Paging Corvette Oppos. Ownership Experience/Opinions Wanted.

"Tripper" (tripe46) 09/28/2018 at 15:30 • Filed to: None

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I’m going to test drive a car that has never been and is not currently on my “want” list. It’s not that I don’t like them, they’re just not my style. However one of my co workers who is also a car head is tired of listening to my 997 woes. He also hates Subaru’s, and can’t understand why I don’t want a Mustang. He says, “How could you even consider going $35 grand on a Subaru when you can have a Z06 for the same money!”

I’ve been behind the wheel of a few Corvettes. All of them C5's and none of them a Z06. I’ve always been impressed, but in addition to not being a “wheelhouse” car for me I can’t picture driving one every day. I feel like I would scrape up the nose on everything and spend a zillion dollars a month on gas.

Anyway, possibly this weekend but most likely next I’m set to drive a C6 Z06 with with three pedals and a fixed roof. Like most corvettes, it has barely been driven. 17k on the clock.

I would love to hear from someone that has/does drive one daily, but all thoughts, opinions , and advice are welcome.

JR1 > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:36

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Why not look into a Grand Sport? If it is a DD I bet sometime you would want the targa top right?

Decay buys too many beaters > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:39

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I’m not a corvette guy... or a domestic guy but

The C6 is simply the best performance bargain on the market right now. Personally I’m wating for the C6 GS to come down a bit more. They also get phenomenal fuel economy all things considered.

Tripper > JR1 09/28/2018 at 15:41

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My M3 is a ragtop, and I’ve got a Honda Grom for nice days. If I was to get a Corvette I’d like to break my 500hp cherry at the same time.

Tripper > Decay buys too many beaters 09/28/2018 at 15:43

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“I’m not a corvette guy... or a domestic guy but”

Me neither, this is a real long shot for me but the performance value along with the fact that I know I will like driving it are whats making me go for a drive.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:45

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Economy is actually much better than any car of that displacement could ever be expected to have. Plus, it’s a GM V8 . The rest of the car might fall apart but the engine will keep running until the end of time. You’d definitely have easier time with maintenance than with the 997.

PartyPooper2012 > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:45

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I own a C5. Few issues with it. One - passenger side leaks like a thing that leaks a lot.

Mix doors in heater box don’t work. Probably not true for all C5s but keep that in mind.

Might need to buy few things to make it usable. One is a short shifter of some sort. Another is a Skip Shift eliminator (in order to save on gas, GM installed some dumb thing where you can’t shift into second gear) Stupidest thing on the planet.

The wheels - very bendable on big potholes. No spare so you are driving on run flats.

Had to replace windshield wiper motor because drain plugs get clogged up and water builds up and fries motor.

Other than that, it’s a fun car. I drive it as much as I can. I hate the fact that I had to take passenger seat out of it so it doesn’t get soaking wet, but it’s fun and you get used to avoiding holes in the road.

Decay buys too many beaters > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:46

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Given the current stste of things, it’s also very likely that this is one of the last “fast” mostly analog cars that will ever be made. 

Tripper > PartyPooper2012 09/28/2018 at 15:51

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Hmm good to know re: the wheels. My Mom has got a C5 and in addition to the exhaust shes had me put in a short shifter and the 1st to 4th eliminator.

Do you scrape on a lot of stuff? When I have driven hers I’ve had to nearly drive parallel to any inclines/declines.

Decay buys too many beaters > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:54

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Dang... Now I’m looking at corvettes again, thanks. 

PartyPooper2012 > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 15:59

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There is a lip on the front bumper. It’s plastic strip. That scrapes few things here and there and lets you know you are flying low.

I don’t particularly care if I wear that plastic thing out... but I also haven’t looked into it’s price. I’ve learned plastic and rubber parts for this car are made of unobtanium and cost 4 amazons and 3 apples.

Seriously. A window weatherstripping - pure rubber with two embedded metal brackets - over 500 dollars. Not even doll hairs.

In either case, my car has a built in swimming pool so it probably won’t last past my ownership. 

Arrivederci > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:02

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Honestly - don’t consider a C6.  If you want a Corvette, hold out for a C7.  The interior and build quality of a C6 will make you dissatisfied if your real want is a 997.  I know because I was in the same boat when I became frustrated looking for a 997.  It’s extremely fun, fast and more capable than our driving skills, but just disappoints in a lot of ways (to me).

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:08

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I test drove a C6 and a C5Z06 last weekend-ish. Really liked the LS. it makes decent torque down low, but the top end was amazing! Much better than the Coyote in a GT that I drove.

E90M3 > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:19

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I think you should set aside 5k for unexpected repairs and get the 997. It’s really what you want, seems like the only thing holding you back is your experience with your E90. I would say look at your experience with your E46, that has potential to cost just as much, but has been good to you.

