I have owned 5 Corvettes, 1969, 1976, 1980, 1990 and 2003. My new yellow 2003 coupe came in with the front engine seal leaking oil. I was asked by bob Breeding of Corvette to talk to the powertrain manager at Bowling Green. He asked for my VIN. He then told me that the day of my assembly, they were notified by the LS1 plant of the seal issue. They thought they had pulled all the bad LS1's off the line. They missed mine. He told me that the 50th anniversary vette in front of mine on the line was a "special" made vette for Randy Johnson (The Big Unit). I told the powertrain manager that I wished Rany had got the bad LS1. My dealer here in Fort Wayne did as good a job as possible in the repair. But seeing all the oil splattered on the underside of the car ruined the experience of a new vette. Unforntunately I did not see the leak until I took possession.

I kept the 2003 for 9 months. I'm 61 and in 2003 I knew that I needed two knee replacements. Getting into the vette got harder each day. Thus a doctor here in Fort Wayne made me a good offer and I sold it and bought a 2004 Infiniti M45, the best car I have ever owned. I still have had zero problems. It has 340 hp and handles like a dream.

But as you know, you can take the boy out of the Corvette but not the Corvette out of the boy. I watched the Indy 500 and looked at that pace car and the D.T's started again.

Now the decision. Should a 61 year old guy with two artificial knees get a 2007 Corvette? I have always been a "buy American" guy. But I have to admit the Japs really know how to build a quality car. How is the quality on the C6's? If I get a 2007 Vette, it would replace the M45. Please help me out folks. By the way, this is my first thread since 8/03. It's good to be back.

Jim

 

I love the vette myself but the question you have to ask yourself is can you handle it with the knees? This is not the easiest car to get into, in my opinion its easier than the 2003 but not by much. If I were you Id go to the dealership and sit in one, you know your limits more than anyone on this forum does.

If it wasnt for the knee issue Id say go for it but nothing ruins a car purchase more than it being uncomfortable.

 

How about a GTO. Same wonderful engine and feel but should be alot more comfortable, still a great old muscle car......Good Luck

 

One time when I was in high school I asked a Psychogist that was a friend of my family if old men could have sex. His answer was.....You see that chair over there.....if he can get up and walk to it, the answer is YES. I think this may apply.

 

I'd talk to your Doc and see what you can do about some rehab work to alleviate the pain, perhaps in a gym.

You only live once and you have to enjoy your time here. If you can, figure out a way to do it.

 

Just take your time getting in and out. Although my knees are not a problem yet the design and the fact that the door panels and vinyl on the sills are easily scuffed by shoes if not careful has made this a slow process. Next get the a6 [automatic trans] which is a dream to drive and go have some fun.

 

I think you know the answer. Get an '07 A6. Bad knees aren't really a problem. If you have a problem getting out, buy a short cane. Rejoin the "scr-w getting old" club.

 

You are the only judge of your knees now - but from first-hand accounts I have been told that after recovery and rehab people who have that surgery nowaday feel like new.

Either way - screw it ... get the vette! You can always dump it if you want, but doubt you will once you drive it

 

You didn't say whether you had the knees replaced. A co-worker of mine (60) had such bad knees (severe Bow -legged) that he had to give up tennis and was in constant pain. Both knees replaced this past winter (4 month rehab) and he is now a new man. We walk 1-2 miles daily at work, and he plays tennis again. Absolutely no pain according to him. Oh, and they removed most of the curvature in his legs as well. P.S. Then buy any car you want!!!

 

I'd find an 06 to test drive, and also try the easy exit option.

 

Getting into or out of a C6 is no different than the C5. Nothing changed or was improved upon. I fear your physical limitations may prevent you from finding nirvana in a Corvette again.

My only suggestion to you is for you to find out for your self if your physical condition will allow you to enjoy a Corvette again, by either going to a local dealer and test "fitting" the C6 or absent that locating some CF buddies near you to try out their cars. If you were near St Louis I'd be more than proud and happy to allow you full reign of my car.

I have a back injury suffered in Viet Nam that I know one day will prevent me from owning a Corvette so I sympathize with you and know one day I'll be faced with the same decision.

I wish you success in your quest and good health.

Tom

 

I am 60, 1 bad knee & a back that acts up. Own a 05 coupe with auto., a 05 STS, an 02 Ford Lighting and a 72 Corvette coupe with the 454 and auto. My knee and back feels much better.

 

My Dad has a hip replacement.. he SLOWLY gets in/out to my C6 and everything is cool.. I would be surprised if everyone didnt see a huge difference from entering/exiting their C6.. it certainly isnt like my Land Rover.. come back to the only American Sports car..

 

I'm 60 and have a few scars on my knees courtesy of not knowing when to quit playing football. I can still enjoy my C6 vert, MN6 on the worst of days. Jump in - the waters great!!

 

Go for it! I have a bad hip and am overweight but find that if I take it easy getting in and out, once I am in the accomodations are quite comfortable. Take a look at my avitar.

 

Well I sat in a new C6 at a dealer and had no problem getting in or out. My new knees are a big help. I remember the pain with my 2003 prior to knee replacements. No one has answered my question as to how the quality is on the 2006? Thanks.

Jim

 

You will miss the m45, great car

If I had only 1 car I keep the ***

Buy a used c6, trade the 45 for an accord...have 2

 

Re, your quality question. Like you, I too had a 1990 Vette. Total junk (GM of the 80's/90's (read Roger Smith administration) what did I expect?) Anyway, my 07 is still in the ordering stage, but from what I've read on here along with my test drives and other research, it *appears* to me as though the C6 is screwed together fairly well. I'm not a big fan of GM cars, but I'm willing to pull the trigger on a new Vette and give them a chance.

I've owned Japanese cars, German cars, English cars and American cars...all have had little problems over their lifetimes but I've enjoyed them anyway. I'd say GO FOR THE NEW VETTE, something tells me you won't be dissapointed.

 

 

If you have tried entering and exiting the car at a dealership, and found you could handle it with no pain, that issue becomes a moot point. The seats are very comfortable and have a decent range of adjustment, so your driving experience should be okay too. As for the quality...

The C6 is a good quality car, reasonably well put together with typical GM reliability. It will not, on average, match the better Japanese brands in build quality or reliability though. You can expect some visits to the dealer for minor issues and, perhaps, some more serious ones. 2006 has been a slight improvement over the 2005, I expect the 2007 will show some further improvement. There have been some TSB's and recalls that have hit many of us, and it can be a nuisance. My feeling is that if you have a good dealer who is accommodating, provides a loaner, and has a competent service department, you'll be pleased with the overall experience.

Given your knees and current ride, I would think an automatic with the F55 suspension might be your smartest choice. It can provide a relatively soft ride, and the auto should be much kinder to your joints than the manual transmission. Even then, this car is still a high performance two seater and will not be comparable to your M45 in quietness and comfort. It doesn't pamper its occupants like the M45, but it does provide acceleration and handling that few other cars can achieve. Before you go further with this, I think a test drive would be the prudent thing to do. Good luck.