Corvette = Practical?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Corvette = Practical?
Hey guys whats up?
I am new to these boards, although i have been reading what people have been posting for about a week now, and i must say, there are some great people that post here.
I intend to buy a car by this summer and when i noticed that a c5 corvette was within my price range, about $25K i couldnt see myself buying anything else. Now my question for all of you folks is exactly how practical is owning a C5.
I live in chicago, and anybody that has set foot in this town during the winter will tell you that the winters here are BRUTAL.
What i intend to do is one of two things when i go to pick up my 'VETTE. I currently own two cars, a '99 Isuzu Trooper, and a '94 Lincoln Town Car, in order to afford a vette i need to trade my Trooper in no matter what, im also considering trading the Town Car to alleviate some of the financial burdens, my question is, is the vette ok as a daily driver, considering the winters that i'll no doubt be driving it in, or should i hang on to the town car, and drive that in the winter.
Thanks for any help in advance.
EDIT - P.S. does anybody know if passive radar/laser jammers are legal? - thanks again.
I am new to these boards, although i have been reading what people have been posting for about a week now, and i must say, there are some great people that post here.
I intend to buy a car by this summer and when i noticed that a c5 corvette was within my price range, about $25K i couldnt see myself buying anything else. Now my question for all of you folks is exactly how practical is owning a C5.
I live in chicago, and anybody that has set foot in this town during the winter will tell you that the winters here are BRUTAL.
What i intend to do is one of two things when i go to pick up my 'VETTE. I currently own two cars, a '99 Isuzu Trooper, and a '94 Lincoln Town Car, in order to afford a vette i need to trade my Trooper in no matter what, im also considering trading the Town Car to alleviate some of the financial burdens, my question is, is the vette ok as a daily driver, considering the winters that i'll no doubt be driving it in, or should i hang on to the town car, and drive that in the winter.
Thanks for any help in advance.
EDIT - P.S. does anybody know if passive radar/laser jammers are legal? - thanks again.
Last edited by CHIGUY_82; Mar 19, 2005 at 12:37 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 4
From: Shelby Township Michigan
I just bought a C5 for my DD and I live in Michigan. It gets much better gas mileage than my truck and has plenty of room for me and my laptop to go to work each day. I still have my truck for when the roads get snowy but there really aren't that many days that I can't drive it. It is nice having a second car for nasty weather or when one breaks down I don't have to rush to fix one. I say hang on to one car for the really bad days unless you can take public transportation during bad weather.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,587
Likes: 0
From: Redding, CA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Welcome to the CF!
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska so I know what those nasty Midwest winters are about.
My advice would be don’t drive a C5 Vette in the snow. They only sit 41/2 inches or so off the street so any rutting will get you high-centered.
Keep your Trooper, if you can- and the C5 off the streets in heavy snow.
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska so I know what those nasty Midwest winters are about.
My advice would be don’t drive a C5 Vette in the snow. They only sit 41/2 inches or so off the street so any rutting will get you high-centered.
Keep your Trooper, if you can- and the C5 off the streets in heavy snow.
Last edited by KHM_70; Mar 19, 2005 at 12:46 AM. Reason: can't type
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
I'm one that doesn't mind driving the Vette in weather, but I'd be reluctant at this stage of my life to have it as my only means of transport in Chicago. Even in Indiana, there is enough snow/ice to make a few days rather treacherous with a high powered RWD car. Having said that, I drove a 1991 Camaro in Indy for several years and it wasn't nearly as road worthy as the Vette with active handling. Let me just say this....I've made a few trips through Chicago when I really appreciated 4WD.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Country Boys Can Survive.
Keep a winter car, the Lincoln. The trouble with winter driving in heavy traffic is OTHER'S!!! I picked up my Vette from LPE in Decatur a couple of days ago. Last night I was on I-90/94. The roads were getting a little bad from ice/snow. I was doing fairly well with run-flats on the back and "fuzions" on the front, driving at about 40 mph. A guy in an SUV pulling a loaded car trailer lost control while passing me in the left lane. I nearly got smacked. Very, Very close. I didn't have the manuevering ability I would have had with a more suitable winter vehicle. I live in NW Wisconsin, and I'm VERY used to WINTER driveing. Don't be without a winter car!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
I would not want a C5 as my only means of transportation in bad weather. extra wide tires and low ground clearance are not good.
Maybe you can sell both your existing cars and spend a few thousand to buy a beater to complement the C5?
Maybe you can sell both your existing cars and spend a few thousand to buy a beater to complement the C5?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
My 03' coupe is now my daily driver, and it seems to work out just fine here in Charlotte, NC. Snow is so infrequent that it is not an issue. I drive it in all weather (except snow) and put 3000 miles on it last month. The hatch area is more than adequate storage for my needs. Good thing I bought a 7 year / 125,000 mile warranty 
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Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Keep the TC for a daily driver...it's not just the snow, its the salt, chemicals and crud they put down on the road too...
Welcome to CF
Peace
Willfulone
Welcome to CF
Peace
Willfulone
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
I have had 2 cars since i got mine . It was a condition of getting the vette for me(since it sees only very nice weather). Good luck
. It was a condition of getting the vette for me(since it sees only very nice weather). Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
I now live in Northern California, and I drive my '99 coupe everyday. However, I was born in Detroit, Michigan, so I have a little experience with snow. 
IMHO, I would use the second car for a DD, and park the Vette during winter. Having a second car would give me piece of mind. 
IMHO, I would use the second car for a DD, and park the Vette during winter. Having a second car would give me piece of mind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: North Cape May NJ
If you can keep the Linc , do it . I had to drive mine in the snow , tough but I was doing some trans work on my truck . The worst part of the snow of course is the "others" drivers who seem to think it's 80 deg and sunny . 
So a hoop ride could save your ride .
So a hoop ride could save your ride .
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I lived in Chicago all my life except for the last 13 years.....friends don't let friends drive Vettes in Chicago during the winter months! 
I guess that means you'll be parking the Vette from the end of September until about June 1st, huh? 
Keep one of the other cars or sell em both and get a 4wd with lots of ground clearance!
I bought my car in Chicago in November '03 - and drove it back to Phoenix. The salt and the slippery streets weren't the real troublemakers - the big problem is the pot holes and frost heaved surfaces. It was like driving though downtown Bagdahd!
I guess that means you'll be parking the Vette from the end of September until about June 1st, huh? Keep one of the other cars or sell em both and get a 4wd with lots of ground clearance!
I bought my car in Chicago in November '03 - and drove it back to Phoenix. The salt and the slippery streets weren't the real troublemakers - the big problem is the pot holes and frost heaved surfaces. It was like driving though downtown Bagdahd!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario
I live in Toronto Canada I would sure have a winter car of some sort . With the clearance on a C5 something will forsure hit bottom I have only 4 inches clearance stock .l am lucky enough to have a 4x4 for winter .
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Don't have much experience with snow having grown up here in AZ but I'd still say don't expect the Vette to do well on snowy days. I would drive it as much as possible but not on actual snowy days. Mine is a daily driver but heat is more of a concern than snow.
