Since joining CF in 2014, I have learned so much about owning, repairing, and just appreciating the O4 vert I bought. Because of this knowledge, here is a little insight into my madness owning a C5.

Yes, it is Monday (or any weekday) and I (72 year old semi retired guy) can take the vette for a spin. But I first need to do my routine.
1. Is it really Monday or any weekday? Look at the computer date and verify. Do not want to drive on the weekends with all those crazy young drivers with cell phones implanted in their ears.
2. Check the computer weather map to make sure no rain is in the forecast. Do not want to drive in the wet weather. Otherwise, I will have to use my wipers and headlights that have issues involving parts wearing. Also, water will splash up underneath and help corrode the grounding connections making the car electronics go into psycho space.
3. Partially remove the after-market protective top up cover and then triple click the key fob (window valet installed) and hope the windows are working properly and will roll down. Just another wear item.
4. Carefully slide into the driver’s seat making sure my dairy-air does not unnecessarily compress the side cushion of the seat. This will undoubtedly get harder as I age.
5. Put the key into the ignition and turn to on but not start. Wait for all the gages to ‘settle’ and then compress the clutch hoping the clutch switch works then turn the key to start. That Nano second while waiting for the starter to engage I consider another lifetime.
6. After starting, waiting for the engine to calm down, looking at all the gages making sure the oil pressure is not 80 or 0, the fuel gage is working correctly, the alternator is charging, and there is no check engine light, I begin my drive. Even with the top down, I will put the A/C on occasionally to wake up the seals, etc. Just another prayer for coldness and a proper air flow between driver and passenger.
7. After exiting my development, I have to turn onto a busy road. And I hope I do not have anyone behind me because if I do, that means I have to use my turn signals. Another wear item.
8. At my return and before turning off the engine, I say a little prayer, and then access my codes. Depending on what I find will direct how the rest of the day works for me.

With my C5 paranoia set aside, I truly enjoy this car that is a lot more than just another check on my bucket list.

 

Lol! After joining this forum I'm now certain every part on the car will break or short out if I actually drive it

 

Com'n on guys just because they call them plastic cars they won't break !!!!! I drive mine everywhere (cause the car before I didn't) and I love driving it in the rain, handles like a dream. Remember also that a lot of these posts are cars that had some problems it doesn't mean they all do !!! For a 16 year old car with near 400 hp I have had no real issues !!!!

 

Keep up that attitude and you'll never drive the car - anytime you get in the car and start it up parts are moving and wear is occurring. Just enjoy the car - it's not a collectible.

 

LOL, have you ever heard of OCD? (Please Lord let me not be affected by this horrible disorder, lol) Have fun and remember the General made the Corvette to be driven and there are plenty more to go around!

 

Thanks for the laugh.... I feel your pain!

 

LOL..Enjoy it and don't stress over every little thing. Though I must admit I do most of the same things you do in the past..And I try not to drive mine in the rain...

 

I feel the SAME WAY. I've wanted a corvette for as long as I can remember. After several failures to launch I thought I'd never get one. Then a deal fell into my lap a few months ago. I enjoyed it for a few days but it didn't take long for the paranoia set in. I love this car so much I suppose I'm petrified that it will break. I'm sure it wouldn't be so bad if I had the money laying around to make repairs... but I don't really. Evening cruises, top off, with the wife take my mind off it for a while though. Here's hoping that you (and I) can learn to trust our cars. And thanks for the laugh, nice to know I'm not the only one. Haha.

 

I have put 50k on my 00 in three years. It's good that guys don't drive'm. It means they are saving them for me to buy..

 

 

I just got my corvette and it is my errand car. Drive it all over town. Love it. Didn't buy it to look at. Bought it to enjoy and make long road trips. Since my car doesn't have runflats I have AAA and I bought a jump box with air compressor. Done everything I can to prepare for something to happen. Gives you peace of mind.

 

They work and drive better if you POUND them every chance you get

Regards
Chip

 

Ya POUND em signed akapounder !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I read the forum daily and see all the weird problems guys have with their c5 and everytime i put the key in i wonder if its my day to have one of those problems. The thing that concerns me is, not many mechanics around that can troubleshoot and repair the complicated electrical issues i have read about. Maybe i should quit reading this forum, na. Lol

 

Glad you do not drive it in the rain, or even get it out of the garage. They will melt if they ever see rain.

This poor fellow drove in such a hard and driving rain that, well you see the results.

 

 

Driving my Z06. Go into the garage, start the car, open the garage door, open the windows, go to work. Essentially the same going home but the opposite direction.
Stomp on, have fun in it, when I can safely. Drive it like it's a Corvette; it is.

 

I'm new to Corvettes as I've only had mine for a few weeks. I am not computer literate, nor do I know anything about Corvettes (I'm learning from posts in here). I do have extensive knowledge of the older cars, street rods, etc. that can be rewired in an afternoon. I can relate to this post, however if I have to worry about the car having issues everytime I drive it, maybe I should be driving something else like a Toyota that starts and runs everytime. I can relate to getting in and out of the vehicle and trying to position my rear in the seat without breaking the stitching. I look at the positive side on all issues. This motivates me to lose weight and go to the gym more often. I'm not worrying about the car, and I'll address the issues as they come. I'm sure I'll be asking friends and people in here for advice. Meanwhile, I'm driving it and enjoying the heck out of it. BTW- I spent about an hour last night looking for the dipstick to check the transmission fluid. There isn't one! LOL...

 

Time is money. Time wasted worrying could be money spent repairing stuff that breaks. Drive it into the ground, fix what breaks and get the most mileage out of life

 

After buying my 01 I found out that 01 &02 cars had a lot of electrical issues. I've since found that out to be true. Love my car and since it's my first Vette I plan on keeping it. However, I do have the same concerns every time drive mine too.

Maybe if GM hadn't built so much junk over the years we might not have so much concern about them. They stopped building the cars we grew up liking so much.