C5s Never driven in the rain.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: alabama
C5s Never driven in the rain.....
OK, I've owned my first Vette ('04, 6554 miles) for a little over a month now, and so far I've been able to continue the same level of extreme care that the previous owner gave it for its first 10 years.....and not drive it in the rain. Of course it wasn't bought as a daily driver so it's not like I've missed work when there was a chance of rain forecasted, but I have missed three cruise-ins & a show because I didn't want to chance it after checking the weather radar (and each time it DIDN'T rain). Is it crazy that I feel this responsibility to keep her off a wet highway? I know it's going to kill me if I ever get caught out with no where to pull over & have to continue driving her in the rain. I'll feel like I've let her down, and even though I'll probably never meet the original owner I'd be ashamed if I ever did & had to break the bad news. Anyone else out there feel the same way about their Vette? Has anyone tried to keep theirs dry & clean but finally get caught out & decide to just throw in the towel? And for those that still own a "never driven" C5 what tricks or practices do you use to avoid the rain? Ever go on long trips? Right now I can't imagine ever venturing very far from home. Is this crazy? By the way, I absolutely love this car.
I'll appreciate any comments/advice. Thanks!
I'll appreciate any comments/advice. Thanks!
Last edited by BamaJ; Jul 20, 2014 at 09:31 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Let's see, it sat out at the factory after it was built and it rained on it. it rained on it while it was in transit to the dealership, it was rained on at the dealers lot and just maybe someone test drove it in the rain. So it's BS, it has been in the rain after all! You're now free!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
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From: absecon nj
sorry but im one of those people that think there meant to be driven,even in the rain ,i really cant imagine not driving it.Ive had lexus,cadillac srx etc to drive everyday but ill take the vette everyday i can.BUt i will say it takes a strong man or women to keep it garaged and not driven to keep it from never seeing rain or any other elements.So a big thumbs up to you and the previous owner.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: alabama
Let's see, it sat out at the factory after it was built and it rained on it. it rained on it while it was in transit to the dealership, it was rained on at the dealers lot and just maybe someone test drove it in the rain. So it's BS, it has been in the rain after all! You're now free!
But as clean as it is underneath I'm pretty sure it's never been on a wet road. The dealer that I bought it from said they never let it out for a test drive when the roads were wet, The previous owner trailered it to the dealer from his home 60 miles away, and they advertised it as having never been DRIVEN in the rain. It is spotless.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16, '25
I don't drive mine in the rain but only because of the time it takes to clean it. I just went to the NCM and got rained on for ten hours on the trip up and then 2 days of rain while here. Went to the car wash twice so it would look nice at the museum. To me it's more important to experience life and have fun than be proud it sits in the garage. Best way to enjoy the car is to drive it
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
My father bought the car new from the dealership and never drove it in the rain. I purchased the car from him and carried on the tradition. I know it won't hurt the car, but I enjoy how clean the car is underneath. Working on it is also much more enjoyable because there is little to no dirt/grime covering everything under the car. Still looks brand new!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
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From: Redding California
Firstly, let me say that is a magnificent '04 Mag Red.......looks absolutely beautiful!
Next, my 2003 Torch Red Coupe has also never been driven in the rain. It has 13,000 miles on the odometer, and there were times I thought I might be caught out but managed to always get home before there was moisture on the road.
The car has been wet, because I wash, clay bar and wax it regularly. It is as mint as a car can be, and yet still be actually driven. It is better than the day it sat on the showroom floor.
Will it melt if I get caught in the rain......no of course not. Will it detract from its value if water hits the underside of the car........probably not. Am I being paranoid.........er, sure, maybe a little.
My life won't end if my car gets driven in the rain, but I intent to not drive it in the rain during my ownership if possible. The next owner may purchase it because of this, or maybe not.
If I did get caught in the rain one time.........I don't think I'd "throw in the towel" and then drive in the rain regardless.............................. .........I think I'd get it on a lift and polish the underside until it was like new again..
My name is Allred, and I'm a Corvette Rainaholic!!!
.
Next, my 2003 Torch Red Coupe has also never been driven in the rain. It has 13,000 miles on the odometer, and there were times I thought I might be caught out but managed to always get home before there was moisture on the road.
The car has been wet, because I wash, clay bar and wax it regularly. It is as mint as a car can be, and yet still be actually driven. It is better than the day it sat on the showroom floor.
Will it melt if I get caught in the rain......no of course not. Will it detract from its value if water hits the underside of the car........probably not. Am I being paranoid.........er, sure, maybe a little.
My life won't end if my car gets driven in the rain, but I intent to not drive it in the rain during my ownership if possible. The next owner may purchase it because of this, or maybe not.
