Road trip??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
Road trip??
I've got to go to a mandatory 2 day class in Baltimore. Don't really want to go.I'm supposed to drive there.I live in Cincinnati.I get paid my hourly wage while I'm driving plus I get mileage.Part of me wants to drive my 09 vert.It would make the trip better you know.I'd pick out some good CD's,play with the Nav.But it's never been in the rain. I store it winters.I'd put at least 1100 miles on it.I'd worry about it in the parking lot.Christ I'd probably have to wash it when I got there.Why do I do this to myself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Been on several road trips w/ mine and luckily...no issues.
The greater issue is WHERE IT WILL BE PARKED...not the weather. Your trip will certainly be more enjoyable w/ the vette. They are meant to be driven
The greater issue is WHERE IT WILL BE PARKED...not the weather. Your trip will certainly be more enjoyable w/ the vette. They are meant to be driven
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 6
From: Macomb Twp. MI
Do the road trip. That's why you got the car. I know they look beautiful in the garage but the drive will be remembered long after the pain of washing it is forgotten especially if you take a lot of pics. And, you can't enjoy it while it's in the garage and you're driving something else.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 679
Likes: 5
From: Caught between the moon and New York City TX
Dude, are you saving the car for its next owner?
They're gonna pay you your pay rate for your time and they're going to pay you mileage on top of that and you get to spend a couple of days...there and back...driving your Vette. And you're worried about getting it rained on and putting 1,100 miles on it?
My advice is to take that Vert off the jackstands in you garage and give it a workout across Ohio and West Virginia to get to Baltimore. Believe me, your car will thank you for the brisk romp on the road.
But then, I buy my cars to drive and take road trips. YMMV.
They're gonna pay you your pay rate for your time and they're going to pay you mileage on top of that and you get to spend a couple of days...there and back...driving your Vette. And you're worried about getting it rained on and putting 1,100 miles on it?
My advice is to take that Vert off the jackstands in you garage and give it a workout across Ohio and West Virginia to get to Baltimore. Believe me, your car will thank you for the brisk romp on the road.
But then, I buy my cars to drive and take road trips. YMMV.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 277
Do the roadie!
And let me know if you do. Can give you some useful travel/roads suggestions and advice re: Baltimore. I travel there often...always driving!
Peace, out.
Note: There are some great roads that avoid the Interstates and are simply perfect for Corvettes. And they will NOT take a whole lot more time enroute.
And let me know if you do. Can give you some useful travel/roads suggestions and advice re: Baltimore. I travel there often...always driving!
Peace, out.
Note: There are some great roads that avoid the Interstates and are simply perfect for Corvettes. And they will NOT take a whole lot more time enroute.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
To the OP-
You may want to indicate where you're going in Baltimore and get some feedback on the area - - -like any big city, I'm sure there are places in Baltimore where you may not want to have your car - especially a soft top- sitting in an unattended open parking lot overnight.
Certainly the road trip sounds like it'd be fun . . .but I'd probably be more concerned about how to protect the car once I got to town.
Good luck -
You may want to indicate where you're going in Baltimore and get some feedback on the area - - -like any big city, I'm sure there are places in Baltimore where you may not want to have your car - especially a soft top- sitting in an unattended open parking lot overnight.
Certainly the road trip sounds like it'd be fun . . .but I'd probably be more concerned about how to protect the car once I got to town.
Good luck -
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 24
From: Simcoe Ontario
i would suggest putting a car cover on it when it is in the parking lot, less likely to get any marks on it, also people tend to be more careful around a car that is covered as they know the owner is probably "lurking" nearby....
Last edited by vt65; Aug 21, 2010 at 01:11 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 277
Very little need if you want my opinion. Park my '09 convertible in garages there quite regularly. Do you know where you are staying?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
Please, take the pampered "Garage Queen" on the road and if it rains on you, put the top up and wash it when you get back home. Drove mine to Monterey earlier this year for the Le Mans series races and got rained on 5 out of 10 days I was on the road. The body panels did start to become soft but once in the CA sun things firmed up and I had a blast.
George
George
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 21
From: Napa Ca
Did 4,016 miles on vacation (Napa, CA to Mt Rushmore) last year in our '07 coupe with our 2 dachschunds, travel kennel, luggage for 2 adults for a week on the road and a medium sized cooler. Drove through some thunderstorms complete with lightning. Didn't hurt it none. Drive it and enjoy!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,433
Likes: 3,624
From: Commerce Texas
I wouldn't do it. I'd leave it in the garage.
