"Never driven in the rain"
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"Never driven in the rain"
I see this a lot with people selling their vettes. I get it if its a C4 with the LT1 / opti-spark but not with other vettes. I guarantee you everyone's corvette was sitting outside in Bowling Green in a lot when produced or on a truck that went through some rain at some point. Plus, we all wash our vettes regularly, no?
So what's the big deal and why do people think that makes their vette more valuable? Not trying to come off snobby about it, honestly curious.
So what's the big deal and why do people think that makes their vette more valuable? Not trying to come off snobby about it, honestly curious.
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Jul 5, 2022, 11:43 AM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I think the idea is that it shows the car has been exceptionally well cared for. It also tells the buyer that the car has spent life as a garage queen. Most obviously know that a bit of rain is not going to actually harm the car in any meaningful or permanent way. I did not have a garage for the first few years I owned my Vette, so I had no choice. However, now that I have a garage I usually choose not to drive the Corvette if I know it's going to rain. The biggest reason for this is that it takes me an entire day to wash and fully detail the car. getting rained on pretty much means that all that work is out the window, and I need to do it all again. Another practical consideration is that some Corvettes have a tendency to leak a bit in the rain. If it's never been rained on, then you know that the car has no issues related to water leakage. However, in the end the biggest thing as I said to start this, it is the buyer's way of saying the car was well cared for, and lightly used.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: SACRAMENTO
It's not just with Corvettes. I could care less aboot stuff like that. I don't have a garage so mine sits outside all year long BUT I do regularly wash it. Wash and remove water spots from windows if it goes weeks without washing. I guess maybe it makes the car look more pristine, no rust, showroom condition, etc. so people can claim added value. I've once seen an ad that someone claimed they washed and clay barred their car every weekend. OK, if that's how you want to treat your car but don't think I'm going to pay $10K over bluebook because of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I think the idea is that it shows the car has been exceptionally well cared for. It also tells the buyer that the car has spent life as a garage queen. Most obviously know that a bit of rain is not going to actually harm the car in any meaningful or permanent way. I did not have a garage for the first few years I owned my Vette, so I had no choice. However, now that I have a garage I usually choose not to drive the Corvette if I know it's going to rain. The biggest reason for this is that it takes me an entire day to wash and fully detail the car. getting rained on pretty much means that all that work is out the window, and I need to do it all again. Another practical consideration is that some Corvettes have a tendency to leak a bit in the rain. If it's never been rained on, then you know that the car has no issues related to water leakage. However, in the end the biggest thing as I said to start this, it is the buyer's way of saying the car was well cared for, and lightly used.
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St. Jude Donor '25
Every Corvette has seen rain. There are pictures of brand-new Corvettes sitting outside the factory in rain/snow. My car sits outside, it may rain, it may be sunny.
I chuckle myself when I see "never seen rain, always garage kept and driven on bright sunny days!"
I chuckle myself when I see "never seen rain, always garage kept and driven on bright sunny days!"
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I too do not have a garage currently. Mine sees plenty of rain. In fact the first day i brought it home, a tornado carrying thunderstorm came through the area. luckily our property was unscathed minus loose branches everywhere.
whether or not a vehicle has been cared for is evident in many areas, but "never being rained on" to me reads as though the car has also never been driven past 3500 rpms. which is a bad thing. Driving a car IS caring for it.
That said, I'm working on sorting out a covered parking spot, because I do not enjoy rain spots and especially the pollen that sticks to the car in spring/summer.
also, I have to wash the front bumper at least every day, because the amount of bugs that get splattered onto it (white car) is depressing/borderline embarassing lol
whether or not a vehicle has been cared for is evident in many areas, but "never being rained on" to me reads as though the car has also never been driven past 3500 rpms. which is a bad thing. Driving a car IS caring for it.
That said, I'm working on sorting out a covered parking spot, because I do not enjoy rain spots and especially the pollen that sticks to the car in spring/summer.
also, I have to wash the front bumper at least every day, because the amount of bugs that get splattered onto it (white car) is depressing/borderline embarassing lol
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I would also agree that the "never seen rain" doesnt mean it was well cared for. Often times these are the cars that sit a lot and still have the 20 year old tires on because the tread is still "good". I would buy a car from a local racer before I buy a garage queen. People who track their car are more attentive to maintenance, on average.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Because of the stupid design locations of the electrical ground points on the Vette, driving in the rain can eventually cause electrical problems. Luckily, I do not have to drive in the rain although the C5 Vert sits outside 24/7/12. I have a cover for the top only to eliminate any rain finding it way through the window seals into the door panels.
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Drifting
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From: Palm City
St. Jude Donor '06-'11
Cars stay nicer when they are not driven in the rain. Same reason most corvettes are stored indoors. I actually detail the bottom of my cars because it’s stored on a lift and that’s what I see in the garage. I’m not sure why it would bother someone though, leave yours outside and drive it when ever you want. Take it off road if that makes you happy. I enjoy keeping my cars looking perfect and I enjoy driving them.
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From: Basehor, KS
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Not sure why there seems to be negativity towards someone keeping their Corvette out of the rain. Like a few others have said, it’s your car, do what you want. To me it says a car has probably been cared for. Not to say an “outdoor” car isn’t.
I’ve owned my C5 for going on 3 years. I’ve never even washed it with water. That’s crazy to most, but I keep it clean and drive it when it’s nice. It’s not my daily and never will be. It’s previous 17 years of life and 100k miles may or may not have been the same. I know how I treat it. Does it make it worth more? Probably not to most people. That’s true with anything a person does with THEIR car. Others might not see the value in it because it’s not what they would do if it were theirs. Some in the forums wouldn’t, and haven’t, changed a single thing from stock. They see value in the originality. Others like myself don’t believe a car is finished until every nut and bolt has been molested or replaced with something new. I do it for myself, so weather or not if it adds value for someone else isn’t part of my thinking process.
