C7, an old man’s Sports Car?
11-23-2018, 11:07 AM
#21
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Gee and I thought it was to make up for a small....ummm... member.. Y'know, like owning a gun?
11-23-2018, 11:21 AM
#22
I'm 33 and have a 2017 z51. I don't have kids and don't plan on having any so a two seat sports car works for me where it wouldn't for a lot of other people my age who are raising a family. I narrowed my choices down to the c7 and a 718 Cayman. The decision to go with the Corvette came down to lower maintenance costs and the fact that the nearest Porsche dealership is an hour and a half away and even that dealership only does a very small amount of Porsche sales.
I knew about the Corvette owner stereotype before buying and it didn't bother me. The Vette is a great looking car and there isn't really anything out there that's any faster or more engaging for the same price, and that's why I have a Corvette.
I knew about the Corvette owner stereotype before buying and it didn't bother me. The Vette is a great looking car and there isn't really anything out there that's any faster or more engaging for the same price, and that's why I have a Corvette.
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Virtual Geezer (12-09-2018)
11-23-2018, 11:22 AM
#23
I think it is an age and money thing. Most in their 20's and 30's really can't afford to spend a lot of money on a single car that only seats two and let's face it, higher maintenance costs. It's just not practical.
[snip]
It's only practical for me to have a C7 because we are at the point in our lives where we can afford multiple cars. Our daughter is 13, so we need vehicles that can haul more than 2 people. My Vette would not be possible without having other cars to use.
[snip]
It's only practical for me to have a C7 because we are at the point in our lives where we can afford multiple cars. Our daughter is 13, so we need vehicles that can haul more than 2 people. My Vette would not be possible without having other cars to use.
11-23-2018, 11:29 AM
#24
Burning Brakes
As a kid my mom had a 1978 C3 Corvette. I always loved Corvettes. When I was 27 I bought my first C4, a used 1991 White with red interior, manual trans. I remember that L98 motor would pull hard til about 4000 rpm and then fall flat on its face. I started a family so I sold it and drove practical cars (Honda Accord, Corolla, F150 and Tacoma pickups, Nissan Maxima) for years until I could financially afford another toy in the garage again. When I turned 35 I bought a used 2002 C5 Z06. This car was a rocket at the time and is still considered very fast. I was bit by the mod bug and did heads, cam, long tube headers and learned how to tuned it myself. It was a lot of fun but I eventually sold it when we wanted to move in to a bigger house. I bought a few more toys since that Z06. I tried out the 2013 Camaro 1LE for a couple years, strong LS3 motor, great Tremec M6, great handling but heavy. I then upgraded to the 2016 Camaro 2SS, definitely more refined quicker with the LT1. I went with the A8 and it started shuddering at about 5500 miles. I got bored of not shifting and wanted to try something different. I tried a 2016 Miata ND with 6 speed. This car had 1/3rd the horsepower of the Camaro but it was 10 times more fun to drive, it is just tough to live with being so small and the road noise with the top up is very tiresome on the highway. I had it for a year or so and then bought a heavily discounted new 2017 C7 Stingray with M7, which was pretty funny coming out of the Miata. I liked the C7 Stingray so much but I missed the convertible experience so a few months ago I upgraded to a Grand Sport Vert with M7. Best Corvette so far.
I am 47 now and have been blessed to be able to own some fun vehicles. I sense the market is in for a big change over the next 10 years so it will be interesting to see what a sports car will look and feel like moving forward. I test drove a Tesla Model 3 and that instant torque is something else but other than that I just felt the car was a bit boring to drive. Hopefully, GM will keep the Corvette affordable moving forward.
I am 47 now and have been blessed to be able to own some fun vehicles. I sense the market is in for a big change over the next 10 years so it will be interesting to see what a sports car will look and feel like moving forward. I test drove a Tesla Model 3 and that instant torque is something else but other than that I just felt the car was a bit boring to drive. Hopefully, GM will keep the Corvette affordable moving forward.
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Mello Yello Maizey (11-27-2018)
11-23-2018, 11:34 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
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My story goes like this. Of course as a kid (early 1960's) I always wanted a Corvette. I had just became a LEO, and an older friend of mine had a 1960 Roadster for sale. Damn, this may be the time. He wanted $4900 for the car in 1974 (I was 21). Mercy, but I though it still may be doable. I called my insurance agent.....you guessed it. I couldn't afford the car, and insurance. So, as the years passed, riding my districts I noticed most Corvettes (even back then) were driven by older gentleman. By the ripe old age of 29 the bride, and I was working hard, and saving a little money. Finally it was time. I bought my first, a pre-owned 1975 Coupe. What a price of crap, but it was my piece of crap. It took until 2006 until I could buy, and pay for my first new one. I was 53 years old.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 11-23-2018 at 11:39 AM.
