C5 convertible as a daily driver
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C5 convertible as a daily driver
I live in the Atlanta Metro area and spend an hour each way to and from work traveling about 9 miles. (major stop-n-go). Plus the roads are a mess with construction and pot holes.
I really want to buy an automatic C5 convertible. I need some advice on what living with a C5 would be like from a practical standpoint.
This would be my only car. (My wife drives a Pacifica) What is it like having only a C5 for a car? Are they comforable commuters? How useful is the trunk? I need to take people to lunch sometimes too and pick up from the airport.
(I hate the idea of driving a car for other people! I want a car for me!)
Thanks!!
I really want to buy an automatic C5 convertible. I need some advice on what living with a C5 would be like from a practical standpoint.
This would be my only car. (My wife drives a Pacifica) What is it like having only a C5 for a car? Are they comforable commuters? How useful is the trunk? I need to take people to lunch sometimes too and pick up from the airport.
(I hate the idea of driving a car for other people! I want a car for me!)
Thanks!!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,611
Likes: 24,865
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The C5 is a nice commuter car. Comfortable, good gas mileage, fun to drive. The trunk is decent, but if you are picking someone up from the airport, you may have a problem if they have a lot of luggage.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 0
From: St Marys GA
If you really want a vette, you can make it work. The car sits very low with very low clearance so you will have to watch for any deep potholes and esp. driveway entrances (commercial as well as residential). The front spoiler will not clear a parking curb/stop so you will have to judge by other than feel. The rockers may not clear large speed bumps (I go slow diagonally). There are add-on devices you can buy to help protect these low points.
As far as picking up people from the airport, the trunk is relatively small but will hold a couple of carry-ons with the top up. Getting in and out can be a chore for older and bigger passengers. I'm 6-2 290, 61 y/o with 2 knee replacements and I do fine, but a passenger like me would initially have difficulty.
I'm only 3 miles from work with a MN6(auto is best for your situation) and a Tahoe as a DD, but I could easily do the vert as DD. (I need the Tahoe for my boat so like to share the miles).
Go for it.
DBD
Don't forget to check on insurance. Depending on your age/driving experiences, it could be a deal breaker. I've had mine 6 months and put 3K fun miles on it without regret.
As far as picking up people from the airport, the trunk is relatively small but will hold a couple of carry-ons with the top up. Getting in and out can be a chore for older and bigger passengers. I'm 6-2 290, 61 y/o with 2 knee replacements and I do fine, but a passenger like me would initially have difficulty.
I'm only 3 miles from work with a MN6(auto is best for your situation) and a Tahoe as a DD, but I could easily do the vert as DD. (I need the Tahoe for my boat so like to share the miles).
Go for it.
DBD
Don't forget to check on insurance. Depending on your age/driving experiences, it could be a deal breaker. I've had mine 6 months and put 3K fun miles on it without regret.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
I love my Vert, but for a DD, a coupe might be better. I keep my top down most of the time because I like the open feeling rather than being closed-in with it up. The only problem is in traffic, you get all the noise, smells, and heat. Nothing like sitting next to a big truck in traffic with the exhaust blowing at you.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
The C5 is a nice commuter car. Comfortable, good gas mileage, fun to drive. The trunk is decent, but if you are picking someone up from the airport, you may have a problem if they have a lot of luggage.
Luggage is the only real concern. For normal use of a trunk it works fine. I even use mine to go to Home Depot. Of course my son thinks that quite odd, but it works.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
I've owned a vert as a daily driver for almost 12 years and have no complaints. The trunk on the C5 vert is smallish, but I've done two week trips in the car without space issues. 2 sets of clubs fit, though it doens't make a very good taxi if your 'fare' has a lot of bags.
If I can only have one car, it will be a vert.
If I can only have one car, it will be a vert.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
I love my vert and wouldn't ever want to trade it for a coupe. However, luggage space for airport shuttle work is really tight, particularly with the top down. I'd seriously consider the coupe for your situation. You can get most of the open air feeling when you want to.
BTW don't even think of a C6 vert with the power top option. The power top stuff takes up a whole lot of trunk space top up or down.
BTW don't even think of a C6 vert with the power top option. The power top stuff takes up a whole lot of trunk space top up or down.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I would question a vert for daily driving, simply from the standpoint of stop and go driving with the top down(fumes, noise, etc.) and trunk space. I live in Atlanta, have a coupe (targa) and drive about 30 miles one way each day, and it's an MN6! Enjoy the drive and glad I do it in a vette. 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 24
From: Newton, Wisconsin
I've used my vette's as daily drivers for the past 12 years or so and plan to do so in the future. Unfortunately the season here in Colorado is only 6 months or so long so I'm back in my F150 for the winter.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
I waited 50 years for my first Vette (an 00 stick vert). I can't afford two cars for me. I have 48k on mine now, summer, winter, snow, ice, rain, everything...
Remember, one day in the sun with a vert is worth 20 in an airconditioned slushmobile!
Buy it, and DRIVE it!
Zooom
Remember, one day in the sun with a vert is worth 20 in an airconditioned slushmobile!
Buy it, and DRIVE it!
Zooom
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Originally Posted by ModRed405
C5 makes a great DD unless you live where there is snow.
i drove mine alot this year since my commute was down to 7 miles. but now that theres snow, the escalade is the only way to fly.if i was somewhere that there was no snow, i would probably have a c6z06 already.
i say go for it, i love to drive my vette!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
When my wifes car was in the shop for 2 weeks, she used my daily driver while I used my Vert. It was mid summer and during that time we had a few rain storms, what I noticed, and newer Verts may not have this problem, but at the break points of the weatherstripping around the windows, water would continue to drip. Not too bad and only on the driver side, but annoying none the less. Also, on icy roads, I would be especially cautious because the wide summer tires are like skates. But since your from the ATL, you probably don't see that problem very often. Bottom line, it was a pleasurable 2 weeks. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,531
Likes: 2,410
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have the same issue with the water leaks as I sometimes get caught in heavy downpours. As for the fumes, noise, etc. that doesn't really seem to be an issue. My commute is 7 miles stop and go and if it's not raining or too cold, the top is down. Mine's an A4. They make great DD's and if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Enjoy! 