Keep using vette as DD or weekends only?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach Ca
Keep using vette as DD or weekends only?
I've been using my 2000 convertible (with 71,000 miles) as a daily driver for the past 5 years. I absolutely love the car. I am not going to sell it.
What I am considering is buying a new Mazda 3 to use as my daily driver. My wife and I would just save the vette for weekend trips.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is because I figure this may be my last vette... If I continue to drive it daily, problems with the car are more likely to happen. By not using it as the DD will increase the amount of years I will have the vette.
Does this make sense? Anybody else do this?
Anyone else have a Mazda 3? Like it?
What I am considering is buying a new Mazda 3 to use as my daily driver. My wife and I would just save the vette for weekend trips.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is because I figure this may be my last vette... If I continue to drive it daily, problems with the car are more likely to happen. By not using it as the DD will increase the amount of years I will have the vette.
Does this make sense? Anybody else do this?
Anyone else have a Mazda 3? Like it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
My 2004 has 92,000 I drive it daily, no plans to sell it but would not consider buying another car to save the vette. I will just keep the vette up as I go along. Wouldnt be happy driving anything less. But to each his own I guess. 435 RWHP, just to fun, 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Drive it ever day redo what ever come,s up in it and repair it and drive it 90,k miles more.....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I've been using my 2000 convertible (with 71,000 miles) as a daily driver for the past 5 years. I absolutely love the car. I am not going to sell it.
What I am considering is buying a new Mazda 3 to use as my daily driver. My wife and I would just save the vette for weekend trips.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is because I figure this may be my last vette... If I continue to drive it daily, problems with the car are more likely to happen. By not using it as the DD will increase the amount of years I will have the vette.
Does this make sense? Anybody else do this?
Anyone else have a Mazda 3? Like it?
What I am considering is buying a new Mazda 3 to use as my daily driver. My wife and I would just save the vette for weekend trips.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is because I figure this may be my last vette... If I continue to drive it daily, problems with the car are more likely to happen. By not using it as the DD will increase the amount of years I will have the vette.
Does this make sense? Anybody else do this?
Anyone else have a Mazda 3? Like it?
I understand where you're coming from because that's what I use my FRC for, trips. But I also find myself using it as a DD in nice weather some, not a lot but some.
I say go for it.
One thing I notice as well, is not driving it daily really makes me excited to take it out on the weekend and go on a trip.
All cars get blah blah after awhile if you drive it everyday. I know some will disagree but hopefully you will know what I'm saying.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
Think of all the car repairs and new parts 20 grand can buy (approximate price of a new Mazda 3.) I say continue to drive and enjoy your C5. You will be much happier driving a car you enjoy every day, and you won't spend 5 days straight just waiting for the weekend when you can drive your car!
P.S. There are documented cases of owners on here with over 200k miles without having had any major failures. Sure, you're going to have to replace parts and fix components that wear out, that is a given. But the motor should be fine for 200-300k.
P.S. There are documented cases of owners on here with over 200k miles without having had any major failures. Sure, you're going to have to replace parts and fix components that wear out, that is a given. But the motor should be fine for 200-300k.
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I won't say just keep driving the Vette because I use mine only as an occasional driver - I have another car that I use as a DD. In fact, all the Corvettes I've owned have been my secondary car.
Yes, you could keep on driving the Vette and fix anything that may come up - and perhaps it will keep on chugging for many more miles without any problems. You just never know.
Yes, you could keep on driving the Vette and fix anything that may come up - and perhaps it will keep on chugging for many more miles without any problems. You just never know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
71K miles is nothing.
My dad's 03 Vert has 84K miles on it and he daily drives it too. AND he's not as gentle with his car as many of us are with ours.
You're fine daily driving it further. For the same cost as buying that Mazda, you can do any repairs you may need to do down the line on the Vette. You're just offsetting the cost. And you still may need to do some repairs here and there.
My dad's 03 Vert has 84K miles on it and he daily drives it too. AND he's not as gentle with his car as many of us are with ours.
You're fine daily driving it further. For the same cost as buying that Mazda, you can do any repairs you may need to do down the line on the Vette. You're just offsetting the cost. And you still may need to do some repairs here and there.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,000
Likes: 586
These cars break whether you drive them or not so you may as well enjoy it. My 04 was a garage queen until it hit 30k miles and now I just drive it. It lives in the garage and stays out of the elements, but I drive it a LOT more than I did when it was under 30k.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tsawwassen BC
Holy Moly dude...you live in CA...that is vette heaven....trade up for another $10k or so and you are into an 03-04 low mileage C5 and for $15k -$20k tradeup your are into a C6....MAZDA REALLY.....? c'mon might as well take the bus....haha....
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 2
From: Spiro Oklahoma
C5 Vettes have been known to go over 400 thousand, and still going strong. 148 thousand here and with the proper care, It may be the last car I own.
Last edited by routeman007; Dec 10, 2011 at 01:27 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 285
From: Rio Rancho New Mexico
You need to do a little more research.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
I came at this from the other direction. I have a daily driver and bought a 2003 vette as a weekend car. But basically the same situation. My daily driver is a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Grand Touring W/V6 and 6sp auto. Love it. Great fun.
Bought the vette because I've been wanting one and wanted something different for the weekend. Have had it for a couple of months and enjoy using it with the wife. While I enjoy the GenCoupe having the vette gives me somthing to look forward to. I would expect you might feel the same about your vette if you get a daily driver. Trips with your wife might become more special.
Opinions on this board will vary. Everyone loves their vettes. Ultimately though you need to do whatever you feel is going to make you happy (and the wife). If you can afford two cars I say go for it! And remember. If you enact your plan and find you don't like it...you can always come up with a new plan! Life is short...enjoy.
PS. had a 2005 Mazda3 that I bought new. Great car for the first 90K miles then a bunch of things started to go bad. Do your research first.
Bought the vette because I've been wanting one and wanted something different for the weekend. Have had it for a couple of months and enjoy using it with the wife. While I enjoy the GenCoupe having the vette gives me somthing to look forward to. I would expect you might feel the same about your vette if you get a daily driver. Trips with your wife might become more special.
Opinions on this board will vary. Everyone loves their vettes. Ultimately though you need to do whatever you feel is going to make you happy (and the wife). If you can afford two cars I say go for it! And remember. If you enact your plan and find you don't like it...you can always come up with a new plan! Life is short...enjoy.
PS. had a 2005 Mazda3 that I bought new. Great car for the first 90K miles then a bunch of things started to go bad. Do your research first.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
My DD is a Corolla. I use my vette on long getaways. Could be any day of the week but usually on weekends. That is when I enjoy the vette, just me the vette, the long road.
Last edited by VetteLog; Dec 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM.