Why Your Corvette Should Be Your Daily Driver
Daily Slideshow: Go out and drive your Corvette like it was meant to be driven, and while you're at it, take the long way home. You owe it to yourself and to your Corvette.
More Than Just a Date Night Cruise Missile
Corvettes go hand-in-hand with the American Dream: if you work hard, and save your money, one day you too could own one. It’s all very aspirational, as it should be. However, once most ‘Vette owners have saved up enough coin to buy their dream car, they tend to be getting on a bit in terms of age. The average age of the typical Corvette owner is 61 years old, and when you are 61, as much as you love your ‘Vette, the thought of daily driving a low, stiff sports car doesn’t sound appealing. But wait just a second, because Corvettes can be more than just your date night cruise missile. In fact, a Corvette can actually make for an awesome daily driver, here’s why.
It Looks Great
So you just bought your brand new sports car, which would be the C7, and just look at how beautiful it is! The daily commute can be a slog, and waking up in the morning, walking past your garaged Corvette, and out to the beige Camry parked curbside isn’t going to help your mindset. Same goes for the ride home, after a long day at the office, it certainly helps your stress levels if you’re walking out of a Corvette.
It's Fun to Drive
The generation five small block V8, code named LT1, is one hearty powerplant, making torque everywhere in the rev range. It’s quite beneficial to us that it sounds as good as it goes. It also helps that the optional competition bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. Let’s be honest, punching it in 1st gear is infinitely more fun in a Corvette than an econobox.
It's Easy to Drive
If you choose the 7-speed manual (Good choice!), you’ll find that the clutch is progressive and forgiving, and the transmission is pretty forgiving of even the most lazy of gear changes. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how that flick of the wrist was enough to swap cogs, but hey, we’re not complaining. This may seem an unusual thing to highlight, but if your commute is 90% stop-and-go traffic, you really appreciate an easy clutch and shifter.
If you choose the auto (no judgment here) you’re in for a smooth, and swift shifting box that will have your ‘Vette purring, even in the most hateful of traffic. It also helps that the LT1 has so much down low grunt that you can lug the thing around at 1,200rpm and still have more torque than most cars on the road make.
It's Good for the Vette
Cars are meant to be driven, and not doing so is actually worse than driving them hard for many thousands of miles. Even if the paintwork is perfectly detailed, the battery hooked to a tender, and covered by the finest linen (or microfiber) cover, your Corvette could actually be feeling neglected. Suspension components need to be cycled to prevent premature failure or seizing. Engines need to be driven and brought up to and sometimes beyond their normal operating temperatures to burn off any condensation buildup in the oil, and help lubricate everything. Tires need to be rolled around on to prevent flat spots and premature wear, and the list just keeps on going. What we are saying is, get out there and drive the damn thing!
It's a Reliable Sports Car
Compared to just about anything coming out of Europe, a Corvette will be infinitely more reliable and dependable. There simply isn’t much to go wrong, between the refined small block Chevy engine, a durable transaxle with the proven Tremec TR-6070 and the same design of short-long arm suspension that has been a Corvette staple for generations. Every parts store across the country will have maintenance items for a small block Chevy V8. It’s not uncommon for the biggest expense to be replacing those huge rear tires.
It's Got Decent Fuel Economy
With an efficient direct-fuel injection, cylinder activation-capable engine, and nice, tall highway cruising gear ratios the Corvette is amazingly fuel efficient. The EPA rates the car as being capable of 17MPG in the city and 29MPG on the highway. If you’re willing to drive with a light right foot, and keep those shifts at 2,000rpm, you’re going to get even more than that. Forum members have noted that on long freeway trips, if you set the cruise control at a reasonable speed, you will see 30+ MPG. For a 460 horsepower V8 sports car, that’s incredible.
It Brings a Sense of Occasion
We can wave around all of the practical merits of the Corvette and make cost analysis spreadsheets, but at the end of the day, the best reason to daily drive your Corvette is to be able to experience something special every day. Perspective is a powerful thing, and it can completely dictate how well (or terrible) your day will go. To be able to experience the fruits of your labor, day in and day out, and gain satisfaction from that is truly invaluable. So, go, and drive your Corvette, like it was meant to be driven. Take the long way home, you owe it to yourself, and your Corvette.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.