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11-23-2018, 11:41 AM
#26
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jun 2018
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I agree. My situation is similar. If I could have only one (or even two) cars, I would not own a Corvette because they are just not practical. Even though my children are grown and out of the house I still need to haul large-ish stuff, plus tools, etc., and the dog. My wife is a childcare provider and always has at least two car seats strapped in the back of her SUV. The Vette is a very fun toy and a great road trip car (aside from the constant low-level anxiety about getting a flat in the middle of Nowhere, USA) but it's not a first choice for people who need, and budget for, basic practical transportation.
Our truck gets used... A lot. Put 24k miles on it in a year. Our Charger gets used the second most because it has 4 doors too. 12k miles in a year. And that doesn't count our old '94 Chev and my husband's work truck.
Last edited by Sconn; 11-23-2018 at 11:42 AM.
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Xavierbank (01-29-2021)
11-23-2018, 11:52 AM
#27
Yup... The Vette is my toy. My obsession. Something I can be completely OCD about because I'm the only one who really touches it.
Our truck gets used... A lot. Put 24k miles on it in a year. Our Charger gets used the second most because it has 4 doors too. 12k miles in a year. And that doesn't count our old '94 Chev and my husband's work truck.
Our truck gets used... A lot. Put 24k miles on it in a year. Our Charger gets used the second most because it has 4 doors too. 12k miles in a year. And that doesn't count our old '94 Chev and my husband's work truck.
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Mello Yello Maizey (11-27-2018)
11-23-2018, 11:56 AM
#28
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
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2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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An observation of mine while owning 4 Vettes - Not once have I recieved a negative comment in person about owning these cars. All of the negativitve comments about being old/white/gray/fat come from people on the internet.
Considering how poor most people on the planet are, I dont mind the stigma that comes with owning these beautiful cars. Nice problem to have.
Considering how poor most people on the planet are, I dont mind the stigma that comes with owning these beautiful cars. Nice problem to have.
11-23-2018, 11:57 AM
#29
Race Director
At 60 years old next year...i resent the old man connotation of the thread..never hear that crapin person only on the internet.
over 20 years of driving new corvettes, Im a family man etc...i just decided this is the vehicle i want to be driving...of course only having one kid made that choice easier...
we get one trip , one journey through life ...im a firm believer in giving to others etc and taking good care of all that we own...that said...one trip...one journey and when the partys over...its over...six feet under nobody is going to care one way or the other
I daily all of my new corvettes...in my opinion along with corvette engineering they are cars to be used...or at least thats how gm designs them. How any owner decides to use or not use their purchase is their business....more power to them,,
,
my current z51 manual has 128k miles and its been awesome..its utterly reliable since i bought it new.
my next corvette im thinking is a first year c8 dct z51 with npp and. 1lt interior..
i usually have a few interior bits like a thicker d shaped steering wheel and some nice leather installed..
whoever decided the corvette is an old mans car is some dumb kid without the coin to own one...or some broad who wants her man nuttered with a minvan as his sole choice of a transportation device...
drive a minivan, drive a cuv, drive a sports car....that your choice as long as you have the money..
ymmv
over 20 years of driving new corvettes, Im a family man etc...i just decided this is the vehicle i want to be driving...of course only having one kid made that choice easier...
we get one trip , one journey through life ...im a firm believer in giving to others etc and taking good care of all that we own...that said...one trip...one journey and when the partys over...its over...six feet under nobody is going to care one way or the other
I daily all of my new corvettes...in my opinion along with corvette engineering they are cars to be used...or at least thats how gm designs them. How any owner decides to use or not use their purchase is their business....more power to them,,
,
my current z51 manual has 128k miles and its been awesome..its utterly reliable since i bought it new.
my next corvette im thinking is a first year c8 dct z51 with npp and. 1lt interior..
i usually have a few interior bits like a thicker d shaped steering wheel and some nice leather installed..
whoever decided the corvette is an old mans car is some dumb kid without the coin to own one...or some broad who wants her man nuttered with a minvan as his sole choice of a transportation device...
drive a minivan, drive a cuv, drive a sports car....that your choice as long as you have the money..
ymmv
Last edited by JerriVette; 11-23-2018 at 12:15 PM.
