Practical vs cool........
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
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Practical vs cool........
An interesting comparison for a late middle aged (or early old aged) male; a new Pontiac Vibe or a 90’s Corvette – which wins?????
Pontiac vibe (Toyota matrix) good points: 100% reliable, fuel efficient, comfortable, flexible space (can carry a lot), great access (high seats and good vision).
Bad point – totally blah. Gets noticed by 90 something retires as a good car
Corvette (91 Coupe, dark green) bad points: Questionable reliability, poor fuel economy, not so very comfortable, almost impossible to get into or out of with out major physical exertion, limited storage space, sitting inches from the road therefore limited vision over the ever present SUV’s,
Good points - major FUN to drive, Really get noticed by all kinds of people – constant remarks (“nice ride”).
Conclusion: Logic leans strongly toward the Pontiac ; it has not left the garage for two months now – so much for logic………….
Pontiac vibe (Toyota matrix) good points: 100% reliable, fuel efficient, comfortable, flexible space (can carry a lot), great access (high seats and good vision).
Bad point – totally blah. Gets noticed by 90 something retires as a good car
Corvette (91 Coupe, dark green) bad points: Questionable reliability, poor fuel economy, not so very comfortable, almost impossible to get into or out of with out major physical exertion, limited storage space, sitting inches from the road therefore limited vision over the ever present SUV’s,
Good points - major FUN to drive, Really get noticed by all kinds of people – constant remarks (“nice ride”).
Conclusion: Logic leans strongly toward the Pontiac ; it has not left the garage for two months now – so much for logic………….
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 644
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From: Denver Colorado
yeah so much for logic, wait till it snows then you'll know why you bought or if you have to go get some lumber or construction materials. I said screw logic and sold my dakota for a vette in colorado and I carry my tools and camping stuff and the occasional 2x4 when needed, so there's your logic from a 20 yr old.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Screw Logic!!!!Im trying to convince my bf to buy a c4 with me.......
" we need a daily driver....its just not feasible with the fuel economy..."
my response -
'it has good fuel economy compared to the c3 - and it aint that bad - they do 30mpg highway -and think of all the fun ---I'll wont drive it on useless trips..........--think of allllllllllll the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!!!!! , and the fuel economy isn't as bad as a 4WD (SUV's), why waste time on useless boring cars when you can really enjoy yourself with a vette...you never know how long you have left you know...live life to the max"
If we lived our lives LOGICALLY it would be too boring.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 102
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From: Dallas GA
Life is too short to drive boring cars. Go put a smile on your face and buy the vette. They really are reliable, just don't wash the engine down with a water hose and you will be OK. As for getting in and out of the car, it does take a little more effort than most others but it beats going to the gym.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Originally Posted by cavu
As for getting in and out of the car, it does take a little more effort than most others but it beats going to the gym.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Being "60+" I go to the gym and have no trouble getting in/out of my C4. After all the responsibility for maintaining my physical abilities rests squarely upon me; if I fail to attend to it no one else is going to.
When trying to decide between which cars to buy you just need to ask yourself what you need and what you want; if the Vette suits one or both needs, go for it. At my age I feel I've wasted enough of my life in family sedans and "slug-mobiles". When/if I need a utility vehicle I'll get a good used one.
On mileage, last evening (actually early this morning) I returned from a trip to AC for a little black jack action. It was a 3hr trip each way and my '88 averaged over 30mpg. Though mostly interstate driving, it included a little local street driving and some at AC.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 23
From: Joplin, MO, USA
If you went for logic and practicality, no one would drive a Corvette (nor a Boxter, Viper, ...). For pure enjoyment, however, I haven't driven anything better!!!! Buy a junker for hauling and basic transportation if you have to, but enjoy the Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Practical for me means not owning a vehicle that has room for a babyseat (kingsize 4x flamesuit on)!
i wholeheartedly agree. with a philosophy such as this, we won't have to worry about that sort of nonsense mucking up our lives 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
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From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
As stated above, you need at LEAST two cars. For me DD is a tired old '92 S-10 Blazer 4X4, a 69 Chevy pick-up for hauling stuff, and the Vette for fun. You can't have it all in one car..
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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My previous Corvette was a C3. One of the mods I did after the engine build was to put a high rise cowl induction hood on it.
Practical - hard to see around it. Hardly logical except I did not want the air cleaner to stick through the hood.
Cool factor? Priceless!
Practical - hard to see around it. Hardly logical except I did not want the air cleaner to stick through the hood.
Cool factor? Priceless!