Advice please....non-owner
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lusby Maryland
Advice please....non-owner
Been here for a few years (technically, not realistically). I'm FINALLY in a financial position to buy at best an '05 C6 or older. Several problems that I'd like info/advise with.
1) My driveway. My wife's '10 Camry scrapes....5.5" GC.
2) I've wanted a Vette since I was able to read about them, yet now that I AM able to buy one (I'm coming from the Subaru house), she thinks I'll buy one, like it for a while, then miss the Subaru. While I can't categorically say she's WRONG I don't think it's true. However, I've never driven one and my daily commute is about 20 miles total.
I'm at a loss. My price range is about $25k, more depending on what I do with my Subaru.
I must admit, I was willing to "settle" with an '04 Cobra but determined that it was utterly impossible for my driveway (about 2" GC with suspension)...and wife said she would leave me before allowing a Ford in the driveway.
Not sure if a C5Z or a C6 base would be the better choice. I think at most I would do intake/exhaust, but WAY down the line. I will need to relearn how to drive since I've been driving a 200awhp Subaru since '05. Thankfully I'm not a kid and know my limits.
Yeah I just wrote a novel. Help?
1) My driveway. My wife's '10 Camry scrapes....5.5" GC.
2) I've wanted a Vette since I was able to read about them, yet now that I AM able to buy one (I'm coming from the Subaru house), she thinks I'll buy one, like it for a while, then miss the Subaru. While I can't categorically say she's WRONG I don't think it's true. However, I've never driven one and my daily commute is about 20 miles total.
I'm at a loss. My price range is about $25k, more depending on what I do with my Subaru.
I must admit, I was willing to "settle" with an '04 Cobra but determined that it was utterly impossible for my driveway (about 2" GC with suspension)...and wife said she would leave me before allowing a Ford in the driveway.
Not sure if a C5Z or a C6 base would be the better choice. I think at most I would do intake/exhaust, but WAY down the line. I will need to relearn how to drive since I've been driving a 200awhp Subaru since '05. Thankfully I'm not a kid and know my limits.
Yeah I just wrote a novel. Help?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
First issue, seems like the driveway is a concern. Know anybody with a C5? What about a local Corvette club? I'd guess someone will be willing to help you out, maybe even a test drive if you are lucky but there's always a used car lot for that. Why not invite them to come over and see your driveway and if they were willing to drive up. If not, you have your answer. (if the Camry scrapes, the vette most likely will)
As far as whether you'd like it or want to go back to a Subaru...that only you can decide. Good luck.
As far as whether you'd like it or want to go back to a Subaru...that only you can decide. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lusby Maryland
Yes, but DD to me means around 5k a year. Seriously my commute both ways to work (14 days a month) is 20 miles. Half highway, half "cityish" driving. Aside from work I tend to stay home or the wife drives since she refuses to drive with me lol.
Know two guys I work with that have C5s, but neither of which I know well enough to ask.
Know two guys I work with that have C5s, but neither of which I know well enough to ask.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Been here for a few years (technically, not realistically). I'm FINALLY in a financial position to buy at best an '05 C6 or older. Several problems that I'd like info/advise with.
1) My driveway. My wife's '10 Camry scrapes....5.5" GC.
2) I've wanted a Vette since I was able to read about them, yet now that I AM able to buy one (I'm coming from the Subaru house), she thinks I'll buy one, like it for a while, then miss the Subaru. While I can't categorically say she's WRONG I don't think it's true. However, I've never driven one and my daily commute is about 20 miles total.
I'm at a loss. My price range is about $25k, more depending on what I do with my Subaru.
I must admit, I was willing to "settle" with an '04 Cobra but determined that it was utterly impossible for my driveway (about 2" GC with suspension)...and wife said she would leave me before allowing a Ford in the driveway.
Not sure if a C5Z or a C6 base would be the better choice. I think at most I would do intake/exhaust, but WAY down the line. I will need to relearn how to drive since I've been driving a 200awhp Subaru since '05. Thankfully I'm not a kid and know my limits.
Yeah I just wrote a novel. Help?
1) My driveway. My wife's '10 Camry scrapes....5.5" GC.
2) I've wanted a Vette since I was able to read about them, yet now that I AM able to buy one (I'm coming from the Subaru house), she thinks I'll buy one, like it for a while, then miss the Subaru. While I can't categorically say she's WRONG I don't think it's true. However, I've never driven one and my daily commute is about 20 miles total.
I'm at a loss. My price range is about $25k, more depending on what I do with my Subaru.
I must admit, I was willing to "settle" with an '04 Cobra but determined that it was utterly impossible for my driveway (about 2" GC with suspension)...and wife said she would leave me before allowing a Ford in the driveway.
Not sure if a C5Z or a C6 base would be the better choice. I think at most I would do intake/exhaust, but WAY down the line. I will need to relearn how to drive since I've been driving a 200awhp Subaru since '05. Thankfully I'm not a kid and know my limits.
Yeah I just wrote a novel. Help?
If you've been lurking for a few years I would suspect you have a pretty good handle on most of your questions.
C5's have a low profile but you would want to be careful, given your driveway situation with buying lowered and keeping it that way.