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11-23-2018, 12:02 PM
#30
I never really thought much about it prior to joining this forum a year or so ago but it does seem most every C7 I see on the road is driven by an older gray haired gentleman. But then there’s quite a few Porsche in my area and I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone other than a 60-ish male driving them either.
Perhaps it’s just a “sports car” thing rather than a C7 thing?
Sports car ownership makes sense as retirement age guys often have started collecting on “fat” pensions and retirement programs, have fewer responsibilities, with kids being out of the house and on their own, and of course they have more time to enjoy sports cars and “toys”?
Has GM ever reported official C7 purchase/ownership “average age” data? Or could the “old man ownership” thing just be urban myth?
It would be interesting to hear from some younger C7 owners (-50 years old) as to what your opinions are on the subject? Did the "old man's sports car" stigma negatively impact your decision whether to buy or not?
I’m 60+ but don’t feel like C7 ownership is a ‘gotten older thing’ with me as I’ve owned one practically ever since I was 17.
Seems like we see more females driving C7s these days as opposed to Corvettes in general, agree?
As always, thanks in advance for your views and opinions.
Perhaps it’s just a “sports car” thing rather than a C7 thing?
Sports car ownership makes sense as retirement age guys often have started collecting on “fat” pensions and retirement programs, have fewer responsibilities, with kids being out of the house and on their own, and of course they have more time to enjoy sports cars and “toys”?
Has GM ever reported official C7 purchase/ownership “average age” data? Or could the “old man ownership” thing just be urban myth?
It would be interesting to hear from some younger C7 owners (-50 years old) as to what your opinions are on the subject? Did the "old man's sports car" stigma negatively impact your decision whether to buy or not?
I’m 60+ but don’t feel like C7 ownership is a ‘gotten older thing’ with me as I’ve owned one practically ever since I was 17.
Seems like we see more females driving C7s these days as opposed to Corvettes in general, agree?
As always, thanks in advance for your views and opinions.
11-23-2018, 12:11 PM
#31
That's what I'm seeing out there as drivers.
11-23-2018, 12:18 PM
#32
^^^ So 40 years between Corvette purchases? I assume at 25 you hadn’t had kids yet? If so how did you cope with getting them around?
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 11-23-2018 at 02:23 PM.
11-23-2018, 12:23 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
40 years between new car purchases. And yet belittles anyone that didn't get a 3LT. And yet didn't get a Z06. 
Drove old beaters for 40 years to save up for his second new car and looks down his nose at anyone who can't afford a Corvette.
Drove old beaters for 40 years to save up for his second new car and looks down his nose at anyone who can't afford a Corvette.
11-23-2018, 12:24 PM
#34
I really regret not getting one sooner. I had a 911 cabriolet for 10 years that I bought used which was a really fun car but not in the same class as my 2019 Z06. I wish I would have purchased sooner but I am very happy now that I finally own a Vette.
11-23-2018, 12:28 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
I've owned 12 so far.C2-C5,C7.My first (C2) at 18.
I come from a racing family and the Corvette was the car to have.
For me,Corvette ownership is not about having a "toy",it's a way of life.
\db2
I come from a racing family and the Corvette was the car to have.
For me,Corvette ownership is not about having a "toy",it's a way of life.
\db2
Last edited by dbaker; 11-23-2018 at 12:29 PM.
11-23-2018, 12:32 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
I bought my first vette, a C6 1LT in 2013, at 55. I got some interesting comments as a female buyer. I was always too practical before that to consider a pricey sports car. But in a fluke test drive I became an instant vette addict. I upgraded to a C7 Z51 3LT 7M in 2017. I DD 19K miles a year, and can't imagine ever again being without a vette. We have a Chevy dually to haul dogs, horses and stuff. The age I got into vettes was perfect for me. Any earlier didn't make sense.
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11-23-2018, 12:34 PM
#37
Instructor
I never really thought much about it prior to joining this forum a year or so ago but it does seem most every C7 I see on the road is driven by an older gray haired gentleman. But then there’s quite a few Porsche in my area and I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone other than a 60-ish male driving them either.
Perhaps it’s just a “sports car” thing rather than a C7 thing?
Sports car ownership makes sense as retirement age guys often have started collecting on “fat” pensions and retirement programs, have fewer responsibilities, with kids being out of the house and on their own, and of course they have more time to enjoy sports cars and “toys”?
Has GM ever reported official C7 purchase/ownership “average age” data? Or could the “old man ownership” thing just be urban myth?
It would be interesting to hear from some younger C7 owners (-50 years old) as to what your opinions are on the subject? Did the "old man's sports car" stigma negatively impact your decision whether to buy or not?
I’m 60+ but don’t feel like C7 ownership is a ‘gotten older thing’ with me as I’ve owned one practically ever since I was 17.
Seems like we see more females driving C7s these days as opposed to Corvettes in general, agree?
As always, thanks in advance for your views and opinions.
Perhaps it’s just a “sports car” thing rather than a C7 thing?
Sports car ownership makes sense as retirement age guys often have started collecting on “fat” pensions and retirement programs, have fewer responsibilities, with kids being out of the house and on their own, and of course they have more time to enjoy sports cars and “toys”?
Has GM ever reported official C7 purchase/ownership “average age” data? Or could the “old man ownership” thing just be urban myth?
It would be interesting to hear from some younger C7 owners (-50 years old) as to what your opinions are on the subject? Did the "old man's sports car" stigma negatively impact your decision whether to buy or not?
I’m 60+ but don’t feel like C7 ownership is a ‘gotten older thing’ with me as I’ve owned one practically ever since I was 17.
Seems like we see more females driving C7s these days as opposed to Corvettes in general, agree?
As always, thanks in advance for your views and opinions.
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11-23-2018, 12:42 PM
#38
Saleen556,
I'm a lifelong bachelor. No dependents. Once my income shifted into high gear at 24, it was game on. I've always just had the discretionary ability to go ahead and buy what I wanted to. The Corvettes are 2nd cars anyway in my household. After the C3, I didn't like what Corvettes were offering again until the 2014 C7.
.
I'm a lifelong bachelor. No dependents. Once my income shifted into high gear at 24, it was game on. I've always just had the discretionary ability to go ahead and buy what I wanted to. The Corvettes are 2nd cars anyway in my household. After the C3, I didn't like what Corvettes were offering again until the 2014 C7.
.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 11-23-2018 at 12:46 PM.
11-23-2018, 12:51 PM
#39
Saleen556,
I'm a lifelong bachelor. No dependents. Once my income shifted into high gear at 24, it was game on. I've always just had the discretionary ability to go ahead and buy what I wanted to. The Corvettes are 2nd cars anyway in my household. After the C3, I didn't like what Corvettes were offering again until the 2014 C7.
.
I'm a lifelong bachelor. No dependents. Once my income shifted into high gear at 24, it was game on. I've always just had the discretionary ability to go ahead and buy what I wanted to. The Corvettes are 2nd cars anyway in my household. After the C3, I didn't like what Corvettes were offering again until the 2014 C7.
.
11-23-2018, 01:00 PM
#40
A wide range of answers to Mr. Jones questions so here’s my take on this;
I purchased my first Corvette when I was 20 years old & just back from Vietnam. That was a ‘67 427 coupe in 1969. As a single Warrant Officer in the US Army I was able to afford it. Later, in 1973 after getting married I purchased a used ‘73. A number of years (decades actually) went by before I decided to buy a new 2016 C7. By now I had the money to buy the 2013 427 Convertible I also own. So you can see that at least in my case the comments about age don’t really apply. I don’t believe there is one easy answer to the question of who owns a Corvette or what is the age demographic. Now as far as modifications or stock I feel the same way. I look back at my 67 Corvette & see the value of that to be much more as bone stock as opposed to rodded or modified, so I leave my cars stock. I know it won’t make any difference in my lifetime but I guess I’m being a custodian for someone else. My Harley is kept the same way for the same reason. That being said I don’t mind someone else modding or tracking their car to suit themselves. And no, I don’t run a lot of miles on my cars but I drive them when I want to. They are after all “ all toys” as mentioned in an earlier post above.
I purchased my first Corvette when I was 20 years old & just back from Vietnam. That was a ‘67 427 coupe in 1969. As a single Warrant Officer in the US Army I was able to afford it. Later, in 1973 after getting married I purchased a used ‘73. A number of years (decades actually) went by before I decided to buy a new 2016 C7. By now I had the money to buy the 2013 427 Convertible I also own. So you can see that at least in my case the comments about age don’t really apply. I don’t believe there is one easy answer to the question of who owns a Corvette or what is the age demographic. Now as far as modifications or stock I feel the same way. I look back at my 67 Corvette & see the value of that to be much more as bone stock as opposed to rodded or modified, so I leave my cars stock. I know it won’t make any difference in my lifetime but I guess I’m being a custodian for someone else. My Harley is kept the same way for the same reason. That being said I don’t mind someone else modding or tracking their car to suit themselves. And no, I don’t run a lot of miles on my cars but I drive them when I want to. They are after all “ all toys” as mentioned in an earlier post above.