C7 as Daily?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
The first Corvette I bought was a 1977, less than a year old, for $9300, and I was only making $1050 per month, so as long as the new Corvette is less than a years salary, you are good to go!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 274
Likes: 86
From: Calgary
I use mine as a daily... it's not expensive enough to park for the winter unless you have a z06. Everyone that looks at me strange are the same ones that have never winter driven a RWD car with proper winter tires. I've driven RWD cars all my life in crazy snow storms.... typical common sense is needed.... no hard braking, smooth shifting and not accelerating aggressively. Basically if you drive like a granny in bad weather you should be fine.
Every single day driving the Vette is a day in heaven for me.
Every single day driving the Vette is a day in heaven for me.
Last edited by PobreWey; Oct 23, 2017 at 12:47 PM. Reason: more rambling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
In the spring, summer, and fall (Late March thru Early October) I daily my C7. If it's under 45 degrees in the forecast is my only restriction.
If I had All-Season Tires on it, I'd daily it as long as there was not snow and salt on the ground. But you could with no damage to the car.
If I had All-Season Tires on it, I'd daily it as long as there was not snow and salt on the ground. But you could with no damage to the car.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 274
Likes: 86
From: Calgary
oh btw as far as daily driving in the pacific northwest..... even the stock tires are amazing in weather mode and I've used them in weather as cold as -5 with no issues however I do have on the Michelin Alpin PA4 tires now as I drive the Vette in temperatures as low as -30 celcius. The stock tires have been tested in rain though with no issues..... the key is don't ever floor it in questionable weather or you'll wreck.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 274
Likes: 86
From: Calgary
I'd talk a dealer into giving you one new or with limited miles for 44-46k. Just let them know you're serious and they'll come back. Spend a few grand more and get one with quality. That few grand is the difference between a lemon and a diamond in the Corvette world.
Last edited by PobreWey; Oct 23, 2017 at 07:45 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I disagree. A new one can also easily be a lemon. A well-taken care of used one has a history, new ones do not, and if a lightly used car's warranty and service history is clean, it's likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
Last edited by Foosh; Oct 23, 2017 at 11:35 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,093
Likes: 4,613
I sold my 1-year old 1977 in 1978 for exactly "$9,300.00." I lost a whole $200.00 owning it from new. Paid $9,500.00 out the door new. (Listed for $10,950.00) I was just coming into my highest netting $ years. Some heady years stashing $ away for my future in savings. My monthly rent was a whopping $60.00 a month in 1974-75. Great times!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,093
Likes: 4,613
As I wrote in my first post - I was earning roughly 2X what you are when I was 25 yrs old buying a new one for cash. So, I can see where you'd be able to pay cash for a new one too, were you earning $150K."
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 22,582
Likes: 251
From: Denison, TX
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'16
I've owned Vettes almost always since I was younger than you are. I bought used, like you're considering, and I'm glad I didn't wait. 
I might have more money in retirement, and/or in the bank, had I not done so, but I have no regrets and lots of great memories and friends I've met through Corvette events.
I've almost always had something else to drive, though, should the weather be bad. Perhaps you could get another less expensive vehicle as backup?
I might have more money in retirement, and/or in the bank, had I not done so, but I have no regrets and lots of great memories and friends I've met through Corvette events. I've almost always had something else to drive, though, should the weather be bad. Perhaps you could get another less expensive vehicle as backup?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Perhaps you could get another less expensive vehicle as backup?
DD it til its used up thats what they were made for..youd think some dont have insurance they are so afraid to drive them.....nuts. Its just a car go have fun...life is short
Last edited by cv67; Oct 25, 2017 at 04:41 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 235
I will add that at one time earlier in my career I was earning really good money and was single. I considered stretching for something like a Ferrari but did the smart thing. Not that I'm hurting for cars, as I have a GS, but I sort of regret not getting the Ferrari.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 34
Hey Guys,
I am a 26 year old single dude and I want to buy a C7, BAD. I have always loved these cars all the way back to the c5 when I was a kid. Everyone is telling me that this would be the stupidest thing I have ever done but I think they are just haters?
