In 1967 I stood on the showroom floor looking at a brand new red Corvette convertible. I glanced at the window sticker. OMG! $5,700! There's no way I can ever afford that, I said to myself.

Now, 40 years later, I have a gorgeous, near-perfect, 2001 Magnetic Red Coupe sitting in my garage. It's been there for three weeks. If it's raining, which it's been doing a lot lately, it stays there safe and sound and clean and waxed and polished and under it's cover. I hurry home from work so I can uncover its beauty and take it for a drive. I don't drive it hard. No burning of rubber.

I'll drive it from my subdivision onto the main street, go about a mile at 35mph (speed limit) and when I come to the 90 degree corner, I downshift to second, step into it a bit as I make the curve and then punch it and shift into third at about 65 (the speed limit is 45 there, but it's a long stretch with no place for anyone to hide. When the HUD shows 68 or 70, I shift again and then back off. And the smile stays with me for a little while as I slow down and make the stop at the light.

From there, I make a big circle and do it again. Sometimes we make the circle three times. It's making me smile now just thinking about it.

Then we go home, I park in the driveway, wipe out the wheelwells and any dust that may have been attracted, and drive her back into the garage.

On weekends, we go for longer rides. But it's always the same when we get home. I like her to look pretty.

The whole point of this narrative is to let you all know that I've been kicking my own butt for 40 years for not buying that 67 when I saw it. I've basically missed out on 40 years of the joy of owning something that's not only beautiful but that responds to your command without question.

If you've ever considered buying one, and you can figure out a way to do it, I guarantee you'll never regret it.

Michael in KC

 

well said friend

 

Very good advise. I took that leap and bought my first vette at 22, I'm on my second vette now at 26. I do not regret it one bit.

 

John,

Thanks much for your post. Before I bought my first Vette 3 weeks ago tomorrow at 59 years old, my wife asked me, "Why do you want a Corvette? The only people that drive them are old bald-headed men."

Well, you've just proven her wrong.

I'm glad you got one and don't have to spend a lot of years without one. Good form young man.

Enjoy.

Michael in KC

 

And don't wait to drive it more. I've had my C5 for almost 3 years now and was just like you to begin with. I like to keep it clean but found out you have to enjoy driving them too.

Even took it on a road trip a week ago and it got rained on. But it's been sitting all winter so it was great to get it out and even drive it in the rain. I do cover it in the garage when it's clean because the dark color shows all the dust.

It takes awhile but hope you will get to the point where it's more fun to drive than just keep it clean all the time. Have to admit it is nice to see it all shined up. Spring and Summers got to be on the way.....enjoy it.

Post some pictures, would love to see it, and welcome!

 

Got my 00 red coupe last year @ 24 (took her home on April fools day!)
Put 10k miles on her over the last year. This year I wont be suprised if I hit 15k. Now that I have made a few contacts in the vette 'world' and have been active on these forums, I plan on hitting every freakin cruise in, meet, run, cruise, everything! that I can. Going to be a damn fun summer!!!

 

I thought to myself that there's no way I could ever afford a vette or even visit Disney World when I was 10. Well, i guess if you focus on your dream, it will eventually come true. BTW, been to Disney World at least 12x and on my 2nd vette. Now, see if i can focus on that ZR1.....