I'm new to the forum. I have had a Vette in the past, a 1970. Sold it several years ago. My experience with that one says they are loud, rattle, prone to problems and ride like a skate board. I know the Vette has matured over the last few years, as I have..

At present, I'm on my second Cadillac Eldorado. I'd like to get a new one, but GM is not cooperating. They discontinued the mark and I bought one of the last ones to roll off the line.

Now I'm considering a C6, if I go that route, I would be placing an order late in 2005 enought time I think to work out any 1st year bugs, if they exist.

I think they look great. I know they are quick. My question, how are they as an every day driver? I'm using the Eldorado now as my commute car, the new Vette if I go that route will replace the Eldorado. I travel 22 miles each way twicer a day. Don't like to fly, so it is not uncommon to hit the slab and spend the day at 80 MPH

In my area, north central Arkansas, I only see this mark out for sunny weekends. Kind of makes me wonder if there is a reason for that.

Any input form owners will be appreciated, thanks.
Nueboch

 

Go test drive one. Odds are you'll get the bug and then it's all over.

But I wouldn't be driving it around when the bad weather hits. Vettes don't like snow and ice.

 

Drive mine every day 58 miles round trip and love it

 

The Corvette is a great daily driver as comfortable as anyone needs. My biggest bitch is the limited rear visibility. Mileage is great.

Just a question, if you are Cadillac faithful have you considered the XLR?

The C6 would be the best choice however IMO.

 

At the risk of stating the obvious, entry and exit is trickier than the Eldorado, just because you're sitting way down there on the pavement.

And road noise is still an issue -- no longer intrusive, but ever present.

But there are really no ergonomic gaffes that prevent comfortable all-day driving. It is a very civilized automobile, becoming a bruiser only upon your request.

Coming from an Eldorado, the Z51 is probably not the right choice. Look for a car with the F55 magnetic real-time damping suspension to take your test drive.

Have you considered an STS? Or does style dictate a two-door?

Finally, if cost and luggage space are not issues, consider the XLR -- a more comfortable and more luxurious version of the Corvette. If I'd had the scratch, I might be driving one now.

.Jinx

 

You'll be pleasantly surprised. Last Vette I rode in was a 75 owned by a buddy – rode like a buckboard. Test drove a C5 last year and loved it. Totaled my last daily driver in Dec 03, a 96 Lincoln Mk VIII. Loved that car. Been using the wive's Acura 3.5 RL until the C6. Looked at Jag XJ8. Nice car but didn’t put a fire in my belly. Looked at Lexus SC430 and a few others, blah. 28 yr old son said, “Dad you always wanted a Vette, go for it.” C6 is even better than the C5. I’m 56, and a FULL Figured guy. Use mine as a daily driver. 6-spd, Z-51(sport handling), and all the bells and whistles. 7 weeks 3,100 mi and I’m in still in love. 4 mi to work, but a 400mi 4round trip from DC to VA Bch on weekends. Great seats. Super ride. Drive it you’ll like it. Gar Ron Teeed ala Justin Wilson

 

I would think the resale value will hold better on the XLR? When I toured the plant a few weeks ago my guide told me they were producing 130 Vette's daily and only 22 Caddy's a day?
I still think the Vette is a sports car, the Caddy a luxury coupe/convertible!
AL

 

This is all good stuff, thanks. Good tip on the Magnetic ride control, I had assumed the stock suspension would have been softer and the way to go. Sounds like a good excuse for another option <g>

I read a post from a C5 guy that said he hoped the C6 was quiet enough to hold a normal conversation at highway speeds, that kind of put a bug into my ear. As most know, the Eldorado is smooth, quick for what it is and quiet, not as quiet as the sedans, but good for a coupe.

I have considered the STS, but don't care for the DeVille rounded styling. If the Seville was still being made, I'd jump on one of those, even if it is a 4 door. At 54, I'm not sure I'm old enough to get a four door, kidding. I have considered the CTS-V, but it doesn't really flip my switch in the styling department.

As far as test driving one, I'd like to do that. So far, all I've manage to find and do is sit in a C5, l thought it was comfortable, in the showroom but that wasn't much of a test. When I get closer to a decision, I'll put some miles on and head down to Little Rock or up to Springfield MO and see if I can find a demo. Right now, I'm in the research mode.

