I have thoroughly loved my car so much since the day I got it, I literally wake up everyday excited to drive it in the morning, however I have experienced some weird problems that I have not experienced with any other car.

My first experience was online when I posted or talked about my car on reddit or other forums I would get a bunch of hate from people saying "you dont deserve that car", "spoiled", etc.. I'm 22 just graduated college, but I have literally payed for every dime of this car with my own money I invested in the stock market, I also landed a full time job with awesome pay that starts in August. Driving and cars have been my passion ever since I was a kid and I felt this was the opportunity I could get this car and enjoy it while I was young.

Yesterday I parked my car at an apartment complex and someone took a ton of bark and threw it on the windshield, I have my fraternity letters on the back of my car and they spit on those as well. I dont understand why there is so much hate for driving this car, I will be moving to northern California in August and I am having serious doubts on keeping the car or trading it in for something less so extravagant. I will be living alone so i'm more concerned about my safety than anything. Am I being too concerned? and what have your experiences been? Would love some advice on this.

Thanks,
Ron V

 

Sorry to hear you had to go through that. Some people should be publicly stoned or humiliated!

All things considered, I think you are being a bit overly concerned. Certain areas bring out the worst in the worst type of people. Especially with jealous types. In California, you will likely fit in just fine with the rest of of us nut jobs. Actually, in California, I think more people tend to look at the cars as a status symbol and it's one of the few places in the country that nice cars are actually appreciated and respected. Also, you won't be alone with your C7 there. I had a forum member come by my house this weekend to get some help installing an MGW shifter in his car. He just picked up his new C7 in the bay area and stopped by my place in So. Cal on his way home to San Diego. He told me he saw four C7's on the road after picking his car up. As such, I think you will blend in just fine up north and not have to worry as much.

Having said that, there are jealous a$$holes everywhere. Just be careful where you park you car and when. I've had BMW's keyed as well as other cars. All it takes is one jerk to ruin your day regardless of what type of car you are driving. As such, put your blinders on and enjoy the fact that you can actually own such a nice car at this stage of your life!

 

Ignore the idiots, get a bit more thick skinned and ignore what everyone else thinks, all part of growing old (not up).

 

No one should tell you whether or not you are being overly concerned or tell you to get thicker skin. If YOU feel a sense of unease and feel that you may be in jeopardy based on your vehicle then only you can decide if you should sell the vehicle for something less well-known. I can certainly understand your concern, there are a lot of jealous idiots out there that like to harm others and their belongings. Only you can decide if this is something serious enough to warrant a change. Wish you the best in this difficult decision.

I have not run across anyone doing any harm to my vehicle. The stingray does get a lot of attention and it's been positive for me so far including today when two landscapers stopped me to ask if that is the new stingray and ogled over it. Others have had some recent run-ins with harm-doers.

 

I don't think you will have a problem in Northern California as there are a lot of nice expensive cars in Ca. That being said, jerks are out there and they will be jealous of you no matter what. Also, congratulations on your wise business investments..wish I had done so when I was young. I am sorry jerks would try to damage your property but that's what jerks do..

 

Thanks for the advice, I feel if more c7's are on the road all this hate/jealousy will die down.

 

Install dash cams, find them, revenge...

 

It happens with all cars that cost more than $25.00, people feel that they should have it regardless of their work/pay. Just part of the case position that some put themselves in. Good going on your investments, we all should have been so smart when we were young as to invest. Don't let one spoiled apple be the one that spoils your barrel. Enjoy your car and don't worry about what you can't control....but if you decide to get rid of it pm me....I "need" the car.

 

I wouldn't count on that. Even if you only had 3 cents, some jerk with one cent would resent you for it .. for some reason, it seems to be one of the sad aspects of human nature. If you read any of the car forums, almost any kind of nice car is at risk of getting keyed for no reason in almost any parking lot. It's a risk you take. I personally mitigate that risk by using my Corvette(s) as pleasure cars and not for practical use. I never leave them sitting in parking lots unattended and don't use them for running errands or hauling stuff from one place to another. I treat them as playthings, and when I'm not playing with them, I keep them in the garage. I have a practical car for practical use.

