I've wanted to ask this, but kept forgetting, so here goes ...

Right before I bought my car (about 2 years ago now) ... I had someone tell me that once I bought a C5, I'd be "giving people a certain impression" of me. Several months ago, I realized this person (whom I've known for about 11 yrs.) was just waiting around to see me fail at something so he could rub it in my face. Needless to say, when I realized this, I cut all communication with this guy, but I never got to ask him what he meant (Not that it would've shifted my decision) I've been considered sort of the "Ferris Bueller" of that group, since I could fall into a pile of shiznit and come out smelling like roses as they often put it. I know he resented my car, career, home, etc., but I never rubbed anything in his face (we all make our own choices in life, right?). I know he would have wanted a Vette, but will never have one. I've had nothing but compliments on my car, but I'm always humble about accepting. I am proud of my car.

What if any impression do you think your C5 makes on people?

Besides the normal: Mid-life crisis, compensating blah blah blah, etc., do people really feel like a C5 is a bad thing or make some of you try to feel bad for having / obtaining one?

I know it’s a car, but it was obtaining the goal for me. TIA.

I'm single, no kids, no drama.
He's married, no kids ... WTH?

Dave Q.

 

I know what you mean, Dave. I'm a married no kids, 27 year old engineer who has always aspired for a fun car "when I grow up"! All middle aged people I work with and relatives told me to "do it before the kids come". So I realized I am grown up and can afford a vette now. I pulled the trigger and got one last week. You would think I moved into a crack house the way middle agers now shake their head at me when I mention the car. Maybe its just their regrets!

 

Congrats on your new ride ...
May you have miles of smiles!
Don't forget to wave :

 

Ive heard the mid life crisis thing a lot and Im only 43. Ever since I was 16 Ive been into high perf. I did all the typical hot rod things as a kid, swapped carbs, manifolds, did exhausts, sidepipes, engine swaps etc. I have always been an enthusiast but never had the money for a nice car until now. Ive had 3 pontiac formula 400 4-spds and still have a 73. Ive got old (62 & 82 ) Harleys that run very low 11s and thats not easy with an old shovel head and iron head sportster. But despite all that I guess I am suppose to not have a corvette because I am over 40. Some people just dont get it. I dont care who sees me driving this car. I would drive it if it were invisible because I am a car nut and appreciate what the car can do. Amazing how many people label you a show off or an MLC when you get a vette. I drive this car for me nobody else. I have been out of work for 21 months with cancer and zero income and will continue to try and hang onto this car for as long as possible because of the enjoyment it gives me when everything else sucks. But like I said some people just dont get it. Sorry for the rant but you hit a nerve because of how often ive heard those things.

 

O..Hell, guy... I'm 60 years old. Too old to care what anyone else says or thinks. I waited 50 years to get mine. I drive it like I stole it! I love it when young kids can't believe an old man can can double clutch a downshift on the way to a stop sign....
With the Vette I can do things I only dreamed of 20 years ago...
In my mind I'm still 20... Nobody else matters!
Zooom

 

I hear everything you guys are saying and I have experienced all of it. A couple weeks ago I bought a second Vette and you would think I was selling crack. A couple years ago I battled cancer and so far I am winning. Tim McGraw has a song that I live by now... its called "Live like you are dying" or something like that. Having a Vette or two Vettes has nothing to do with ego or what people think of me. It about enjoying life and I happen to enjoy life by owning TWO VETTES. To each his own...I guess.

 

Dave,

I know exactly what you went through - I had that as well, but from aquaintances, not friends, thankfully.

I'm 41 and I get the semi-unkind/jealous/envious cracks from co-workers all the time. I've learned to ignore the post-Grond losers and stay true to the guys/gals that were close to me pre-Grond. They all love the car and are happy for me because I am happy with it.

At my church, I'm a bit of a celebrity, I guess, because I sing in my choir and appear to live the "high life" (constant travel to exotic places, Grond, single, charismatic, nice home etc. ) What's really cool is my pastor loves the car (we were close pre-Grond) and he talks about it more than I do His wife is always trying to match me with someone or other

And all my friends love the car. So I just ignore all of the "if I didn't have kids I would..." and "they are paying you too much..." and "I wonder what you do for a living..." types and just enjoy my life and drive my Vette!!

Stephen

p.s. A good friend, she's 92 years old and she told me this little axiom. Ever since she told me this 3 years ago, I have lived my life by it.

"Every day above ground is a good day".

 

This is a very interesting topic. Coming from the other side of the age spectrum I find it kind of annoying when people at work ask "so why would you get a Corvette" or "how in the hell can you afford that working here" (I am currently working retail waiting to be an Air Traffic Controller after graduating college). I am 24 years old and I pay for every cent of my Corvette as well as insurance. I respect the car very much and I enjoy it. I have always been into cars its more like a hobby of mine not just a way to get from point A to point B thats what the Jeep is for :-)
I did not buy the car to impress anyone I bought it because its fast, handles great, and looks even better. IMO the only reason someone would bash you or the car is because they are jealous.

 

Hey Man, screw what people think about you and your car...when they start paying my bills..they can criticize me and my car. I know exactly what you're saying though...I've always gotten a mixture of praises and put downs....you just got to take everything in stride. But, I like the way dudes sneer at me and my Vette..and I deffinately like the way girls giggle and point at my car. I guess a torch red Corvette has that affect on people. Enjoy your life Man and be kind to peolpe.

 

I've had really good receptions to my owning a Vette. Sometimes I get kidded about it, but I just take it in stride - nothing meanspirited is ever said. I don't flaunt the fact that I own a car like the C5 either.

 

I'm 60 and when people look at me and my bride tooling around in our baby I know that they think something is wrong with me.
I am really politically incorrect and I really don't give a rats butt about what people think.
I chuckle when I see people my age in their 4 door Buick staring and knowing that they were wishing they could change places with me.
60 is a fun age, and part of that fun is my baby.
I did 6 years in VN, have 6 PHMs, been close to the marble orchard more times than I like to think about and what people think of me because of my ride means nothing.
I agree with EGs friend. Every day above ground etc. Smile at them as you listen to the pipes as you drive away.

 

I don't care what people think. They are on the outside of my car, and I am on the inside driving it. I like driving it because it is fun. I put several thousand miles on it each month for work, all the while billing time and collecting mileage I actually enjoy driving it so much that I feel guilty (not really) about billing the time.

Additionally, it is one of the best looking cars ever made. Every time I am behind a beige Toyota Camry I wonder how someone could have walked into a dealership and though "oh ya, that's what I want to spend my money on". If it makes them happy, great, but damn...it is possible to have so much more fun.

I am fine with it if someone doesn't like the Vette. There is only room for me and my wife in it anyway. F#*% em!"

 

HELLLLLL YIZZZZZYYYY.. F#*% em!

 

Well said DUDE!!

 

 

I hear what you guys are saying ... and believe me, he already got the " F@!#$ Off! " message. It's not like me to get upset if someone is a hater/envious, but I'd been "friends", like brothers, with this guy for about 11 years. Just made me a bit curious as to who else had gone through something similar based on their Vette. It was the straw that broke the camel's back in my case. He couldn't stand the mere fact that I did, what I set out to do.

I knew you guys would understand. I'm 32 ... haven't been around as long as some of you, and been around longer than others, but I gotta say ... We're all on the same page. Thanks everyone.

Dave Q.

 

Zoom, you are the man.

When I'm in my Vette, nicely equipped with Borla Stingers, I drive to have fun and the byproduct is V8 noise and sometimes squealing tires

 

if he was a real friend, he would have bought you a supercharger or a cat-back system for your car...haha...or at least he could of said.."hey man, can I wax your car"???

 

I get that too from time to time. Not that I care. Those who've known me since childhood, know I'm a car guy, and didn't buy it for any other reason.

But one of my friends' wife said "I didn't figure he's the corvette type" - whatever that is.

 

Dave,
One word. Jealousy.

Have fun with your Vette and don't worry about the A holes.