Hello
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Olympia WA
I've been on the forum for a few weeks now and have posted here and there, so I figured I'd introduce myself. First I'd like to say that it was a complete surprise that we ended up with a C5 Corvette, as my father and I were originally looking for a early to mid-70's Vette as a project / weekend car to have fun with. We are extremely fortunate to have 2 Corvette enthusiasts as neighbors, one of which has multiple Vettes ranging from an original '59 to late 70's and everything in between. After lengthy discussions and given the fact that my father isn't the biggest gearhead (I am, although not enough to do in-depth engine work), they suggested that he look for something newer that he can just get in and go and worry about cleaning more than maintenance.
Long story short, we ended up finding a jem locally by a very nice gentleman who really took care of the car. It's a 2004 coupe, Millenium yellow on black, automatic (I prefer stick but couldn't pass it up), Callaway Honker intake, Corsa Indy Pace Car exhaust, OEM Z06 high polished wheels, loaded. Price was right, and we bought the car the day after we test drove it.
Just to give you a quick background, I'm a big BMW fan. I've had multiple BMW's, gone to many Bimmerfest shows as well as other car meets back in New Jersey, and absolutely love the cars. They're wonderfully engineered machines, and the build quality is excellent. I've had the luck of befriending many kind and helpful BMW enthusiasts, and contrary to what many think they are just as kind and helpful as you all here
I've always been a huge fan of old American muscle cars, but from 1980 - present I haven't really been interested in anything produced here aside from the C6 Corvettes (love the rear end of the car, gorgeous) and Ford GT (wishful thinking lol).
The shocker: I never thought I'd be as excited about an American car as I am with this Vette! I attribute this to the raw, brute power of the car vs. the more "refined" and smooth power delivery of the BMW's that I've driven in the past. My father also is pleasantly surprised as to how much he loves the car, and we both find ourselves going out to the garage at night just to play around with the car, cleaning things and hanging out. It's been a wonderful experience so far, between having a true sports car around again, but more than that is being able to share my passion for cars with my father and rekindle his that he hasn't had since his '67 GTO.
I have to say, so far I have been more than impressed with the forum as a whole (as well as the Corvette community after going to a local show). Most people are genuinely helpful, have a tremendous passion for these cars no matter what the year (car or person), and are always ready to lend an ear or a hand. I just wanted to thank you for your help and tips in the few short weeks I've been a member, as well as in the future. I hope I can be of the same help to others!
Sal
Long story short, we ended up finding a jem locally by a very nice gentleman who really took care of the car. It's a 2004 coupe, Millenium yellow on black, automatic (I prefer stick but couldn't pass it up), Callaway Honker intake, Corsa Indy Pace Car exhaust, OEM Z06 high polished wheels, loaded. Price was right, and we bought the car the day after we test drove it.
Just to give you a quick background, I'm a big BMW fan. I've had multiple BMW's, gone to many Bimmerfest shows as well as other car meets back in New Jersey, and absolutely love the cars. They're wonderfully engineered machines, and the build quality is excellent. I've had the luck of befriending many kind and helpful BMW enthusiasts, and contrary to what many think they are just as kind and helpful as you all here
I've always been a huge fan of old American muscle cars, but from 1980 - present I haven't really been interested in anything produced here aside from the C6 Corvettes (love the rear end of the car, gorgeous) and Ford GT (wishful thinking lol).The shocker: I never thought I'd be as excited about an American car as I am with this Vette! I attribute this to the raw, brute power of the car vs. the more "refined" and smooth power delivery of the BMW's that I've driven in the past. My father also is pleasantly surprised as to how much he loves the car, and we both find ourselves going out to the garage at night just to play around with the car, cleaning things and hanging out. It's been a wonderful experience so far, between having a true sports car around again, but more than that is being able to share my passion for cars with my father and rekindle his that he hasn't had since his '67 GTO.
