When I got my Z06 my wife would mention that I got a new 2002 Vette to our friends. I told her that she should mention that it was a Z06. Going out with several friends for dinner the discussion turned to them buying a new mini-van. My wife told them we picked up a Z06 Corvette. Both thought it was great but really didn’t pay much attention to the Z06 term.

My dad came over to the house and I showed him the new Z06 Vette. Of course he thinks it’s really great to have a new car but the Z06 term rolls off his back like water on a duck. It seems the older folks don’t know what a Z06 is and all Vette’s blend together.

Well I’m out washing the new Z06 and a car pulls into the neighbor’s driveway dropping off the neighbors kid. I really didn’t pay much attention to it and the car backs-up and starts to pull away I hear the sound of brake squeal. The friend of the neighbors opens the passage window and says “nice car”. I gave the usual “Thank-you” and the kid decides he wants a closer look. He gets out of his car and a few steps from my car he notices that it’s a Z06 and I start to see the big grin on his face form. “It’s a Z06” he says and gives me the thumbs up.

We stand talking for a few minutes and I ask him if wants to sit inside. The grin is now ear to ear and I don’t think he could breath because he just nodded “yes” without saying a word. I opened the door and he sat in the drivers seat and I closed the door. He sat in the driver’s seat just dreaming because we didn’t talk while he was in the car. I didn’t say anything to him because I didn’t want to ruin his dream so I kept quit while he sat in the car. I thought it was cool because I planted another seed and when he grows up maybe the dream he had in my car comes true. He got out and thanked me for letting him sit in the car. He said the Z06 was the coolest. Hopefully his dream will last.

 

A great thing to do. He'll remember that forever.

 

I'm 16 and i can see em from around a blind corner :D I hope to have one some day

 

I experience the same thing. Most non-enthusiasts don’t know what a Z06 is, and they really don’t care. My father was also not familiar with the difference between a C5 coupe/vert and a Z06. I let him drive it, now he knows. :yesnod: See below:

 

Cool story. We need to catch them young, before they start sniffing the rice.

The Sunday before Easter (there's a religious term for it, but I can't think of it at the moment - I will surely burn in hell) I took my girlfriend out for brunch to a local joint that was gaining quite a good reputation for their relaxed atmosphere and the quality + quantity of the food for such a good price. How can I pass that up? We enjoyed our meals.

When we left, we were about a half minute behind the family that left before us. So as we are walking to the coupe I see one of their sons, about 16, going over to my car. He just sort of leans in and peers all around then stood back and looked the car up and down. Now we're getting closer and he realizes that its my car and got nervous. I said, "Have any questions?" He still looked nervous and said "no. It's a cool car, I love Corvettes." So I came back with "The correct answer is 'yes, can I check it out?' " LOL So I opened it up and let him "test-drive" the C5. He was beaming, but just as much as he was having a moment, I was enjoying someone getting such a kick out of my car. Sort of sharing the kid's excitement. When he got out he asked me how fast it was and how much I liked it. I just said it'll beat most cars on the street and that I love it - a true dream car. I didn't have the heart to tell him the car was damaged goods and causing me more grief than a circumcision. He went over and got in his family's van. They were obviously excited that he got to look at the car too, and waited for me to leave so they could see the car and follow.

So of course, taking the turn out of the lot I did a small power slide and went wot through 2nd gear. I figure that cemented a domestic V8 "lifer" and saved one more kid from growing up thinking Hondas are fast.


[Modified by Brett C5 SCCA, 5:38 PM 6/4/2002]

 

I think the kids know because Gran Turismo III has a Z06 on it. :)

 

Very nice of you. When I was 15 I got to that experience with a 61 270hp. I was hooked.;):D Ric

 

I go thru the same routine daily,the younger generation are really knowlegable..I get the cool car or the its a Z06,with plently of smiles.My 13yr old son is king with his friends,most of his friends will check out the Z in the garage.gotta keep the american dream alive :chevy

 

Cool story. I had a similar experience with the neighbor kids while doing an oil change at my friend's house.

 

rbartick,

That's a great pic and a great ideal. Now I need to get my dad in the Z06 but the problem is getting him out. :lol:

 

That story reminds me of how I got hooked. It was 1984 and I was 9-years old. My dad took me to the Chevy dealership to buy my mother a car. While he was negotiating the deal on my mother's new Celebrity :U , I went and sat in the only Corvette they had in the showroom. It was a red on red C4 coupe. I remember saying to myself (as the saleman came over to me nervously) "I'm gonna own one of these someday". I had to wait 17 years to fulfill my dream and I remember that feeling like it was yesterday. That kid will feel the same way the day he buys his first Corvette.

 

ROFL!!!! :lol:
Hahaha I love that..."smelling the rice"!!!

Just say no, Kids, just say no.



[Modified by MONICA@MAXIEPRICE, 4:15 PM 6/5/2002]

 

Great story. That was a really cool thing to do. :cool: :cheers:

 

Here's a sad story for you guys.A friend of mine has a 1969 convertible
corvette.He is the ORIGINAL OWNER.He offered the car to his son
when he turned sixteen.The son turned down the corvette and told
his dad he wanted a prelude.A prelude is what he got!
Can you believe this!True story.
What is wrong with some of these kids?
yelloz07

 

Hi ragvette -

That was :cool: of you.

My dad was the first to drive my Z besides my wife and myself. He is a car nut, that is where I get it from, so he knew what the deal was with a Z06.

His quote was "There are a lot of folks out there who would love to have a fine automobile like this." Of course he was grinning so hard he was chafing his earlobes.

He is riding up to St. Charles with me for the Bloomington Gold next Friday.

My son is 17 - and his buds are always drooling - I let them sit in the car when I am around - makes quite an impression - I always tell them that they could have one for themselves in 4-5 years if they go on to college.

best regards -

mqqn

 

VERY :cool:

 

mqqn:

Couldn't really turn him away. I saved him from the dark-side(RICE).