C5 Daily Driver
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
OP, I think these cars make great DD's.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
Oh that's right next door! I'll have to check them out.
Last edited by Th3Birdman; Mar 12, 2024 at 12:29 AM. Reason: Being doxxed from another website. Removing references to my location and my personal life
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I've been daily driving my 2004 CE convertible since new. 110k miles now and it's still my primary driver. So far as '99 model there some parts that are no longer available new. So even the used parts can be expensive. EBCM and Steering wheel position sensor ... But neither of those will keep it from going down the road.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
I've been daily driving my 2004 CE convertible since new. 110k miles now and it's still my primary driver. So far as '99 model there some parts that are no longer available new. So even the used parts can be expensive. EBCM and Steering wheel position sensor ... But neither of those will keep it from going down the road.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Drove the car last night, rides very nice and she is very quick going to think about it for the weekend and make a decision on Monday.
Nice clean car and priced below $20 with only 35,000 miles is really making me think about this.
Jack
Do I need another car? I do have room to store it during the winter.
Nice clean car and priced below $20 with only 35,000 miles is really making me think about this.
Jack
Do I need another car? I do have room to store it during the winter.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Drove the car last night, rides very nice and she is very quick going to think about it for the weekend and make a decision on Monday.
Nice clean car and priced below $20 with only 35,000 miles is really making me think about this.
Jack
Do I need another car? I do have room to store it during the winter.
Nice clean car and priced below $20 with only 35,000 miles is really making me think about this.
Jack
Do I need another car? I do have room to store it during the winter.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 437
Likes: 253
From: Barnegat NJ
Well, I've been driving my '02 coupe daily since April doing over 100 miles a day round-trip and while the car is totally comfortable and fun to drive, I'm a little worried about racking up the miles. Clock is currently at just over 135K.
But....mine is a six speed and I encounter mass traffic jams both directions daily so I've learned how to idle in first at about 6 or 7 mph so I don't burn up my clutch. It's an art.
But basically, the 'Vette is a car...is a car...is a car... and if it has issues, it won't be a pleasant daily driver or feel dependable.
So keep up on the usual expendables like brakes, tires, shocks and oil changes but also make sure your cooling system is good to go (water pump/radiator/reserve tank/hoses etc) and your worry factor goes way down.
Fortunately, I'm retiring within the next couple months so daily driving will be strictly for fun soon!!
But....mine is a six speed and I encounter mass traffic jams both directions daily so I've learned how to idle in first at about 6 or 7 mph so I don't burn up my clutch. It's an art.
But basically, the 'Vette is a car...is a car...is a car... and if it has issues, it won't be a pleasant daily driver or feel dependable.
So keep up on the usual expendables like brakes, tires, shocks and oil changes but also make sure your cooling system is good to go (water pump/radiator/reserve tank/hoses etc) and your worry factor goes way down.
Fortunately, I'm retiring within the next couple months so daily driving will be strictly for fun soon!!
I too am retiring very soon and the DD will soon slow down. I will most likely not do a DD, but extended road trips with the wife
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 437
Likes: 253
From: Barnegat NJ
I just bought a C5 last month, after years of trying to buy a corvette.
After DD'ing for the last month, coming from a 2011 Mustang, I can tell you its a poor daily driver. This could just be due to my specific car because the idiotic previous owner lowered the car, but the car can't take any kind of bumps. It slams my tires and causes me to go slower on the freeway because I'm wary of any change in the conditions of the road. Any long style speedbump will cause you to scrape the undercarriage.
Also, I no longer can pull into my driveway, so I have to park on the street.
I just found out I have to buy factory leaf springs so that I can get the car back to factory height. I am not very happy about this.
Lesson: DO NOT BUY A LOWERED C5 OR LOWER IT. Don't listen to these people on the forums that claim it "looks better" or "increases performance". We are not tracking the car, therefore it serves no purpose lowering an already absurdly low vehicle. If you want the darn thing to survive the road, you'd heed my advice.
Another negative is that the car CHEWS through gasoline. Tank takes roughly $59 (premium) to fill every week! I believe it's about 15 gallons or so, but YMMV.
The car looks nice, and always turns heads though, so if that's what you're in for, the go for it. Sitting so low, I've noticed I drive a lot slower because being so low to the ground makes me feel like I'm going a lot faster than I am, so that's a plus!
Cabin noise could be an issue, but I think that's all vettes except the C7. When I drove a C7, I could hear my passenger speaking haha That's not the case in the C5-- the roar of the engine and exhaust is a constant. But I'm a gear head so I like that aspect (but the wife, not so much lol).
Edit: adding photo for reference
The one thing I was warned about was ensuring what roads you are on. Too bad your C5 was lowered, however, I can not dive into my driveway either, I can only back in. weird.
CPO Rob
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 204
Likes: 12
It can be done, I daily (read: 2-3 days out of a week) drive my Z06 but I keep it under a cover at all times thanks to trees that threaten to ruin the finish on anything I park under them. It scrapes here and there, even at stock ride height so I generally agree about not lowering it that someone else mentioned. Mine being a Z06 is a bit noisy due to the lessened sound insulation, but if you don't mind road noise and such it's not too bad.
Idiots constantly race past me though, and I've noticed some passive aggressive drivers when I'm on a windy country road or something will go slower when they notice I'm behind them even though I'm not riding up on them. I have a truck I daily when it rains or snows, but I definitely notice the difference and it's just a bit annoying. Your outlook on other drivers and whether them revving up around you or zooming past is annoying or a compliment is definitely a factor (I fall into the first category).
Idiots constantly race past me though, and I've noticed some passive aggressive drivers when I'm on a windy country road or something will go slower when they notice I'm behind them even though I'm not riding up on them. I have a truck I daily when it rains or snows, but I definitely notice the difference and it's just a bit annoying. Your outlook on other drivers and whether them revving up around you or zooming past is annoying or a compliment is definitely a factor (I fall into the first category).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 104
From: Romeoville, IL
My 2k is my DD. I drive 72 miles daily for work. Gas mileage isn't bad. M6 in traffic is sometimes unpleasant.
Last week in our heat wave my alternator went out. Started over heating and the car was over charging. Thank god I was 2 blocks from home when the DIC went out and back on stating overcharging.
Other then that new brakes, new tires, new fluids on schedule, new alternator (ugh) I have no issue with it.
Last week in our heat wave my alternator went out. Started over heating and the car was over charging. Thank god I was 2 blocks from home when the DIC went out and back on stating overcharging.
Other then that new brakes, new tires, new fluids on schedule, new alternator (ugh) I have no issue with it.
Last edited by bravo29; Sep 28, 2017 at 11:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
for my drive way i pull up close and parallel to the curb and pull in with wheel turned lock to lock....going out the same way and it doesn't scrape the air damn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
My only complaints about driving mine as a daily are the road noise, seats, and stock radio. Already installed an aftermarket radio. I'll eventually get to installing Corbeau A4's and dynomat. I have some pretty noisy tires though (BFG KDW2).
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
take your door panels off and see if the stock sound deadening panels are in place. there shouldnt be any open holes in the door
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
OP give us a call if you have any questions...
310-326-2399
Ask for Jake or Kohle
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
310-326-2399
Ask for Jake or Kohle
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Jack
And the wife is really not for it right now so I have work to do there.