I have to say, so far I have been more than impressed with the forum as a whole (as well as the Corvette community after going to a local show). Most people are genuinely helpful, have a tremendous passion for these cars no matter what the year (car or person), and are always ready to lend an ear or a hand. I just wanted to thank you for your help and tips in the few short weeks I've been a member, as well as in the future. I hope I can be of the same help to others!
Sal
My first Vette was in Aug 09, a 2004 C5Z.
At 40 years young, I can't believe I have went this long without one.
I had no clue... You will love it.
After 4 1/2 months of ownership, the car is great, the fellow enthusiasts are great, heck we even have a Pay it Forward Thread.
I have never seen or experienced such a great bunch of people.
I consider myself fortunate to have found this website, and purchased the right car.
Andy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: SW FL
Welcome to the family.
My first Vette was in Aug 09, a 2004 C5Z.
At 40 years young, I can't believe I have went this long without one.
I had no clue... You will love it.
After 4 1/2 months of ownership, the car is great, the fellow enthusiasts are great, heck we even have a Pay it Forward Thread.
I have never seen or experienced such a great bunch of people.
I consider myself fortunate to have found this website, and purchased the right car.
Andy
My first Vette was in Aug 09, a 2004 C5Z.
At 40 years young, I can't believe I have went this long without one.
I had no clue... You will love it.
After 4 1/2 months of ownership, the car is great, the fellow enthusiasts are great, heck we even have a Pay it Forward Thread.
I have never seen or experienced such a great bunch of people.
I consider myself fortunate to have found this website, and purchased the right car.
Andy
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Tony,
Welcome to the forum. I've been primarily driving BMWs and Vettes for about 15 years. The BMWs as dd, and the Vette on the week ends. If I didn't need a sedan, I would drive the Vette everyday. From my experience, it's more fun, more reliable,
and cheaper to run. The Vette's interior will certainly rot out over time but once you're
resigned to replacing it, it's still cheaper to run than any BMW.
Jerry
Welcome to the forum. I've been primarily driving BMWs and Vettes for about 15 years. The BMWs as dd, and the Vette on the week ends. If I didn't need a sedan, I would drive the Vette everyday. From my experience, it's more fun, more reliable,
and cheaper to run. The Vette's interior will certainly rot out over time but once you're
resigned to replacing it, it's still cheaper to run than any BMW.
Jerry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Olympia WA
While it went pretty good, it felt wheezy compared to the Vette.
Plus I just don't trust the engineering. I think they are tweaked to the limit in the engine dept. And parts are pricey.
Plus frankly everyone at work has a bimmer, and most complain about their reliability.
Now we have a corvette corner (two, sometimes three of us) at work in the parking garage.
Not to mention you get to be patriotic... does anyone know what that is anymore? I feel more patriotic (and I am a transplanted Canuck) then a lot of folks at work... how sad is that....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: SW FL
When I was shopping, I looked at 2004 M3 vert with 20K miles on it as one of the possible rigs.
While it went pretty good, it felt wheezy compared to the Vette.
Plus I just don't trust the engineering. I think they are tweaked to the limit in the engine dept. And parts are pricey.
Plus frankly everyone at work has a bimmer, and most complain about their reliability.
Now we have a corvette corner (two, sometimes three of us) at work in the parking garage.
Not to mention you get to be patriotic... does anyone know what that is anymore? I feel more patriotic (and I am a transplanted Canuck) then a lot of folks at work... how sad is that....
While it went pretty good, it felt wheezy compared to the Vette.
Plus I just don't trust the engineering. I think they are tweaked to the limit in the engine dept. And parts are pricey.
Plus frankly everyone at work has a bimmer, and most complain about their reliability.
Now we have a corvette corner (two, sometimes three of us) at work in the parking garage.
Not to mention you get to be patriotic... does anyone know what that is anymore? I feel more patriotic (and I am a transplanted Canuck) then a lot of folks at work... how sad is that....
As for the BMW's, the parts and repairs really vary quite a bit from my experience. Sometimes they're "reasonable", other times ridiculous. One thing that definitely helps is being able to find parts online and install them yourself (as with our Vettes)!
