I was looking at some pictures of some past and present Corvette shows and i was wondering to my myself ( why do most of the people look older 50+) i've been to 1 corvette show here in minnesota and again same thing, older people.
Im not a kid as im in my late 30's but i still didnt see many people my age.
Nothing wrong with it just wondering is the corvette becoming a car that cost so much that only older wealthy, retire people can afford?
To me i think there are allot of younger people that like corvettes but i dont see many.
Thats a shame I hope more younger people catch on how much fun these care are and stay away from the stero-type rap.

 

I caught on!

 

I did too! And I'm not even 30 yet (will be this year though! )

But I have noticed that same trend. That's why I have not joined the corvette club in my city. I would feel way too out of place since most everyone there is probably old enough to be my dad or grandpa! I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just a fact.

 

18 here and loving my vette! it may not get a whole lot of onlookers at car shows, but shes mine and i love her!

 

I guess a lot of us oldsters are fulfilling a life-long dream. I had wanted a Vette since I was a toddler, but had to wait until I was 52. Kids, a mortgage, college, etc. doesn't leave much room in the budget for toys for a lot of folks. And insurance can be prohibitively expensive for a young driver. But C4's and C5's are now in a very affordable price range, so it's nice to see people of all ages being able to enjoy them.

 

Being 20 myself I noticed this at everything I have been to. The college thing is a kicker when it comes to being able to put time and money into a car. I'm thankful I have parents who let me keep it at their place and keep it under there name for insurance sake.

 

I think the youth has been influenced by the fast and the furious..
My 17 year old nephew spent some time with me over spring break. We worked on my vette.. He never drove it. 5 months later he has saved up $3500 with no help from his parents to get a vette. Before he spent time with me here he was going to buy a Honda.

 

I couldn't wait to buy my first Vette when the I saw them on the old B&W "Route 66" series!



But! Life got in the way...Same deal as you. So, when all that was out of the way, my hair was already gray.. But! I'm a kid at heart still. My only regret after buying my first Vette was having waited so looooong! My hat is off to you youngsters that have embraced the Vettes at your age. May you never loose your permagrin!

P.

 

i am 24 and working my way up as a NCRS judge and drive my 94 everyday.

 

Theres a lot reasons. Expense-most younger folks haven't reached the point of being able to afford one unless it's an older one and they can't justify the expense of a second car as a vette when they can go newer and stick with a "traditional" car. The insurance can be quite expensive also.

If they are married with children they can't justify the expense with the expenses of children.

Two seats, many people want the option of hauling more than one person, especially true if they have kids. I have noticed many people selling their vette because they now have children. This is why I waited till later in life.

Insurance costs with teenage drivers in the house is almost as high as it is for a young adult.

But mostly it is because of the lifestyles of the younger folks which encompasses all of the above.

As people get older they have no children at home, they are in a better financial position and they can reward themself.

But don't be fooled. There are plenty of you youngsters out there with vettes, and a lot of these older guys have had vettes their whole adult life. But I don't think the younger owners are as apt to be members of clubs or go to car shows because of a lifestyle difference.

I would recommend you start a club for the younger owners so you can share your love with your peers. I would also suggest you hang with some of the older vette owners as they are full of knowledge and are extremely helpful. Being part of and sharing experiences with the older folks is priceless and something like a vette that can bridge the generational differences is amazing. Like a baseball game with dad.

Disclaimer; These are my opinions and are subject to change.

I am 51 by the way but did not buy my vette until a couple years ago but I have had all, or most of the old muscle cars and the vette is my favorite by far.

 

I wonder if maybe today's "ricers" are for this generation yesterdays muscle cars.
When I was in my teens and 20s I had the Impala's, Camaro's, Ford pickups and other vehicles (vans in the hippie days) and I spent all my money on them. Every buck I had went to fixing them up and making them fast and hot. I couldn't afford a Corvette back then, and it took me until my early 40s to get my first. I always wanted one, but as mentioned, timing, money, and life got in my way.
But we did have our Hot Rods, they just weren't Corvettes.

 

Two seats is what I hear from most as a detterent.I love the two seats keeps all trying to sponge a ride away.

 

I felt the same way when I first bought my first Corvette at age 17. Everyone in the club was older than me. Now, I'm one of the grey haired guys. It all goes around.

 

Several years ago I was leaving a springtime Corvette show that was put on by the Battle Creek, Michigan club. I was driving my C3 vert and noticed that the 3 cars in front of me were all convertibles being driven by gray haired balding guys. I thought to myself, "Is this what Corvette ownership is coming to?" Then it hit me, I too was a graying 50+, so there were actually 4 of us in a row of the same generation.

 

I wanted one before I could even drive. But I didn't get one til I was 36.

If you live somewhere that has bad winters, a second car is a must. That alone makes it hard for a lot to afford.

 

I guess most of you are right there are a wide age group of corvette owners, as for starting a club ( not me man ).
Every once in a while i pop up at a car show but id much rather be driving or working on my cars.
There are older guys now driving theses Hopped up WRX'S, mazda's 323 and Honda's so i think the tide is turning

 

One reason you see 50 + year old people is they've had their cars for years. Like me, I've had my 65 for 34 years and my 74 for 30. There's another group of 50+ year olds that have tons of money so they buy an expensive already done up restored car to live their second childhood.

Another twist to what I'm saying. 5 years ago I had to buy another toy. I bought a 1985 Corvette. The thing their is, now I look the the old guy who's living his second childhood and bought an inexpensive C4.

Hahahaha, so I'm really messed up. People may think I just paid big bucks for my 65 and 74 recently. Then some think. look at that old guy who bought that cheap C4 because he can't afford anything else.

 

I had to wait until I was 40 for my first vette because with the family, it has to be a 'second car'. We need the van to truck the kids and dogs around, and to pull the camper; and I need my daily driver (an AWD Audi) to commute in the winter; so the vette is really the thrid car! That alone demands that I have disposable income to afford to have a car that I only use recreationally.

 

You are correct, there are a lot of older men at car shows. Understand that bBy the time you reach 50~65:

1. you may be receiving a retirement check

2. may have a job, 2nd income

3. your home may be paid for, no mortgage "3rd income?"

4. if you are 62+ you receive social security

5. late 62+ a second retirement check

If I didn't have a mortgage, I'd be driving a Silver C6 Z06 with a S/C and all those mods they sell for them

I know few guys 65+ with 2-3 C6 Z06. I know one with a C6 ZR1, C6 Z06, Camaro SS a Chevy SSR, he is a great guy and waves to C4 Vettes .