I’ve owned my C5 for going on 3 years. I’ve never even washed it with water. That’s crazy to most, but I keep it clean and drive it when it’s nice. It’s not my daily and never will be. It’s previous 17 years of life and 100k miles may or may not have been the same. I know how I treat it. Does it make it worth more? Probably not to most people. That’s true with anything a person does with THEIR car. Others might not see the value in it because it’s not what they would do if it were theirs. Some in the forums wouldn’t, and haven’t, changed a single thing from stock. They see value in the originality. Others like myself don’t believe a car is finished until every nut and bolt has been molested or replaced with something new. I do it for myself, so weather or not if it adds value for someone else isn’t part of my thinking process.
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I too do not have a garage currently. Mine sees plenty of rain. In fact the first day i brought it home, a tornado carrying thunderstorm came through the area. luckily our property was unscathed minus loose branches everywhere.
whether or not a vehicle has been cared for is evident in many areas, but "never being rained on" to me reads as though the car has also never been driven past 3500 rpms. which is a bad thing. Driving a car IS caring for it.
That said, I'm working on sorting out a covered parking spot, because I do not enjoy rain spots and especially the pollen that sticks to the car in spring/summer.
also, I have to wash the front bumper at least every day, because the amount of bugs that get splattered onto it (white car) is depressing/borderline embarassing lol
whether or not a vehicle has been cared for is evident in many areas, but "never being rained on" to me reads as though the car has also never been driven past 3500 rpms. which is a bad thing. Driving a car IS caring for it.
That said, I'm working on sorting out a covered parking spot, because I do not enjoy rain spots and especially the pollen that sticks to the car in spring/summer.
also, I have to wash the front bumper at least every day, because the amount of bugs that get splattered onto it (white car) is depressing/borderline embarassing lol
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
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From: Navarre FL
Be honest, if you had a choice between 2 identical cars, equal price. One you know was driven regularly, one was a garage queen, never seen rain. Most of us would take the garage queen. If you like to admit it or not, weather takes a toll on vehicles. Not dating a little rain here and there will kill it, but it affects it. Mine has been in the rain, I don't make I big deal of it. But I also don't drive it if I know it's going to rain.
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Because of the stupid design locations of the electrical ground points on the Vette, driving in the rain can eventually cause electrical problems. Luckily, I do not have to drive in the rain although the C5 Vert sits outside 24/7/12. I have a cover for the top only to eliminate any rain finding it way through the window seals into the door panels.
Cars stay nicer when they are not driven in the rain. Same reason most corvettes are stored indoors. I actually detail the bottom of my cars because it’s stored on a lift and that’s what I see in the garage. I’m not sure why it would bother someone though, leave yours outside and drive it when ever you want. Take it off road if that makes you happy. I enjoy keeping my cars looking perfect and I enjoy driving them.
Not sure why there seems to be negativity towards someone keeping their Corvette out of the rain. Like a few others have said, it’s your car, do what you want. To me it says a car has probably been cared for. Not to say an “outdoor” car isn’t.
I’ve owned my C5 for going on 3 years. I’ve never even washed it with water. That’s crazy to most, but I keep it clean and drive it when it’s nice. It’s not my daily and never will be. It’s previous 17 years of life and 100k miles may or may not have been the same. I know how I treat it. Does it make it worth more? Probably not to most people. That’s true with anything a person does with THEIR car. Others might not see the value in it because it’s not what they would do if it were theirs. Some in the forums wouldn’t, and haven’t, changed a single thing from stock. They see value in the originality. Others like myself don’t believe a car is finished until every nut and bolt has been molested or replaced with something new. I do it for myself, so weather or not if it adds value for someone else isn’t part of my thinking process.
I’ve owned my C5 for going on 3 years. I’ve never even washed it with water. That’s crazy to most, but I keep it clean and drive it when it’s nice. It’s not my daily and never will be. It’s previous 17 years of life and 100k miles may or may not have been the same. I know how I treat it. Does it make it worth more? Probably not to most people. That’s true with anything a person does with THEIR car. Others might not see the value in it because it’s not what they would do if it were theirs. Some in the forums wouldn’t, and haven’t, changed a single thing from stock. They see value in the originality. Others like myself don’t believe a car is finished until every nut and bolt has been molested or replaced with something new. I do it for myself, so weather or not if it adds value for someone else isn’t part of my thinking process.
Be honest, if you had a choice between 2 identical cars, equal price. One you know was driven regularly, one was a garage queen, never seen rain. Most of us would take the garage queen. If you like to admit it or not, weather takes a toll on vehicles. Not dating a little rain here and there will kill it, but it affects it. Mine has been in the rain, I don't make I big deal of it. But I also don't drive it if I know it's going to rain.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,444
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From: Palm City
St. Jude Donor '06-'11
I would also agree that the "never seen rain" doesnt mean it was well cared for. Often times these are the cars that sit a lot and still have the 20 year old tires on because the tread is still "good". I would buy a car from a local racer before I buy a garage queen. People who track their car are more attentive to maintenance, on average.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,234
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From: Carterville Il
There is a guy in the car club I'm in, who has 2008 SRT Challenger.....He says the car has never seen water lol!! He wipes it down after every drive with a spray wax. At 1st I would roll my eyes when he said this, but after seeing his garage and all the classic cars he has, he propbably isn't lying.