Stick with C3 as Daily Driver?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Stick with C3 as Daily Driver?
I'm thinking... I have some money coming into my possession now, and I have a choice.
1) Update the vette. Get the AFR195s and knock something off my mod list. Get an interim hydraulic flat tappet cam and bump this thing up, hopefully, to about 280 whp. Also, rims and tires would undoubtedly be part of the equation.
2) Put the vette on the backburner, and buy a 2001-2004 Honda Civic Coupe, 5-spd and otherwise pretty trim. All I need is A/C and a stick shift. Gives me a chance to practice powershifting and heel-toe, something I may throw around the autocross course(although I already have that with the vette, and the vette will see road courses if I put rims and tires on!) But of course, I won't be able to modify the vette. Benefits of this are 3x the gas mileage, cheaper insurance, more time to work on the vette without the fear of not having a working car, etc.
What do you guys think?
1) Update the vette. Get the AFR195s and knock something off my mod list. Get an interim hydraulic flat tappet cam and bump this thing up, hopefully, to about 280 whp. Also, rims and tires would undoubtedly be part of the equation.
2) Put the vette on the backburner, and buy a 2001-2004 Honda Civic Coupe, 5-spd and otherwise pretty trim. All I need is A/C and a stick shift. Gives me a chance to practice powershifting and heel-toe, something I may throw around the autocross course(although I already have that with the vette, and the vette will see road courses if I put rims and tires on!) But of course, I won't be able to modify the vette. Benefits of this are 3x the gas mileage, cheaper insurance, more time to work on the vette without the fear of not having a working car, etc.
What do you guys think?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Having 2 cars is plus, having 2 hot rods that are somewhat similiar is much better. For example bat. is dead in 1, swap from other, etc. Build a more powerful engine for primary hot rod & swap the engine into the other hot rod. That keeps power on both rising. At first I was going to have a car collection, by 18 w/ 3 hot rods & 2 g/f decided was one too many cars.
Two hot rods rec.!
Two hot rods rec.!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
I have, for the most part had corvette's for my daily driver's since I was 22. I never was able to buy a new one so all of mine have been at least a few years old. If you buy a NEW car it is under warranty, but if you buy a late model anything, be ready for big expense when it breaks. More than you spend on your C3 and you won't recover any of it. At least what you put into your C3 will not be totally lost
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
A buddy of mine drives about 120 miles a day to work. He started looking on the web for a Civic and found that he could buy a new one for around 14000 and get 38MPG. He is just on the verge of going that way. He drives a 2002 Chevy Blazer now and has a young son that plays sports so he is constantly on the go.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Well, if the epa types out there do not check your car for smog/orginality every year, you could put on later TPI injection, and double your economy and driveability....
but if they do, the swap is illegal in their pin heads.....
at 38 mpg, and 3 quarts per change, the honda maybe the way to go these daze....
VERY common for them to leave a blue cloud behind when running down the road....very common....
GENE
but if they do, the swap is illegal in their pin heads.....
at 38 mpg, and 3 quarts per change, the honda maybe the way to go these daze....
VERY common for them to leave a blue cloud behind when running down the road....very common....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Having a second car is always good. Takes the pressure off when you want to do a larger project on the Vette so you don't have to be done by monday morning.
But a Honda???? I'd rather have a lobotomy. Actually, I think a lobotomy is required to enjoy those POS's.
Yeah they get good gas mileage but also consider the initial expense+maintenance/repairs. Contrary to the propaganda you hear Hondas require repairs too and parts are $$$.
I'd look into an older, domestic, simple vehicle. Rear wheel drive, EFI. Something from the 80's. As long as it's one of the common platforms your repair costs will stay low and they use less gas than you'd think. I got a 83 Cadillac DeVille for free (can't beat that). Had it for 3 years and have spent very little in repairs. Gets 18 mpg city, 26 highway. A Little more than a Civic but has tons of room, no initial investment and people get out of my way (huge old battlecruisers have that effect on people).
But a Honda???? I'd rather have a lobotomy. Actually, I think a lobotomy is required to enjoy those POS's.
Yeah they get good gas mileage but also consider the initial expense+maintenance/repairs. Contrary to the propaganda you hear Hondas require repairs too and parts are $$$.