If I did get caught in the rain one time.........I don't think I'd "throw in the towel" and then drive in the rain regardless.............................. .........I think I'd get it on a lift and polish the underside until it was like new again..
My name is Allred, and I'm a Corvette Rainaholic!!!
.
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I can understand how you feel - I was the same way when I first got each of my last three C5s (two new, one used). Didn't take long to get over that feeling though.
But, IMO, yes it's
to constantly worry about such things. The car won't melt if you drive it in the rain and all it takes is a little extra elbow grease when you detail the car. I doubt it's going to add any extra value to the car saying it's never been driven in the rain (sure wouldn't for me anyway, as long as the car has been well maintained and detailed properly). And there is always a chance you'll get caught in a pop-up shower when out on a cruise or run though a wet street somewhere unexpectedly. Only way to be totally sure that doesn't happen is to just keep it in the garage or never go very far from home. You miss out on a lot of good times that way.
BTW, that is one beautiful C5 you bought.
But, IMO, yes it's
to constantly worry about such things. The car won't melt if you drive it in the rain and all it takes is a little extra elbow grease when you detail the car. I doubt it's going to add any extra value to the car saying it's never been driven in the rain (sure wouldn't for me anyway, as long as the car has been well maintained and detailed properly). And there is always a chance you'll get caught in a pop-up shower when out on a cruise or run though a wet street somewhere unexpectedly. Only way to be totally sure that doesn't happen is to just keep it in the garage or never go very far from home. You miss out on a lot of good times that way.BTW, that is one beautiful C5 you bought.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 505
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From: Colfax WI
This is the best trip car ever and if you plan to enjoy it for what it was ment to be used for, sooner or later it is going to get caught in the rain. I got caught in Montana last year on an unfinished muddy road, it sucked but worth every minute going up the "going to the sun road", so much so I did it several times. And when I sell it, it will not matter or get me a bigger trade-in because I kept it clean. Yes it does not look factory clean, but who cares, people still wave and shout at me that they love the car.
Last edited by fwrogg; Jul 20, 2014 at 10:18 PM. Reason: shot to shout
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
My Vettes are used for pleasure driving. I don't enjoy driving in the rain, so they have yet to see any so far. If it looks like rain, then they stay in and the DD gets the call. Bad weather days are also a good time to do something with these cars so when the weather isn't cooperating I can still get my Vette fix by doing some maintenance. I also have the undercarriage on both Vettes very clean and I just don't look forward to starting from scratch on that project. One day I'll get caught in the rain with a Vette, but it won't be intentional.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Oklahoma City OK
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Let's see, I never said it hadn't been rained on. It has.
But as clean as it is underneath I'm pretty sure it's never been on a wet road. The dealer that I bought it from said they never let it out for a test drive when the roads were wet, The previous owner trailered it to the dealer from his home 60 miles away, and they advertised it as having never been DRIVEN in the rain. It is spotless.
But as clean as it is underneath I'm pretty sure it's never been on a wet road. The dealer that I bought it from said they never let it out for a test drive when the roads were wet, The previous owner trailered it to the dealer from his home 60 miles away, and they advertised it as having never been DRIVEN in the rain. It is spotless.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Let's see, it sat out at the factory after it was built and it rained on it. it rained on it while it was in transit to the dealership, it was rained on at the dealers lot and just maybe someone test drove it in the rain. So it's BS, it has been in the rain after all! You're now free!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16, '25
I can understand how you feel - I was the same way when I first got each of my last three C5s (two new, one used). Didn't take long to get over that feeling though.
But, IMO, yes it's to constantly worry about such things. The car won't melt if you drive it in the rain and all it takes is a little extra elbow grease when you detail the car. I doubt it's going to add any extra value to the car saying it's never been driven in the rain (sure wouldn't for me anyway, as long as the car has been well maintained and detailed properly). And there is always a chance you'll get caught in a pop-up shower when out on a cruise or run though a wet street somewhere unexpectedly. Only way to be totally sure that doesn't happen is to just keep it in the garage or never go very far from home. You miss out on a lot of good times that way
BTW, that is one beautiful C5 you bought.
But, IMO, yes it's
to constantly worry about such things. The car won't melt if you drive it in the rain and all it takes is a little extra elbow grease when you detail the car. I doubt it's going to add any extra value to the car saying it's never been driven in the rain (sure wouldn't for me anyway, as long as the car has been well maintained and detailed properly). And there is always a chance you'll get caught in a pop-up shower when out on a cruise or run though a wet street somewhere unexpectedly. Only way to be totally sure that doesn't happen is to just keep it in the garage or never go very far from home. You miss out on a lot of good times that wayBTW, that is one beautiful C5 you bought.