"2) I've wanted a Vette since I was able to read about them, yet now that I AM able to buy one (I'm coming from the Subaru house), she thinks I'll buy one, like it for a while, then miss the Subaru. While I can't categorically say she's WRONG I don't think it's true. However, I've never driven one and my daily commute is about 20 miles total."
This struck me as a very funny statement because once your drive a vette, you won't be looking back at a Subaru....absolutely no comparison. That said you do raise a good point......go drive one and see what you think. No point going down this road if for whatever reason you drive a vette and end up not liking it.
Finally, you have a lot of options with a minimum of a $25K plus budget. I could be wrong but I don't think you can get into a C6 but you can certainly move into a very nice C5.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
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From: Winfield IN
Unless you can afford an 08 LS3, I would go for a later model C5. I personally wouldn't buy the first model year of anything. I don't know a great deal about the C6's, but I thought I've heard that the '05's did have some electrical problems and such. After buying a Vette, I guarantee you won't look back once and miss your Subaru. A Vette makes a great daily driver as well. You will never have a more enjoyable commute.
As far as your steep driveway goes, the only thing that you can do to minimize scraping is by pulling in at a very extreme angle. You can even add some fangs to protect your radiator supports that scrape.
As far as your steep driveway goes, the only thing that you can do to minimize scraping is by pulling in at a very extreme angle. You can even add some fangs to protect your radiator supports that scrape.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
Yes, but DD to me means around 5k a year. Seriously my commute both ways to work (14 days a month) is 20 miles. Half highway, half "cityish" driving. Aside from work I tend to stay home or the wife drives since she refuses to drive with me lol.
Know two guys I work with that have C5s, but neither of which I know well enough to ask.
Know two guys I work with that have C5s, but neither of which I know well enough to ask.
Your comment about the Camry scraping tells me you are going to have problems with the vette. My wife has an '07 Camry and it comes no where close to catching on anything ever. I get caught all the time in the vette if I'm not close. I'm about an inch lowered in the front, not slammed so take that for what its worth.
Good luck, hope you settle on a C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
As said above, you need to test one on your driveway....or modify your driveway.....AND you absolutely need to drive one.
And, I'm not sure just one test drive is going to give you an accurate picture. Either find somebody that has one that is willing to let you drive it more than a few miles or test drive several.
This car is an excellent DD in my opinion. Comfortable, fast, fun, and good fuel mileage. The only downside for daily commute might be getting used to sitting very low. Your visibility of traffic and other conditions isn't as good. That said though....for as low as it is, the windows offer very good visibility all around (I speak from having a coupe).
I think if you figure the driveway thing out, you will end up with a C5. I have zero regrets with my purchase.
And, I'm not sure just one test drive is going to give you an accurate picture. Either find somebody that has one that is willing to let you drive it more than a few miles or test drive several.
This car is an excellent DD in my opinion. Comfortable, fast, fun, and good fuel mileage. The only downside for daily commute might be getting used to sitting very low. Your visibility of traffic and other conditions isn't as good. That said though....for as low as it is, the windows offer very good visibility all around (I speak from having a coupe).
I think if you figure the driveway thing out, you will end up with a C5. I have zero regrets with my purchase.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Mo.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 269
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From: Lusby Maryland
Thanks for all the advice.
The subaru sits entirely different with phenomenal visibility so that wpuld probably be the only stickong point from a driving perspective, though as i said going from a 4cyl awd setup there alot of things that will need to be releared....
Ill keep reading and hoping I can figure something out. Really doubt anyone that doesnt know me wpuld offer their car as a test dummy for my driveway or even a test DRIVE for that matter.
The subaru sits entirely different with phenomenal visibility so that wpuld probably be the only stickong point from a driving perspective, though as i said going from a 4cyl awd setup there alot of things that will need to be releared....
Ill keep reading and hoping I can figure something out. Really doubt anyone that doesnt know me wpuld offer their car as a test dummy for my driveway or even a test DRIVE for that matter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Sooke BC
You would be surprised Corvette owners love their cars and would love helping someone else get into one. Ok they might not let you drive but they most likely help with the drive way issue.
Just ask and you shall receive
Just ask and you shall receive
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Where on the Camry does it scrape - if the front air dam, then that's totally different than if it is somewhere further back on the car or if it is on the painted front fascia. The Vette is going to sit even lower than the Camry, so I would imagine you are going to have clearance issues with either a C5 or a C6. It was a good suggestion to see if you can find a C5 owner that would be willing to bring the car over and at least look at how it would do on your driveway.
As far as using the C5 as a daily driver - it will work perfectly fine and you'll be surprised at the gas mileage you will get - especially with the manual tranny.
As far as using the C5 as a daily driver - it will work perfectly fine and you'll be surprised at the gas mileage you will get - especially with the manual tranny.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
I think the only way you'll miss the Subaru is if you move somewhere where it snows in July...if that possibility is off the table I will highly recommend a C5 Z because it will provide better performance than an 05 C6. I've driven both at the track and the C5 Z is superior. Either way it will be a win win for you. Good luck in your quest and let us know when you pull the trigger! A welcome aboard to you in advance 