I cant afford to keep 2 cars so I would make this my daily. I have no kids and have zero obligations of that nature. To get the car, I would need to finance at least about 13K of the price. I make about 70k at my job and the mortgage payment is 2138 a month. I collect rental income of 2,200 a month off of the extra rooms. I can use 10k in cash and 10k from the sale of my current car to fund the corvette.
My target price is a bit lower than the going price right now. I really do not think this is doable past 38k. I have seen some 2014 in other states go for about this range with 40k miles or so, and honestly, I am fine with more miles. Every car I have ever bought has been 70k or more miles.
1.)My first question is, is this doable in my current situation? Everyone is saying to buy more real estate but I don't want to buy more property with the market being so INSANELY high right now.
2.)How long do you think it will be until I see some 2014's in the 38k range?
3.) I would drive this car in the rain or wind or whatever, almost every day? Is this car not designed for that?
I am a 26 year old single dude and I want to buy a C7, BAD. I have always loved these cars all the way back to the c5 when I was a kid. Everyone is telling me that this would be the stupidest thing I have ever done but I think they are just haters?
I cant afford to keep 2 cars so I would make this my daily. I have no kids and have zero obligations of that nature. To get the car, I would need to finance at least about 13K of the price. I make about 70k at my job and the mortgage payment is 2138 a month. I collect rental income of 2,200 a month off of the extra rooms. I can use 10k in cash and 10k from the sale of my current car to fund the corvette.
My target price is a bit lower than the going price right now. I really do not think this is doable past 38k. I have seen some 2014 in other states go for about this range with 40k miles or so, and honestly, I am fine with more miles. Every car I have ever bought has been 70k or more miles.
1.)My first question is, is this doable in my current situation? Everyone is saying to buy more real estate but I don't want to buy more property with the market being so INSANELY high right now.
2.)How long do you think it will be until I see some 2014's in the 38k range?
3.) I would drive this car in the rain or wind or whatever, almost every day? Is this car not designed for that?
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 759
Hey Guys,
I am a 26 year old single dude and I want to buy a C7, BAD. I have always loved these cars all the way back to the c5 when I was a kid. Everyone is telling me that this would be the stupidest thing I have ever done but I think they are just haters?
I cant afford to keep 2 cars so I would make this my daily. I have no kids and have zero obligations of that nature. To get the car, I would need to finance at least about 13K of the price. I make about 70k at my job and the mortgage payment is 2138 a month. I collect rental income of 2,200 a month off of the extra rooms. I can use 10k in cash and 10k from the sale of my current car to fund the corvette.
My target price is a bit lower than the going price right now. I really do not think this is doable past 38k. I have seen some 2014 in other states go for about this range with 40k miles or so, and honestly, I am fine with more miles. Every car I have ever bought has been 70k or more miles.
1.)My first question is, is this doable in my current situation? Everyone is saying to buy more real estate but I don't want to buy more property with the market being so INSANELY high right now.
2.)How long do you think it will be until I see some 2014's in the 38k range?
3.) I would drive this car in the rain or wind or whatever, almost every day? Is this car not designed for that?
I am a 26 year old single dude and I want to buy a C7, BAD. I have always loved these cars all the way back to the c5 when I was a kid. Everyone is telling me that this would be the stupidest thing I have ever done but I think they are just haters?
I cant afford to keep 2 cars so I would make this my daily. I have no kids and have zero obligations of that nature. To get the car, I would need to finance at least about 13K of the price. I make about 70k at my job and the mortgage payment is 2138 a month. I collect rental income of 2,200 a month off of the extra rooms. I can use 10k in cash and 10k from the sale of my current car to fund the corvette.
My target price is a bit lower than the going price right now. I really do not think this is doable past 38k. I have seen some 2014 in other states go for about this range with 40k miles or so, and honestly, I am fine with more miles. Every car I have ever bought has been 70k or more miles.
1.)My first question is, is this doable in my current situation? Everyone is saying to buy more real estate but I don't want to buy more property with the market being so INSANELY high right now.
2.)How long do you think it will be until I see some 2014's in the 38k range?
3.) I would drive this car in the rain or wind or whatever, almost every day? Is this car not designed for that?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 249
Likes: 194
My C7 is my DD much of the year. I'm fortunate enough to have another car (sedan) that is good in the rain and light snow has proper winter tires. So Living in the NW, I'll just baby the sports car from Nov-March and will enjoy it that much more when Spring arrives.