C6 For A Daily Driver?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
C6 For A Daily Driver?
I looked in the search box and I don't think I saw a thread asking about daily driving a C6.
I am looking to pick up a car in a couple months and have narrowed it down (so far) to a 2011 Subaru WRX STI, or around an 07-08 C6.
Budget is $25,000-30,000.
I drive about 10,000 miles a year.
What is everyone's thoughts on a C6 for a daily driver ? Reliability wise, and cost of maintaining. I'm a back yard mechanic, so I kinda prefer to change the oil and service stuff myself.
Any opinions are appreciated.
Thanks.
I am looking to pick up a car in a couple months and have narrowed it down (so far) to a 2011 Subaru WRX STI, or around an 07-08 C6.
Budget is $25,000-30,000.
I drive about 10,000 miles a year.
What is everyone's thoughts on a C6 for a daily driver ? Reliability wise, and cost of maintaining. I'm a back yard mechanic, so I kinda prefer to change the oil and service stuff myself.
Any opinions are appreciated.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
It may depend on a few factors.
It is easier to DD in an area that gets little snow. I think many high performance tires are recommended to stay above freezing. Obviously, if you want to have 2 sets of tires, this is no problem.
Road conditions in your area can play a part. Poorly maintained roads can cause issues, but any pothole that is going to bottom out a Vette, will bottom out that Subaru.
Cost of ownership will be a little higher due to better tyres, more oil, and higher grade fuel. You can change your own oil for ~40 bucks. If you drive mostly highway, you will get better MPG in the vette. I can get up to 20 MPG in the city if I try hard enough. You can roll around town at ~45-50 mph in 6th gear at real low rpm and take off slower than a Semi, but whats the fun in that!
Reliability, has more to do with how you take car of the car. If you treat both cars the same, the Subaru may be a little better, but not as fun...
It is easier to DD in an area that gets little snow. I think many high performance tires are recommended to stay above freezing. Obviously, if you want to have 2 sets of tires, this is no problem.
Road conditions in your area can play a part. Poorly maintained roads can cause issues, but any pothole that is going to bottom out a Vette, will bottom out that Subaru.
Cost of ownership will be a little higher due to better tyres, more oil, and higher grade fuel. You can change your own oil for ~40 bucks. If you drive mostly highway, you will get better MPG in the vette. I can get up to 20 MPG in the city if I try hard enough. You can roll around town at ~45-50 mph in 6th gear at real low rpm and take off slower than a Semi, but whats the fun in that!
Reliability, has more to do with how you take car of the car. If you treat both cars the same, the Subaru may be a little better, but not as fun...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
No snow. I'm in Tx. We get hot weather and rain. Haha.
That MPG doesn't sound bad at all. I'd really like get an 07-08 to get the LS3.
I've driven a C5 before and a WRX. Both cars were very comfortable. I'm on the larger side so room is an issue. But I was real comfy in both cars. Really like them both. Wish I could get both!
That MPG doesn't sound bad at all. I'd really like get an 07-08 to get the LS3.
I've driven a C5 before and a WRX. Both cars were very comfortable. I'm on the larger side so room is an issue. But I was real comfy in both cars. Really like them both. Wish I could get both!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I'm really pleased with the L series by gm. My camaro was an LT1 and it was a great car. It was my daily for like 4 years and I only changed the fuel pump on it once.... Two weeks after I got it. Haha.
I've heard all positives on the Ls1 and Ls2.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I use mine as a DD great gas mileage fun car to drive, I put 20K on my 05 a year all Freeway to work and back, I bought it to enjoy not look at it when I get home every night, we live in Washington State and it does rain now and then, there is no choice!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,390
Likes: 137
From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
Has a decent size trunk. It's comfortable for long road trips (took it 1150mi in one day). Incredible sound and torque.
You'll get attention driving this car (and not the bad attention an F-body does). I used to own one and cops would be on me like vultures. The vette shockingly doesn't give that kind of attention (maybe because it's considered a different kind of car). It's typically good attention if ya get me.
08 - First year LS3
09 - added bluetooth
10 - added launch control
11 - added USB input to nav units
EDIT: Maybe this video will convince you. Here just simple bolt-ons to the LS3 can give you gobs of power. Here's mine after headers/tune. Mustang dyno 392rwhp/420rwtq (dyno jet that's likely around 440-450rwhp/470rwtq). Unbeatable sound IMO.
Last edited by Nosferatu; Sep 1, 2013 at 11:26 PM.