Hello all. I'm still about 6 months away from buying my next vehicle, but I have a few questions I hope you can help me with. The 2008 C6 is at the top of my short list. Since I'll be 58 soon I was concerned that the Corvette might not be appropriate for me. However, I am really encouraged by all the "mature" drivers that post on this forum. Since I am.... ummmm, portly as well as aged, I'm wondering how comfortable the Corvette is as a daily driver. Any opinions from your experience? I'm also favoring the manual as most of my driving is highway, but during rush hours parking lot is more descriptive. The last manual I owned was my 65 Corvette, which I sold in 1972! So, I'm old, fat and lazy. Do you worry about leaving your Vettes all alone during the day while you are at work?

Oh, I will definitely be shopping for a coupe. Does anyone have pictures of black with black cashmere? I would really like to see that combo. Sorry for rambling... that's what I do! Thanks

 

Since you're on this forum, you've already made your decision. Post some pics when you get it. You won't regret it!

 

Do it! The car is suprisingly comfortable! You'll love it!

 

I retired before I bought my C6. I don't park it anywhere in town for more than a few minutes at a time.

However, the last time I had a vette and was working, I was working on an AF base and didn't worry about leaving it in the parking lot all day.

If I were you, I'd be very reluctant to leave my vette parked anywhere for long unless I was pretty sure it would be safe. Are you talking about driving your vette to work?

 

If you are lazy then black may not be the best color for you as it does need a lot of upkeep to keep it looking its best. I don't worry about parking mine at work as we have a private lot with only about 11 cars and I can see it from my office window.

Best of luck on your decision.

 

It'll probably take a little practice for you to get in and out of the car gracefully, but you'll get the hang of it. Otherwise I think you'll find it surprisingly comfortable.

I would carefully consider you color selection. Black takes a lot of work to keep it looking good....and you'll definitely want to keep it that way.

 

If I could look out the window at my car; I'd never get any work done

 

I don't think you should worry about the comfort. Your age isn't an issue. I'm 57 and after three Corvettes I'm just getting into it!

Go to a dealer and test drive, or at least get in and out of one. I don't have a problem getting in and out, and once in it is quite comfortable.

Manual vs. Auto is something you need to decide. In a C6, both are sweet.

Black? And you profess to be lazy? No offense, but stay away from black. Black is the (I think) best color for a Vette, unless you are lazy or live on a dirt road like I do.

Parking? I see some fellow forum members always paint a gloomy picture on parking in a city. My previous two Corvettes were parked all over Chicago and the Phoenix metro area, and never a problem. I know some out there have had legitimate issues, but sometimes I wonder if we all aren't a little paranoid... Only parking issue I've ever had involved a theft of my Grand Cherokee.

Anyway, go for it! You will LOVE it

 

as you ave probably already read gm is offering another interior
option you can choose.

had 3 black vehicles car,suv,truck and they look fabulous for awhile but
boy are they hard to keep that way. it was a losing battle.

i'm so old i still remember seeing a 1957 corvette black silver cove and
all red interior--never forgot how great it looked---sigh! but no more black cars for me.i'll just admire the corvette guys who can keep them
beautifully black.

mine is yellow vert,easiy color to maintain! but my bride thinks she wants new chrystal metallic red(going to have to work a lot harder to keep it up-----i lobbied for atomic orange partially because less work.

hell you'll be going so fast with 430hp you'll be a blur most of the time

 

I am 55,6'1" and 240# and I am so comfortable in this car I would not hesitate to drive it cross country.My wife also feels it is one of the most comfortable cars we have ever owned,and she has lower back problems.She can hardly conceal her excitement every time I suggest we "Take the Vette".I do have the F-55 option which I can recommend without reservation.Don't rule out Machine silver,as it is extremely easy to take care of and really stealthy if vandalism is a concern.

 

I am 57.5 years old, 6’0” and about 240.
My 2007 Coupe is my Daily Driver & only vehicle.

There have been other similar threads.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1554001

another:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1596698&page=3

I have read many posts – and considered them carefully before I decided to buy my 2007. I did not select the Z51 suspension. I did buy the MX0.

I have over 8,000 miles on my Coupe – since early November of last year. Mostly commuting in & out of MidTown Atlanta.

