What's your Corvette experience been? [Archive] (2024)

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Greasyman

26th May 2017, 12:29

I've done a few autocrosses with the local Vette club recently, so they're on my mind. No doubt about it, they are great cars, and fantastic value for the money, especially the C4 and C5 at this time. This leads me to wondering why I don't find myself wanting one all that much. I think it might be their size, I tend to get the biggest thrills from the smallest cars. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if I fell in love with them if I owned one for a while, riding along in the passenger seat is fun, but nowhere near the experience of driving and owning one.

Did you ever own one? How'd you like it?

Raptor5244

26th May 2017, 12:45

I have owned a 1991 with the L98 torque monster motor and a 2002 C5 Z06 with the LS6 engine. The 1991 was a hoot, all torque but literally ran out of breath and red-lined at like 5000rpm. It was fun and my first Corvette. The 2002 Z06 was a beast at the time and still is by most standards. It had 405hp/405lb ft torque and only weighed like 3200lbs. I modified it with full long tube headers, tune and a mild cam upgrade. Lots of fun but most of the power goes wasted on the streets and just becomes an exercise of restraining yourself from jailtime. I now have a Miata ND and you can actually wind out the gears on public roads and enjoy the car.

angus

26th May 2017, 13:04

I've got an 08 Z06 with only 25000 miles on it...not one issue..3100 lbs with 505 hp...I also have a 2017 Beetle Dune also 3100 lbs with 170 hp. I only wish the Corvette was a smaller car but bigger than my previous Miatas. The Vette is a bargain......Love the Beetle too...$28000 new ..Nav, auto air, park assist, etc...another bargain....quick, 37-40 mpg, built like a Panzer tank..lol

mongrel

26th May 2017, 13:42

What's your Corvette experience been?

Brief and disappointing.

Having been born on the other side of the pond, the Corvette was a dream car.

A while after I reached this piece of real estate I drove a Corvette and was singularly unimpressed, that was back in the late '70s.

Drove a few more over the years, newer models etc, still not impressed, yuge grunt etc but - nah.

Don't like Vipers either so it must just be me.

GregB

26th May 2017, 14:24

I was about 20 years old and in college. My friend was studying chemical engineering at University of Dayton. He was a summer intern at the local GM facility. They needed a Corvette test car brought up from Louisville. They flew him there and he was allowed to stop in Cincinnati for a overnight. We spent that night cruising for chicks and driving like idiots. The car was very beat up and wore out 1979 headed for the crusher

jmsj578

26th May 2017, 14:56

My wife would like a C7. I like the C5. We'll probably own neither. Our little V8 NA is about as close as we'll get. I guess I could sell that and buy a 'Vette; but, I've held off, for five decades. No need to own one, now.

BSheppard

26th May 2017, 14:57

I have had a few and still have a 2006 C6Z that I have had for 10 years or so. No problems and really enjoyable ownership experience. Will probably do a C7Z when the time comes.

raff

26th May 2017, 15:38

I purchased a C5 '03 Anniversary Edition several years ago and have had absolutely no issues.

Kind of like jmsj ---
I'm thinking C7 while mrs raff prefers the look of a C6 GS

Rdrcr

26th May 2017, 17:19

I've always had positive experiences in Corvettes. I owned a 1995 C4 Z51 6pd. Great car, no issues. I've really enjoyed driving the C5, C6, and especially, the C7 (almost bought one).

mracer

26th May 2017, 18:08

I've had my 08 C6 since new, no problem's, still have the original battery! I'm a member of my local Corvette club, we'll be at the Corvette Corral @ the Detroit Gran Prix this June 3rd. Would like to get a C7, we'll see....... ;>)
mike

BetweenMiatas

26th May 2017, 18:25

I have three Corvette experiences.

The first:
Back in the days when newspaper classifieds were a thing, the Kansas City Star had an "Antique or Classic Autos" column. One Sunday I drove to KC with my dad to check out a 1964 Corvette, advertised for $12,000. (That was a good price then.) The fellow pulled up; the Corvette had a custom front end with the little square lights in the grille as well as fender flares. The fellow stepped out wearing high-heeled cowboy boots and a fringed leather jacket. I asked him if he also owned a Harley. (No.) I didn't buy the car because I was indoctrinated to only appreciate originality in Corvettes.

The second:
It turned out that my co-worker at the newspaper owned a 1965 Corvette coupe. She offered to let me drive it, so naturally I set a date. We were out in BFE, Missouri, and I stalled the car while turning around. The battery wasn't strong enough to restart the car, and we were stalled there until a nice gentleman from Alaska stopped by and gave us a jump. Coincidentally, he had just finished restoring a midyear Corvette for his wife.

The third:
A friend gave me a tip about an old Corvette languishing in my hometown. I was able to arrange to see it. It was a 1963 roadster, originally Riverside Gold, that had been painted yellow and lost in a poker game around 1977. (The current owner was the winner of that poker game.) It was sunk to the axles in weeds and yard debris; the top was rotted away and the interior wasn't in much better condition. The owner asked what I thought it was worth. I almost blurted out "$2500!" but somehow I held my tongue. The fellow thought it was worth $10K as it sat; he had been offered that in the late Eighties for it, but the market had cooled since then. (This was in the mid Nineties.) The car is probably still there. Lord only knows what he wants for it now.

Oh, and a fourth:
My husband installed a stereo into a blue '85 or '86 targa; we took it to the drive-in and got a hamburger before giving it back. While we were out, the owner saw us; but he was nice about it. :)

Ronin38

26th May 2017, 19:21

Related to my own track day experiences at Mid Ohio...
My instructor had a Corvette and gave me a ride around Mid Ohio once. It's his home track in his personal 'Vette, so he knew exactly what and where the limits were. I made it 3 laps before the Gatorade decided to make an encore. I DID get out of the car in time! :O

He later traded the 'Vette in on a Cayman S. I asked him if the Porsche was that much better than the Vette. He gave me a big smile and nodded. :)
I didn't ask for a ride in that one.

pigmalean

26th May 2017, 21:07

Graduate high school in 1986. Dad had a car lot and salvage yards. Drove a ton of 60s and 70s vettes up to that point- mostly across town. While they were sexy, and some had decent to amazing straight line acceleration, they were simply GM-bouncy, cramped and unreliable.

Didn't drive a vette again until 2002 when a friend at an auto-x wanted to swap his z06 for my miata for our second runs of the day.

I bought a 2002 that night- a new red anniversary edition.

A month later I bought a Z06 with ~300 miles.

Since then, I've owned 9 more. Currently have a 2016 white on black w/red interior z06. Still own a miata, but I'll probably own at least one vette (and a miata, and a 911) for as long as I can drive.

I don't think there is ANYTHING made for less than ~$150k or so that can touch the all around super-car-ness of a modern corvette.

I love miatas, but as I've gotten older I don't like driving them for more than about 2 hours. The corvette and 911 are definitely more on the GT side of touring, and easier on me for long drives (back surgeries/problems).... but nowhere nearly as much fun at legal and slightly above legal speeds as a miata.

LoveGiants

27th May 2017, 00:48

I test drove a C7 and wow, what an absolute blast and that exhaust note! Trumpets of Hell, indeed. I would get into all kinds of trouble with that beast. I'd love to have one as a toy someday.

stiglet

27th May 2017, 02:09

I've been a passenger in a C4 ZR1, drove a 1998 very briefly.

Between my grandpa and uncles, we have at least one of every generation, C1-C6 in the family. I'm sure a C7 will show up one of these days.

I will own a 2006 Z06 at some point...

Injured Again

27th May 2017, 02:28

Bought a C6 brand new in 2011, currently has about 35k miles on it. First problem cropped up just recently so it's been a very reliable vehicle.

Performance wise, I've modified it for better track performance, so the tradeoff has been in ride height clearance and comfort on rough streets. Grip is immense - well over 1G on stock sized tires. I've got the first generation MR shocks so where I give up performance compared to a C7 is primarily in transitional balance and bump handling capability.

