Corvettes fine as daily drivers?

[ronnysingh]

Hello everyone, hopefully I'll be within your ranks in the next year! I'm looking for a fun and pretty car to cruise around with and use as a daily in the summer months, and I'm falling in love with the Corvettes.

I'm thinking of getting a used 2008-2016. I was originally thinking of either a loaded base model or a Z06, but now that I've done some research it seems that a loaded base model would make for a better daily, and realistically I could never truly use the power of the Z06. Probably would put less than 12k miles a year on it and I'd plan on keeping it for many years, garaging in the winter and using a beater when the snow comes down. I'm a believe that sports cars should be manual so I think I'll go that route, though I'll probably end up burning the clutch during my learning curve.

Are there any issues to using it as a daily/commuter car? Are there any years I should avoid? Any tips appreciated.Nox Showbox Mobdro

[John]

Absolutely. I know many who have used both even the highest performance versions as DD’s, e.g.,m Z06’s and ZR1’s. Please see you other thread you just put up, for there are some comments I made there that related well to this thread.

We look forward to your getting your Corvette!

[Busa Dave]

Buy It! Lot of fun and no issues as a DD at all.

[JB]

Ive been dailying corvettes for over a decade... just got annoyed with no street parking, a curved driveway and only a two car garage...

i daily a 2008 c6 z51 m6 with npp and put on 128k miles ...i just slap snow tires and wheels every november and out summer tires on in april..

the car is a great daily driver...

my advice is if you are buying now to buy a c7 z06 manual for a daily...of course 3 or 4 times the cost even preowned...thats what i would try...

how often doyou get to daily 650 hp ...lol

hell if the c8 doesnt tickle my fancy i may just pick up one myself and call it a day...

[meyerweb]

Can't comment on the C6, but my C7 has been a daily driver year round since I bought it. 31,000 miles in about 3 1/2 years. Commuted to work in it for about 6 months before retiring, and drive it pretty much everywhere, year round. Short trips, long trips, heat, cold, rain, monsoon rain.... Pretty much everything but snow.

It's comfortable, reliable, has decent A/C and heat. I think you'll find the base model Stingray has the best ride, especially if you live in an area with potholes, frost heaves, and similar artifacts of daily life where the weather gets cold and wet in the winter. The Z51 is stiffer, and the GS and Z06 significantly stiffer, although the magnetic ride suspension mitigates some of that.

[cutnout]

I don't think much about the 80's Corvettes as the jury is out for sure. But the C5's, C6's and the three
c7's that have owned have been great. I have driven around the US without any problems in each series I have owned. I bet the C8 will be better. Charlie aka cutnout

[John]

I like your thinking cutnout! I am planning to pick mine up on the east coast, drive it 500 break in miles, get is oil and filter changed, and head out across the countries through some isolated mountain places. Not concerned.

[Fireeagle]

I don't think much about the 80's Corvettes as the jury is out for sure. But the C5's, C6's and the three
c7's that have owned have been great. I have driven around the US without any problems in each series I have owned. I bet the C8 will be better. Charlie aka cutnout

Boo Charlier aka cutnout.. Still love driving my 86 C4 in fact, had it out last night in 24 degree temps. Fires right up on the coldest of days. I would even daily drive this if I did not have to park in a public lot every day. The C7 usually will never see a public lot or it is so far out of the way, only the most rugged (or obnoxious) would park near me. C4's get so disrespected and I know that some model years have less than optimal HP, but they are still fun.

[Fireeagle]

And it did win picture of the day....

[JB]

C4 is looking cool as it was when it released. The silver and white two tine paint is slick. I hear you not wanting to park in public lots..

i was down in the wall street area last week and had to park in a hih secirity area....they were looking under my corvette with mirrors looking for bombs ...then the 3 foot tall 1 foot in diameter columns dropped back down into the road so i could pay 50 dollars to oark my car...

i threw the valet a five spot as i dropped off the car ....and as i left to go to ameeting i heard the tires squelling lol he had to goose it to give me a laugh...

im not a fan of valet parking but i was in a rush...came back a few hours later and my corvette was fine...

i just do what I have to do sometimes...the trick is to tip as you enter and again as you leave...

they tend to take slihtly better care of your car when tip on the way in and out...

25 years and ive never had a problem...

I drive the corvette, i keep it clean and inspect before leaving tipping well pays off,

cool that you have room for more than one corvette.

i only have a two car garage and both a curved driveway and no street parking in the town.

you are a lucky man.

ronny..get the 650 hp z06 ..

you wont regret it...

you can use the power all the time...,and laugh your @ss off when you do...

the power level is insane and you know you want it...

[tjmoneybags]

go drive several different cars. then pick what you think you can tolerate. depending upon how many miles you DD, you may not want to deal with 650hp. no disrespect to other comments. I struggle with this myself. I love the c7 Z06, but do I want to drive it to WM to get groceries? probably not. thats why so many GS are sold. but it really doesn't matter what we think...you have to experience it for yourself. and we will BACK you 100%

[JB]

Definitely a lot of different opinions yet as the years go by I think if you daily the c7 z06 you ll be glad you opted for the z06...

the 460 hp is nice in the grand sport ...it really is yet as time goes by youll always think to yourself...you should have gotten the 650 hp version.

just a perspective to consider before you decide.

ive owned the z51 version and a z06...

as great as the z51 version is...i miss the raw racecar like driving experience that the worked z06 offers.

I ve dailied both and my only error was in modifying my previous corvettes as it ruins the durability that gm designs into their vehicles with a 300k mile durability testing procedure...

stay mostly stock and from the factory and your corvette will be a great daily driver...

with that with the huge discounts we are about to see...treat yourself to the best of the best and it will be as docile as any other car GM designed as a daily driver.

as far as parking at any local shopping center...no matter which corvette you chose....take my advise and remember to park a little farther away than most...

you ll enjoy the walk back as your viewing your amazing supercar...

bith are great.

good luck deciding.

i plan on daily driving the c8 and if i see it and dont like it....the. No question Ill opt for a c7 z06 as my next daily driver for the next decade of fun...

i getting ready to begin my third decade of corvette ownership.

they dont melt in the rain or the snow and the utter durability over the past 128k miles since new makes me even wonder how will I ever justify giving this vehicle away for next to nothing...its been that reliable and carefree an ownership experience.

[camaro6662]

try a C7 Z06 650hp then try to wipe that smile off your face

[tunitech]

I think the car is awesome.

[John]

Welcome tunitech. Glad you joined us. Glad you are smiling with the revealed C8!