Daily Driver
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
Daily Driver
Just bought a 1995 coupe. I want to use it a daily driver. Can this be done? What do I need to keep my eyes on? Should I do something to upgrade the cooling system? If so, what?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
66000 miles. Drives awesome! Of course I've never driven a car like this. I've had the car for about 2 weeks. I live in Texas so it can get very hot. So far I've driven this car through normal stop & go traffic with no problems. Have not driven the car through any weather though.
Automatic - LT1
Automatic - LT1
Last edited by DG'sVette; Jan 30, 2005 at 01:46 PM. Reason: Left out answer to question
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
When I used my 87 as a daily driver I had no problems. Living in ne pa heat was not much of a concern. High temps rarely exceed 95 degrees F. The crunching and cracking noises on a sub zero day worried me though.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
I have a 94 coupe, and live in Houston. I replaced the stock 180 degree thermostat with a 160 degree, and replaced the stock radiator with a completely aluminum radiator (only because the plastic on the original cracked), and since I had everything out, I replaced both electric motors on my cooling fans and have no overheating problems at all, mine is a daily driver as well. These cars are designed to run really hot, and when you are a new owner, if you are like me, i would freak out a little when the temp gauge hit about 225 to 230, now it rarely sees 210, and that is in Houston stop and go traffic. I have 91K on it now and it runs great. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Hellooooooooo Denton (I was born there).
A big problem on LT1s is with the upper radiator hose bursting. Also needs to have the space between the radiator and AC condenser cleaned out regularly.
Get this book: "101 Projects for Your Corvette 1984 - 1996" by Richard Newton. Available at the usual bookseller sites and stores. He has several articles on C4 cooling along with the other sub-systems of the car. This book will pay for itself!
Don't Mess with Texas!
A big problem on LT1s is with the upper radiator hose bursting. Also needs to have the space between the radiator and AC condenser cleaned out regularly.
Get this book: "101 Projects for Your Corvette 1984 - 1996" by Richard Newton. Available at the usual bookseller sites and stores. He has several articles on C4 cooling along with the other sub-systems of the car. This book will pay for itself!
Don't Mess with Texas!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Remember it's a car just like any other, except it performs much better and gets better gas mileage. Oh and better looking, but bottom line it is a car and there are no problems with driving it daily. I drive one of mine daily.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
congratulations by the way on the purchase of your '95....its a good year in the C4 line, and you have fairly low mileage -- smart move there 
you'll appreciate this fact even more on down the line.
you'll appreciate this fact even more on down the line.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
congrats on the purchase. i've been driving mine daily for about four years now, including the Michigan winters.
your 95 has several improvements over my 92, so probably less to worry about. since you will probably see hotter summers than me, i agree with corvetteronw on cleaning the radiator, and i would add it probably would not hurt to flush and fill the coolant annually.
other than that, just like Mojo said - it's a car like any other. regular maintenance will keep it quite happy.
i don't know if you get huge downpours like i remember in AZ, but i would avoid driving during those really heavy rains to make sure you do not get the Opti wet.
enjoy!
your 95 has several improvements over my 92, so probably less to worry about. since you will probably see hotter summers than me, i agree with corvetteronw on cleaning the radiator, and i would add it probably would not hurt to flush and fill the coolant annually.
other than that, just like Mojo said - it's a car like any other. regular maintenance will keep it quite happy.
i don't know if you get huge downpours like i remember in AZ, but i would avoid driving during those really heavy rains to make sure you do not get the Opti wet.
enjoy!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Santa Maria CA
i bought my second corvette for daily useage which is the 84' everybody looks down upon.i drive it daily and cut off a second off my 1/4 mile time because i couldn't help myself but play.i love to modify my cars.to modify a vette is only natural for performance and daily driving comfort.now...when you mod anything at all your hooked! with my little knowledge, if you want it to be a daily driver,keep everything stock.i mean everything.well...mabye change the a sterio or window tint but performance wise if your like any of us who like speed or performance,just 1 mod will start you on a quest for speed. you sure did get a great corvette with only 66,000miles! CONGRATS and welcome aboard!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
I have a 94 daily driver, 154K miles. I have had it a couple of years and seem to have the normal things break/wear out. I'm talking about window motor, elec antenna, power steering pump, battery. etc. This is to be expected.
I have keept up with oil changes, new coolant, filters and such.
The tranny (4L60E) gave up about 3 weeks ago, dropped it and put in a rebuilt and hope to get another 150K. The motor is still in good shape, but I know a rebuild is in the future.