The LS series engines have more alternatives to be modified than any other engine out there. It's easy to get 600-650 streetable and highly reliable horsepower. 20 minute track sessions at that power level will require a lot of attention to cooling but there are cookbook recipes for doing so.

A Corvette is a huge performance bargain that you can take to whichever level you want. It's cheap enough so if you really do manage to crash it, it won't financially ruin you.

Dragonfighter

27th May 2017, 07:07

My experience with Corvettes, other than gawking at them at C&C, is a single ride in my cousin's '78 C3. It wasn't your average, smog control-choked car, he'd heavily modified it and it was a beast. He got T-boned later, trashed the car completely, but he was unhurt.

My own dreams for a 'Vette is a '65-'67 small block C2. Just something to play with and tinker. That body style has always been my favorite.

Bill_Rockoff

27th May 2017, 07:50

I have a variety of Corvette experiences. A close friend has a business building resto-mods; the last one I helped actually work on eventually sold for more than my house in the Atlanta suburbs. (My contribution was minimal, mostly "sanding before primer.")

I will say that the newer they are, the more I am a fan of the driving experience. These days, I would put up with a driving experience like the immaculate red '77 my dad had 20 years ago, just to get to look at a car that looks like my dad's '77 did 20 years ago, but at the time I thought he was nuts. I had a B-13 Sentra SE-R at the time and asked him "You realize that the Sentra will whip this thing's ass, right?" He answered "Sure. But I don't care. It's nice outside and I'm going to pop the t-tops and go down to Carvel's on Central Avenue for some ice cream. Want to come?"

I spent February '94 driving a work friend's '92, Polo Green / tan. Pretty car, and plenty quick - first year of the LT1, 300 hp versus the previous L98's 250, and all the improvement was at higher rpm, these pulled willingly to 5,500 rpm instead of falling flat by 5,000. I thought "eh, I'd rather have my Miata, this thing drives like mom's Caprice wagon." Everyone else liked it, including my then-wife, who liked the power and the automatic and the leather and the good stereo. She wanted to sell the SE-R and get the closest thing to a 4-door Corvette we could find. We got a Q45, we probably should have gotten a Corvette and just taken two cars or rented something if we both ever went someplace with our son.

The friend with the Corvette business began with a '65 coupe, which I drove for a day like it was a normal car. He has built a couple of things, including a twin-turbo C6 Z06 that dyno'd at 780 rwhp. Scary-fast, trying to break traction accelerating on the highway at twice normal-fast-lane speeds, but the seat moved around underneath me (C5s were worse) and it made it hard to feel what the car was doing. I could probably learn to work with a C6 Z06 and come to enjoy it, and they look better and better these days and so do the prices.

I am indifferent to C4s and C5s, I like and respect the C6s I have driven but have not loved driving them, but I am a huge fan of the C7. Holy crap, these things feel so good through the steering and the pedals and the shifter that they're better Miatas than most Miatas, it's a delight, you *have* to go drive one. 460 hp was never "not enough power" and it shuts down 4 cylinders on the interstate to get better fuel economy than my wife's '95M, so it's a 180-mph / under-4-seconds-zero-to-sixty supercar that uses less fuel than an M-edition Miata and is more fun to drive. Traction control and mag ride make you a better driver than you actually are, you can dust the tail out (at supercar speeds!) and it reigns you in as if you really were Ken-Block good. The fact that you can also get one supercharged to 200 more hp, with the aero and tires to help it stick enough to use the difference, for just about big Lexus sedan money? "Yeah Mister White! Yeah science!"

Indiana Randy

27th May 2017, 08:17

I bought an '88 35th Anniversary Edition and loved that car. Just sitting in it made me feel good. It was a heavy tank in auto-cross, compared to the Miata.

Sold it after it began costing me about $2500/yr to keep everything right.

I still long for another Corvette and will have one again. Probably a C6.

Amati

27th May 2017, 08:36

Brief and disappointing. Don't like Vipers either so it must just be me.

Nope, there is more of us but I hold hopes for the mid-engine to come though it'll be more expensive than a 911 Turbo, so ....

paul e

27th May 2017, 13:28

I don't think there is ANYTHING made for less than ~$150k or so that can touch the all around super-car-ness of a modern corvette.

I love miatas, but as I've gotten older I don't like driving them for more than about 2 hours. The corvette and 911 are definitely more on the GT side of touring, and easier on me for long drives (back surgeries/problems).... but nowhere nearly as much fun at legal and slightly above legal speeds as a miata.

I agree with the performance bargain statement, it's actually a steal. They've really upped the ante in these cars.

And as a 64 year old, I agree with the second statement as well, the back does ache after a while.

I'm hoping they bring back the 427 motor, if they do, I'm in and someone gets an extremely pampered garage queen 92 Miata.

roadking1112

29th May 2017, 13:38

I made the HUGE mistake of buying a used 1986 Corvette in 1991..... I had it checked by a mechanic first.RUN from the manual trans.it was a 4 speed with an overdrive in I think 2nd,3rd,and 4th gears..I had the engine rebuilt and transmission rebuilt.The headlights have plastic gears that always broke.GM had a lot of 2nd designs for these cars."2nd Design" means we are not recalling this.You pay for the fix.

Kevin M.

29th May 2017, 14:30

I had a C5 'vert for several years. It was a great car and generally cheap to run.

dmk0210

31st May 2017, 08:04

I agree with everything Injured Again said.

I traded my NC in last year for a C6. I put about 4000 miles on the C6 last Summer/Fall and have again been daily driving it this year since March.

From the interior, the car is clearly GM. Just luck of the used car draw, mine has the top end LT4 interior with leather everywhere, but it doesn't impress me. Just sitting in it, the interior design and materials feel like Camaro from the late 90s. The seats are notoriously terrible. Slippery and no side bolstering. Seats with more lateral support are item #1 on my mod list. The interior in my NC was vastly superior in every way, including ergonomics and controls.

Driving the car hard is where you fall in love.

I live in the southern Appalachian mountains. The fun roads here are very tight and technical. Lots of switchbacks, hairpins, elevation changes. You spend a lot of time in 2nd and 3rd gear. You climb a lot of steep hills and rapidly descend a lot as well! With my geography in mind (and on the advice of some here) I chose the Grand Sport C6. This has the 435hp LS3, Gymkhana (autocross) Z51 suspension, lower 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears in the trans, the big brakes of the Z06, and wide wheels and tires of the Z06. I love this setup.

Even with just the LS3, this car has a lot of power. LS engines are kind of draggy rev wise so you don't feel the power it until you really step into it, but when you do it shoves you into the seat very nicely. It's not as fun to rev match as the 4cyl engines since it drops RPM so quickly, so you have to blip it a little more aggresively. However, the pedals are well placed for rev matching. In the mountains here I really appreciate the wide torque band. One of the reasons I lost interest in the NC was lack of power compared to my lightly modded WRX. The Corvette has no issues at all there.

Handling wise, it has a lot of grip. Right away, I ditched the OEM Goodyear runflats for Michelin Pilot SuperSports and that made a night/day improvement. It has huge tires; 275/35ZR18s in the front and 325/30ZR19s in the rear. Those steamroller tires help you feel very confident in the curves and rear traction is not an issue. The ride is good and soaks up the bumps and washboards well even fast in a curve. Steering wise, the car is numb. Big tires are probably a lot of the reason. The balance is very good and the car feels very neutral. Though throttle induced oversteer is possible with the traction control nannies reduced in competition mode, you have to be very aggressive on the throttle to get it. Active handling seems very smooth. I haven't felt it kick in any abrupt way.

The car does willingly do everything you command it. You just have to put more effort into it than the Miata. You have to be more deliberate. I don't think that's a bad thing. It just makes the car feel more brutish, more wild animal. Even though it's not as "telepathic" as the Miata, you feel that it is clearly capable of much higher performance.

I really enjoy the Vette. I DD it all summer and have no issues except for the low ground clearance on steep inclines. A lot of guys say a fast car slow is no fun, but I disagree. Maybe because mine's a convertible and I get a lot more noise and experience out of it than a coupe, but the back roads here at 35-50 mph are even more fun in the Vette than they were in the Miata.

JT58

31st May 2017, 11:59

I have a 1985 C4. It's my very first Corvette experience. I love the looks- I think even with 2017's the car looks awesome. That's what got me hooked- I was driving around and needed a project- saw it, loved the color, stance, wide tires and yes the super low price. While I love the car- and it was a one owner and seemed to be well cared for but brought to lesser shops for maintenance - it needed a lot of work. Mine had only 69K when I got it and many parts were worn out. rear bearings absolutely shot. Front were OK but leaking grease. The grease fittings were way over lubed and grease was everywhere and attracted dirt and grime- took hours to clean up. Power window ribbons were old the plastic hardened and one side broke, I had to replace it. Other side is sluggish and needs replacement too. The suspension bushings are all worn out, need replacing. The digital dashes can also be a problem and the factory Bose systems are expensive to fix. I drive the car once a week and I am still working on it.

My conclusion is that on the C4's, they are great when they are new or have low mileage on them but certain parts wear out and need replacement. If you want a car that is fairly easy to work on and have time to work on it yourself, it makes a great project.

The later C5 may be more reliable, perhaps have better designed components.

I drove two C7's and loved them. The sound is absolutely intoxicating and they drive and handle really well.

So many people in my area buy Corvettes and let them sit- it's such a shame. My neighbor has a brand new C7, such a beautiful car just sitting in his garage, stuff packed all around it. He may take it around the block once a month. I would drive it at least a few times a week!

loneranger

31st May 2017, 18:11

I've had these Corvettes, owned concurrently with the following Miatas:

2002 Z06, 1994 Miata C-Package
Sold both after 4 years and bought:
2006 Z06, 2006 Miata Sport
Sold both, and currently driving 2016 Z06.

Many times, I'd have a hard time deciding which car to drive that day. My commute is 35 miles long, through winding mountain roads. Each car has its own attributes that greatly contributes to the fun factor. Some of my Corvette friends don't believe me when I said that I enjoy both cars equally: the nimbleness of the Miata to the brutal acceleration of the Corvette. Reliability is the same. I took the Vettes to the roadcourse several times, not the Miata for obvious reasons.

Have not taken the C7Z to the track yet, but so far, it's clearly superior to the prior 2 Z06s.

enzia35

31st May 2017, 18:58

I'll get a C4 one day.

BSheppard

31st May 2017, 19:36

I've had these Corvettes, owned concurrently with the following Miatas:

2002 Z06, 1994 Miata C-Package
Sold both after 4 years and bought:
2006 Z06, 2006 Miata Sport
Sold both, and currently driving 2016 Z06.

Many times, I'd have a hard time deciding which car to drive that day. My commute is 35 miles long, through winding mountain roads. Each car has its own attributes that greatly contributes to the fun factor. Some of my Corvette friends don't believe me when I said that I enjoy both cars equally: the nimbleness of the Miata to the brutal acceleration of the Corvette. Reliability is the same. I took the Vettes to the roadcourse several times, not the Miata for obvious reasons.

Have not taken the C7Z to the track yet, but so far, it's clearly superior to the prior 2 Z06s.

This was me also. I had a 2002 Z06 in torch and now since 2008 have had a 2006 Z06 in machine silver. I had a 2005 Z51 C6 between the two. Have had a Miata also the whole time. Enjoy both. I have not made the jump to a C7Z but probably will at some point.

Injured Again

1st June 2017, 00:34

Have not taken the C7Z to the track yet, but so far, it's clearly superior to the prior 2 Z06s.

This is so totally true. Even though I bet that my C6, on a smooth surface, will corner as hard as a C7, add in some bumps or surface ripples, and add in the need to accelerate, and the updated MR suspension and e-diff let it do things no C6 could manage.

A lot of the fine adjustments I've made to my C6 have been to make it a bit less sensitive to throttle steer, both so I can trail brake harder into a corner, and accelerate harder exiting a corner. A C7 has way more throttle steering sensitivity, yet is much more stable. Isn't technology wonderful!

Greasyman

17th November 2017, 21:37

I started this thread in May, but I haven't seriously considered a Vette until now. In May I still hadn't taken my new to me RX8 to many events, but now, having done so, I've decide I'd like a car that handles at least as well as the RX but has more power. Great handling + lots of power = Vette, so now I'm thinking about selling the RX and getting a C5.

The more I think about it, the more I think getting a Vette wouldn't be a bad idea.
Here's a list of why I shouldn't and why I should get one.

They are big fat 3300 lb boats.
They might be large compared to a Miata, but almost none of the things I've read or heard about them indicate that they drive like they are over-weight barges. People seem to find them reasonable nimble.

Small cars are just more fun, with their zippy little engines and great connection to the road.
True, small cars are a lot of fun, but medium sized cars with gobs of torque are probably a lot of fun too. I've done the small car thing, why not try something different?

I've driven a couple and ridden in a few at track days and autocrosses, and I've never gotten out of one feeling all jazzed and yelling about how I've got get one right now!!!
I've ridden in dozens of different kinds of great cars at track days and autocrosses, and I've done that only once or twice.

More expensive to own.
That's ok, I can afford it, and I don't plan on doing any serious mods, just consumables like tires, pads, etc. (We'll see how long that lasts...)

Everyone knows Vette owners are douchbags.
I'll fit right in - these are my people.

Claff

17th November 2017, 23:28

Missed this thread when it was fresh. My experience:

Dad was a Corvette guy with his first one bought in 1960. The first one I remember was his '67 427-435 4-spd convertible in the early '70s. He sold that and replaced it in 1975 with a '62 that he still has today. When I was 10ish years old he told me that it would be my inheritance.

In the early '80s he added a '71 454 4-spd coupe to the fleet. Shortly after that came an inexpensive '73 350 4-spd convertible that needed some mechanical attention.

I graduated high school in 1985. That summer, he said if I spent a week making that '73 show-worthy, he'd let me drive it to the show and back. I did so, and wound up using that car on nice days well into fall. It was a hard car to drive with no power steering and my being a skinny wimp. I lost use of the car twice: once for a week as punishment after getting stopped for speeding, and once for three weeks while a rear wheel bearing was replaced. I gave the car up in October after the hardtop went on. The fun factor was drastically reduced and I could barely afford to put gas in the car as it got 9 MPG and I was only working part-time while in college.

I got to use the '71 occasionally after that, mostly to take to cruise nights. It drove far nicer with the silly big-block torque and power steering.

I have yet to drive the '62. It hasn't been offered and I'm not going to ask.

A couple years ago I thought I'd like a Corvette of my own. I figured I'd enjoy a C5 convertible, yellow with black interior and 6-spd transmission. The wife started poking around the internet to find me my ideal car. What I didn't know was that my dad had bought that exact car right around the same time - purely coincidental since I know I never mentioned it to him and he didn't say anything to me. This worked out well since now I could take his for a test drive. I showed up with my STR-prepped NC and took his out for an hour bombing around a variety of western Massachusetts roads. When I came back, I looked at the C5 and the NC and decided, given a choice, I'd rather drive the NC. The Vette didn't really wow me with acceleration, and I was very aware of its size and weight. I thanked dad for saving me from spending $20K and drove my Miata home.

To sum up, I like them, but not enough to own one.

Mr.E.G.

17th November 2017, 23:31

My Corvette experience has been (makes guitar solo sound noise until the person who asked gets annoyed and leaves the room).

MX5/XJ6

17th November 2017, 23:34

I had a black on black '95 LT1 and loved it. Had very loud exhaust that made it sound nastier than it was (after all, a new V6 "muscle car" can match or beat that 300 HP).

Next one will be yellow, probably C5 or C6.

