C5 as a dailly driver?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
I've had my C5 for 3 months now. I decided to keep my VW Jetta for my daily driver. My drive to work is about 15 minutes, not far but mostly sitting in traffic. Then the car is sitting outside in the sun for about 9 or 10 hours. My Jetta gets better gas mileage and I don't mind that it is sitting out in the sun (or rain) that long. My Corvette coupe, I was surprised by how much storage space it has, but it isn't as much as the Jetta. Also, I have two dogs. Whenever I need to take them to the Vet, I put them in the back seat of the Jetta. They shed everywhere and drool on the windows. I couldn't imagine doing that to my Vette!
Then, on weekends or other trips, when I do drive my Corvette, it is a blast! The acceleration and handling, even though it is still mostly stock while I save for mods, is still so fun when I compare it to my VW. I wonder if some of the thrill of driving my Vette if I would start taking it for granted if I drove it everyday?
I think the C5 can make a great daily driver and I know a lot of people that use it for that. But different people have different tastes and different needs with their cars. Try to think through everything you will need it for! And if you do decide to get a C5, take lots of photos and post them on here!
Good luck!
Then, on weekends or other trips, when I do drive my Corvette, it is a blast! The acceleration and handling, even though it is still mostly stock while I save for mods, is still so fun when I compare it to my VW. I wonder if some of the thrill of driving my Vette if I would start taking it for granted if I drove it everyday?
I think the C5 can make a great daily driver and I know a lot of people that use it for that. But different people have different tastes and different needs with their cars. Try to think through everything you will need it for! And if you do decide to get a C5, take lots of photos and post them on here!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
Mine will be a year this November. 30k miles and a whole lot of smiles. I didn't drive it for about a week when it snowed and I've taken my motorcycle to work a few times this year, but nothing is as fun as Ester.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
I traded my '01 Camry for an '04 Coupe with 6800 miles on it in Nov '07. Now it has over 70K smiles. My 32 mile commute on back roads is a twice daily joy. Insurance is more affected by the driver's age than the nameplate.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Drove mine for about 12-1/2 years as an only/daily.
Hardest thing to do is learn how to pack it when you make the sams club/costco run.
Or home depot. You'll get lots of funny looks when you start feeding 2x4's into it.
But they will fit, and the hatch will close.
Clear tops are really hot in the summer.
I haven't noticed turn radius problems, handles quite nicely for me.
Parking lot manuevering is about the same as my 05 trailblazer...which really surprised me, I thought the TB would be worse)
Those concrete dividers in parking lots can be a pain, but there are skid pads in the front end to help keep you from breaking things.
My commute is only about 5 miles w/ a number of traffic lights, so I only get about 15mpg, (but since the drive is so short, a tank of gas lasts 2 weeks)
OTOH, it'll get 32 on a road trip.
But regardless of issues cited in this thread, there is still nothing like it.
Hardest thing to do is learn how to pack it when you make the sams club/costco run.
Or home depot. You'll get lots of funny looks when you start feeding 2x4's into it.
But they will fit, and the hatch will close.
Clear tops are really hot in the summer.
I haven't noticed turn radius problems, handles quite nicely for me.
Parking lot manuevering is about the same as my 05 trailblazer...which really surprised me, I thought the TB would be worse)
Those concrete dividers in parking lots can be a pain, but there are skid pads in the front end to help keep you from breaking things.
My commute is only about 5 miles w/ a number of traffic lights, so I only get about 15mpg, (but since the drive is so short, a tank of gas lasts 2 weeks)
OTOH, it'll get 32 on a road trip.
But regardless of issues cited in this thread, there is still nothing like it.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 400
Likes: 28
From: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
I have not noticed a poor turning radius, but my DD is a 97 Tahoe.
The very low ground clearance + long nose concern me a bit. It scrapes on almost every incline.
I have a convertible, which has been kept in a garage. I worry about going on a long road trip and leaving it outside. Is it ok to leave it outside with the top up?
The very low ground clearance + long nose concern me a bit. It scrapes on almost every incline.
I have a convertible, which has been kept in a garage. I worry about going on a long road trip and leaving it outside. Is it ok to leave it outside with the top up?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Bought mine new ('98 coupe) and used it as my commuter car for years until I got an early out package. Fine all year around, but not in snow! I switched to Pilot A/S tires last time around, and have got home fairly easily when I have been caught out with snow while out and about. The summer tires in snow tho' - just park it.
BTW, do not skimp on the battery - these cars drain power when parked. I am running the Diehard Platinum and it does much better that the OEM Delco's in terms of the length of time you can leave it (airports, etc.). Even left it a month at one point, and although it was a pretty lazy turnover from the starter, it fired right up.
You will be tormented by minor glitches - I think the electronic components they used were, let's say, not exactly to Japanese standards. Lots of info on here though as to fixes.
BTW, do not skimp on the battery - these cars drain power when parked. I am running the Diehard Platinum and it does much better that the OEM Delco's in terms of the length of time you can leave it (airports, etc.). Even left it a month at one point, and although it was a pretty lazy turnover from the starter, it fired right up.
You will be tormented by minor glitches - I think the electronic components they used were, let's say, not exactly to Japanese standards. Lots of info on here though as to fixes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
My DD is a blown 02 Z06 and my wife's is a 99 A4 coupe with bolt on mods. My only drawback is that I run Nitto NT01's on the back and NT05's on the front so, I am very cautious in the rain. We have 4 vehicles, the 2 Vettes an 08 Silverado and a 99 Nissan 300ZX Turbo. The Vettes are the cheapest on insurance. I also thought my insurance would go up with a Vette but, the insurance company (State Farm) told me the rates were low because they were a very safe car.