The biggest thing I have noticed is how careful I need to be about ( even not very ) steep inclines at road intersections, driveways and such. The nose is so low that I have scraped the front spoiler many, many times. I am even more vigilant now.

The other significant change I have made in my driving concerns the rather large ‘blind spot’ looking back over my left shoulder for highway lane changes. I do not drive with the seat all the way back, but where I could typically use my peripheral vision & the mirror to check quickly, and look behind the door pillar on my sedans, I now find that I must be much more careful to check that area – moving my head to provide visibility. I did try a ‘stick-on’ additional convex mirror, but that did not provide what I was looking for.

Related: It is so low compared to most other cars on the road that I find I must remain very aware of vehicles to my left – where a driver looking quickly out the passenger side window(s) of a tall truck, van or even large SUV can apparently look right over the top of my Corvette. And attempt to change lanes – right into “my spot”. Similar situation with large & high pickup trucks ( my neighbor’s Chevy Avalanche, for example ) where rear visibility straight back is sometimes cut off higher ( perhaps ) than the top of the Vette. I always drive defensively – but have upped the level somewhat with my C6, in traffic.

I do what I can with regard to parking. My concern is paint matching on my Monterey Red, should that ever be required. But I will not obsess about that, either.

It does not melt in heavy downpours. With such wide tires & relatively light weight, even with full tread standing water can cause aquaplaning.

My C6 actually even manages significantly better fuel mileage than my previous 3 V8 sport sedans, in identical driving. Average right now stands at over 22. Typical in town = 18 & typical highway at 70 – 80 = 25+. Very cool.

Only 2 trips to my dealer. First was for a “check engine” light. Apparently an anomaly – not occurred again. Second visit was for oil change, etc. Nothing has broken or stopped working, so far.
- Ray
Many, many smiles per gallon . . .

 

I'm 68 and have the MN6. I drive in heavy Southern California traffic and would buy another one. I only park in lots that I know ahead of time are not a problem otherwise I take the 2nd car.

 

[IMG][/IMG]I'm 61, 6'4", 220# and have a black MN6. Black is definitely a high maintenance color, but part of my life is fooling with my cars, so I don't object to the constant dust removal with black paint.

 

I can only concur with the statements that have been made previous. I am 63, 237 pounds and rest assured, I have no problems with ingress or egress. THe ride is fine and it makes you feel younger and relieves some of the aches and pains.

I have a convertible so that makes it a little easier for me. However, with the top up, there is no problem either.

Lazy, well, we have that in common as well, for me an automatic.

Your concern about parking, that depends on the area where you work and would park it.

You will reach the correct decision. Enjoy the ride!

 

I'm 54 5'9" @ 225 (portly is a nice word) and I have no physical issues with the car. In fact once settled and buckeled in I find it VERY comfortable. My problem is a back injury suffered in Viet Nam that is slowly causing more pain and difficulty getting in and out. I fear that will cause me to have to sell the vette and move on to something easier for me to in/out of. But I hold out as long as I can since the C6 is such a joy to own and drive.

You'll be fine. Just do it. But as many have said black is probably the hardest color to keep up with. You will spend more time detaiing it than say a silver or red.

Good luck

Tom

 

It is very comfortable. I drove 2800 miles in about 4 days when I traded in my C5 for my C6. Both were very comfortable. And I am umm portley as well. I have no problems fitting into the car. I can even get in with my prostetic leg semi easily and without the leg very easily.

 

Thanks so much for your input. You guys really addressed all my concerns. I like black a lot... I do have a lot of extra time now a days to spend on detailing. Plus, living in Phoenix means that I can go weeks (months) between car washes. I have a dark gray car now, and have used Zaino only for the past 5 years... since new. While I may not have a show car finish I am quite content with the result. I do drive my car nearly every day and pick up a lot of stone chips though. So, I don't expect to maintain a perfect finish. Still, black may not be the color for me... although it sure looks gorgeous! Thanks for the picture, the next 6 months are going to be slow, but I am committed to waiting until at least October before I start shopping. sigh. In the meantime I'll have to satisfy my craving by looking at your beautiful cars and interesting discussions.