I just saw where a guy donated his all-original red 2000 C5 with 773,000 miles on it, so you can't say they're not good cars!

jayhawk

17th November 2017, 23:36

When I was a young man (long ago) a Corvette was high on my wish list and I rode in a '60, drove a '62, '78, and an '04. Loved all but the '60 and '78 but never really had the desire to actually buy one despite now having owned 82 cars. I guess my little ND is my baby Corvette and it works in my primarily suburban setting.

raff

18th November 2017, 00:02

I started this thread in May, but I haven't seriously considered a Vette until now. In May I still hadn't taken my new to me RX8 to many events, but now, having done so, I've decide I'd like a car that handles at least as well as the RX but has more power. Great handling + lots of power = Vette, so now I'm thinking about selling the RX and getting a C5.

The more I think about it, the more I think getting a Vette wouldn't be a bad idea.
.

I'm sure you've seen this video :D
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/autocrossing-and-roadracing/4066356-pca-autocross-video-11-12-2017-a.html

Analogeezer

18th November 2017, 00:15

This was me also. I had a 2002 Z06 in torch and now since 2008 have had a 2006 Z06 in machine silver. I had a 2005 Z51 C6 between the two. Have had a Miata also the whole time. Enjoy both. I have not made the jump to a C7Z but probably will at some point.

I always thought having a Corvette coupe and a Miata would be a good combination, the Miata for top down driving, just casual jump in and drive to town and around and not attract attention. Corvette for trips, times when you want to have the power under your foot, etc.

My issue is I like Porsches a lot better than Corvettes and while not as fast I'd rather have a Cayman/Miata garage.

I will say I posted a thread a long time ago about long term TCO for a Boxster vs. a Corvette and the unanimous opinion was the Corvette would be far cheaper to own.

Analogeezer

Analogeezer

18th November 2017, 00:28

Everyone knows Vette owners are douchbags.
I'll fit right in - these are my people.

While this certainly does not apply to every Corvette owner (maybe not even the majority of them) it is a real downside.

I have lost count of how many douchey vanity tags I have seen on Corvettes, usually a variation of 1BADVET, ITSFAST, BADVETT, etc.

I have never seen a douchey vanity tag on a Porsche, in fact vanity tags on Porsches seem to be kinda rare.

I think as more of an aspirational car for a different demographic, some Corvette owners feel the need to brag about them in obnoxious ways.

I will say a lot of Miata owners seem to have douchey vanity tags too, I guess I am too sensitive about vanity tags on sports cars :rofl:

(seriously, some guy here has topless or something like that for his Miata, really?)

Anyway I realize the Corvette owners here are cool people, it's just a subset of owners who are douches; Porsche owners are probably douchey too but they don't brag about it publically :rofl:

True story.....I was coming back from town in my MSM, the turn lane into my neighborhood was filled up so I just went straight, wound up at the light sitting next to a C7, and was admiring it (it had chrome wheels, what is the deal with Chrome wheels on Corvettes?).

Then (it's the Fall so we get a lot of people going to/from Skyline Drive) this older guy pulls up in a C6 Convertible.

The guy has not one BUT THREE GO PROS, one on the windshield header, one facing backwards, one aimed at him in the cockpit.

Older guy, solidly in the core Corvette demographic, but what caught my eye was his vanity tag and the tag frame.

Vanity tag said IM2BUSY

Tag frame said at the top: DON'T EVEN TRY

Bottom of the tag frame said: YOU WILL LOSE

He took off in a blaze of sound and fury in the 45 mph zone to get on the brakes for the next light 200 yards up the road.

It's the douchey owners like this which give me pause about owning one. I know you should not care about what other people think about your car choices, but Corvettes do have the guilt by association thing. :rofl:

Analogeezer

p.s. WTF is the deal with CHROME WHEELS on Corvettes? Chrome wheels were really popular on sports/sporting cars in the 1990's, hell my Mom's 1996 Chrysler Cirrus had chrome wheels

Chrome wheels have been out of style for years and stock Corvettes do offer black/gunmetal wheels and other styles but I swear half the C7's I see have CHROME wheels.

Did these guys not get the memo that chrome wheels are dead and outdated?

MX5/XJ6

18th November 2017, 01:40

How can chrome wheels be dead, if half the new Vettes you see have chrome wheels?
Kinda like "That place is so crowded, nobody goes there anymore."

Greasyman

18th November 2017, 02:37

The douchiest of Vette plates was the one on the Vette owned by Michael's incredibly obnoxious friend on The Office... "WELL HUNG". The most entertaining one was "MURICAN". Not "AMERICAN"... but "MURICAN". You best believe it. Yup.

raff

18th November 2017, 11:35

While this certainly does not apply to every Corvette owner (maybe not even the majority of them) it is a real downside.

I have never seen a douchey vanity tag on a Porsche, in fact vanity tags on Porsches seem to be kinda rare.

Now you have -- ;)

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAUhVvYCzis1a6_HFLCQ8MnVnqft-iF6c8eS1lIeUvlKUQ0NgNEQ

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHH598e3iGgOmtV2M2AlCsVFzdpY9mE Z9128vRCuSulu3W0ueg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtH_C2P3EMH77wGmA6VWOH5GkwrAqGw qkuPOCX082bt9GpCiKH

OldDave

18th November 2017, 11:59

Now you have -- ;)

There's a 911 down here with a "WAS RICH" plate. :-)

Greasyman

18th November 2017, 12:24

I'm sure you've seen this video :D
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/autocrossing-and-roadracing/4066356-pca-autocross-video-11-12-2017-a.html

Thanks for posting that, I hadn't seen it. One reason I've decided I want a Vette is that I went to 5 or 6 Vette club autocrosses this year in my RX8. I'd come home and my wife would ask me how the autocross was, and I'd always say I did ok, but "Corvettes are fast". After saying "Corvettes are fast" all those times it finally dawned on me that since I like fast cars, I might want to consider getting one.

Say what you want about their image or weight or styling or build quality or crudeness or whatever, there is no denying it... Vettes are fast.

Rodan

18th November 2017, 12:28

Also missed the thread when new...

We bought a used C6 Z51 manual in '13 ('05 w/ 44k miles).

Our ownership was brief, expensive and disappointing. When everything worked, it was a fast, comfortable GT car. The problem was lots of things had problems with working right. Parts are expensive, labor is expensive, and if you do it yourself, there are lots of expensive special tools, and the manuals are expensive and not just available for download off the 'net. I found the component quality to be poor, and the manufacturing worksmanship to be poor... and then there were the questionable and sometimes maddening design/engineering choices that made it a curse fest to work on.

After $2k in parts (not including a set of tires) in 8k miles of ownership it went away in favor of our NC PRHT. We've never regretted that decision, though we took it in the shorts to get rid of it.

When it worked it was very fast, and had enormous grip. It was not nearly as much fun to drive on our local mountain roads as our Miatae, simply because it goes so fast so easily. By the time you're having fun, you're going to fast for public roads. I never got it on the track because of all the problems we had, but my guess is it would have been an entertaining trackday car. If it didn't break. AutoX, not so much... but guys do it all the time, so I guess some people enjoy that 2nd gear bull in a china shop feeling.

As far as the demographic, I hang around with a buch of Porsche guys and found them to be far more pleasant than the 'Vette crowd. At least the Porsche guys for the most part are interested in driving their cars. The 'Vette crowd seemed much more interested in standing around looking at them. And I don't own any gold chains, so I really didn't fit in... :p:rofl:

Proxima

18th November 2017, 12:52

I have owned three Corvettes with well over 100,000 miles seat time. While I very much enjoyed one, the finish quality is poor. I spent many hours taking my Corvette's in for GM service which was terrible. The service people routinely did not fix what was wrong and left me some geese on the interior & and maybe some paint chips on the door. Oh and there was the time that the service bay was broken into and my car interior was badly vandalized. Hopefully things have improved in recent years.

The C7 has received very bad press for quality with just about everything going wrong. See the long term tests in Motor Trend, Car And Driver, Stingray Forum, Consumer Reports, etc.

In spite of all of these problems Corvette owners are very loyal and love their cars.

Now that GM is revamping the Corvette plant with a new paint shop I am ever hopeful that quality will improve. The C6 approached average quality as the model years rolled on. Super excited about seeing the all new mid engined Zora in 2018.

