First time poster, need some input
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
First time poster, need some input
Dear Corvette Forums,
First time poster, and I have a question. I'm deployed right now, so I'm banking a pretty hefty sum of money (for me anyways). When I get back I'm going to be in the market for a new car. What I have right now just isn't going to cut it for me. Someone jokingly suggested a Corvette to me, but after some research it didn't seem like such a bad idea. Gets decent gas mileage, has a bigger trunk than my current car, looks good and goes fast.
So I guess I'm asking, what is a C5 Corvette like to live with, day to day? Can it be done, am I crazy? Is it possible to drive in the snow? Please just any info about the daily grind with a C5 would be huge. Thanks in advance.
GI_Drewsifer
First time poster, and I have a question. I'm deployed right now, so I'm banking a pretty hefty sum of money (for me anyways). When I get back I'm going to be in the market for a new car. What I have right now just isn't going to cut it for me. Someone jokingly suggested a Corvette to me, but after some research it didn't seem like such a bad idea. Gets decent gas mileage, has a bigger trunk than my current car, looks good and goes fast.
So I guess I'm asking, what is a C5 Corvette like to live with, day to day? Can it be done, am I crazy? Is it possible to drive in the snow? Please just any info about the daily grind with a C5 would be huge. Thanks in advance.
GI_Drewsifer
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
First off - welcome to the Forum, and thank you for your service!
In answer to your questions - The C5 is a very good daily driver, particularly the coupe. It will carry a fair amount of stuff in the hatch area. They are capable of great gas mileage with judicious use of the throttle. They are somewhat expensive in that they require premium fuel, and tires for a Corvette aren't cheap.
As far as driving a C5 in the snow - the ground clearance is very minimal so anything deeper than a couple of inches - you will have a high powered snow plow. It will require dedicated Mud and Snow rated tires - being rear wheel drive, and the car comes with a fair weather tire.
I suppose it is possible, but most folks don't use their Corvettes that way. You would be better served driving a winter beater in the snow. For the cost of the Mud and Snow tires on all four corners, you could probably pick up some P.O.S. with front drive to get you through the snowy months.
One last thing - complete your profile (at least your city and state) so the answers you get will be more pertinent to your location.
Stay safe over there!
In answer to your questions - The C5 is a very good daily driver, particularly the coupe. It will carry a fair amount of stuff in the hatch area. They are capable of great gas mileage with judicious use of the throttle. They are somewhat expensive in that they require premium fuel, and tires for a Corvette aren't cheap.
As far as driving a C5 in the snow - the ground clearance is very minimal so anything deeper than a couple of inches - you will have a high powered snow plow. It will require dedicated Mud and Snow rated tires - being rear wheel drive, and the car comes with a fair weather tire.
I suppose it is possible, but most folks don't use their Corvettes that way. You would be better served driving a winter beater in the snow. For the cost of the Mud and Snow tires on all four corners, you could probably pick up some P.O.S. with front drive to get you through the snowy months.
One last thing - complete your profile (at least your city and state) so the answers you get will be more pertinent to your location.
Stay safe over there!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Anderson South Carolina
My car has been a daily driver for over a year and I love it to death. Just certain things you have to get use to, my car is lowered so I cant go over a speedbump, I have to drive on an angle up and down driveways, potholes hurt, and the car can be uncomfortable on long drives. As far as snow goes, the car aint gonna melt, kinda just depends what kind of weather your going to be in. Like I said the vette does make a great daily driver but it wouldnt be a bad idea to have a beater truck around.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
There are a few hardcore folks that drive them all winter on plowed roads. Un-plowed roads wouldn't be advised, as they have limited ground clearance. Other than that, a vette would make a great daily driver. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
First and foremost, Thanks for doing what your doing!
I can tell you, living with my C5 was tough love at first. When it hit 50k miles, I had many issues but nothing out of the norm for these cars. I have had it heavily modified since, 418RWHP and at 90k it has never run better. You will love it! My wife hated the car when it was stock and we were just dating, now we are married and the car is a beast...and she loves it. She really had no choice.
Buy a later model, less kinks and fairly priced. Leave some money in the bank for when you get the "mod bug" it never ends. I did heads,cam, headers,high flow cats, Borla exhaust,intake,TB, MAF...just about everything but a super charger or NOS...NOS fogger is my next move.
It feels good to just sit in the car, once you start it and drive it, your at a whole new level of exitement!
Driving in snow is NOT an opiton, the c5 gets sloppy in the rain never mind snow.
Be safe, so you can come home soon so you can buy and modify!
I can tell you, living with my C5 was tough love at first. When it hit 50k miles, I had many issues but nothing out of the norm for these cars. I have had it heavily modified since, 418RWHP and at 90k it has never run better. You will love it! My wife hated the car when it was stock and we were just dating, now we are married and the car is a beast...and she loves it. She really had no choice.
Buy a later model, less kinks and fairly priced. Leave some money in the bank for when you get the "mod bug" it never ends. I did heads,cam, headers,high flow cats, Borla exhaust,intake,TB, MAF...just about everything but a super charger or NOS...NOS fogger is my next move.
It feels good to just sit in the car, once you start it and drive it, your at a whole new level of exitement!
Driving in snow is NOT an opiton, the c5 gets sloppy in the rain never mind snow.
Be safe, so you can come home soon so you can buy and modify!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Wow, thanks for all the replies! I wish other places I'd asked questions like this where as helpful. When I get back, I'll be in Texas for another year or so. But after that I'm planning on moving back to Indiana to go to school. Please forgive my lack of the proper terms here. Which has more trunk space, the one with the large trunk lid area, or the hatchback looking one?
The only problem is I probably won't have a garage to put my main car in, let alone a place for a second one. I guess I could store it with some family members...
What about maintenance? My current car is a maintenance ***** and the parts are expensive, so I'm try to get away from that.
you could probably pick up some P.O.S. with front drive to get you through the snowy months.
What about maintenance? My current car is a maintenance ***** and the parts are expensive, so I'm try to get away from that.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
[QUOTE=Johnny Hardcore;1559223551]First and foremost, Thanks for doing what your doing!
Yes Thank You!
and Welcome to the forum!
I know a lot of guys who drive them in anything and everything, and never complain. I cant tell you from my personal experiance, cause mine only comes out when it nice out. Good Luck!
Yes Thank You! and Welcome to the forum!
I know a lot of guys who drive them in anything and everything, and never complain. I cant tell you from my personal experiance, cause mine only comes out when it nice out. Good Luck!
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
Maintenance - well, if you're handy, you can do some things yourself. If you're not and you have to depend on a shop to do everything, it could get costly.
You should really take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the page. In this thread, there is a ton of information, from a list of the common issues to all sorts of weights and measures.
Here's a link to help you out....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Personally - I have a '98 convertible that has 58K on it. It has been a very reliable and dependable car. Except for an oil pressures sensor (common issue), headlight gears (another common issue) and a clutch (previous owners) - everything that I have spent on the car has been by choice, not need. But I don't drive the car everyday, primarily on weekends or evenings only. I do have a couple of friends that drive their Vettes as daily drivers, and they don't report a lot of problems......
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
My two younger brothers and I all have '99's. I have a black on black coupe, my younger brother has a black '99 hardtop and the youngest has a silver '99 coupe and we all will be keeping the cars in my brother in laws 16 car garage that we all paid to build so we could resreve our spaces. Keeping it garaged at a family members house is always better than letting the elements get to her.
The coupe or "hatchback" has enough storage room for a NOS bottle and a golf bag. The hatchback has limited space. The hardtop, or baseline corvette was designed for speed, not storage. The coupe will give you the best of both worlds. Better than any other true performance vehicle out there.
The coupe or "hatchback" has enough storage room for a NOS bottle and a golf bag. The hatchback has limited space. The hardtop, or baseline corvette was designed for speed, not storage. The coupe will give you the best of both worlds. Better than any other true performance vehicle out there.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 598
Likes: 22
From: Gig Harbor, WA
First of all, congratulations of finding the holy grail of endless corvette knowledge, these guys have helped me a great deal over the past two or three years. Many trustworthy, passionate corvette owners dwell in this lair. So have fun with it.