These cars don't do well on long trips, and too, they resent being driven more than 1200 miles per year.
I once saw a Corvette sitting in a parking lot crying because it had been rained on. You really don't want to be responsible for having to get a therapist for both you and the car.
As for me, on the other hand, I have more than 500,000 miles in Corvettes in all sorts of weather over the past 20 years and haven't had a garage since 1968. Also, I make my Vettes foot their own therapy bills, though I do help with the maintenance and washing their faces. It seems to help a little.
These cars don't do well on long trips, and too, they resent being driven more than 1200 miles per year.
I once saw a Corvette sitting in a parking lot crying because it had been rained on. You really don't want to be responsible for having to get a therapist for both you and the car.
As for me, on the other hand, I have more than 500,000 miles in Corvettes in all sorts of weather over the past 20 years and haven't had a garage since 1968. Also, I make my Vettes foot their own therapy bills, though I do help with the maintenance and washing their faces. It seems to help a little.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
Please, take the pampered "Garage Queen" on the road and if it rains on you, put the top up and wash it when you get back home. Drove mine to Monterey earlier this year for the Le Mans series races and got rained on 5 out of 10 days I was on the road. The body panels did start to become soft but once in the CA sun things firmed up and I had a blast.
George
George
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
It's only a car and someday you won't have it anymore. But the memories you'll have of driving it will last your lifetime. (At least till Alzheimer’s takes over) 
70K on my '08 already and tons of enjoyment that wouldn't be the same in a beater.
As a side note: Please don't spread Cinci's bed bugs around the country.
70K on my '08 already and tons of enjoyment that wouldn't be the same in a beater.
As a side note: Please don't spread Cinci's bed bugs around the country.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 354
Likes: 27
From: NE Florida
I'm Singing in the Rain, just singing....
I drove my "new" 08 Vert home in a Florida monsoon and later drove through 2 Florida storms in 6 months. It cleans up great. After 6 months ownership, I've only put 3K "short trip" miles on it.
I'm headed for my first 3K mile trip soon to see family with plans to check the forcast and road conditions daily. Let it rain or shine if road conditions are good.
The house will be full of kids and I'm reserving a room nearby. I'm fully insured and will park as safely as possible. Typically, security guards rotate on set schedules and each can be asked to closely watch the car, too, with, "call 911 first, then, stay on the line for identifying info". They can get very bored on watch. Anything to stay awake. Maybe promise a ride and deliver a good one. Make new friends along the way to watch out for you. Contact the local police to drive by occassionally, too. With few exceptions, most police officers love Vettes - they simply need to keep the roads safe from unsafe drivers.
Of course, watch the speed limits. It seems that everything at almost anytime is at some degree of risk. With care, we can help minimize risks. 911 is 3 buttons away and the insurance rep is right there, 24/7, too.
Bring those security guards a bag of warm donuts and coffee!
I'm headed for my first 3K mile trip soon to see family with plans to check the forcast and road conditions daily. Let it rain or shine if road conditions are good.
The house will be full of kids and I'm reserving a room nearby. I'm fully insured and will park as safely as possible. Typically, security guards rotate on set schedules and each can be asked to closely watch the car, too, with, "call 911 first, then, stay on the line for identifying info". They can get very bored on watch. Anything to stay awake. Maybe promise a ride and deliver a good one. Make new friends along the way to watch out for you. Contact the local police to drive by occassionally, too. With few exceptions, most police officers love Vettes - they simply need to keep the roads safe from unsafe drivers.
Of course, watch the speed limits. It seems that everything at almost anytime is at some degree of risk. With care, we can help minimize risks. 911 is 3 buttons away and the insurance rep is right there, 24/7, too.
Bring those security guards a bag of warm donuts and coffee!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Do your self a favor and call the hotel and ask about secure parking either at the hotel or close by.
Also ask them about washing the car...some hotels have an area available with a hose (you can bring your own washing stuff) or they can tell you if a self car wash is in the area.
Take the Vette and have a fun ride!!!
Also ask them about washing the car...some hotels have an area available with a hose (you can bring your own washing stuff) or they can tell you if a self car wash is in the area.
Take the Vette and have a fun ride!!!