What I love about the C7 is that it is an exotic for the masses providing good value if one does not go crazy with the options.

BetweenMiatas

18th November 2017, 13:07

He took off in a blaze of sound and fury in the 45 mph zone to get on the brakes for the next light 200 yards up the road.

Oh dear me. Today I learned I'm making Jag owners look bad.

Seriously, though, the sound and fury is part of the fun! :jump:

raff

18th November 2017, 14:20

Also missed the thread when new...

We bought a used C6 Z51 manual in '13 ('05 w/ 44k miles).

Our ownership was brief, expensive and disappointing.

Anecdotal evidence is great --
In 2014 we bought a one-owner 2003 C5 w/45k miles -- in the 3+ years of ownership it has cost us $350 in repairs.

jyalpert

18th November 2017, 14:44

I was in Detroit visiting my family over July 4 this year, and I got to drive a cousin's 2016 C7 convertible with the 7sp manual. Took it on some winding lake roads. Handling and road communication were very Miata-like. It was super fun to drive. Like a big Miata with a lot more power.

I could honestly care less about straight line acceleration, though mashing the throttle was kinda fun the first few times. Throttle response at corner exit was good, though. Nice linear pedal and good brake feel.

As far as sports cars go, I think I'd only ever own a Miata or a Corvette. They both seem to be by far the best value for what they do. I'd love to drive a Porsche on track, but I don't think I could stomach owning one.

Rodan

18th November 2017, 15:23

Anecdotal evidence is great --
In 2014 we bought a one-owner 2003 C5 w/45k miles -- in the 3+ years of ownership it has cost us $350 in repairs.

Certainly, not every Corvette is a POS. Ours was. Just sharing our experience, which is what the OP was asking for.

Mr.E.G.

18th November 2017, 15:31

While I have to make certain concessions in order to keep up appearances at work, I feel like a lot of you guys are too concerned about what other people think of your cars. This is particularly silly, given that this is a Miata forum. I mean, I hate to break it to you guys, but there are some stereotypes about Miata owners that you may be shocked to learn.

R&L's MX5

18th November 2017, 15:48

While I have to make certain concessions in order to keep up appearances at work, I feel like a lot of you guys are too concerned about what other people think of your cars. This is particularly silly, given that this is a Miata forum. I mean, I hate to break it to you guys, but there are some stereotypes about Miata owners that you may be shocked to learn.

I know one thing for sure. No one ever said my Vette was a "girls car"...:rofl:

My ND...well :(

afc2112

18th November 2017, 16:31

Now you have -- ;)

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAUhVvYCzis1a6_HFLCQ8MnVnqft-iF6c8eS1lIeUvlKUQ0NgNEQ

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHH598e3iGgOmtV2M2AlCsVFzdpY9mE Z9128vRCuSulu3W0ueg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtH_C2P3EMH77wGmA6VWOH5GkwrAqGw qkuPOCX082bt9GpCiKH

Only the first can really qualify as douche-y...The other two is a fact!

Greasyman

18th November 2017, 16:44

Anecdotal evidence is great --
In 2014 we bought a one-owner 2003 C5 w/45k miles -- in the 3+ years of ownership it has cost us $350 in repairs.

One anecdote doesn't mean much, but a couple of dozen do. From what I've read, C5s seem fairly average for reliability, definitely not a car to shy away from because it might break down.

Certainly, not every Corvette is a POS. Ours was. Just sharing our experience, which is what the OP was asking for.

Thanks for the post. I suppose even with modern manufacturing techniques and quality control, there are still occasional lemons.

While I have to make certain concessions in order to keep up appearances at work, I feel like a lot of you guys are too concerned about what other people think of your cars. This is particularly silly, given that this is a Miata forum. I mean, I hate to break it to you guys, but there are some stereotypes about Miata owners that you may be shocked to learn.

:thumbs: :D You sir, are a wise man.

Proxima

18th November 2017, 16:46

It seems that Corvettes, BMW's, Porsche's, Miata's, etc. have some derogatory stereotypes.

My guess is that people who stereotype are intellectually lazy. Then there is the bane of human civilization which is envy.

Kirk

18th November 2017, 22:47

I custom ordered my 08 Z51, and did the Museum delivery option. Picked it up on Friday the 13th, June, 2008. Cannonballed it home overnight. It's a 6sp manual. I've had no real issues with it, other than the differential making some grinding noises around turns, which a TSB was put out for, and a new formulation of fluid fixes. I do my own oil changes and stuff to it. Contrary to other posts here, I've not found anything to be frustrating about it, and I've had to buy exactly zero special tools to work on it. I swapped in LG Street Series headers, a different thermostat, Air Raid intake, and a couple of other little bits. On the inside, I swapped in a Kenwood/Garmin DVD/nav unit to replace the stocker, did a little custom work on the trim plate for it, and you'd have no idea it didn't come standard. It does eat batteries if it's not on a tender, so I've gone through a couple.

Admittedly, I don't drive it much. I have a one car garage that it lives in, and I have one or two other cars in my driveway most of the time, so it's kind of a pain to get in and out of the garage (the car shuffle gets old, and there are limited parking spots in the lot across from me, with no street parking in my development). My previous job had me commuting 65 miles each way, and I didn't want to beat it up on the highway, so I didn't drive it there. I've spent the last couple of years back in school for a career change, so I didn't want to drive it to school. Now that I'm working again, and my job is 10 minutes away, I'm seriously looking at getting down to one decent all around car that I can keep in the garage. The Vette only has a little over 9K on it, so I'm hoping that at least gets me decent cash when I sell it. My new commute to work isn't even enough time for the thing to warm up, really.

It's a lot of fun. It's fast, loud (when I want it to be), stealthy (when I want it to be), and can be relatively good on gas or pretty horrible on gas depending on how heavy my foot is. I got it dyno tuned after I did my bolt ons to it, and it's pumping out 411rwhp, which is about 40 more than stock. The sound, though... I find I drive it like an ahole just to hear it. The header and stock NPP exhaust combo is killer.

My experience has been pretty good overall. Great aftermarket for it. The local clubs, though... stereotypes exist for a reason. They're more interested in sitting around looking at their cars than driving them. Plus, they're all WAY older than I am (I bought mine as a 31st bday present to myself). Also, I'm honestly kind of scared to take it to a dealer for anything, which is another reason I do my own work. I'm not a fan of taking my relatively high performance car to a general Chevy dealer to get stuff done. I haven't had any negative experiences, but I just feel like they'd beat on it if given the chance.

Surprisingly, of my 3 cars, it's the cheapest to insure.

Oh, and I'll never buy black again. Mine is black, black and red interior, and gunmetal wheels; it looks insanely good when clean, but that lasts like 5 minutes. Heh.

I tell everyone it just feels like a bigger Miata, which it does, at least to me.

Greasyman

19th November 2017, 01:07

Hopefully you've inspired yourself to take the C6 out for some fun before the winter sets in. Sounds like a great car, and like you really enjoy it, but this isn't a good time in your life to own a fleet of car.

Pavement Narrows

19th November 2017, 09:09

Next one will be yellow, probably C5 or C6.

You're buying this one? https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2003-chevrolet-chevy-corvette/6387882239.html

When I buy mine I'll see if the DUCHY 1 plate is available. :)

R&L's MX5

19th November 2017, 09:48

Most people trashing on Corvettes have never owned a later model one. Sure, there are a few lemons like every other model, but mostly they are trouble free cars.

My 2011 was pretty much trouble free. Had it for five years and only it needed oil changes. The biggest problem with Corvettes for me is price. If you're not tracking it, you're paying a lot of money for power and performance that's just going to waste. Kinda like buying a thoroughbred horse and tying it up in the backyard for the kiddies to ride.

The biggest disappointment with the Vette experience for us was some of the people we met. We met one couple down at Bowling Green at the Corvette museum bash. Became good friends (or so we thought) and for years we would go to their cabin and they would come to our house. The last contact I had with them was the email I told them we traded our Vette for the ND. They never contacted us again and keep in mind we would talk or email on a very regular basis.

afc2112

19th November 2017, 09:59

Most people trashing on Corvettes have never owned a later model one. Sure, there are a few lemons like every other model, but mostly they are trouble free cars.

My 2011 was pretty much trouble free. Had it for five years and only it needed oil changes. The biggest problem with Corvettes for me is price. If you're not tracking it, you're paying a lot of money for power and performance that's just going to waste. Kinda like buying a thoroughbred horse and tying it up in the backyard for the kiddies to ride.

The biggest disappointment with the Vette experience for us was some of the people we met. We met one couple down at Bowling Green at the Corvette museum bash. Became good friends (or so we thought) and for years we would go to their cabin and they would come to our house. The last contact I had with them was the email I told them we traded our Vette for the ND. They never contacted us again and keep in mind we would talk or email on a very regular basis.

They obviously can't be seen with poor people! :rofl:

R&L's MX5

19th November 2017, 10:14

They obviously can't be seen with poor people! :rofl:

We had a small group of friends and acquaintances with Vette's who would go on weekend rides pretty regularly throughout the summer. I believe we got two invites last summer :confused:

Anyways, came to the conclusion that anyone who hangs around someone because of the car they have be it a Miat, Vette or whatever, are nuts...:rofl:

Greasyman

19th November 2017, 13:33

The biggest disappointment with the Vette experience for us was some of the people we met. We met one couple down at Bowling Green at the Corvette museum bash. Became good friends (or so we thought) and for years we would go to their cabin and they would come to our house. The last contact I had with them was the email I told them we traded our Vette for the ND. They never contacted us again and keep in mind we would talk or email on a very regular basis.
That's pretty weird, and very shallow, but these particular people would probably be like that no matter what the shared interest you had with them was.

fastblack

19th November 2017, 13:48

We had a small group of friends and acquaintances with Vette's who would go on weekend rides pretty regularly throughout the summer. I believe we got two invites last summer :confused:

Anyways, came to the conclusion that anyone who hangs around someone because of the car they have be it a Miat, Vette or whatever, are nuts...:rofl:

Sounds a lot like most Harley people. ;)

Rodan

19th November 2017, 15:16

Sounds a lot like most Harley people. ;)

That's a pretty accurate observation.

Plus 2

19th November 2017, 17:04

Corvettes are lighter or as light than just about everything except Miatas. If I wanted more than Miata speed I would get one (or a Viper)

Mr.E.G.

19th November 2017, 18:27

That's a point that can't be overstated. Corvettes are basically the only game in town when it comes to big power and a relatively light chassis.

raff

19th November 2017, 18:30

p.s. WTF is the deal with CHROME WHEELS on Corvettes? Chrome wheels were really popular on sports/sporting cars in the 1990's, hell my Mom's 1996 Chrysler Cirrus had chrome wheels

Chrome wheels have been out of style for years and stock Corvettes do offer black/gunmetal wheels and other styles but I swear half the C7's I see have CHROME wheels.

Did these guys not get the memo that chrome wheels are dead and outdated?

I'm sure you realize the chrome vs black is an age thing and not a Corvette thing. ;)

Just one of many CF threads on the subject:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-general-discussion/4068038-end-of-chrome-wheel-discussion-see-this-picture-new-c7.html

SleekBlackBeauty

19th November 2017, 18:52

I rented a C6 a few times on trips and liked them quite a bit. I decided I prefer the smaller car and chose Porsche. It has 100hp less but has other attributes I like.

sjd

19th November 2017, 21:16

I'm sure you realize the chrome vs black is an age thing and not a Corvette thing. ;)

Yup. Look at all the Miatas on here with chrome accessories and the ages of their owners.

tom4416

19th November 2017, 23:37

Bought a new C6 in 2005, did the museum delivery route. Three months into ownership, the targo top separated at 70mph on the Washington DC beltway - exciting. GM said the problem was the bonding agent they used but guess what, they were still using the same bonding agent for repairs as they hadn't yet come up with a better one.

Once at a stoplight, the entire A/C system let loose, looked like a bomb had gone off and pedestrians at the intersection scattered. Exciting.

And the greatest of all was the three separate times the car simply forgot who I was and wouldn't respond to the fob. First time I called the service department, service manager hesitated for a moment and then proclaimed "oh s..t". It had to be flat bedded in.

The third time it forgot me was on a Sunday morning in Miami Florida (the car was 8 months old at this point) and I had to be back in Virginia Monday morning to negotiate a rather substantial sole supplier contract with the FBI academy. I ended up flying home on my dime, using our second car to make the meeting.

Both the local dealer and the one in Florida talked to the engineers at Chevrolet, no one had a clue why it was happening. GM repurchased the car under the lemon law AFTER arbitration said they would do so as well as reimbursing me for all out of pocket expenses.

I know anyone can make a lemon but fighting the customer every step of the way is just indicative of how GM treats its customers. When the car ran, it ran like a scalded cat and handled equally well. If GM could have fixed the problems (the roof was separating again at the time of the repurchase), I might have kept the car for a couple of years but it drove me right back to Miatas where they ran more like a crippled cat but never forgot who I was :)

Mr.E.G.

20th November 2017, 01:14

Man, that sucks. Mine has been very reliable (knocks on wood).

Jerry-L

20th November 2017, 07:27

I have only one experience with one. I believe it was an early 90s model that my brother had. He took me to the Corvette club autocross in it and I thought it didn't handle all that well. I did not say anything to my brother about it though. It was stupid fast in a straight line but as soon as you tried to turn it the front wheels would not bite in and turn, but instead would just slide sideways until he slowed down enough to where it would turn. He knocked over a lot of cones that day. I doubt I'd ever own one, especially after having owned a Miata. I'm planning a 2.5 upgrade and that should be plenty for this old guy. :D

Greasyman

20th November 2017, 15:58

I've decided I'd like to get a later C5 targa with 6 speed and Z51 suspension. I'd like to go test drive one, but it's hard to find any like I want around here. Maybe I'll drop by a dealer on a slow weekday morning and drive one I have no real intention of buying, like a bright red automatic, just to get a feel for them. I don't like to waste people's time, but I figure most salesmen don't have much to do around then and wouldn't really mind.

There's one right by me I keep seeing on Craigslist, with some nice performance mods, but the guy never responded. There's also a well modded one at a surprisingly low price near LA, but that's 400 miles away and just too far for me to check out. I'd go that far for a low mileage, unmolested car that was very likely to be in excellent condition and worth buying, but this car seems like the sort of thing I might realize I don't want as I'm walking up to it. Or, it might be a great deal.

MarkR171

20th November 2017, 16:01

I've driven a C6 Z06 on the road and autocrossed a C5 Z06 several times this year including a couple national events. They are extremely good performance bargains, but you can't be a person who cares about style or flash. They are extremely comfortable, very easy to drive fast, and very practical. There's no arguing against LS motors and they fit so much tire that the grip is awesome even in stock form. But they're built cheaply with cheap materials and don't feel like high-end cars.

I love them other than the slow steering rack and the cooling issues. They run very hot when driven hard.

Greasyman

20th November 2017, 16:22

I've driven a C6 Z06 on the road and autocrossed a C5 Z06 several times this year including a couple national events. They are extremely good performance bargains, but you can't be a person who cares about style or flash. They are extremely comfortable, very easy to drive fast, and very practical. There's no arguing against LS motors and they fit so much tire that the grip is awesome even in stock form. But they're built cheaply with cheap materials and don't feel like high-end cars.

I love them other than the slow steering rack and the cooling issues. They run very hot when driven hard.

It's funny you mention not caring about style or flash, as if the Corvette lacks that. To me, that's one of the Vettes primary characteristics, for better or worse they are stylish and flashy, e.g., the proverbial Disco Vette. That's actually one of several things that kept me from seriously considering a Vette in the past, too flashy for my mild mannered personality. Now I just don't care anymore, and it seems their performance is so good it's worth being considered a bit show-offy.

BetweenMiatas

20th November 2017, 16:30

Shoot. I guess I'll have to return those white patent leather platform shoes I bought you for Christmas. :sad:

Greasyman

20th November 2017, 16:35

Shoot. I guess I'll have to return those white patent leather platform shoes I bought you for Christmas. :sad:

You got me a Christmas present?! What a sweetie, and I didn't get you anything. I'm such a selfish bastard.

loneranger

20th November 2017, 16:58

My experience has been great. I don't have a Corvette at the moment, but I've had these Z06s since new, 2002, 2006, 2016. All were extremely reliable. Only the 2006 needed to have the roof replaced under warranty (that was a pretty widespread recall). I tracked the 2002 and 2006 a few times/year when I had them, all were stock, no issues at all. I'm only an average driver though, far from a "hotshoe". The attention was positive, lots of compliments. But I guess that depends on where you live also. To me, Corvettes are stylish, fast, reliable. Sure, interiors could be better, but the driving experience is what matters to me, so much so that I've also had a couple of Miatas during those years, and now are looking for an ND Club, or something more "extreme". I'm currently checking out some Lotus Exige and Evora.

raff

20th November 2017, 20:02

I've decided I'd like to get a later C5 targa with 6 speed and Z51 suspension. I'd like to go test drive one, but it's hard to find any like I want around here. Maybe I'll drop by a dealer on a slow weekday morning and drive one I have no real intention of buying, like a bright red automatic, just to get a feel for them. I don't like to waste people's time, but I figure most salesmen don't have much to do around then and wouldn't really mind.

There's one right by me I keep seeing on Craigslist, with some nice performance mods, but the guy never responded. There's also a well modded one at a surprisingly low price near LA, .

Have you tried getting a ride as a passenger at one of the auto-x events?
How about offering to swap your RX 8 for a C5 for one run -- someone might be willing.

On the modded C5 -- as you probably already noticed there are as many modified C5s as there are Miatas -- and there's a ton whose mods are seriously questionable.
Depending on the particular auto-x rules -- the mods could really screw your class selection.

Just my .02

tobra

20th November 2017, 20:08

Only thing wrong with Corvettes is that when I was in BSP with the Miata, it was very frustrating to be the only competitor in my class on street tires that was not trailered to the event.

JT58

21st November 2017, 08:57

I'm liking my 85 C4 the more I work on it. There is so much information and tweaks I can do to it. It reminds me so much of a combination of my 91 MA and my 2016 ND. It's raw like my 91 NA and has power and is able to change speeds and accelerate and decelerate so quickly like the ND. And best of all it is easy to work on. The previous owner of it tried to maintain it well but I think he brought it to inferior shops for the work. The work done on it was very sloppy and I am fixing a lot of things.

I like the car so much I would love to get a C6 or a C7. But I like the C4 and working on it and having 2 Corvettes is not practical at all for owning 2 cars. I also like the smaller size of the C4- it seems to be the perfect size- bigger than a Miata but smaller than the C5, C6 C7. And the insurance for it as a classic car is only $230 a year. So guess I will have to keep it!

Greasyman

21st November 2017, 10:39

I rode in a well prepped BSP C4 a couple of times, it was a very impressive car. Just as you might expect, it had a very raw feel to it, with it's cheap, plasitcky interior and incredibly mean exhaust note. It was very fast.

It was an earlier C4 so it had that digital dash with the square gauges, which I really don't care for, but the somewhat crappy quality of the interior made the car seem that much more business like, who needs some fancy seats and high quality plastic when it's all about going fast?

There are some other very impressive C4s I've seen around, and I'd consider one if I stumbled across the right one at the right price, but it seems that currently the C5s offer the best bang for the buck, so that's what I'm looking for.

96Formula6spd

21st November 2017, 11:59

I have had a few in a couple C5. I loved the C5Z. Buddy has one with long tubes no cats and a corsa extreme. Sounds very good and still gets 31mpg on the highway. But overall a very fun car to drive with loads of get up and go. He is working on the handling and once the front sway bar went on that helped a ton. Car is a little different on the edge of grip but I just use my right foot to steer the car.

Rode in a C5 base and found it to be way down on power compared to a C5Z. I have thought about selling my first car a 96 Firebird Formula as well as my daily driver focus svt for a C5 base but after being in one I can not decide. Seen a few C5 around here for 7-10k with 6spd manuals. Been even watching some insurance wrecked cars but can not decide.

Will say there is a 77 C3 in the driveway that is my dads. Been off the road since 1997? But that one needs full restoration. I still want to own a corvette but not sure which one. I loved later C4 as it was a poster child of mine. I have a 385 Lt1 that could be stuffed into a C4. The zf 6spd is different from the t-56 in my Firebird so my fresh lt1 t-56 would not transfer over. However step one is getting rid of the Firebird and sometimes selling your first car is hard. Will say the power bug is back and neither the Miata or Focus Svt will fix that.

Greasyman

21st November 2017, 14:16

The Z06 has about 50 hp more than the base C5. As I understand it, it's not hard at all to get that much more out of a base with bolt ons.

angus

21st November 2017, 16:59

I've got a 08 Corvette Z06.....not one issue....never been back to the dealer. Would like a smaller car and Porsche keeps coming into view for a next car...Z06 only weighs 3100 lbs...same as my 17 Beetle Dune with 170 hp...

LeoDLion

21st November 2017, 17:52

My friend just bought a 2018 Corvette Grand Sports sedan yesterday. I just might be able to drive one pretty soon.

DJJ

21st November 2017, 18:06

Bought a new Corvette once. Have you ever had a girlfriend that was really pretty but a bit on the plump side?

stiglet

25th November 2017, 00:01

My grandpa just finished restoring this beast. Last week was the first time it’s seen the road since 1971. Original seats, 427 block and spare. I believe other than the black top, everything is original spec. Dyno’d the engine while it was out, 485hp/455tq at the crank. The sound when it fires up in the garage is ungodly.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/1679722adcc3666db20c405d9bec5653.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/92239dc336faa29e66e119fe953acd06.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/8fb731599be83bd5ecbf2e21f5c60346.jpg

Proxima

25th November 2017, 12:58

Here is a 2000 Corvette owner that has over 700,000 miles on an original engine !

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/news/a29434/2000-chevrolet-corvette-700000-miles/

BetweenMiatas

25th November 2017, 13:10

My grandpa just finished restoring this beast. Last week was the first time it’s seen the road since 1971. Original seats, 427 block and spare. I believe other than the black top, everything is original spec. Dyno’d the engine while it was out, 485hp/455tq at the crank. The sound when it fires up in the garage is ungodly.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/1679722adcc3666db20c405d9bec5653.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/92239dc336faa29e66e119fe953acd06.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/8fb731599be83bd5ecbf2e21f5c60346.jpg

I LOVE your grandpa!!! ;)

DJJ

25th November 2017, 13:23

My grandpa just finished restoring this beast. Last week was the first time it’s seen the road since 1971.

There's a '58 sitting in front of it. Is that his too?

stiglet

25th November 2017, 13:38

There's a '58 sitting in front of it. Is that his too?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171125/43628af19b50d2f18c7d0ce7a19fc346.jpg

He restored this one 10-15yrs ago. 100% numbers matching.

His garage is full of great toys.

Two model A’s I posted in the Model A thread, 58 Vette, 67 427 Stingray, 98 Vette, 13 Z06 (all are convertibles w/ manual trans), 78 Chevy truck stepside waiting for restoration and a 383, 80s Mercedes convertible and the two late model Caddies that are their dailies.

So I’m basically obligated to own a Corvette at some point. [emoji5] His dad, my great grandfather, was on the assembly line building the original 53 Vette.

The Driver

25th November 2017, 15:15

I've driven a C6 Z06 on the road and autocrossed a C5 Z06 several times this year including a couple national events. They are extremely good performance bargains, but you can't be a person who cares about style or flash. They are extremely comfortable, very easy to drive fast, and very practical. There's no arguing against LS motors and they fit so much tire that the grip is awesome even in stock form. But they're built cheaply with cheap materials and don't feel like high-end cars.

