C5 Daily Driver
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
C5 Daily Driver
I currently own a C3 but do not like to drive her if there is a chance of rain so I am currently looking at a low milage 99 coupe with a six speed manual under 20K.
How is the C5 as a daily driver, anything that I should be worried about with a 99?
Jack.
How is the C5 as a daily driver, anything that I should be worried about with a 99?
Jack.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
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!!
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If you keep up with the maintenance, the C5 should prove to be a very good daily driver and make the commute to work a lot of fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Oh 2 Fun.....Fortunately, I'm retiring within the next couple months so daily driving will be strictly for fun soon!! [/QUOTE]
Just had to comment, I just retired with my Corvette, endless free time and roads void (mostly) of mad commuters. What a joy having the stores, parking lots and coffee shops almost to yourself. No more cuing up for anything. You will love retirement IMHO! 
[/QUOTE] Just had to comment, I just retired with my Corvette, endless free time and roads void (mostly) of mad commuters. What a joy having the stores, parking lots and coffee shops almost to yourself. No more cuing up for anything. You will love retirement IMHO!
Last edited by El original; Sep 27, 2017 at 03:14 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Been using my C5 as a daily driver for almost a year now, and have also occasionally used it on long trips. Before my C5, I had an S2000, and the C5 is way more comfortable than the S2000. I put the Vettenuts sound deadening with Ensolite in, and it's almost as quiet as my mom's 2001 Mercedes E320 cruising down the freeway.
I have the coupe, and it is awesome for hauling stuff as well. I have fit things into it that I wouldn't have been able to fit in a regular sedan (6 foot long wire racks, tables, etc). My workplace throws a lot of things out, and having a car that can haul things, is fun to drive, has plenty of power, and gets great gas mileage is like getting the best of all worlds.
I have the coupe, and it is awesome for hauling stuff as well. I have fit things into it that I wouldn't have been able to fit in a regular sedan (6 foot long wire racks, tables, etc). My workplace throws a lot of things out, and having a car that can haul things, is fun to drive, has plenty of power, and gets great gas mileage is like getting the best of all worlds.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Thanks everyone,
Stopped by the dealership and sat in the car, very clean run nice I am sure she drives nice now I just have to figure out what to do.
More importantly I have a bigger sale to make at home, and why she thinks she has input I really do not know since only one car comes home at a time.
Work Car
69 Corvette convertible
63 F100 (frame and drive train is all done doing body work now ready for spring)
54 Dodge M37 (she is in pieces waiting for new gears for the axels been two years so far hopefully they will make new road gears soon)
Jack
Stopped by the dealership and sat in the car, very clean run nice I am sure she drives nice now I just have to figure out what to do.
More importantly I have a bigger sale to make at home, and why she thinks she has input I really do not know since only one car comes home at a time.
Work Car
69 Corvette convertible
63 F100 (frame and drive train is all done doing body work now ready for spring)
54 Dodge M37 (she is in pieces waiting for new gears for the axels been two years so far hopefully they will make new road gears soon)
Jack
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
@Tsumi
The car is not modded heavily-- it's lowered, like everyone and their mother recommends on this site.
The only change on the vehicle is it's stance. Other than that, Goldilocks (her name) is in tip top shape for a 98. I've less than 75K miles on it.
The car is not modded heavily-- it's lowered, like everyone and their mother recommends on this site.
The only change on the vehicle is it's stance. Other than that, Goldilocks (her name) is in tip top shape for a 98. I've less than 75K miles on it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Then are you sure you need to buy leaf springs? Most likely it's just lowered with the lowering bolts, which is easily reversible.
Also, Vettenuts insulation significantly reduces highway noise. I barely hear the engine or exhaust cruising at 75 mph.
Also, Vettenuts insulation significantly reduces highway noise. I barely hear the engine or exhaust cruising at 75 mph.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
Last edited by Th3Birdman; Mar 12, 2024 at 12:31 AM. Reason: Being doxxed from another website. Removing references to my location and my personal life
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
"cut" ??
Not sure how that's possible. They aren't coils. Hmmmm......
Transverse leaf....
edit: read that the thickness of the ends can be "cut" so maybe that's it. stoopid idea!!
Not sure how that's possible. They aren't coils. Hmmmm......
Transverse leaf....
edit: read that the thickness of the ends can be "cut" so maybe that's it. stoopid idea!!
Last edited by Oh 2 Fun; Sep 27, 2017 at 06:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
Last edited by Th3Birdman; Mar 12, 2024 at 12:32 AM. Reason: Being doxxed from another website. Removing references to my location and my personal life
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
Most likely the bushings on the lowering bolts are cut off or the bolt is gone entirely. Set of aftermarket lowering bolts will do what you need. Can adjust them to have the car sit higher. Spring removal might not even be necessary for install. Hardbar is a brand that looks quality. C6 application is the same.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 32
From: Tampa, FL
Most likely the bushings on the lowering bolts are cut off or the bolt is gone entirely. Set of aftermarket lowering bolts will do what you need. Can adjust them to have the car sit higher. Spring removal might not even be necessary for install. Hardbar is a brand that looks quality. C6 application is the same.
Car otherwise drives and feels great. I'm just happy to be a part of the community I've wanted to be a part of for SOOOOO LONG. Vette's been my favorite car since I saw it as a child.
Now, to paint it red
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Based on the picture you posted, the car is not lowered that far below stock, within the range of what lowering with stock bolts can do. My guess is that whatever shop you brought it to know nothing about lowering Corvettes.