By the way, I bought this car used, 92K miles and I am sure the many previous owners ran the crap out of it, but she is still in great shape.
I have keept up with oil changes, new coolant, filters and such.
The tranny (4L60E) gave up about 3 weeks ago, dropped it and put in a rebuilt and hope to get another 150K. The motor is still in good shape, but I know a rebuild is in the future.
By the way, I bought this car used, 92K miles and I am sure the many previous owners ran the crap out of it, but she is still in great shape.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Daily driver
I have a 1996 A4 purchased 18 months ago as my daily driver. I drive it 50 miles a day, seven days a week. Purchased it with 66000 miles also and it is the best car I have ever owned. Follow all the maintence requirements and read the Forum daily for tips. The Forum is responcible for keeping the car on the road without any problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by DG'sVette
66000 miles. Drives awesome! Of course I've never driven a car like this. I've had the car for about 2 weeks. I live in Texas so it can get very hot. So far I've driven this car through normal stop & go traffic with no problems. Have not driven the car through any weather though.
Automatic - LT1
Automatic - LT1
I recently bought a '95 , Auto, now with 66,500miles on the clock, PoloGreen.
Even if the car is running great, you may want to see if any codes are being thrown. My car runs great too, but the idle stumbled a bit. I replaced my TPS and IAC, cleaned the TB, did the TB bypass "mod". Idle is now smooth as silk.
Couldn't have figured out much without the help of the folks on this forum. It is for this reason I can save myself $130, and NOT buy a service manual !!
(just foolin' around, I will buy one eventually......)
Congrats on your purchase, and I also use mine as daily driver...it makes driving to work not so tedious!!!!
BTW, did you get any service documentation from previous owner/dealer? I bought mine from a dealer in Houston, and all I got was one friggin' set of keys, owners manual, and the title!! Other than that, I am flyin' blind.......
Last edited by MikeC4; Jan 31, 2005 at 02:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
I bought this car from Corvettes of Dallas. I got the same thing, 1 set of keys & a owners manual. Eddie @ Corvettes of Dallas did however give me a 6 month gaurantee on the optispark. Great guy, I'll buy another vette through him.
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Crockett CA
i bought a 95 Polo Green A4 3 years ago with 69000 on the clock. It has 126000 smiles now and I have loved every inch of the way.
I have recently replaced the following:
Optispark, wires, plugs, water pump, front timing cover seals, rear main seal, transmission, IAC, TPS, fuel pump, oil filter adapter housing seal, outer tie rod ends, lower ball joints, intake manifold gaskets, A/C clutch, O2 sensors.
All except for the transmission, I consider normal replacement parts. I am currently trying to figure out a subtle stumbling idle, but I should have that licked soon. I haven't gave up yet.
Oh yea, I ordered some front wheel bearing hubs. Should be here this week.
This all sounds like a lot of stuff, but if you put on the miles I do, this is stuff you're supposed to change out anyway.
Good Luck!!
I have recently replaced the following:
Optispark, wires, plugs, water pump, front timing cover seals, rear main seal, transmission, IAC, TPS, fuel pump, oil filter adapter housing seal, outer tie rod ends, lower ball joints, intake manifold gaskets, A/C clutch, O2 sensors.
All except for the transmission, I consider normal replacement parts. I am currently trying to figure out a subtle stumbling idle, but I should have that licked soon. I haven't gave up yet.
Oh yea, I ordered some front wheel bearing hubs. Should be here this week.
This all sounds like a lot of stuff, but if you put on the miles I do, this is stuff you're supposed to change out anyway.
Good Luck!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Basically it's just another used car so far as maintenance is concerned. Do routine maintenance along with periodic inspections of wear items like hoses, brakes and tires.
With those miles on the clock I suggest you pull the front wheels and inspect the brake pads & rotors. If it doesn't have new pads on the front it is likely close to needing them. If it has new front pads, pull the rears and inspect the rear brakes too.
Good luck and enjoy your new '95 Vette.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Congrats on the new car! I drive a '95 Auto Coupe (Arctic White w/RED interior) as my daily driver and love it! Your car is perfect to use as a daily driver! Just drive and enjoy! I sure do!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,837
Likes: 289
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
I bought mine with 20K on it, it has 120K on it now.
Even with all the track time, it's still my daily driver, well it will be again as soon as I get it shipped back out to California.
Even with all the track time, it's still my daily driver, well it will be again as soon as I get it shipped back out to California.