Average life?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
Given the fact that the Corvette has a big advantage concerning rust due to the fiber panels, I would say they will last longer than the average car.
But as said before, as long as you maintain it, it will last forever....
But as said before, as long as you maintain it, it will last forever....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Some are literally beat to death in less than 80k miles.
Others are well maintained and last over 200k miles.
The Corvette is just a car like any other. Under the "skin" are all the same components that every other car has.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
The life of a corvette ends generally when the cost of repairing exceeds the value of the car. 250k miles, 25 years are generally the averages. But as stated above, you could keep it going indefinately. Say you have a 96 vette in good condition but 180k miles. It could easily go another 100k or 10 years. Now make that an 86 vette, odds arent so good if used regularly. Most people tend to look at mechanical things as the limits, but cosmetics (paint and interior) probably kills most of them eventually.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From: MD
I beg to differ on this (especially the 1986 comment)...
If you keep it maintained... it can/will last almost forever...
I have had many cars with over 200k miles...
most recently a 1955 Ford... I just sold my 1997 Honda CRV with 215K and my sister is still driving it almost every day...
My 1986 Vette gets driven almost daily... I also fix / repair / replace as things are needed... (granted it only has 54k miles)
Paint and interior cosmetics need to be maintained also...
just as belts wear out... so do seats, etc...
come see me in another 25 years... and I bet I'm still driving my Vette...
(unless that C6 zo6 comes down in price a bit)
Philip
If you keep it maintained... it can/will last almost forever...
I have had many cars with over 200k miles...
most recently a 1955 Ford... I just sold my 1997 Honda CRV with 215K and my sister is still driving it almost every day...
My 1986 Vette gets driven almost daily... I also fix / repair / replace as things are needed... (granted it only has 54k miles)
Paint and interior cosmetics need to be maintained also...
just as belts wear out... so do seats, etc...
come see me in another 25 years... and I bet I'm still driving my Vette...
(unless that C6 zo6 comes down in price a bit)
Philip
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I beg to differ on this (especially the 1986 comment)...
If you keep it maintained... it can/will last almost forever...
I have had many cars with over 200k miles...
most recently a 1955 Ford... I just sold my 1997 Honda CRV with 215K and my sister is still driving it almost every day...
My 1986 Vette gets driven almost daily... I also fix / repair / replace as things are needed... (granted it only has 54k miles)
Paint and interior cosmetics need to be maintained also...
just as belts wear out... so do seats, etc...
come see me in another 25 years... and I bet I'm still driving my Vette...
(unless that C6 zo6 comes down in price a bit)
Philip
If you keep it maintained... it can/will last almost forever...
I have had many cars with over 200k miles...
most recently a 1955 Ford... I just sold my 1997 Honda CRV with 215K and my sister is still driving it almost every day...
My 1986 Vette gets driven almost daily... I also fix / repair / replace as things are needed... (granted it only has 54k miles)
Paint and interior cosmetics need to be maintained also...
just as belts wear out... so do seats, etc...
come see me in another 25 years... and I bet I'm still driving my Vette...
(unless that C6 zo6 comes down in price a bit)
Philip
The exception does not disprove the rule.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 5
From: Coast MS
I think lifespan depends on your wallet.
My dad has a 1947 Willis Jeep, and my mom as a 1964 Thunderbird. They both are going strong. I don't use my 96 but about once a week. Sometimes I don't use my DD but about once a week due to having a govt car. At this rate I should be set for awhile.
My dad has a 1947 Willis Jeep, and my mom as a 1964 Thunderbird. They both are going strong. I don't use my 96 but about once a week. Sometimes I don't use my DD but about once a week due to having a govt car. At this rate I should be set for awhile.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
When the car isn't wanted, it will be scrapped even if still operable. I remember seeing a few C4's sent to the scrap yard during the cash for clunker program the government had not to long ago.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I saw that too. So I guess the answer is ..It will last as long as you want to take care of it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Doing your own work will be required on many items. Then in years to come, finding someone who knows how to work on them will be challenging as well. Actually it's already hard to find people who know what they're doing on them. I was lucky, what I couldn't do my mech could because he's a GM certified mech who's worked on many a C4, and knows what he's doing.
Parts will become harder to find also. But fortunately there's still a lot of low mileage C4's around.
Gotta love those who make them garage queens!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: Central New Hampshire
Most definitely.
Doing your own work will be required on many items. Then in years to come, finding someone who knows how to work on them will be challenging as well. Actually it's already hard to find people who know what they're doing on them. I was lucky, what I couldn't do my mech could because he's a GM certified mech who's worked on many a C4, and knows what he's doing.
Parts will become harder to find also. But fortunately there's still a lot of low mileage C4's around.
Gotta love those who make them garage queens!
Doing your own work will be required on many items. Then in years to come, finding someone who knows how to work on them will be challenging as well. Actually it's already hard to find people who know what they're doing on them. I was lucky, what I couldn't do my mech could because he's a GM certified mech who's worked on many a C4, and knows what he's doing.
Parts will become harder to find also. But fortunately there's still a lot of low mileage C4's around.
Gotta love those who make them garage queens!
Ps: Thanks for serving (sure you hate hearing that haha)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
The fiberglass panels are a benefit but also a drawback. Because the panels don't rust an owner who neglects the car could have the frame and other steel strucural components rust beyond repair before he notices anything wrong.
