Daily drive the Vette or get a 2nd car?
12-01-2018, 10:08 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Daily drive the Vette or get a 2nd car?
I see many have other cars than their vette and others daily drive theirs.
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
12-01-2018, 10:20 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
I'm guessing your area of the country gets one or two snowfalls a year. If it were me I'd not 'lease' another car. For that kind of money, I'd look for a beater, drive it on bad days. Your Vette is already out of the 'really low mileage' category, so drive it and enjoy it. No production American car seems to grow in value in e first 35 years of its life.
Last edited by Phanni; 12-01-2018 at 10:21 AM.
12-01-2018, 10:24 AM
#3
Drive as a daily if you want. I have a work car and two others, so I'll only drive mine on nice days, I live in the Charlotte area so the weather is generally nice all year and no need to put her into winter hibernation. But leasing another car probably is not a good idea, get a reliable beater like the above poster mentioned or just drive the Vette, it was meanto be driven!! I plan on keeping her til the wheels fall off and I don't plan on driving her on crappy days but I won't save the miles either!!
12-01-2018, 10:27 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Not familiar with North Carolina weather. I DD drive mine, just under 20K miles a year in Northern California. We have no snow, and only two months where morning temps may be under freezing. I have AS/3's and it's an ideal commute car for me.
12-01-2018, 10:31 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
You have to decide on how clean you want to keep it and how often do you like to clean? Is it a Toy to you?
Weather permitting to me and parking it is a issue.DD is a Colorado PU
Weather permitting to me and parking it is a issue.DD is a Colorado PU
12-01-2018, 10:38 AM
#6
Pro
I daily drive mine with All Season Run Flats
I see many have other cars than their vette and others daily drive theirs.
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
12-01-2018, 10:43 AM
#7
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm in NW Florida and could easily daily drive. I just installed a set of all seasons on my Z06. We do get a lot of rain and it's not the rain that bothers me as much as the idiots that don't know how to drive in the rain. That keeps me in my truck on the bad days. I guess you need to decide if the expense of an extra set of wheels and tires equals getting a reliable beater for the few bad days.
Last edited by Tally Ho; 12-01-2018 at 10:44 AM.
12-01-2018, 10:48 AM
#8
I daily drive mine, 250 miles a week and love every mile... I bought this car to enjoy.. it is just to nice of a car not to drive it all I can.. I feel for the guys up north that just can not DD because of the snow, if it were me I would install actual snow tires and drive it anyway 
I have 2 sets of tires and rims, chrome with all seasons on them for winter and black with summer tires...
Attachment 48350119
Attachment 48350120
I have 2 sets of tires and rims, chrome with all seasons on them for winter and black with summer tires...
Attachment 48350119
Attachment 48350120
12-01-2018, 10:59 AM
#11
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Posts: 4,101
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I see many have other cars than their vette and others daily drive theirs.
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
Here is my situation:
- North Carolina. Triangle area
- Work is 10 miles round trip
- Yesterday was my vette's 1 yr anniversary and I hit 10500 miles
- It's getting squirrelly with the Michelin Super Sport tires at 45 or lower
I can just put the A/S Sport 3 tires for ~$1500 and then put back the Super Sports in March/April. Get another set of rims for at least a grand too.
But looking at some of the lease deals out there, a Subaru Impreza AWD or Honda something can be had for ~$200/month +insurance or get a very cheap and old beater. Also, I would put much less miles on the vette, but does it save much in resale later?
What do ya'll think? What's your experience?
5 miles to work, 5 miles back home, does not allow the engine to completely warm up / get hot enough long enough, to get rid of condensation in the oil etc
Changing the oil more often is not a big deal to compensate, but aside from that, I'd save the Vette for longer and more fun drives.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth
12-01-2018, 11:11 AM
#12
Instructor
If I were in your situation, I would drive my Vette daily. If I had the parking available, having a beater pickup would be a plus, but I would only use it on the worst days and when needing to haul stuff. My Vette is there to be used - no garage queens for me!
12-01-2018, 11:17 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
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Don't save it. Drive it. Have fun! Life goes by too fast. I never have seen a tombstone inscribed "I wish I hadn't put so many miles on my Corvette". 
The following 5 users liked this post by joemessman:
GOC (12-03-2018),
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tdf01cycling (12-03-2018)
12-01-2018, 11:19 AM
#14
I live in central Florida and daily drive my '19 Grand Sport, with approximately 20 miles RT each work day. It's perfect for the weather here and I constantly get compliments on it (Sebring Orange and upgrading the front splitter/spats/winglets and rear spoiler and diffuser fins helps). Still, I may sell it once I've had it a year.
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JerriVette (12-01-2018)
12-01-2018, 11:56 AM
#15
Drifting
Drive it every day you enjoy it.
In my case, that’s WHY I have a DD beater: A bmw 330Cic Vert with 190k miles on it (which looks and runs perfectly btw). Driving into the city with my Z is not worth the hassle while dealing with stop-and-go, low curbs and broken streets, uber drivers stopping short, and finding parking spaces I’m confortable with, YMMV. I stress less with a “beater”, which happens to be a different kind of blast itself. Plus my beater can be parked on the street.
i drive the Z (at 2800 miles) on roads and highways every chance I get, which is year round in California. I’m keeping this baby (like my second wife), so I’m not keeping it in good shape for the next guy!
In my case, that’s WHY I have a DD beater: A bmw 330Cic Vert with 190k miles on it (which looks and runs perfectly btw). Driving into the city with my Z is not worth the hassle while dealing with stop-and-go, low curbs and broken streets, uber drivers stopping short, and finding parking spaces I’m confortable with, YMMV. I stress less with a “beater”, which happens to be a different kind of blast itself. Plus my beater can be parked on the street.
i drive the Z (at 2800 miles) on roads and highways every chance I get, which is year round in California. I’m keeping this baby (like my second wife), so I’m not keeping it in good shape for the next guy!
Last edited by Parcival; 12-01-2018 at 12:01 PM.
12-01-2018, 12:37 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Given the option, I drive the C7 as my primary car unless I need to drive my others for the space or extra seats, to keep the battery charged or keep the engine lubed...
12-01-2018, 12:38 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
My ‘16 Stingray is a daily driver. I have two sets of tires and wheels. The AS/3+ are on now until April. I don’t start out with snow on the ground, otherwise we’re driving. Coming up on 33K miles and loving every second in the seat.
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JerriVette (12-01-2018)
12-01-2018, 12:41 PM
#18
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Unless you're tracking the car, why change your PS3+ A/S in April? 
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Steve_R (12-01-2018)
12-01-2018, 12:54 PM
#19
If I lived where you live I would DD it without question. The second set of wheels/tires for the short period of time you get temps in the 40's would be a great idea.
12-01-2018, 12:55 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
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Oh man, I know the area you live in well. It's not a problem of daily driving I would have, it's the absolute morons that can't drive that would bother me. And, there's so many of them. Grab you a beater, and then you don't have to worry about those morons.