BeaterGT > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:36

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Thankfully, the C6 has a lot less of the interior issues than a C5 but it sure as hell won’t be a 997 . I’m sure you know about the heads problem in the C6Z. On a car with such low miles, it would be worth getting checked out should you be interested. Don’t know your vehicle experience but definitely take it easy as 500 hp in a 3200+ lb vehicle is no joke.

I daily a C5Z and it has been great for the past year of ownership doing road trips, track visits, beach days, etc. A nd it has 100k more miles than the one you’ll be driving. I’ve never scraped the nose but I also don’t plan on lowering the car any either which can be done pretty easily in stock form. The front air dam is meant to bend if/when it scrapes the ground, something you just get used to. Highway gas mileage is awesome (better than my Subaru) , insurance is cheap, and it’s a blast to drive.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.

fennelbreath > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:43

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He also hates Subaru’s, and can’t understand why I don’t want a Mustang. He says, “How could you even consider going $35 grand on a Subaru when you can have a Z06 for the same money!”

I just put a down payment on a new WRX after toying with the idea for months. I got almost exactly the same response from an acquaintance whose name is probably familiar to most Oppo regulars.

*shrug*

Mustangs feel like rental cars to me.

Corvettes are far too masculine for my taste — fun enough to drive, but I have no desire to own one . I’m also just not crazy about GM.

In any case, I think it’s weird to suggest Corvettes and Mustangs should be cross-shopped against Subarus. 

CaptDale - is secretly British > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 16:54

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C6 Z06 is one of my dream cars, so sir I will be jealous for sure lol.

the manual-transmission model gets 16 mpg US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg imp ) / 26 mpg US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg imp ) mpg.

That is pretty damn good in my book, and you scrape less than you think you would

Tripper > PartyPooper2012 09/28/2018 at 17:09

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I’m no stranger to expensive rubber bits via the M3. I just replaced one for $550. 

Tripper > fennelbreath 09/28/2018 at 17:14

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Preaching to the choir. I’ve owned a WRX and an STi which is the main reason I’m considering another. 

fennelbreath > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 17:17

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This will be my first. I can’t wait. 

random001 > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 18:23

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Yes, that 33 mpg highway made it a bear to own...

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 09/28/2018 at 19:36

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I daily drove a bright red C4, LT1/6speed corvette for a couple of years. While I would steer anyone to a C5 or newer for a whole bunch of reasons, the act of driving a low-clearance big-boy sports car as a daily driver was an experience I enjoyed and would gladly do again. They hold more inside than you think as a hatchback, and you get used to accounting for low clearance pretty quickly. The biggest reason to do it was that every time I got in the corvette and turned key felt just a little bit special. It turned a trip to Walgreens from, well, just a trip to Walgreens to “hey, I get to take the C orvette for a drive ” , and you accomplish something useful in the process.

wafflesnfalafel > fennelbreath 09/28/2018 at 21:54

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ditto - they really are completely different use vehicles . I daily a 2018 wrx, but would absolutely love a c6 z06 as a toy. They are not mutually exclusive.

SmugAardvark > Tripper 09/29/2018 at 01:40

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Mine is a C5, non-Z06. 6MT with a couple small mods, but more or less stock. Also not a daily driver, but I do commute in it 1 or 2 days per week, enjoy the hell out of it on weekends, and occasionally run errands in it . At my current rate of use, I’m looking at about 4,000 miles per year. But with that said...

I definitely could daily it if I had to. Getting over big speed bumps and very steep parking lot entrances can result in some unwelcome scraping noises (to the piece of hinged plastic that’s there for that reason) . What I love about my car though is that it is thoroughly fun to drive, and a vastly different driving experience from my basic commuter car. B ut at the same time it’s not so rare or expensive to maintain that I live in constant fear of putting miles on it. It’s a sports car that you can enjoy as an enthusiast, but it isn’t going to break your back or your wallet. The only issues I’ve run into were a failed window regulator (about $150 for an OEM part or half that for a lesser brand , and about 90 minutes to do the work yourself) and a stripped gear for one of the pop-up headlights (cheap and easy fix). I did have a few drops of water get inside during bad winter storms, but replacing weather-stripping is a fairly easy task.

One thing that is a worthy investment, a pack of tire plugs and a can of fix-a-flat. If you’re prone to getting flat tires, it will help you from having to call AAA constantly. You could also put on run-flat tires, but they cost more, ride louder, and won’t handle as well.

For the most part, wrenching on it is pretty easy. Parts are plentiful. You could fill books with how-to’s that other DIY owners have shared. I wouldn’t necessarily love using it as a daily driver, but you could certainly do a lot worse.

PartyPooper2012 > Tripper 10/01/2018 at 06:49

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Seems cheaper to grow your own rubber tree and make your own damn weather stripping. Ridiculous! 

getFuckedHerb > Tripper 10/12/2018 at 12:40

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C6 owner here. All I can say is doit. Good fuel economy, comfy on long trips and yea you might scrape the piss out of hte front but who cares it’s just a car.