It still attracts
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 67
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From: Maryland
It still attracts
Even though they are 20 + years old, C5's still get attention.
There are supposed to be thunderstorms this afternoon, but this morning was pretty nice here in Maryland. Had to run some errands so I decided to put the my vert's top down and take it. As I'm driving into a store parking lot, a guy walking by gives an nice compliment. Then a little later, as I'm pulling out of my parking space and leaving, a lady in an SUV coming into the parking lot rolls down her window to tell me she likes the car. Finally, as I'm sitting at a stoplight nearing home, a guy in a pickup next to me rolls down his window does the same thing.
I've had a VW EOS for more than six years and never had that many compliments while I'm driving that with the top down during the whole time I've owned that car, let alone during one short drive. So I'm pretty sure it's not my charm and personality impressing them.
PS: I'm not going to mention that all three of them were clearly AARP eligible--I'll just say there was a common demographic.
There are supposed to be thunderstorms this afternoon, but this morning was pretty nice here in Maryland. Had to run some errands so I decided to put the my vert's top down and take it. As I'm driving into a store parking lot, a guy walking by gives an nice compliment. Then a little later, as I'm pulling out of my parking space and leaving, a lady in an SUV coming into the parking lot rolls down her window to tell me she likes the car. Finally, as I'm sitting at a stoplight nearing home, a guy in a pickup next to me rolls down his window does the same thing.
I've had a VW EOS for more than six years and never had that many compliments while I'm driving that with the top down during the whole time I've owned that car, let alone during one short drive. So I'm pretty sure it's not my charm and personality impressing them.
PS: I'm not going to mention that all three of them were clearly AARP eligible--I'll just say there was a common demographic.
Last edited by wmstumme; Apr 23, 2023 at 06:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
Happens to me as well. After detailing mine last week and applying a fresh coat of Turtle was graphene infuzed wax I was asked by one person "Is that one of them new vettes?" along with the obligatory pick up truck compliments
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 1,698
From: North Coast
I have gotten a few already in the few weeks I have owned it.
To be honest this car encapsulates a little of everything people associate with Corvettes.
it has the new platform and LS. It has the round tail lamps and hide away lights. It has a trunk to Bringing back the C1 Vibe.
when it came to styling it just got it right and it has not gotten stale.
C5 designer john Cafaro also did much work on the Fiero. I have an 85 and and few realize it is almost 40 years old.
To be honest this car encapsulates a little of everything people associate with Corvettes.
it has the new platform and LS. It has the round tail lamps and hide away lights. It has a trunk to Bringing back the C1 Vibe.
when it came to styling it just got it right and it has not gotten stale.
C5 designer john Cafaro also did much work on the Fiero. I have an 85 and and few realize it is almost 40 years old.
Last edited by hyperv6; Apr 22, 2023 at 08:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
From a fellow Marylander, when parking in areas I like to visit (Havre de Grace Board walk) many of my compliments on the C5 come from, hold on, women the at clearly in my age age group of senior citizens. Very entertaining and it proves you are not to old to remember your young days wanting to revisit. .
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,787
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From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I got a thumbs up and a "nice car" sitting at the light this morning from an older gent in a sweet '68 Chevy P/U that was according to him powered by an LS1. A lot of Vettes on the road in this part of Florida, nice getting the wave from most all of them.
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C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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The C5 does have classic styling - it still turns my head when I encounter one on the road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
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From: North Coast
Being new to Corvette I am seeing what my buddy told me.
We both came from muscle car back grounds and if you were out you never got a ton of reaction even when I had a tunnel Ram and two Holley sticking out of the hood.
But he got a farm find 65 roadster and he said everyone waves. Not just Corvette people. It is like driving his fathers stock 38 coupe.
I am finding the same as people I have no idea who they are are waving. Walkers people working in yards etc.
At least they are leaving ducks lol!
We both came from muscle car back grounds and if you were out you never got a ton of reaction even when I had a tunnel Ram and two Holley sticking out of the hood.
But he got a farm find 65 roadster and he said everyone waves. Not just Corvette people. It is like driving his fathers stock 38 coupe.
I am finding the same as people I have no idea who they are are waving. Walkers people working in yards etc.
At least they are leaving ducks lol!
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Gray hair, I EARNED that ****, lol. Almost 60 and yet still a kid sometimes. I did get a wave and nice smile from a very attractive woman driving a black C6 this morning, kinda makes a guys day.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Happens to me all the time, probably because we're younger. Just today at lunch we were at a small local restaurant and were the only people there. The waitress was like "OHHHH VERY NICE CAR" and it makes me chuckle every time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
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From: North Coast
First off Corvettes are one of those cars that even non car people would love to have.
I saw a coupe yesterday on the road and from behind the C5 almost has that exotic look due to how low it sits and the size of the car.
I heard something the other day I never heard. Someone said the C5 was the last Corvette that did not look like a bug.
Now I did not say that as I love the later cars but I get it.
40 years of hide away headlamps and round tail lights are a tough legacy to overcome in the public eye.
imagine a hide away on the C9 and how sleek that would have looked like?
I saw a coupe yesterday on the road and from behind the C5 almost has that exotic look due to how low it sits and the size of the car.
I heard something the other day I never heard. Someone said the C5 was the last Corvette that did not look like a bug.
Now I did not say that as I love the later cars but I get it.
40 years of hide away headlamps and round tail lights are a tough legacy to overcome in the public eye.
imagine a hide away on the C9 and how sleek that would have looked like?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 896
From: Nappytown MD
I see alot of Vettes in and around Annapolis. They have a pretty big Corvette Club as well in Annapolis. In my neighborhood alone we have 2 C5's (1 is mine), a C4 and a C6. I get thumbs up all the time when driving mine around town, especially when you go downtown on the weekend by the waterfront. I do live in a 55+ living community so probably greater odds of seeing one 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 157
From: Maine
I also get compliments on my C5 more so in the spring when they 1st come out of storage, most of the modern sports cars around my location are driven all year in all forms of bad weather.
I have been known to cycle my head lights if I notice someone looking even in the daytime because it too cool.
I have been known to cycle my head lights if I notice someone looking even in the daytime because it too cool.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
Got a compliment in the local dunkin doughnuts drive through by the window clerk. Yes, he looked like a young kid, I bought a large coffee and he said I get a free doughnut if I rev it up. After that, I made sure my headers with bullet exhaust rattled the building. I think I made his day, and maybe broke some eardrums too.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 545
Likes: 384
From: southern rural MI
A couple years ago, was driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (2000 Convertible) and continued north on Skyline Drive. At the entrance booth, the gentleman says, "ok sonny, park it over there. I'm quitting the NPS and am commandeering your car". LOL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 255
Likes: 72
From: Maryland
I'm in MD too. I drive to work most days and do errands in it sometimes. It's really great driving these as I don't get harassed by ricers like I did in my 350z or 240sx I used to own, I only get compliments from older folks which is fine by me. It's fun when kids get excited to see it, reminds me of when I had a first gen Miata, fun to flip the lights up and down at them and take off.