weak parts out.

All in all they are fairly simple cars. You can usually spot whats going to fail.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 12:28 PM
  #7  
Captain_Kaboom's Avatar
Captain_Kaboom
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

You sound just like me. I used to have a '93, too. Sold it, and now I have a '77 as a semi-daily driver. I drive my Bronco on rainy days and when it is really hot out...or when I am in the middle of doing a project on the '77. :-)

Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 02:00 PM
  #8  
Cor6996vette's Avatar
Cor6996vette
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: sanjose ca
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

When i first got my 69vert. everything looked old on the car , but i used it as a commute car for two years with no problem then i started all kind of modifications with the engine and drove really hard on it that when it broke down on me 3 time in a rows just b/c the water pump. Now it is my friday to work and weekend . I think if you want A C3 for daily driver you should keep it stock with regular maintenance then it can be really reliable, i bought an 81 for daily driver it is in the process of replacing interior and can't wait to drive it every day. :yesnod:
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 03:09 PM
  #9  
Surfer69's Avatar
Surfer69
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

Drove mine over a year as daily driver and like said above, maintain small things continuously and you will avoid big problems. It's always smart to budget for unexpected failures if you cant work them yourself and want them fixed fast.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 03:11 PM
  #10  
Captain_Kaboom's Avatar
Captain_Kaboom
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (myisa69)

I think if you want A C3 for daily driver you should keep it stock with regular maintenance then it can be really reliable
No offense, but I have to disagree with that statement. Many modifications are done not only in increase power and performance but also make the car more reliable.

Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 12:45 AM
  #11  
joeveto's Avatar
joeveto
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

I love my Vette. But I keep it as a treat. It's just not a good daily driver. It uses too much fuel and is not as comfortable. So I turn to my truck instead. But on warm nights, like tonight, nothing else comes close.

I'd like to buy a C-4 and use that more for a daily driver (with my truck as a rain/snow/need to carry more than 2 people back up)
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:24 AM
  #12  
cmg1's Avatar
cmg1
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: dallas tx
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

I drive a 73 conv as a daily ride. No problems. But it does use lots of gas.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:31 AM
  #13  
isosceles's Avatar
isosceles
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

Daily driver here. It doesn't snow here, but we do get plenty of rain, and my Vette won't melt when I drive through it. As you can see in my sig, I've had a few repairs done. One thing I will say, my car is very reliable. Even when I broke a belt, I was still able to make it 3 or 4 miles farther to get home(my fault, they needed replacement).
When I purchase the car, the first thing I did was drive it home 1500 miles from Boston to FL!
The car is in much better mechanical shape now.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:49 AM
  #14  
Cor6996vette's Avatar
Cor6996vette
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: sanjose ca
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (Captain_Kaboom)

Maybe it just me , sometime i have to fix thing two times to make it work right. I am not a mechanic :)
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 06:18 PM
  #15  
93BlkRose's Avatar
93BlkRose
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: r Va
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

Thanks for all of the replys, I feel I am a true corvette owner who does not expect my car to always run right because working on them is part of owning them. If I wanted all time reliable car then I would get a honda but I need torque :D . Thanks when I buy a c3 I will be sure to post pics. Thanks again
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 06:28 PM
  #16  
liquidmoments's Avatar
liquidmoments
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton NY
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (93BlkRose)

I drive mine whenever the weather isn't too horendous. It's taken alot of tweaking and tinkering (with help thank God from some good friends) but she now runs reliably. That doesn't mean I don't keep a AAA card and cell phone in there though...although I should get a fire extinguisher still...

Only downside is she drinks gasoline like my old man drinks liquor.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:44 PM
  #17  
feb18blacksunday's Avatar
feb18blacksunday
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,198
Likes: 0
From: Boone NC home of 3peat National Champs ASU Mountaineers
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (liquidmoments)

I drive mine whenever possible. Blazer for bad weather. Can't wait for spring. :auto:
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 01:35 PM
  #18  
7T6HER's Avatar
7T6HER
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: franklin park nj
Default Re: A C3 as a daily driver? (zwede)

I drive 7T6HER every time the sun shines in NJ. Got caught in a snow shower once in Feb, but recovered. The bad weather vehicle is a Tahoe.

Peace,

Bill :party: [IMG][/IMG]
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To A C3 as a daily driver?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:51 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE