Feeling nervous....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Haymarket VA
I'm really amazed at how well mannered these cars are. Sometimes I like to just treat it like a boulevard cruiser and enjoy just how nicely these things roll. But I have to admit that these times are brief. These cars are meant to be driven. I WON'T street race but I will let her rip - at least through the first 3-4 gears. Keeps you young!
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I don't drive mine like a maniac, but I do my share of spirited driving in the car. The C5 holds up very well - so don't be afraid to get on it now and then. Just be mindful of where you are and who is around you.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
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Hey brutha,
They're meant to be driven hard! It's the benefits of owning a TRUE sports car. Drive it like you stole it!
BTW, check out "My Corvette Photos." Looks like you and I have another thing in common!
They're meant to be driven hard! It's the benefits of owning a TRUE sports car. Drive it like you stole it!
BTW, check out "My Corvette Photos." Looks like you and I have another thing in common!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,275
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From: Camden County NJ
Drive the **** out of it and enjoy every moment of it. The service manager of where I got my Vette from, told me he sees more guys with issues that don't drive there Vettes more than the one that do. He also mention to open it up, that is what the Vette was designed to do and if I was not up for it, trade it in for a Caddy if I want to drive like an old fart. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,385
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From: Orlando FL
Originally Posted by BT-01-vette
...... The service manager of where I got my Vette from, told me he sees more guys with issues that don't drive their Vettes more than the ones that do.......
I have a tendency to believe Corvettes are "heavy duty" cars!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
Allrighty guys,
Thanks for all of your replies! I just wanted to test the field there on how the C5's hold up and apparently there isn't a whole lot to worry about! Now I can bring it on up to 5k rpm with some more confidence. I guess I'm just used to cars that aren't built like these are! No more granny driving for me! (of course with proper respect of the law that is...) You guys are great! Thanks again.
Steve
Thanks for all of your replies! I just wanted to test the field there on how the C5's hold up and apparently there isn't a whole lot to worry about! Now I can bring it on up to 5k rpm with some more confidence. I guess I'm just used to cars that aren't built like these are! No more granny driving for me! (of course with proper respect of the law that is...) You guys are great! Thanks again.
Steve
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Whittier California
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I don't drive mine like a maniac, but I do my share of spirited driving in the car. The C5 holds up very well - so don't be afraid to get on it now and then. Just be mindful of where you are and who is around you.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
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the lesson to best be learned from would probably be GM - and their PaceCar -- they chose the Corvette because it needs to Idle for large periods of time and at a moments notice spring to WOL (wide open throttle) and all 350HP to manage the pack on the track
their PaceCar did not have major modifications done to it to stand duty on those tracks (appearantly)
So, yeah these cars are THAT GOOD ... enjoy it, sometimes i forget that too, when you drive it daily in slow traffic etc you can decensitise yourself abit to the Supercar within...
Get out there and blow the Cob Webs out!
FreeStyler
their PaceCar did not have major modifications done to it to stand duty on those tracks (appearantly)
So, yeah these cars are THAT GOOD ... enjoy it, sometimes i forget that too, when you drive it daily in slow traffic etc you can decensitise yourself abit to the Supercar within...
Get out there and blow the Cob Webs out!
FreeStyler
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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First thing I do every time I start the ole FRC, is turn off the traction control.... 
I know how to drive and dont need no stinkin pewter to do it for me 
Then let her rip..... 
I know how to drive and dont need no stinkin pewter to do it for me Then let her rip.....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
I can't verify the source, but an engineer friend of mine spoke at an automotive convention with one of the engineers of the C5 project and he said that the drive train and chassis were designed to go over 350,00 mi. When they developed the C5, they over-engineered it. It's tough! Zuti
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
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Originally Posted by Target Chaser
You'll get over that worrying about breaking something after awhile, I did, and now I enjoy the heck out of it. Just be responsible and pick your spots to let her rip, be safe and have fun. If something breaks just get it fixed.
I felt the same way as you when I first got my C5. But trust me, the comments posted here so far are right on target.
Only one word of caution...
Be sure the oil temp is up to at least 150 or better before you do any wide-open-throttle runs. You want to be sure the lubricant is doing its job in all parts of that LS1.
Beyond that, let 'er rip!
