EEK! Just turned over 40K!
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
EEK! Just turned over 40K!
I don't know why, but when my '09 base car rolled over 40K miles this week I felt a sense of loss. I don't remember feeling that on new cars when they hit the same milestone. I tend to be someone who buys a car and drives it for as long as I still like it. That resulted in lots of cars in my past with well over 100K miles on the clock. My last was a '00 Z28 that I sold with 141K miles on it and I never felt the same sense of loss with it as I've continued to feel about this Corvette. I bought it 22 months ago with 26K on the odometer and I've had it in daily service ever since, meaning I average around 650 miles a month (I'm retired). It feels like I'm "using it up". When my Camaro hit 35K I took it to the drag strip and kicked the crap out of it. I even had a '69 C3 BB with low original miles that I didn't get as sanguine over when the odometer clicked. I guess I should just relax and enjoy the ride with the Vette, but it's like knowing your BFF is getting older as you watch.
#2
Race Car Tech
I don't know why, but when my '09 base car rolled over 40K miles this week I felt a sense of loss. I don't remember feeling that on new cars when they hit the same milestone. I tend to be someone who buys a car and drives it for as long as I still like it. That resulted in lots of cars in my past with well over 100K miles on the clock. My last was a '00 Z28 that I sold with 141K miles on it and I never felt the same sense of loss with it as I've continued to feel about this Corvette. I bought it 22 months ago with 26K on the odometer and I've had it in daily service ever since, meaning I average around 650 miles a month (I'm retired). It feels like I'm "using it up". When my Camaro hit 35K I took it to the drag strip and kicked the crap out of it. I even had a '69 C3 BB with low original miles that I didn't get as sanguine over when the odometer clicked. I guess I should just relax and enjoy the ride with the Vette, but it's like knowing your BFF is getting older as you watch.
I remember seeing a post one day on low mileage C6's, and a forum member stating: " I won't have to say on my death bed" Gee, I wish I would of driven it less.
That changed my whole attitude towards a C6 ownership.
I started using it often, began taking it on long road trips, never again worried about having it rained on, etc. etc.
That was roughly 75K miles ago, and the car is still working great, no issues to speak of, and my wife and I both enjoy driving it, not sitting behind it in lawn chairs at car shows.
It's up to the owner and what they like, but I'm glad I got changed over to enjoy the full benefits of owning and "driving" such a fantastic vehicle. Were all getting older, so that is why one should enjoy the car right now, and not let your wife's next husband enjoy it and drive the crap out of it
Here is my car, tucked away for the winter, with 85,000+ miles on the clock.
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; 01-13-2017 at 08:32 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by 4SUMERZ:
Gotta-Qik-C7 (01-13-2017),
RagTop69 (01-13-2017)
#3
Drifting
110K Miles and Counting !!! Woohoo! hahah
#4
Burning Brakes
Use it and enjoy it. The values on these cars tank anyway. Unless you're planning on living another 30 healthy years the value won't go up much. You could lose your health or die any time. It won't be a collector car anytime soon.
#5
Instructor
Is your glass half empty or half full? I can't tell. LOL
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
Posts: 58,260
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
That car can easily do 200K for you! Don't worry about it and "Drive it like you stole it"!
#10
Burning Brakes
These cars are meant to be driven. Too many like to just park them in the garage and admire them which I enjoy also but I love driving mine. Well at least when the weather cooperates.
#11
Race Director
I don't know why, but when my '09 base car rolled over 40K miles this week I felt a sense of loss. I don't remember feeling that on new cars when they hit the same milestone. I tend to be someone who buys a car and drives it for as long as I still like it. That resulted in lots of cars in my past with well over 100K miles on the clock. My last was a '00 Z28 that I sold with 141K miles on it and I never felt the same sense of loss with it as I've continued to feel about this Corvette. I bought it 22 months ago with 26K on the odometer and I've had it in daily service ever since, meaning I average around 650 miles a month (I'm retired). It feels like I'm "using it up". When my Camaro hit 35K I took it to the drag strip and kicked the crap out of it. I even had a '69 C3 BB with low original miles that I didn't get as sanguine over when the odometer clicked. I guess I should just relax and enjoy the ride with the Vette, but it's like knowing your BFF is getting older as you watch.
#13
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: T-Town WA
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2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Totally agree. It's a Chevy fer crissakes. Drive it.
#14
Le Mans Master
Drive my 2011 every chance I can , just turned 60,000
Dave
Dave
#15
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2006
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
You would have a heart attack if you look at my mileage.
Do what you want but these cars are built to be driven. 179,700 miles on my 07.
Do what you want but these cars are built to be driven. 179,700 miles on my 07.
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airspeed (01-15-2017)
#16
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thx. for all the inputs. Of course, it is just a Chevy and can be easily repaired. When my LS1 powered Z28 passed 100K miles I started getting a little edgy because I grew up in a world where engines lasted 100K. I talked to a couple of mechanics I know and trust, and they both opined that the LS1 should be good for 250K miles. I'm betting the LS3 is just as sturdy. I have congestive heart failure, so I probably won't see this car past 200K miles anyway. It's like I said to my late wife when we were taking my '69 C3 out to breakfast on a beautiful Sunday morning, "I wonder if these vintage cars will be worth anything when all of us old guys who wanted one as a kid have passed away or will it be like the Model A?" and she replied "Who cares, you enjoy it and when it comes time to dispose of it you'll be dead." In answer to one of the posts, I guess my glass is half full or I wouldn't have bought the C6 in the first place.
#17
Safety Car
That's nothing bought mine with 43k and all I ever buy is new.
Being used is what these cars were made for, and low miles should be considered car abuse here.
Poor car just wants to sing. let it sing.
#18
Le Mans Master
I'm exactly the opposite. I love the idea of putting on miles. I want to be the guy with the old 400K mile, original owner sports car. I'm a third of the way there. Preventative maintenance and repairs are just part of the deal.
Unfortunately, we're the ones getting older. A 40 year old car can be made to look and run like new. An 8 year-old car with 40K miles basically _is_ new, as far as I'm concerned.
Unfortunately, we're the ones getting older. A 40 year old car can be made to look and run like new. An 8 year-old car with 40K miles basically _is_ new, as far as I'm concerned.
#20
Drifting
Glad I saw this thread, I think you just made a decision for me. Mrs. and I heading to Florida soon, I was thinking about taking the Vette, '05 Z51 A4, 31K. Wife (as do I) like the GMC, more room for more crap, still under warranty, bigger (safer?) vehicle, AWD and most important to Mrs. LESS FLASHY! She's worried we might stand out in the Vette, I assured her we'll be "protected" but she still worries. Trips to Fla. are boring, 95 South for hours, the Vette would make it fun I'm sure. And cruising in the Sunshine State topless (the Vette, not her ), mmmm! Just had all the services done, it's ready to go, oil good, tires good...We've been to Bowling Green, many trips to Carlisle PA., only downside is we'd have to pack lighter. Gotta do some thinking but thanks for the thread! And a P.S. to the OP, I felt the same way when my car went over 30K, a little bit sad...GREAT analogy, " it's like knowing your BFF is getting older as you watch."