jimmyb

I don't want to make this a rant, it will probably come across that way anyhow.

I am continually surprised and saddened by the tone on this Forum. Folks buy Corvettes for many reasons, but a very vocal group has appointed themselves the keepers of HOW a Corvette owner should:
1. Spec HIS/HER car.
2. What HE/SHE should DO with THEIR Corvette.

In no particular order, here are the never ending burrs under the self appointed KING'S saddles:
1. Chrome wheels: Holy cow, how can so many people find this SO offensive? Don't like chrome wheels? Fine, DON'T order them. If someone else LIKES them and it is, THEIR CAR, why is this a problem? And why cover your dislike/hatred AD NAUSEUM. We got the first time, really.
2. Convertibles: This one is near and dear to me because all 5 of my Corvettes have been convertibles. There is some kind of macho thing going on here that's really laughable. Since one can't track a convertible, these tough guys consider the convertible a poser car. Never mind the fact that probably 95% of these keyboard warriors DON'T track their coupes (assuming they even OWN a Corvette rather than a Civic with a rear wing).
3. Convertible Part 2: GM is going to offer a ZR1 convertible....you would think they're clubbing baby seals with the outcry. A handy reminder: Ferrari offers every "special" mid-engine V8 car in convertible (see 16M for example). So, it's OK for Ferrari, but GM is diluting the "purpose" of the ZR1 or whatever silly reason for this hissy fit. There was the same outcry, probably from the same guys, when they offered a Z06 convertible.
4. Manual verses automatic: This is a great one. Basically, REAL men buy manuals, waxers buy autos. Of course, that's patently WRONG but what the hell. All Ferraris since 2011 have been automatics, BTW. Ditto McLaren, but they don't count because they're DCT's. Pretty sure if a transmission will shift itself, regardless of design, it's an AUTOMATIC.
5. Old guys, Corvettes, and how they use them: Well....I'm NOW an old guy...bought my first Corvette at age 40, now I'm closing in on 61. I suppose I should have the good taste to start buying Lexus'. This one perplexes me the most. An old guy buys a Corvette (with chrome wheels and an automatic!), enjoys his car on nice days, goes to Corvette shows (and Cars and Coffee), sits in a lawn chair and talks CARS with other folks that also love CARS. And he waxes his car (the shame!). You would think the guy is a mass murderer the way his kind are talked about here. I don't get it and sure as hell don't know who died and made the complainers KING FOR A DAY.

In the end, I love my Corvette as I have all of them. It brings a smile to my face and even after nearly four years of owning my C7, I STILL make up excuses to take it out for drive. Forums are great, opinions are (mostly) great...the problem with too many Corvette Forum opinions is that they are mean spirited and divisive. Don't like chrome wheels? Cool. Why slap someone around because they do?

This is a CORVETTE. Let's all just enjoy ours and appreciate that everyone is looking for something different in THEIR Corvette. We call these "choices".

Jimmy




PS. The +/- of the above Corvette, which I ordered, equipped EXACTLY the way I wanted it:

Minus:
Convertible
Non Z51

Plus:
No chrome wheels
Manual transmission

So, I guess I'm even....

PSS. I forgot the car has NPP. So, I'm cool by a score of 3 to 2!!!! Yay me.

PSSS. I put in an MGW shifter a week and a half ago....4 to 2....

PSSSS: It's lowered all the way (stock bolts) Man, 5 to 2....I'm closing in on REALLY cool.

Tex Vette

Great post Jimmy. I’m a newbie but have thought the very same things. A lot of sarchashism on the forum...which a lot
Has no humor. I do enjoy reading post from vetters who have been where I am sure to go. Thx again for your thoughts.

fugly1

Well, I didn't read your whole post (but pretty sure I got your point[s]). Just wanted to say: Your car looks great!!

jimmyb

^^^^
Glad you saved the time

It was long winded, but, yes, you got the idea.

Thanks for the thought on the car. It's my 2nd prettiest Corvette. First place went to my 1998 C5 convertible (Light Pewter Metallic, Light Oak top and interior)

tractman

Great post Jimmyb....I'm right there with you! I get so frustrated with some of the comments on this forum.....like you said.....we're all here because we love Corvettes. I for one, never criticized anyone's choices.....its their money and they buy what they want.....use it they way they want to use it....just like me! I've owned Corvettes for over 40 years....I love them and I will until I die.....! And I'm one of those 70 year old geezers who just happens to like chrome wheels and manual transmissions. My Corvette is a proud "garage queen" as I get so much satisfaction from rubbing on it, looking at it, talking about it.....and I do drive it every now and then! To each's own!!!!

jimmyb

^^^^
Awww man, why'd you have to post up YOUR car?
Coupe
GS
Comp Seats

You're clearly way cooler than me....

Now I've got to go get a Buick....this sucks.

LbulletM

Feel better?

jimmyb

Much, thanks.

tractman

Hey jimmyb your Corvette is awesome....I love it! Nice color/wheel choices.

B&BVettes

Great post jimmyb! Although I consider you a young whipper-snapper, you see, because I’m 67.😂😂. I’ve owned 20 over the last 40+ years and we now own 4. The Forum drives me crazy sometimes. I think it’s all the testosterone flowing around here. Or maybe it’s the Aqua Velva!

jimmyb

Yep, drinking Aqua Velva will make one cranky....

Actually, I'm pretty certain that the naysayers are the younger crowd

F4 Phantom

That's "sarcasm." BTW, , great post! I drive a C7 vert with M7 and chrome wheels; and I'm an old guy.

jimmyb

Thanks. The wheels are an interesting thing. In 2014, the "Machine Face" wheel option was just that, Machined face (no black), and you couldn't tell them from the base silver 5 spoke wheel (which is what my wheels were) from 10 feet away. So, my wheels were powdercoated with machined spokes and lip by a local company. The 2015 Machined face wheels look just like mine. I know one thing, if I had bought the Machined face wheel option in 2014, I would NOT have been happy.

VNAMVET

You amaze me. Been here a while myself.
I don't I think anyone could have expressed that feeling ....that you're feeling ....any better.

Thank you.

GTRSOLO

Try a Buick GN if you do. But yes, I agree. I like chrome wheels. I actually don't like the black wheels like the young guns seem to. I guess the Fast -n- Furious movies made that popular? I dunno.
My GS has the base silver, which I like just fine. As for the cliche "vette guy", I'll draw the line at getting a leather jacket with a vette logo embroidered on the back and if I ever buy a gold watch with a vette logo on it, I think I may need help.

cowboy casey

For the love of god don't bring up daily driving or automatic car washes...



Chrome wheels, Auto, and Daily Driver

Attachment 48350120

jimmyb

Man, you are going to get BANNED

You have chrome wheels
You drive through automatic carwashes
AND you use your Corvette daily

Clearly, you're a communist

jimmyb

You're very kind, thanks.

mschuyler

THAT is one beautiful car, Jimmy. Thanks for the pic.

Patches

Daily-drive my s/c'ed M7 Z51 coupe (silver-painted wheels and blacked-out lights all around) and have a s/c'ed garage queen one-owner C5 w/ less than 8k miles I'm finishing and I couldn't give 2 $h!t$ what anyone thinks about how I mod or drive my cars. I also couldn't care less how others order, mod or drive (or not drive) theirs either. And, yes, I am a kinda' old fart at 59. I'm here to learn and help and enjoy - not to judge or criticize - no fun in that.

Oh, and, all the young car guys at work love talking with me about cars and what I've done to my vettes and enjoy showing me their stuff as well. Pure fun all around.