The XLR looks good to, if one wants to spend another 20 grand or so. I don't think I want to go that route just yet. Besides, from a styling point of view, I like the Vette better, I've seen the two sitting side by side during a Corvette convention of some type in Eureka Springs last summer. In fact, that kind of put the current bug into my system, all those Vettes.

If it makes a difference for a "touring" daily driver C6, I'm mostly interested in the coupe with the sport bucket seats. Probably an auto.
NV

 

Drive 54 miles a day to work and find the vette just fine, although I would not get the z51 package again. Had a c5 before and it rode, in my opinion, better =, but the c6 is not bad. Also had a vert before,but found that i rarely put the top down so now I have a coupe. Been driving vettes since 1970, the c6 is the best yet. go for it

 

I was blowed away by the confort of the C6. Amazing!

 

Glad to Offer our experience. We have a Z51 6 sp, which offers a firmer ride than the base or F55. We were both surprised at just how comfortable the ride is in spite of that. We love our C6 for city and highway driving. If you want a daily driver, then get the F55...

 

I just picked up my convertible today. Even the convertible with the top up is very quiet at highway speeds. Normal conversation was no problem. The loudest noise was from the tires of the other cars going by.

 

Although I'm still waiting for mine to be built, my test drive was in a Z51 coupe and I was amazed at how un harsh it was.

The car that I'm going to leave behind for my new C6 is a SC430 and I was concerned that I'd need a kidney transplant within a year of owning a Corvette. The Z51 is definately taught, but not harsh and when you hit bumps such as road reflectors or speed bumps, they are really no more jarring than my Lexus, IMHO. I was amazed.

With that said, I ordered the F55. The Z51 was definately livable in my opinion so I figure the F55 will be absolutely perfect.

Drive it. You'll be surprised.

 

I love my vette. Much more comfy than my C4. Only thing I don't like is the blind spot when you look to you left. When changing lanes I speed up a bit to make sure but thats not a problem.

 

Of course, nothing replaces comparison test drives, but a couple of the reviews I've read about the magnestic suspension said that it floated a bit too much over bumps...more so than the standard.

Any truth to those reporst?

 

As far as the ride is concerned with the F55 the only way to describe it is sophisticated. Road noise is there, but much better than the C5 and quite acceptable. Mine has over 4000 miles and has been flawless. Not a rattle or squeak to be found.

 

I use my base suspension C6, Yellow, automatic, 1SB, XM, OnStar, and NAV, as a daily driver, 60 miles daily round trip. I've also taken it on a couple of road trips of about 800 miles each. I find it very comfortable. There is some noise, mainly from the tires, but it isn't overly loud, you can easily hold a conversation in normal tones. The seats are *wonderful*, easily the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced in a sport/touring car.

I'm a pretty big guy, and I don't feel cramped, but the cockpit is a good bit snugger than you're used to in the Eldorado. It isn't at all claustrophobic, but you can't exactly wallow around in there. Fortunately, the ergonomics are excellent, and the power seats are adjustable a zillion ways, the steering tilts and telescopes, so if you feel the need to change position on a long trip, it is very easy.

I own a bunch of cars and trucks, so I can choose what to drive any time I wish. But I find myself automatically heading for the Corvette unless I *need* more passenger or cargo space, or want to go off-road.

We rarely get any snow down here, so I don't know how it would handle in the snow, but we do get a lot of rain, and I'm not at all afraid to get the car wet. It handles nicely in the rain, though of course traction is reduced, so dropping down to legal speeds is recommended. The combination of excellent aerodynamics, excellent windshield wipers, and simply astonishingly great lighting makes driving in rain or darkness a real pleasure rather than a fatigueing chore.

The car looks great, handles great, rides great, has more power than the law would like to allow, and on top of all that gets good gas mileage, but there *is* one thing I don't like. That's the Bose stereo. You've probably got Bose in the Caddy, so you know how crummy that sounds. A world class car should have a world class, or at least *decent*, sound system, but unfortunately the General is in bed with the devil here, so you get Bose. If you care about sound, budget some money to rip that spawn of satan out and put a decent system in.

 

For the ride F55.
RE: Noise... in my C-5 I added sound deadener, so that's an option.
Although I haven't been so inclined w/ C-6.

 

Don't bet on it. History says so. See Allante.

Insurance on the XLR is a lot higher too (at least here in NJ).

 

Quiet,well yeah especially since I added my 660 watt Alpine Stereo and Corsa exhaust with Kooks headers. My wife says I'm never gonna grow up---hope not.