I'd look into an older, domestic, simple vehicle. Rear wheel drive, EFI. Something from the 80's. As long as it's one of the common platforms your repair costs will stay low and they use less gas than you'd think. I got a 83 Cadillac DeVille for free (can't beat that). Had it for 3 years and have spent very little in repairs. Gets 18 mpg city, 26 highway. A Little more than a Civic but has tons of room, no initial investment and people get out of my way (huge old battlecruisers have that effect on people).
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Well the choices pretty much are as I stated.
I like the new Honda Civics and I'm pretty familiar with the platform, I've done work on them in the past. They're pretty modular like our vettes are. Parts are common and generally all Hondas work the same.
mrvette- I'd love to run EFI on my vette, but as you said, making my car more environmentally friendly is ILLEGAL in the state of California. My dual exhaust is illegal too.
AlwaysWave- When I look back into US domestic cars, the choices are rather slim. Um... Dodge Neon and Ford Focus? Actually, the Focus would not be that bad of a car, but I would much rather drive a Honda than a Ford. (I'll make some major exceptions for the GT40 or a 70 'Stang). Besides, when I think about domestic cars too long, my sights start to fall on a used C5 or a new GTO...
I like the new Honda Civics and I'm pretty familiar with the platform, I've done work on them in the past. They're pretty modular like our vettes are. Parts are common and generally all Hondas work the same.
mrvette- I'd love to run EFI on my vette, but as you said, making my car more environmentally friendly is ILLEGAL in the state of California. My dual exhaust is illegal too.
AlwaysWave- When I look back into US domestic cars, the choices are rather slim. Um... Dodge Neon and Ford Focus? Actually, the Focus would not be that bad of a car, but I would much rather drive a Honda than a Ford. (I'll make some major exceptions for the GT40 or a 70 'Stang). Besides, when I think about domestic cars too long, my sights start to fall on a used C5 or a new GTO...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
A civic!? They drive like garbage. So do most american cars for that matter. With a few small exceptions, the germans really make the best sedans. Get an old BMW or Benz. They're RWD too.
Almost anything gets much better gas mileage than an old vette. There are much better (to drive) cars than a newer civic that will be cheaper to buy and are probably efficient enough.
Your insurance won't be cheaper for both cars combined versus just one, but I think it is a good idea to get a second car.
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Benefits of this are 3x the gas mileage, cheaper insurance, more time to work on the vette without the fear of not having a working car, etc.
Your insurance won't be cheaper for both cars combined versus just one, but I think it is a good idea to get a second car.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I just bought a C4 for my daily driver (my first non C3 vette). It so far has been a good compromise. Much more economical, reliable, and comfortable then my 71, but still a vette and not a Honda or Blazer, like I was driving.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I am in the middle of a frame off on my '72 roadster and it will be my daily driver when I am done. That's the reason I'm putting all the work into it so I can have a nice, reliable daily driver when I am done. Should be better than new when done with fuel injected ZZ4 
Craig
Craig
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
I'm thinking... I have some money coming into my possession now, and I have a choice.
1) Update the vette. Get the AFR195s and knock something off my mod list. Get an interim hydraulic flat tappet cam and bump this thing up, hopefully, to about 280 whp. Also, rims and tires would undoubtedly be part of the equation.
1) Update the vette. Get the AFR195s and knock something off my mod list. Get an interim hydraulic flat tappet cam and bump this thing up, hopefully, to about 280 whp. Also, rims and tires would undoubtedly be part of the equation.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: La Habra CA
Forget all those dumb little rice burners! 
This is gonna be my daily driver/parts runner when the Vette is ready for a BB transplant. Those imports and their mpg can kiss the bottom of my big fat tires! 
But seriously, keep focus on the Vette!
This is gonna be my daily driver/parts runner when the Vette is ready for a BB transplant. Those imports and their mpg can kiss the bottom of my big fat tires! But seriously, keep focus on the Vette!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Click Avatar for Contact Info
I bought a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 with the SC/T package. Using my GM card awards, owner loyalty, bonus cash and factory rebates I took around $5000 off the asking price. It's a sharper looking car than any Honda. My only complaint is that the driver's seat is very uncomfortable - it seems to be a common complaint with the 6' and taller crowd. Looking to get Corbeau seats in the future.
A C4 or a Pontiac would be a better choice than a Honda.
A C4 or a Pontiac would be a better choice than a Honda.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I think I've heard enough and have come to a decision.
After my first paycheck comes from my new job, I'm probably going to make a down payment.
Hope this doesn't disappoint anyone!
After my first paycheck comes from my new job, I'm probably going to make a down payment.
Hope this doesn't disappoint anyone!
