5 Things You Should Know Before Owning a Corvette
If you're about to become a Corvette owner, then be sure to do your homework before writing that check. There is good, there is bad, that comes with a Vette, but there is always fun.
1. Know The Common Issues
This should really be on top of everyone’s list. You don’t just buy a car without knowing the issues first, so take your time to do your research. Go online, read forums, and talk to owners, in order to find out the most common issues with the Corvette vintage you are eyeing. Whether you are a Corvette driver or soon-to-be one, it doesn’t hurt to stay up-to-date with the recalls and TSBs on modern Vettes. Each Corvette year and model comes with some baggage, so be sure you're okay with the baggage that come with the one you buy.
2. Know The Maintenance Needs
You put up that hard earned money, why cheap out now? Know the maintenance schedule for your Corvette and take action when needed, if not sooner. You want to keep this beauty running for a long time, and if you are planning to sell, showing proof of the maintenance will work in your favor when negotiating. Remember that the Corvette is a performance sports car, which means you should never take the maintenance intervals lightly, or you can end up needing to replace some major components. Just be sure to have the maintenance schedule and always follow it religiously.
3. Know the Pros and Cons
A pros and cons list can be subjective, but at least try to be objective. Even if you write “dream car” over and over on the pro side, you should evaluate handling, fuel economy, insurance, cost, value, etc. Is the Corvette right for you at this time? Is it practical? A good, solid list will be your map when you start shopping for your legendary sports car, and it will help you anticipate the down sides, like parts that tend to wear quickly. Some general pros include performance, fun, handling, and being a part of the community of Corvette owners, while the cons include poor fuel consumption, tire replacement cost, prices, and an above-average price tag.
4. Know About Modifications
Modifications can help you to change the look and performance of your Corvette, and can turn a cheap used automatic C3 or C4 into a fire breathing race car. But, know what you want to do and know the cost to do it. Regardless of how fast you think the Corvette is, at some point, you can end up wanting more, and fortunately, this could easily be accomplished with some quick modifications, no matter which Vette you buy. Some people don't like modifying the Corvette, simply because it is seen as a valuable collectible, but certain things won't hurt the resale price, and can be easily reversed. The aftermarket support for these cars is so huge, it is almost harder not to mod it.
5. Know The Secrets
Did you know that if you leave the turn signal on for 3/4 miles, your C6 will remind you? Knowing the secrets of your Corvette will make you appreciate it even more, not to mention help you make the best of owning this American-legend. Did you know that the C7's stereo has a hard-drive that records live radio, so you can rewind music, news, or sports. Also, the C7's infotainment screen is retractable, which reveals a hidden storage compartment behind it. Click HERE for 13 secrets of recent vintage Corvettes.
For help with service of your Corvette, check out the how to section of CorvetteForum.com