Personally, if I were you, I'd make getting a garage a top priority .. not only does it provide a lot of protection from the evil intentions of your fellow humans, but it also provides great protection from the elements .. rain, snow, dirt, bird crap, tree sap, acid rain, etc etc .. all these things happen naturally and can really eat up your paint in a few years .. I simply wouldn't have a Corvette, or any really nice car, without a garage ..

All that said, we each deal however we can .. at least you won't get any bad vibes or jealousy here ..

 

hate and jealousy are fundamental to the human condition. havent you been watching the news for the last 22 years? having said that, displaying your frat symbols is just asking for more. im not saying that is right, its just the way it is. how many 22 year olds are able to afford a C7, went to college, and belonged to a fraternity? it looks to the hateful world as if youre just bragging. which, in some ways you are. youre proud of your personal accomplishments, and you can be. there are consequences with telling others, and as they say, pride comes before the fall. only you know (or will come to know) how you want to deal with the world that you have now more fully entered. good luck to you. sounds as if youre going to do very well for yourself, despite your soiled greek letters.

 

It is a shame we cannot enjoy having a car we saved money for, just because other people go out of their way to vandalize it. I can accept that accidents happen, but cannot accept it when people do things on purpose.

 

Ron, unless you just 'need' to sell your C7, don't act to fast. No way to know for sure who pranked your car, but from what you said it sounds like it could be someone who knows you and is jealous they weren't as successful investing their money as you were with yours. And they're probably young enough mental maturity hasn't found it's way to their feeble little brains.

Hang in there and keep steering your course, sounds like you're doing well .

Oh, if you have an idea of who it was just smile and waive every time you drive by them LOL

 

It's actually very simple. When I was growing up, you respected those who worked and made something for themselves. You looked at the nice House or the fancy Car and said to yourself, someday I'll earn enough to have those. You knew you weren't owed a Living.

Nowadays, we have a Society that promotes Entitlement and Jealousy.
People look at what you have and think, that SOB doesn't deserve that. It comes form the highest reaches of Government, Entertainment and the Media. Life isn't fair, so somebody better make it "even". It's one of the reasons that I no longer own Income Property. People have no respect for another person's Property.

Welcome to the "new school" America Son. It was nice while it lasted.

 

Ron I know your pain. I just turned 60 and people I work with say things like "I really don't like Corvettes". Well after the third time I heard that I responded by saying "I guess you can not afford one" then I turn and walked away. The people in North Ca. are to "stoned" to notice what you drive. Some people are just jerks...they are just jealous. I'm happy you are so young and so successful...keep the car and don't let those jerks get you down.

 

Next time say......"Gosh, I was going to let you take it next weekend, too bad!"

 

Ron:

I hate you. I don't have my C7 yet. You're a lucky dog. Don't let one a-hole get you down. You sound like a guy who's got things headed in the right direction. Keep your chin up.

 

If somebody said to me "I really don't like Corvettes", my response would be, really, why?

After the stammering ends, laugh. People just love to be contrary, they just can't explain why.

You know, I really don't like people who don't like Corvettes.

 

A Corvette is a lighting rod for people who suffer an envy complex. My brother in law is an excellent example.... his whole life is consumed by distain towards those who excel.

 

Well stated. It's something called respect, or lack thereof.

 

I got my first C5 at 27 and had a little of this too. Not nearly as young but I worked hard to get it once I saw my first one on the street in the Spring of '97.

Three C5s later and with a current C6 (waiting on my C7 build this week) I can tell you that it's worth the joy of ownership.

Ultimately, it's your call but I think a lot of the previous posts already said it: Cali should be better, get a garage, and keep a positive attitude.

Enjoy your ride!