Don't drive your corvette in the winter, take it from someone who lives in wisconsin. Road salt alone is enough of a reason not to drive it in the snow. Not to mention the three inches if clearance our cars offer. Remember this formula and you'll be fine: Corvette + Snow = Corvette + Ditch. and that = $$$$
Don't drive your corvette in the winter, take it from someone who lives in wisconsin. Road salt alone is enough of a reason not to drive it in the snow. Not to mention the three inches if clearance our cars offer. Remember this formula and you'll be fine: Corvette + Snow = Corvette + Ditch. and that = $$$$
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, both my brothers live in NJ and I'm moving back to NJ at the end of the month.
Now I too have to buy the "winter beater" to get around in the changing north east seasons.
Now I too have to buy the "winter beater" to get around in the changing north east seasons.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
GI,
The "Coupe" has the most trunk space (hatch back looking one). You can also take the roof section off, making it the best of both worlds, IMO. Mine is a daily driver. Get home safe. (See my profile pic).
Cheers,
Vaughn
The "Coupe" has the most trunk space (hatch back looking one). You can also take the roof section off, making it the best of both worlds, IMO. Mine is a daily driver. Get home safe. (See my profile pic).
Cheers,
Vaughn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,145
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Nice pic! I believe a "thank you" is also in order for you, THANKS brotha! Now I have to ask...what was more fun to ride in, one of your vets or that apache in the background of your pic? 
Missed my Vette terribly though! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
From: Cumming Georgia
Love my 2000
Great DD. I drive mine to work almost every day (unless my wife wants it for the day). Does cost a little more for tires and premium fuel (I tried regular, and it runs OK and costs 10% less. However, it also seems to get about 10% worse gas mileage, so I switched back to premium.)
Put two tires on it since I had it, and added an HUD kit from PaceThis for fun. Jim kept all the work up on it, so I haven't had to do anything but change the oil once.
Tim Glover
Put two tires on it since I had it, and added an HUD kit from PaceThis for fun. Jim kept all the work up on it, so I haven't had to do anything but change the oil once.
Tim Glover
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: st.louis mo.
Another daily driver here no problems but i woulg get a beater truck for the snow and maybe put the car in storage.you can run regular gas but you will feel a difference in performance(i did ). consider getting a car cover or carport. and thanks for defending our country
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
From another C5 owner, "Thank you for your service!!"
If you have time, browse this forum as much as you can. I have had 18 vehicles in my life, but nothing gives me more pleasure than driving a Vette. The most important thing right now is being safe. We''ll take care of you when you get back! Trust me, a Vette will be the perfect welcome home gift to yourself!
Vinny
If you have time, browse this forum as much as you can. I have had 18 vehicles in my life, but nothing gives me more pleasure than driving a Vette. The most important thing right now is being safe. We''ll take care of you when you get back! Trust me, a Vette will be the perfect welcome home gift to yourself!
Vinny
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
:o You guys are gonna make my blush. Which would be slightly embarrassing being in the Army and all!
All I can say, is thanks for all the great info! I'd looked into a number of cars before I seriously considered a Vette, and NONE of their forums where a fraction as helpful. Although, maybe that was a good thing, or else I might have never looked at Vette's.
One last question. What kind of gas mileage to you get on overage with a Vette? My current car usually barely manages a rather pathetic 22mpg around town, and 23-24 on the highway.
Sir! Yes Sir!
All I can say, is thanks for all the great info! I'd looked into a number of cars before I seriously considered a Vette, and NONE of their forums where a fraction as helpful. Although, maybe that was a good thing, or else I might have never looked at Vette's.
One last question. What kind of gas mileage to you get on overage with a Vette? My current car usually barely manages a rather pathetic 22mpg around town, and 23-24 on the highway.
Get home safe. (See my profile pic)
Sir! Yes Sir!
