Does a vette make a dependable daily driver?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area California
Daily Driver for 25 years now
Since 1985 a vette has been my DD. Never failed to get me to work. Very low cost to maintain (I do it myself as much as possible) and operate. In my opinion these are the best commuter cars that have been made in America. Amazingly enough, consumer reports recently rated corvette in the top 10 commuter cars - they finally figured it out too!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Arvada CO
The best part of my workday is my 25 mile drive to and from work in the vette. 27,000 miles on my 07. Heads, cam, intake....just a hoot...everyday!
I will say this though, I switched to Firestone Firehawk runflats (I didnt care for the Goodyears.) Last year I had a flat on the way home from work after midnight with runflats; it was a non-event. For me, runflats add a level of reliability that I need for my daily driver given my job and my hours.
I will say this though, I switched to Firestone Firehawk runflats (I didnt care for the Goodyears.) Last year I had a flat on the way home from work after midnight with runflats; it was a non-event. For me, runflats add a level of reliability that I need for my daily driver given my job and my hours.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: The Lost Borough, NYC
430 hp ('08 and up)
424 lb-ft torque
0 - 60 in 4.1 sec
1/4 mi. 12.4 @ 112 (approx mph)
All for about 50k (new)
Oh and did I mention it gets 17/26 MPG????????
(FYI, most owners, myself included have reported a consistant 29-32mpg on highways).
So you tell us?
And yes those specs and its still a daily driver!!!!
424 lb-ft torque
0 - 60 in 4.1 sec
1/4 mi. 12.4 @ 112 (approx mph)
All for about 50k (new)
Oh and did I mention it gets 17/26 MPG????????
(FYI, most owners, myself included have reported a consistant 29-32mpg on highways).
So you tell us?
And yes those specs and its still a daily driver!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Florida
I have driven three Corvettes as daily drivers over a span of 20 years. I drive my 07 Vert presently and each averaged about 6K miles per year as I live fairly close to work. I stopped storing cars and motorcycles for posterity long ago and decided that these were fun to use and we only live once. Just do the normal car maintenance and you will have better consistency and less mechanical problems than those cars sitting in garages all their lives. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
seems like a good DD to me..
had mine right at about a month now and DD it every day.
put 3000 miles on it in that time.
If there's any reason NOT to consider it a DD is if you haul anything larger than a small suitcase, have more than 1 passenger EVER, or you live in a crowded area where you cannot park away from everyone.. it may not be for you.
I always park in the back of the lot with mine.
had mine right at about a month now and DD it every day.
put 3000 miles on it in that time.
If there's any reason NOT to consider it a DD is if you haul anything larger than a small suitcase, have more than 1 passenger EVER, or you live in a crowded area where you cannot park away from everyone.. it may not be for you.
I always park in the back of the lot with mine.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,860
Likes: 3
From: 96598
no they make a good 2nd 3rd 4th car. But totally impractical for everyday use.
You will find that out very quickly
Cant take friends with you, can't haul a dang thing. The car drags if run over a ruler.
If you live close to work, carry nothing but a little briefcase, hey good to go.
The mileage is good about it as far comparing to other small cars
You will find that out very quickly
Cant take friends with you, can't haul a dang thing. The car drags if run over a ruler.
If you live close to work, carry nothing but a little briefcase, hey good to go.
The mileage is good about it as far comparing to other small cars
Last edited by texvette2; Mar 29, 2010 at 10:25 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 14
From: Lakewood Ranch FL
Have been a DD driver for over 20 years. I put on over 100K miles on each (approx 35K per year), sell them and then go out and buy a 1-2 year previously enjoyed 'vette. If you don't beat them the tires generally last about 35-40K and I usually replace the brakes once per car (6M trans). Go out and ENJOY!!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania
I found my Corvettes (a 2004 and 2007 Z06) as reliable as the sunrise.
However, each of them needed to be hooked up to a battery tender when sitting for longer then five (5) days.
Be sure to be happy with the shop which will be servicing your Corvette.
Other than that, you'll be driving a very reliable sports car if you pull the trigger and purchase the 'Vette.
However, each of them needed to be hooked up to a battery tender when sitting for longer then five (5) days.
Be sure to be happy with the shop which will be servicing your Corvette.
Other than that, you'll be driving a very reliable sports car if you pull the trigger and purchase the 'Vette.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 638
Likes: 115
From: The High Mountains of North Texas
A year and a half, 30K miles, the DD plus occasional racer, and absolutely ZERO issues. And I do a lot of my own maintenance, you'll see in the forum DIY instructions for almost everything!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 3
and got 27mpg
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,661
Likes: 3
From: Live in S.Dayton, Work in Cincinnati Ohio
They're fine DD's. I put 21K+ miles on my base C6 coupe and I've got 11K+ on my C6Z. You'll go through tires on the Z51/C6Z's with the stickier, summer tires, but my C6 had the non-Supercars and I had 21K and it looked like I could get another 10-15K easily when I sold it. The only weather they never saw was snow. Otherwise, they're in use about 9 months out of the year. Use them both for trips as well and you can get a ton of stuff in the coupe. We've got a Boston Terrier that we ocassionally take along and she loves sitting in back, looking out the rear window and watching the world go by.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: Forestville CA
These are awesome Daily Drivers
As someone else said, it is hands down the best 30 minutes of my day going to and from work. My problem is going straight home and not cruising around just for the hell of it
IMHO, if you buy one with a few miles on it that is still under warranty and then extend the factory coverage to 75-90k miles you have a worry free winner that will get you 25+ mpg when you want it or hammer your a$$ into the seat with a blast from a 400+hp V-8. Who could ask for anything more? Ok, maybe some pie
As someone else said, it is hands down the best 30 minutes of my day going to and from work. My problem is going straight home and not cruising around just for the hell of it
IMHO, if you buy one with a few miles on it that is still under warranty and then extend the factory coverage to 75-90k miles you have a worry free winner that will get you 25+ mpg when you want it or hammer your a$$ into the seat with a blast from a 400+hp V-8. Who could ask for anything more? Ok, maybe some pie
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,104
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
62K on my '08 DD. GM wouldn't have a 100K warranty if the cars broke easily. I've driven in all weather on most any road in 45 states in the most comfortable car I ever owned.
It's quick (11.49 @ 121.65 for me), nimble, and damn good looking.
As an added bonus, it gets the best gas mileage of any car when driven at a conservative steady speed of only 150 mph.
It's quick (11.49 @ 121.65 for me), nimble, and damn good looking.
As an added bonus, it gets the best gas mileage of any car when driven at a conservative steady speed of only 150 mph.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,058
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
