You gots ta have a 6 speed. I've been trying to regain my youth since I bought my first Vette at 25 and four Vettes and 30 years later I'm still trying. The point is, you say you're a young professional, if so you should realize that sterotypes don't mean diddly and are usually created by small minded jeolous idiots that haven't a clue. If you like the car and can afford the car then buy the car and don't worry about what other people think.

 

At 31 I just bought my first Vette...a 97. This was my price range now, but after driving it, I know I don't want to own any other type of car. I'd rather have a 97 Vette then any other new car out there today...which I could have bought into for what I paid for the Vette. I had given some thought to the "stereotypes" made about people and these cars when shopping for it. In the end, I could car less. Most people who would used this classification on you openly are most likely jealous. I think they're jealous because they see someone treat themselves that good, and they can't do that for themselves. As someone already pointed out, for the price, the Corvette is the best value and highest quality sports car you can buy. After shopping for a Corvette, the only stereotype I came up with is that Corvette owners act like babies when they have to sell them. I think half of the people I talked to really had no intention of selling them.

You want a stereotype? Be a professional and drive a Mercedes or BMW. These cars are so common today, that even the more expensive models don't turn my head. These cars have become so watered down, all the models in the line look the same to me. There is only one Corvette model!! I apologize to anyone here who owns one of these types of cars, and know that I'm generalizing here because not everyone fits this stereotype, but I'm being honest...when I see somone who drives these types of cars, I instantly think corporate America lacky, or even worse, poser corporate America lacky...because of all the cheaper models available now. I have never seen anyone in a Corvette and thought to myself..."poser." I can also say that BMW and Mercedes has singlehandedly ruined the color black on a car for me.

I'm alittle sensitive, because my neighbor, who drives a 2001 Mercedes, is acting like an *** about the care and attention I'm giving my Corvette. His car has been in the shop repeatedly from the day he bought it new, and the first thing he said to me when he bought it was, "you should see how the women look at me in this." He's 36 years old, and drives around now playing rap music (I won't even go into that stereotype ) to get attention in it...and he's a "professional."

Again, I'm still a new to owning a Corvette, but I think you'll worry much less about the stereotype and much, much more about where you will and will not allow your Corvette to be parked in public.

 

Sounds like you are getting a pretty good deal. I've been seeing up to $10K off on new '04 Coupes depending on the MSRP. Some have high dealer fees though, so ask about any additional fees they may be tacking on. For an auto trans car you may want to ty to find one with the 3.15 gear option (G92), and the Z51 suspension, otherwise 1SB gives you most of the options.

I am 45 now and have been driving Corvettes steadily since I was 18 years old and never cared what others thought. Mostly, I have not gotten too many unfavorable or stereotypical comments from people. However, there will always be people who express different opinions than you and judge you and others for thinking or being different from them. Then there are the jealous (unhappy) people as well. I tend to stay away from small minded people like these.

On the plus side you will share a common interest with and be among a group of the best people anywhere, Corvette enthusiasts. And you will own and be driving the best damn car ever made, Corvette.

 

I guess my mid-life crisis came late (61)
Some people get a divorce in their mid-life crisis, hell I just bought a car.... Cost a lot less too.

And way more fun.

 

thanks for all the replies
Do you guys use your vettes as a daily driver or weekend toy?

 

Every sports car owner hears the compensating thing.

I think it's for the unintelligent whose jealously is only overshadowed by their lack of wit.

BTW...Weekend car only for me.

 

more fun with 6-speed...
as for old man/young man stereotypes..
...Im 52 and simply maintaining a lifestyle since my youth...
...cant find many youth able to keep up!!!

 

I got me 1st Vette, a C4 at 40 years old , had wanted a Vette since I was in H.S.

Now at 45 I just got a C5, I heard all the comments when I got my 1st Vette. I didn't care then and I don't care now.

I test drove at least 5 sports cars to make sure I still wanted a Vette and wound up with my C5.

Mine is a weekend car

 

Crisis? Yeah....a speed crisis. Got mine when I was 29 and can't imagine being without one now that I finally have one.

As said above, who cares what everyone else thinks....90% of them are just jealous.

 

Here's my 2 cents.....I bought my Vette, an red 01 coupe because I Like VETTES, period. I have always like vette's even before I started driving, I'm now 46, with me It has nothing to do with age, young or old, status, or image or trying to hold on to your youth, hell I look about 35. I truly enjoy driving my vette, an American performance sports car, I also love modifying it, this is why I own one it makes me feel great and could care less what others think as to why I own one.

I guess my point is if you truly like the vette then buy one and enjoy life and what it has to offer and stop worrying what others will think. It's as simple as that.

 

Daily Driver, through rain, hail, sleet and snow.......wait..no sleet or snow in Miami but plenty of rain and hail...especially today.


Scott

 

Everyday ,and on the weekends a couple of hundred miles going no where just for the fun of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Life is short. Enjoy it to the fullest!

 

I'm 39 and havent thought about the stereo type thing until you brought it up. I've gotten lots of comps on the car and it feels pretty good. If you can afford it, do it. You wont regret it. Then drive it like you stole it

 

I'm a 29 year old Mexican American who drives a Corvette. Sure I get a lot of stares, and some people have even had the audacity to ask me what I do for a living. You can probably guess what they think I do for a living, but to be honest, I could care less. I have been dreaming about owning a C5 since it first came out, and now that I finally own one, I don't care why people think I bought one, or how I paid for it. I've busted my butt in school going on 18 years (and counting, I'm a little slow ) and it's time to start reaping it's rewards. If you really really like the Vette, buy it and stop worrying about what others might think. Life is too short man.