I love them other than the slow steering rack and the cooling issues. They run very hot when driven hard.

I've been intrigued by C5 Z06 Vettes. Once I calculated how much it would cost to maximize its performance envelope to my satisfaction, a C6 Z06 was actually cheaper, and a more complete factory package. I also like the C6 Z06 looks a lot more, so that's were my aim is at.

The Driver

25th November 2017, 15:21

My experience has been great. I don't have a Corvette at the moment, but I've had these Z06s since new, 2002, 2006, 2016. All were extremely reliable. Only the 2006 needed to have the roof replaced under warranty (that was a pretty widespread recall).
All Z06 Vettes are hard top, how the heck did yours needed the roof replaced?
The Z06 has about 50 hp more than the base C5. As I understand it, it's not hard at all to get that much more out of a base with bolt ons.

Z06 cars, are just more than the power. Bigger brakes, a suspension designed for the extra power, and the cars are lighter than non-Z06 Vettes.

To me, if I get a Vette, it has to be a Z06.

sjd

25th November 2017, 15:40

All

Z06 cars, are just more than the power. Bigger brakes, a suspension designed for the extra power, and the cars are lighter than non-Z06 Vettes.

To me, if I get a Vette, it has to be a Z06.

I feel that way with the C5 and C6 but not the C7. The huge jump in price and overheating issues on track with the C7 Z06 make me want the Grand Sport instead.

The Driver

25th November 2017, 15:48

I feel that way with the C5 and C6 but not the C7. The huge jump in price and overheating issues on track with the C7 Z06 make me want the Grand Sport instead.

Oh, that's easy to me. I neither like the looks of the C7, nor can I afford it. But a low miles C6 Z06, that I can do, im both accounts! :thumbs:

Analogeezer

25th November 2017, 16:48

All Z06 Vettes are hard top, how the heck did yours needed the roof replaced?

The first C6 Z06's had an issue where the roof would de-laminate at high speed, it was generally not a hazard for the person driving the car but the people behind the car, yes indeed.

That's why he referred to the "widespread recall"

What are C6 Z06's trading for these days? I pitched a C5 Z06 to my wife before she got her MINI, she DX'd that because "you just want another two seater you can drive", she does like Corvettes but saw through that particular ruse.

At the time (2008), 2003-2004 Z06's were trading around $28,000.

Analogeezer

The Driver

25th November 2017, 17:06

The first C6 Z06's had an issue where the roof would de-laminate at high speed, it was generally not a hazard for the person driving the car but the people behind the car, yes indeed.

That's why he referred to the "widespread recall"

What are C6 Z06's trading for these days? I pitched a C5 Z06 to my wife before she got her MINI, she DX'd that because "you just want another two seater you can drive", she does like Corvettes but saw through that particular ruse.

At the time (2008), 2003-2004 Z06's were trading around $28,000.

Analogeezer
Got it about the roof.

I found low miles (sub 50K miles) 2007-2011 in orange and yellow, for less than $34K, a steal, if you ask me.

JT58

27th November 2017, 11:21

C5 and C6's are in abundance here in Naples Fl area. I see them all the time from 20-28K with super low miles and in mint condition. Very tempting to grab one. I barely saw Corvettes living up in the northeast and mid west; I see them all the time here- including a lot of C7's.

The Driver

27th November 2017, 12:01

C5 and C6's are in abundance here in Naples Fl area. I see them all the time from 20-28K with super low miles and in mint condition. Very tempting to grab one. I barely saw Corvettes living up in the northeast and mid west; I see them all the time here- including a lot of C7's.

Corvettes, are year round cars in FL. Not so, in the northeast.

Proxima

27th November 2017, 12:17

The best quality reports for the Corvette were the C6 generation which achieved average quality according to CR. The first couple of years for the C6 were problematic however.

We know that each owners experience will differ.

osbornk

27th November 2017, 13:04

I once wanted a Corvette until I drove one many years ago. The car was a recovered theft I had to pick up for my employer and the 69 was still a late model. It was a 4 speed with a very heavy clutch with no power steering and no power brakes. It was uncomfortable to drive and rode like a wagon. It weaned me from my desire to have one and I have probably missed out since they have made drastic improvements in the last several decades and you can no longer buy such a stripped down car of any kind.

Hawk

14th December 2017, 18:43

What's your Corvette experience been?

Owning one, the best of both worlds. :jump:

Trilogy

14th December 2017, 18:47

ive owned several vettes with c5 being newest. like owning a boat the two happiest times with a vette are when you buy it and then when you sell it!

unlike my miatas ive never had any sellers remorse with a vette.... go figure

Try2gofast

14th December 2017, 22:34

Drove a buddies c6 z06 one time, went out and got one a month later. They are amazing cars..endless grip, amazing motor and not a bad daily in the warmer months. Selling it was terrible idea.

raff

15th December 2017, 21:38

Owning one, the best of both worlds. :jump:

Good looking Grand Sport :thumbs:

Proxima

16th December 2017, 13:37

Owning one, the best of both worlds. :jump:

Congratulation's on your purchase of a truly remarkable car which is once again Car And Drivers 10 best. They say best performance value on the planet cornering at around 1.12 to 1.18 Gs. Your white with red has marks is a great combination !

youcanrunnaked

16th December 2017, 14:40

I drove a C6 a few years ago, when it was a new design; GM brought a few to the Auto Show and I got a test-drive. I had only a limited opportunity to romp on it, as we were on surface streets on Miami Beach, but talking cars with the young factory rep, he let me take it around "the long way." I appreciated it as a fast, comfortable GT. (The one I drove was a coupe with automatic transmission; I would expect a convertible with manual transmission would feel a bit less of a GT and more of a sports car.) Having long heard stories of Corvettes being a bit numb-feeling and subject to all kinds of squeaks and rattles, I was surprised by how precise and solid the car felt. I thought the car was a little too long and wide for what it was, but I did like the comfortable, spacious cockpit. The quality of the interior trim was just okay; not terrible, but it did not really match the price or image of the car.

I don't consider myself a "Corvette guy," but I do like the C6. One of my neighbors has a red C6 Grand Sport convertible, with polished aluminum wheels. (Those shiny factory wheels on Corvettes are polished aluminum, not chrome.) I find myself admiring his car a lot more than I thought I would. A late-model C6 Grand Sport might get my interest if I ever want a sporty grand tourer, but right now the ND meets my needs.

Proxima

16th December 2017, 15:03

The 2017 Corvette is voted the most loved car in American :

https://www.torquenews.com/106/chevrolet-corvette-most-loved-car-america-2017

SleekBlackBeauty

16th December 2017, 19:54

I rented a fleet C6 from Hertz a few times, generally used to tour Napa and Sonoma. I thought it was a great choice, a fine GT car. Small enough not to be tricky to drive, I would favor that generation over the C5. Sadly the lady I was seeing got back together with her ex, so I no longer frequent your neck of the woods. But if I lived in the bay area a C6 would be a fine DD choice.

My modified Miata is dedicated for the track so I have no need for another hard core car. The C6 was a contender for me when I bought the Cayman, but I preferred that. I would suggest that a Cayman S be considered, though it might cost twice as much as a Corvette. Still, I love the C6 Corvette.

LeoDLion

17th December 2017, 11:38

My friend just bought a flaming red Grand Sport Corvette. I sat on the driver seat. And I have a hard time getting out. It has nine gears! The engine did not look very impressive. Did not drive it though.

Pavement Narrows

17th December 2017, 20:28

Every time I see this thread I think of that 'vette owner in The Big Lebowski. "I just bought that car last week!!"
My sister had something like that happen once only it was an old pickup truck her husband drove. A similar looking truck had created an incident with one of a biker gangs members. They spotted this truck parked at the curb and were wailing away on it with baseball bats.

NeverEnough

17th December 2017, 20:46

Had a 2006 Z51 Vette as well as a 2007 Z06. Both modded. Both were extremely fun to drive, own & look at. With the price of the C6Z now, you cannot beat the performance you get for your dollar

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